July 1979, Vol. IV, No. 7
ENDANGERED SPECIES f TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Department of the Interior • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240 ALLIGATOR RECLASSIFIED IN NINE PARISHES
The American alligator (Alligator This action increases from 3 to 12 mississippiensis) has been reclassified the number of parishes from w^hich under the Endangered Species Act of alligators may be lawfully taken under 1973 in nine Louisiana parishes (F.R. controlled harvest. Controlled taking 6/25/79). These alligators, previously The American alligator in Louisiana is in accordance with Louisiana State classified as Threatened, have been currently Endangered in Area 1, Threat- law has been allowed in three addi- reclassified to the less restrictive ened in Area 2, Threatened by Similari- tional parishes; Cameron, Calcasieu, status under the Act, Threatened by ty of Appearance in Areas 3 and 4. and Vermillion, where the species is Similarity of Appearance. The parishes also classified as Threatened by Sim- Area 4 consists of 9 parishes which affected by the final rulemaking are as ilarity of Appearance. were recently reclassified from Threat- follows: Iberia, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Reclassification to the less restric- ened to less restrictive category, Lafourche, St. Charles, Jefferson, Pla- tive category indicates that the alliga- Threatened by Similarity of Ap- quemines, St. Bernard, and St. Tam- tor is no longer likely to become pearance. many. Continued on page 3
photo by Steve Hillebrand WOLF SKULL FOUND IN WISCONSIN
An expert on wolves In the Office of Endangered Species recently identified the skull of an animal, shot and killed In Douglas County, Wisconsin in June, as that of an adult gray wolf {Canis lupus). This finding confirms earlier track and sight records kept by the Wis- consin State Office of Endan- gered and Nongame Species which indicate the presence of two packs in Douglas County (see April 1979 BULLETIN). The recently found skull, prob- ably that of a female, is the first confirmed specimen from Three of four peregrine chicks are held in a cardboard box before placement Wisconsin In 20 years. in a man-made nest on the Interior Building roof. See Story page 6 with mosquito fish for feeding a Cal- ifornia least tern (Sterna albifrons browni) colony. The success of the project will depend upon the move- ment of marine fish through canals (which connect the temporary marsh to natural waters) to maintain fish pop- ulations in the marsh. The site is owned by the California Department f of Transportation which is leasing it to the county on the condition that it will be returned upon completion of the flood control project. Region 2. The Service met with wild- life officials from Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma to discuss bobcat (Lynx rufus) problems—standardization of tagging, illegal entry from Mexico, import and export, and interstate han- dling and shipment. Endangered Species Program regional of this species exist in the v(/orld. The The Arizona-New Mexico Endan- staffers have reported the following ac- pair w/ill be housed at the Cooperative gered Species Handbook has been tivities for the month of June. State Nene Propagation Station at printed and released. Contact the Re- Region 1. A female Marianas mallard Pohakuloa, Hawaii. gional Office for details on availability. (Anas oustaleti) captured on Saipan, Service consultations on the Santa More than 50,000 Kemp's Ridley sea will be placed with a male captured Ana River flood control project near turtles (Lepidochelys kempii) were earlier in the Marianas. It has been Huntington Beach have resulted in a hatched at Rancho Nuevo in Mexico. suggested that less than 10 individuals newly excavated 17-acre site stocked Two female Kemp's Ridley sea turtles are reported to be nesting at Padre Island, Texas. A report on the second U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, year of this 10-year project to protect Washington, D.C. 20240 NM 87103 (505-766-2321): W. 0. Nel- the species will be forthcoming iri son, Regional Director, Robert F. Ste- December. Lynn A. Greenwalt, Director phens, Assistant Regional Director; (202-343-4717) Jack B. Woody, Endangered Species Region 3. Our Service met with the Harold J. O'Connor Specialist. Soil Conservation Service to discuss Acting Associate Director and Region 3, Federal BIdg., Fort Snelling, procedures for Section 7 consulta- Endangered Species Program Manager Twin Cities, MNi 55111 (612-725-3500); tions. (202-343-4646) Harvey Nelson, Regional Director', The Service also met with the Min- C. Phillip Agee Delbert H. Rasmussen, Assistant Re- nesota Land Heritage Program of the Acting Deputy Associate Director gional Director, James M. Engel, En- Department of Natural Resources to (202-343-4646) dangered Species Specialist. discuss interaction between the two John Spinks, Chief, Region 4, Richard B. Russell Federal BIdg., Office of Endangered Species 75 Spring St., S.W., Atlanta, GA 30303 agencies. (703/235-2771) (404-221-3583): Kenneth E. Black, Re- The Kirtland's Warbler Recovery Richard Parsons, Chief, gional Director Harold W. Benson, Team met in June. Federal Wildlife Permit Office Assistant Regional Director: Alex B. Region 4. Service and State per- (703/235-1937) Montgomery, Endangered Species Spe- sonnel are continuing their efforts to Clark R, Bavin, Chief, cialist. improve the nesting success of log- Division of Law Enforcement Region 5, Suite 700, One Gateway Cen- gerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) (202-343-9242) ter, Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617- 965-5100): Howard Larsen, Regional on Cape Island, Cape Romain National TECHNICAL BULLETIN STAFF Director, Gordon T. Nightingale, As- Wildlife Refuge, South Carolina. Log- Dona Finnley, Editor sistant Regional Director, Paul Nick- gerheads on the island, which is con- Moray Norkin, Editorial Asst. erson. Endangered Species Specialist. sidered one of the most important (703/235-2407) Region 6, P.O. Box 25486, Denver Fed- nesting beaches for the species, have eral Center, Denver, CO 80225 (303- been suffering from raccoon predation Regional Offices 234-2209): James Gritman, Acting Re- (see May 1979 BULLETIN) and, during gional Director Charles E. Lane, As- the last 10 to 12 months, serious beach Region 1, Suite 1692, Lloyd 500 BIdg., sistant Regional Director Don Rodgers, erosion. The cause of the accelerated 500 N.E. Multnomah St., Portland, OR Endangered Species Specialist. 97232 (503-231-6118): R. Kahler Mar- Alaska Area, 1101 E Tudor Rd., Anchor- erosion is uncertain, but it has re- tinson, Regional Director, Edward B. age, AK 99057 (907-276-3800, ext. 495): sulted in near elimination of nesting Chamberlain, Assistant Regional Di- Keith M. Schreiner, Area Director: beach in some areas. Because of the rector, David B. Marshall, Endangered Dan Benfield, Endangered Species Spe- high erosion rate, many nests are sub- Species Specialist. cialist. ject to being washed away before the eggs can hatch. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions Service personnel plan to transplant Region 1: California, Hawaii, idalio, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona, New Mexico, OI
As this issue of the BULLETIN went sultation, to consider additional infor- premature, since Pittston had not yet to press, the Secretaries of the Interior mation (see March 1979 BULLETIN). exhausted EPA's internal appeals pro- and Commerce and the Pittston Com- However, the new consultation re- cedure. This led to the present agree- pany reached an agreement to stay sulted in the Service reaffirming its ment to again halt the Review Board's the proceedings of the first Endan- earlier conclusion of jeopardy to the action. Unless a subsequent hearing gered Species Review Board. The eagle. indicates that the Review Board proceedings will not be resumed until The Review Board resumed proc- should proceed, no further action will the Environmental Protection Agency's essing of the Pittston application on be taken on the exemption applica- (EPA) internal appeals process June 4, 1979. Four environmental or- tion until EPA's proceedings are com- reaches a final decision on a permit ganizations then brought suit, contend- pleted, which may take several for Pittston's proposed oil refinery at ing that the Review Board's action was months. Eastport, Maine, or until a Federal judge decides that the company's ap- plication for an exemption from Sec- tion 7 of the Endangered Species Act is not premature. CITES Standing Committee Report Pittston was denied a National Pol- lutant Discharge Elimination System The Standing Committee of the to oversee the functioning of various permit by EPA after the Fish and Wild- Convention on International Trade in committees which will conduct certain life Service and National Marine Fish- Endanged Species of Wild Fauna and studies to be presented to that eries Service issued biological Flora (CITES) met on June 22 in Bonn, conference. opinions to EPA stating that the facil- West Germany. The Committee, Major issues discussed at the meet- ity would likely jeopardize the con- formed at the recent conference of all ing included: tinued existence of the bald eagle party nations in Costa Rica, is chaired • Relative merits of negotiating a (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and right by the United States and also consists more favorable tax status for the Sec- and humpback whales lEubalaena of representatives from the United retariat with the Swiss Government or spp. and (Megaptera novaeangliae)}. Kingdom, Switzerland, India, Nepal, moving to a less expensive location The Pittston Company originally ap- Zaire, Costa Rica, Australia, and such as England. Both options will be plied to the Secretary of the Interior Brazil. Its duties are to provide guid- further explored. for an exemption on January 26, 1979, ance to the CITES Secretariat (the • The need for obtaining party na- but action was suspended while our full-time staff), to prepare for the next tion participation in committees to Service and EPA renewed the con- conference of the parties in 1981 and Continued on page 8
Alligators Reclassified Continued from page 1 endangered in the foreseeable future, reclassification in the nine parishes as it, and many recommended reclassifi- and that no harm will be done to the proposed, requested that the Service cation in additional parishes. No addi- species by controlled harvest in those reconsider its position on the other tional biological data were presented, areas where it is so classified. How- parishes requesting delisting. Policy however. ever, other Southeastern alligator pop- Juries of several parishes not included Simultaneously, with the Service's ulations remain classified either as in the affected nine individually re- proposal to reclassify alligators in the Endangered or Threatened. For in- quested delisting in their areas. The above nine parishes (F.R. 10/2/78), stance, alligators in the remaining Defenders of Wildlife and the Fund for the Service also proposed to amend Louisiana coastal parishes, and those Animals submitted joint comments op- the special rules which apply to Amer- in the State's inland parishes, remain posing the reclassification on the ican alligators and published a notice classified as Threatened and Endan- grounds of inadequate enforceability of review on the status of the alligator gered, respectively. and the potential harm to endangered in all other parishes within Louisiana. Since individuals from the three crocodilians throughout the world After careful review of the comments listed alligator populations are indis- should alligator hides enter the com- on the proposed special rules by the tinguishable, some restrictions on mercial market. None of the commen- Service's Division of Law Enforcement, commercial activities involving speci- tors offered additional biological data. the Service decided to repropose spe- mens taken from the 12 parishes are Comments submitted during the re- cial rules for the American alligator. still necessary. Management proce- opened comment period. May 10-June These proposed rules were published dures developed by the State of Lou- 5, 1979, were also considered in the in the Federal Register on July 18, isiana assist law enforcement in re- final decision to reclassify alligators in 1979. lieving look-alike problems which pose the nine parishes. The Service will continue to review an additional threat to the species. In partial fulfillment of the En- the status of the American alligator (See 44 F.R. 31586-31587, May 31, dangered Species Act Amendments of throughout the State of Louisiana. Bio- 1979, for a discussion of the Louisiana 1978, public hearings on the proposed logical evidence, however, does not State alligator regulations.) reclassification were held at Morgan support reclassification of alligators in The Service received a total of 23 City, Louisiana and Tallahassee, Flor- additional parishes at this time. Should written comments on the proposal, ida. The hearings were attended by alligator numbers increase signifi- most of which were in favor of reclas- approximately 200 persons and 15 per- cantly, becoming a serious nuisance or sification in all or a part of the pro- sons, respectively. None present at exceeding the carrying capacity of posed area. The Governor of Loui- either meeting voiced opposition to their habitat, appropriate measures siana, while strongly supporting the the proposal, most spoke in favor of can then be implemented. Interim Exemption Regulations ENDANGERED SPECIES Adopted
SCIENTIFIC AUTHORITY The Endangered Species Committee f has adopted interim regulations for the operation of Endangered Species Notices—June 1979 in animal and plant species included Review Boards and Committee pro- in any of three appendices. American ceedings (F.R. 6/8/79). The new reg- Composed of representatives from ginseng is included in Appendix II, a ulations implement Sections 7(g)(4)- seven Federal agencies, the Endan- listing which generally includes those (12), 7(e), and 7(h)-(1) of the Endan- gered Species Scientific Authority species not necessarily threatened gered Species Act Amendments of (ESSA) was established by Executive with extinction, but which may become 1978. Together, these sections provide order to insure the scientific sound- so unless trade is subject to strict that Federal projects meeting certain ness of governmental decisions con- regulation. The ESSA's approval of criteria may be exempted from the cerning trade in endangered species ginseng export from any State in- provisions of Section 7(a), which of animals and plants. /As the U.S. dicates that such an action will not establishes the basic requirement that Scientific Authority for the Convention be detrimental to the survival of the all Federal agencies insure, in consul- on International Trade in Endangered species. Such a determination must be tation with the Secretaries of the In- Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, made in order to allow the U.S. Man- terior or Commerce, that their actions ESS A reviews applications to export agement Authority to issue a permit do not jeopardize the continued exist- and import species protected under for trade in the species. ence of Endangered or Threatened the Convention, reviews the status of Kentucky, West Virginia, and Wis- species or destroy or adversely modify wild animals and plants impacted by consin exported the greatest amounts their Critical Habitats. trade, monitors their trade, makes cer- of ginseng roots between September The regulations took immediate tain findings concerning housing and 1, 1978, and April 15, 1979. Statistics effect, so that a Review Board could care of protected specimens, and ad- compiled from export certificates by begin consideration of exemption ap- vises on trade controls. the Management Authority indicate plications filed for the Pittston Oil re- that these three States exported finery in Maine (see Pittston story page 14,103, 11,132, and 7,363 pounds, re- 3). The interim regulations will remain spectively. Other States approved for in effect for 240 days, with permanent export of ginseng roots harvested in regulations to be published before ESSA Proposes 1978 were: their expiration. Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, In- Applications for exemption from Limited Export of diana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Min- the Act may be submitted by a Federal nesota, Missouri, New York, North agency if consultation between the American Ginseng Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, agency and Interior's Fish and Wildlife and Virgnia. Conditions for export on Service or Commerce's National Ma- these findings required that the roots rine Fisheries Service has resulted in be documented as to the State of a biological opinion from either Serv- State-by-State export findings on origin and season of collecting (Annex ice indicating jeopardy to a listed American ginseng (Panax quinque- to 50 CFR Part 810). Conditions on the species, or destruction or adverse folius) roots harvested in 1979 were findings for export of roots harvested modification of Critical Habitat. The proposed in early June by the Endan- during the 1979 season were also pro- Governor of the State where the action gered Species Scientific Authority posed by the ESSA along with the is proposed, or a person denied a (F.R. 6/1/79). Export was proposed June 1 proposed findings. These con- permit or license primarily because of for approval from two States, Kentucky ditions again require that the roots be Endangered species considerations and Wisconsin. documented as to State of origin and (such as the Pittston Company), may Because wild plant management is season of collecting. The proposal ad- also apply for an exemption. Applica- new to many States, State manage- ditionally requires that methods and tion procedures are established in ment authorities for plants are often procedures to be followed by the separate regulations proposed by In- lacking. The ESSA, therefore, pro- Management Authority to ensure com: terior and Commerce (F.R. 2/7/79; see posed to approve export of wild Amer- pliance with this condition must be February 1978 BULLETIN). ican ginseng from those States that provided to the ESSA on a State-by- Once an application has been sub- have implemented substantial pro- State basis prior to final findings ad- mitted, a three-member Review Board grams to conserve the species and dressing American ginseng. is appointed. Within 60 days after ap- whose populations can support the CITES certificates are required for pointment, the Review Board must de- harvest. Acceptable conservation pro- the export of cultivated American termine whether the application meets grams generally must include some ginseng, but no CITES documentation the threshold criteria for referral to form of research and regulation de- is required for harvest, transport, or the Committee. By regulation, the Re- signed to monitor the status of the sale of wild or cultivated ginseng view Board must decide whether (1) State's wild populations, to provide within the United States. Harvest of the affected Federal agency has con- annual harvest estimates, and to con- wild American ginseng from public ducted any required biological assess- trol exploitation. lands, however, usually requires writ- ment; (2) the Federal agency (and The Convention on International ten permission from the administering permit or license applicant, if any) Trade in Endangered Species of Wild agency, and harvest transport, and have refrained from any irreversible or Fauna and Flora (CITES) and its im- commerce in this species are subject irretrievable commitment of resources; plementing regulations control trade to control in some States. (3) the Federal agency (and permit or license applicant) have consulted with In addition to the Secretary of the In- cance. The Committee must also es- the appropriate Service in good faith terior, the Committee consists of the tablish appropriate mitigation and and have considered any reasonable Secretaries of Agriculture and the enhancement measures to minimize and prudent alternatives; and (4) the Army, the Chairman of the Council of the adverse effects of the exempted findings of an irresolvable conflict be- Economic Advisors, the Administrators action on the species. tween the proposed action and the of the Environmental Protection The regulations require advance no- species is supported by substantial Agency and the National Oceanic and tices in the Federal Register of all evidence. The regulations place the Atmospheric Administration, and a Committee and Review Board meet- f burden of proof on the exemption nominee from the Governor of each ings or hearings, as well as addresses applicant. affected State. and deadlines for submission of writ- A negative.deternnination on any of The Committee has 90 days to make ten comments. Meetings and hearings the four criteria above will result in a final decision. To grant an exemp- will be open to the public. termination of the proceedings. The tion, at least five of its members, vot- Although the interim regulations applicant may then attempt to correct ing in person, must determine on the took immediate effect, the Committee any deficiencies in the record and re- record that (1) there are no reasonable is soliciting public comments, which submit the application. The applicant and prudent alternatives to the pro- will be considered prior to adoption may also appeal the decision to a Fed- posed action; (2) the benefits of the of final regulations. Comments may be eral court. actions clearly outweigh the benefits submitted through September 4, 1979, Following a positive determination, of alternative courses of action con- to the Chairman, Endangered Species the Review Board must prepare a re- sistent with conserving the species or Committee, c/o Office of Policy Analy- port, within 180 days, addressing the its Critical Habitat, and such action is sis, Department of the Interior, 18th criteria the Committee will use in de- in the public interest; and (3) the ac- and C Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C. ciding whether to grant an exemption. tion is of regional or national signifi- 20240. Rulemaking Actions June 1979
25 FOREIGN SPECIES FOUND ENDANGERED
The Service has determined that 25 recognized as such in a revised edi- extinct. foreign species (24 mammals and 1 tion now in preparation. This final (Space limitations do not permit us bird) are Endangered (F.R. 6/25/79). rulemaking became effective on July to present a discussion of each of The mammal species were classified 27, 1979. the 25 species and the threats to their as endangered in the 1972 edition of Most of the species have suffered existence. For further information on the International Union for the Con- severe population declines because of any of the species listed in the accom- servation of Nature and Natural Re- excessive hunting and loss of habitat. panying table, kindly consult the June sources Red Data Book, and are being Some, in fact, are thought to be 25, 1979, Federal Register.)
Species Range
Common name Scientific name Known distribution
Cat, Iriomote Mayailurus iriomotensis Iriomote Island, Ryukyu Islands Civet, Malabar large spotted Vierra magaspila civetiria India Deer, Bactrian Cervus elaphus bactrianus USSR, Afghanistan Deer, Barbary Cervus elaphus barbanus Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco Deer, Corscan red Cervus elaphus corsicanus Corsica, Sardinia Deer, Yarkand Cervus elaphus yarkandensis Chinese Turkestan Duiker, Jentinks Cephalophus jentinki Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast. Eland, western Taurotragus derbianus derbianus Senegal to Ivory Coast Fox, Simian Simla slmensls Ethiopia Gazelle Arabian Gazella gazella arabica Arabian Pennsula including Israel. Gazelle, Pelzein's Gazella dorcas pelzeini Somalia Gazelle, sand Gazella subgutturosa marica Arabian Peninsula, Jordan Gazelle, Saudi Gazelle dorcas saudiya Israel. Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait. Hartebeest, Swayne's Alcelaphus bucelaphus swaynei Somalia, Ethiopia Hartebeest, Tpra Alcelaphus bucelaphus tora Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt Muntjac, Fea's Muntiacus feae Burma, Thailand Rabbit, Ryukyu Pantalagus turnesi Ryukyu Islands SIka, Formosan Cervus nippon taiovanus Taiwan Sika, North China Cervus nippor) mandarinus Shansi, China Sika, Ryukyu Cervus nipport keramae Ryukyu Islands Sika, Shansi Cervus nippon grassianus Shansi, China Sika, South China Cervus nippon kopschi Yangtze Valley, China Suni, Zanzibar Zanzibar Island, Tanzania Tahr. Arabian Hemitragus jayakani Oman Parrot, rednecked Amazon Amazona aurasiaca Dominica ities, in which the species occurs, Tennessee Purple Coneflower Endangered could result in the coneflower being "crowded out" of its habitat. A native plant of Tennessee, Echi- owner is sympathetic to conserving In addition to the protection pro- nacea tennesseensis, was determined the species. vided by the Endangered Species Act, by the Service to be an Endangered In Wilson County, the plant is lo- the Service will review the status of species (F.R. 6/6/79). The species was cated in a pasture cedar glade, the the species to determine if it should one of approximately 1,700 plant taxa majority of which is privately owned. be proposed for placement on an ap- proposed by the Service for Endan- A portion of this population occurs in propriate Appendix to the Convention f gered status in the June 16, 1976 Cedars of Lebanon State Forest. on International Trade in Endangered Federal Register. Collectors and wildflower enthu- Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and The coneflower is found in the Ten- siasts have been attracted by the whether it should be considered under nessee counties of Davidson, Ruther- species' esthetic qualities. Removal of other appropriate international agree- ford, and Wilson. The Davidson pop- a large number of plants from Wilson ments. ulation has been reduced because of County has been observed. In the housing construction. Ongoing resi- 1960's, Echinacea roots were being dential and recreational development purchased by a crude drug company could continue to threaten this for their suspected medicinal value. A Peregrine Falcons population. recurrence of this type of demand Although the coneflower was for- could further threaten the species' sur- Released in merly found on three sites in Ruther- vival. Other threats to the species ford County, only one of these popula- could arise from grazing, if it exceeds Nation's Capital tions exists today—in a corporation's current levels in Wilson County. Suc- crushed limestone lot. The present cession of the cedar glade commun- photo by Paul Somers Soon, through the aid of a hacking station atop the Department of the In- terior Building, it may be possible for residents and tourists in Washington, D.C. to witness peregrine falcons (Faico peregrinus) soaring overhead. On June 20, Interior Secretary Cecil D. Andrus presided over the placing of four captive-bred peregrine chicks in a man-made nest on the building's roof. After an 18-day stay in the hack box, the 7-week-old birds were re- leased on July 9 at 9:15 a.m. (Interior officials had hoped for a release date of July 4, but the three females devel- oped slower than expected.) The release program, which came about through recommendations made by the Eastern Peregrine Falcon Re- covery Team, marks the first attempt at restocking the peregrine in a major U.S. metropolitan area. According to Dr. Tom Cade of the Peregrine Fund at Cornell University (and supplier of the birds for this project), Washing- ton, D.C., like most large cities, is a biologically sound location for the re- introduction of peregrines. The city offers an ample supply of pigeons and starlings as well as the absence of predators such as great horned owls (Bubo virginianus). The falcon has been known to nest on tall buildings in highly populated areas of Europe and North America, including Wash- ington, D.C. and several nearby areas in the 1940's and early 1950's. Throughout their stay on the In- terior Building roof, the peregrines have been under the care of Tom and Sharon Allan of Houghton, Michigan. The couple was given living quarters in the building. Between visits to ob- servation points on nearby rooftops, The Tennessee Purple Coneflower has attracted many collectors because of its the Allans were able to monitor the esthetic qualities. birds via a complex video system. (The video monitoring system is the product of Innervision Media Systems, Inc., emerged from the box within 10 Washington area on which to establish Rochester, New York. A similar remote minutes. a territory and, hopefully, to rear their monitoring system was used in 1976 According to the Allans, their young. Speculation as to which build- for the first bald eagle hacking project work really began during the first week ings may be chosen by the falcons in- by the New York State Endangered of the release, the most critical period cludes the U.S. Capitol, the old Smith- Species Unit at Montezuma National for the success of the project. The sonian, the old Post Office, and the. Wildlife Refuge. See December 1978 Allans worked from dawn to dusk National Cathedral. BULLETIN.) watching the birds as they made their Currently, there are no wild breed- % The bird sitting chores included a first flights. During the first several ing peregrines east of the Rocky daily "remote feeding" consisting of 8 weeks of flight, the peregrines ex- Mountains. Since the late 1940's, when or 9 quail. The food was put into a de- hibited a sequence of behaviors aimed DDT was introduced as a pesticide, layed release box above the hack box at developing the flying skills neces- peregrines experienced a sudden and at approximately 6:30 a.m. Thirty to sary for hunting. The birds will con- sharp decline in their population num- 60 minutes later a string was pulled tinue to return to the hack site for food bers. DDT caused eggshell thinning, and the food fell into the box. This until they are able to sustain them- which resulted in many eggs being system of feeding was used to avoid selves by their own hunting efforts. crushed during normal incubation. any association of the food with hu- As they become more proficient Peregrine release projects in non- mans. There was no feeding the day fliers, the birds will increase their urban areas are beginning to show before the release. hunting radius from the hacking tower. signs of success. Three pairs of pere- Prior to release, a cardboard panel The birds have been fitted with radio grines were recently spotted near sep- was inserted in the box between the transmitters to allow tracking of their arate release sites in New Jersey. One falcons and the screen at the front of activities for the first few weeks. Also, pair has nested and produced the box. The screen was removed and walkie-talkies and the video monitor- eggs (which unfortunately disappeared food was placed on the hack board ing system (which covers a 355° area) through unknown causes just prior to outside of the box. The cardboard will aid in keeping track of the birds. hatching), marking the first time that panel was then removed and the birds It is believed that the birds will even- falcons raised and released in this were on their own. All of the birds tually choose a taller structure in the manner have bred in the wild.
Sharon and Tom Allan on the hacking tower before their bird-sitting chores began. At left is a camera for remote video monitoring of the NEW falcons. photo by Steve Hillebrand PUBLICATIONS
The Endangered Species Commit- tee of the American Fisheries Society, with financial support from the Fish and Wildlife Service, has published a pamphlet—Fishes of North America: Endangered, Threatened, or of Special Concern: 1979. The pamphlet, which contains 61 color photographs of en- dangered fish, was written by James E. Deacon, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Gail C. Kobetich, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; James D. Williams, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and Salvador Contreras, Professor of Biol- ogy, Universadad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, San Nicolas, Nuevo Leon, Mex- ico. For each fish listed, common and scientific names, nature of the threat, and historical distribution by State or province are given. For a free copy write to James D. Williams, Office of Endangered Spe- cies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. 20240. The Rare Vascular Plants of Sas- katchewan was a Canadian contribu- tion to the UNESCO Program on Man and the Biosphere. For information on this publication's availability write to the Parks, and Wildlife, 10363—108 Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 1J8. Copies of Vascular Plants of the Charles Sheldon National Wildlife Re- fuge, Nevada (with special reference to possible threatened and endan- gered species) are now available by Continued on page 8
GPO 281-326 CITES Continued from page 3 work on an identification manual, BOX SCORE OF SPECIES LISTINGS standardized nomenclature for species included on the three CITES appen- Number of Number of dices, and other issues. The Secre- Category Endangered Species Threatened Species tariat will circulate an official request to all parties asking for their help in U.S. Foreign Total U.S. Foreign Total this work. Mammals 33 251 284 3 18 21 • The usefulness of good communi- # Birds 67 145 212 3 3 cation, and possibly regional meetings, Reptiles 11 48 59 10 10 between party nations experiencing Amphibians 5 9 14 2 2 problems in interpreting each other's Fishes 29 11 40 12 12 forms and controlling trade in par- Snails 2 1 3 5 5 ticular items, such as elephant ivory. Clams 23 2 25 • Progress in making arrangements Crustaceans 1 1 Insects 6 6 2 2 for the next conference of the parties Plants 22 22 2 2 in 1981. India reported that some of Total 199 467 666 39 18 57 the necessary approvals for it to hold the next meeting have been obtained, Number of species currently proposed: 158 animals and the rest are expected soon. The 1,850 plants (approx.) Secretariat will help in preparing a Number of Critical Habitats listed: 34 budget for the conference. Number of Recovery Teams appointed: 66 Number of Recovery Plans approved: 22 • The need for more advance re- Number of Cooperative Agreements signed with States: 23 view of proposals to be presented at June 30, 1979 the conference. The Standing Com- mittee and Secretariat are expected to coordinate this review in order to keep the next conference's agenda to a reasonable length, and to insure that ter, the bibliography has over 2,000 Young University Herbarium in Provo, species proposals meet established citations. This comprehensive guide Utah. The project was funded by the standards. to the literature on the bald eagle U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau serves as companion to the previously of Land Management, and U.S. Forest New published Working Bibliography of Service. Descriptions of over 200 Owls of the World. (Similiar publica- plants are given. Publications tions on the golden eagle and pere- The manual is available from our Continued from page 7 grine falcon are planned.) Service's Denver Regional Office. writing to Sheldon National Wildlife To order send name, address, and A similar guide has been issued by^ Refuge, P.O. Box 111, Lakeview, payment of $9.00 per copy, plus $.85 the University of Oklahoma. Endan\ Oregon 97630. for handling, to National Wildlife Fed- gered and Threatened Plints of Okia-' A Working Bibliography of the Bald eration, 1412-16th Street, N.W., Wash- homa is available, while the limited Eagle is now available from the Na- ington, D.C. 20036. supply lasts, from P.G. Risser, En- tional Wildlife Federation. Compiled An Illustrated f^anual of Proposed dangered Species Publication, De- by Dr. Jeffrey Lincer, William Clark, Endangered and Threatened Plants partment of Botany and Microbiology, and Maurice N. LeFranc, Jr. of the of Utah was prepared by S.L. Welsh University of Oklahoma, Norman, Federation's Raptor Information Cen- and K.H. Throne of the Brigham Oklahoma 73019,
ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN J POSTAGE AND fEES PAID Department of ttie Interior • U S Fish and Wildlife Service • Endangered Species Program, Washington, DC 20240 US DEPARTMENT OF THE INTEHlOB Int423 July 1979, Vol. IV, No. 7