March 1987 Vol. XII No. 3

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Department of interior. U.S. Fish and wildlife Service Technical Bulletin Endangered Species Program, Washington, D.C. 20240 Four Southeastern Plants Proposed for Listing

During February 1987, the following four tion will be reinforced and supplemented Comments on the proposal to list L. species of plants endemic to small areas by the Federal Endangered Species Act if helleri as Threatened are welcome, and of the southeastern United States were the FWS listing proposal is made final. An should be sent to the Field Supervisor, En- proposed by the Fish and Wildlife Service important addition would be the protection dangered Species Field Office, U.S. Fish (FWS) for listing as Endangered or of habitat from potentially adverse Federal and Wildlife Service, 100 Otis Street, Threatened: activities. Such activities could include fur- Room 224, Asheville, North Carolina ther construction of recreational facilities, 28801, by April 20, 1987. use of aerially-applied chemicals to fight Liatris helleri (Heller's Blazing fires, road construction, and permits for Three Granite Outcrop Plants mineral exploration if carried out without Star) the species' needs being considered. The The FWS has proposed listing Isoetes A small perennial herb, L. helleri is a FWS will work with the U.S. Forest Service melanospora (black-spored quillwort) member of the aster family (Asteraceae). and National Park Service to ensure the and Isoetes tegetiformans (mat-forming The species is found only on a few scat- conservation of L. helleri on Federal lands quillwort) as Endangered species, and tered summits in the northern Blue Ridge while accommodating agency objectives Amphianthus pusillus (little amphi- Mountains of North Carolina, where it to the extent possible. Both agencies have anthus) as Threatened (F.R. 2/19/87). All grows in shallow, acidic soils on high expressed interest in cooperating with the three of these plants are restricted to small ledges of outcrops that are exposed to full FWS to develop management and recov- pools on granite outcrops in the south- sunlight. ery plans. eastern U.S. Of the nine historically known L. helleri I. melanospora, a low-growing plant in populations, two are considered extir- the quillwort family (Isoetaceae) can be pated; a site in Watauga County was con- distinguished by its complete velum cover- verted to a residential development and age, dark tuberculate megaspores, and another in Mitchell County was subjected short spiral leaves. I. tegetiformans is simi- to intensive recreational use. Only three of lar in appearance, but has a mat-forming the seven surviving populations receive growth habit of plants interconnected by some protection from human-induced hab- rhizomes. A. pusillus is a monotypic genus itat alteration. The other four are on lands of uncertain membership in the that have been, or are being, developed snapdragon family (Scrophulariaceae). for commercial recreational use. In an This diminutive, fibrous-rooted annual has effort to prevent the species' extinction, the both floating and submerged leaves of dif- FWS has proposed to list it as Threatened ferent shapes and tiny white flowers. A. (F.R. 2/19/87). pusillus is ephemeral, usually completing its entire life cycle within a 3- to 4-week The seven surviving L. helleri popula- period. tions occur in Caldwell, Avery, Ashe, and Burke Counties. Three of them occur on The granite outcrops supporting popula- privately owned land, and are threatened tions of these plants occur as large, iso- by the construction of roads, parking lots, lated domes or as gently rolling "flatrocks " buildings, and other tourist support facili- in the Piedmont physiographic region of ties or by trampling. A fourth site is being the southeast. Because of their scattered developed into a ski resort. Only the site distribution and harsh environmental con- owned by The Nature Conservancy re- ditions (high light intensities, extreme wet/ ceives full protection. The other two L. dry periods), these rock exposures are ac- helleri sites are on public lands, Pisgah tive sites for plant speciation, as shown by National Forest and the Blue Ridge Park- their high degree of endemism. Of the way, but these also are scenic areas that plants endemic to granite outcrops, the are subject to heavy recreational use. Soil three recently proposed species are the compaction and erosion, trampling, and most restricted. They grow in shallow, flat- the potential construction of new hiking bottomed temporary or vernal pools that trails are significant threats to the species' are found on the crest and flattened slopes survival. of some unquarried outcrops. Such pools L. helleri already is listed as threatened retain water for several weeks following by the State of North Carolina, which pro- Liatris helleri (Heller's blazing star) is a heavy rains and completely dry out in sum- hibits intrastate trade in the species with- perennial with one or more arching mer droughts. The vast majority of these out a permit and collecting of the plants stems reaching up to 16 inches (40 cen- pools are small, only 0.5 to 1.0 meters without both a State permit and written timeters) from a tuft of narrow, pale permission of the landowner. This protec- green leaves. (continued on page 6)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 274, and the birds favored the northern half of Pend Oreille. * * *

The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), U.S. Forest Service, Washington Depart- ment of Game, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, and numerous vol- unteers surveyed bald eagle night roosting sites in Skagit County, Washington. Winter concentrations of these birds along the Skagit River corridor are among the high- est in the nation. Traditionally, the bald eagle population often exceeds 400 on the Skagit during winter months when the eagles feed on salmon carcasses washed up on sand and gravel bars after spawning.

On January 5, 1987, the FWS closed on Endangered species program regional taking more of a liking to an area around its purchase of the 11,360-acre Hudson staff members have reported the fol- Pend Oreille Lake in northern Idaho this Ranch in Kern County, California, for $3.5 lowing activities for the month of season. This year's high count was 429 million. The ranch was incorporated into February: bald eagles near the southern part of the the Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Region 1 — Wintering bald eagles lake where kokanee (salmon) were which was established for the Endangered {Haliaeetus leucocephalus) seem to be spawning. Last winter, the high count was California condor {Gymnogyps califor- nianus). This newly acquired acreage will U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3, Federal BIdg,, Fort Snelling, Twin be added to 873 acres already owned by Washington, D.C. 20240 Cities. MN 55111 (612-725-3500); Har- the FWS. The adjacent 1,304-acre Hoag vey Nelson. Regional Director: John S. Ranch is also in the process of being ac- Frank Dunkle, Director Popowski. Assistant Regional Director: quired by the FWS and should complete (202-343-4717) James M. Engel. Endangered Species most of the planned acquisitions for the Ronald E, Lambertson Specialist. Assistant Director for Fish refuge. and Wildlife Enhancement Region 4. Richard B Russell Federal BIdg., * * * 75 Spnng St., S.W. Atlanta. GA 30303 (202-343-4646) (404-331-3580); James W. Pulliam, Re- In the final report of a 3-year study on Marvin E. Moriarty, Chief, gional Director: John I. Christian. Assi Office of Endangered Species the San Clemente loggerhead shrike stant Regional Director: Marshall P (703-235-2771) {Lanlus ludovicianus mearnsi), the shrike Jones. Endangered Species Specialist Earl B. Baysinger. Chief. population was estimated to be between Federal Wildlife Permit Office Region 5. One Gateway Center, Suite 700 19 and 30 adults. In the 1986 breeding (703-235-1937) Newton Corner, MA 02158 (617-965 season, there were only 24 adults. The Clark R. Bavin, Chief. 5100); Howard Larson. Regional Direc population is limited by heavy predation of Division of Law Enforcement tor: Stephen W, Parry. Assistant Re young and a lack of suitable nest sites. (202-343-9242) gional Director: Paul Nickerson. En The report recommends removing remain- TECHNICAL BULLETIN Staff dangered Species Specialist. ing feral goats, relocating suitable nesting Michael Bender, Editor Region 6. P O Box 25486. Denver Federal species, and controlling feral cat Denise Henne, Assistant Editor Center, Denver. CO 80225 (303-236- predation. (703-235-2407) 7920); Galen Buterbaugh, Regional Di- * * * rector: John D. Green. Assistant Re- gional Director: Barry S. Mulder, En- The locally initiated effort to develop a Regional Offices dangered Species Specialist. habitat conservation plan for the Marina Dunes ecosystem (Monterey County, Cal- Region 1, Lloyd 500 BIdg., Suite 1692, 500 Region 7, 1011 E, Tudor Rd., Anchorage, ifornia) advanced another step with the se- N E. Multnomah St.. Portland, OR AK 99503 (907-786-3542); Robert E. 97232 (503-231-6118); Rolf L. Wal- Gllmore. Regional Director: Jon Nelson, lection of a consultant to prepare the plan lenstrom. Regional Director: William F. Assistant Regional Director: Dennis and associated environmental documents. Shake, Assistant Regional Director: Money. Endangered Species Special- The plan will address the conservation Wayne S White, Endangered Species ist. needs of the Endangered Smith's blue but- Specialist. Region 8 (FWS Research and Develop- terfly {Euphilotes enoptes smithi) and four Region 2, P.O. Box 1306, Albuquerque, NM ment), Washington, D C. 20240; species that are candidates for future list- 87103 (505-766-2321); Michael J. Richard N. Smith, Regional Director: ing: the black legless lizard {Anniella Spear, Regional Director: Conrad A. Endangered Species Staff: Clarence pulchra nigra), Menzies' wallflower {Eiysi- Fjetland, Assistant Regional Director: Johnson, fish and crustaceans (202- mum menziesii), Monterey spineflower James Johnson. Endangered Species 653-8772); Bettina Sparrowe, other ani- (Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens), and Specialist. mals and plants (202-653-8762). Monterey slender-flowered gilia (Gilia ten- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regions uiflora var. arenaria). In late 1986, the Cal- Region 1; Califorrna. Hawaii, Idaho. Nevada. Oregon. Washington, and Pacific Trust Territories. Region 2: Arizona, New ifornia State Coastal Conservancy ap- Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas Region 3: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri. Ohio, and Wisconsin. Re- proved a matching grant to the city of gion 4: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky. Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina. Ten- Marina that will fund up to $50,000 of the nessee, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Region 5; Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts. New costs associated with this planning effort. Hampshire, New Jersey. New York, Pennsylvania. Rhode Island. Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia Regiorvfi: Colorado. Kansas. Montana, Netjraska. North Dakota, South Dakota. Utah, and Wyoming, Region 7; Alaska Region 8; Research Local landowners have made a commit- and Development nationwide ment to pay the remainder of the planning The ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN is published monthly by the U.S. Fish costs. * * * and Wildlife Service. Department of the Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. (continued on page 3)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 NMFS News Listings Approved for Two Species

Under the Endangered Species Act, the During February 1987, final listing rules Because of habitat loss resulting from Fish and Wildlife Service shares respon- were published for the following species, a water diversion, irrigation, and impound- sibility for conserving listed species with tree and a fish: ment, the Rio Grande subspecies, N. s. the National Marine Fisheries Service simus, is now extinct, and the Pecos sub- (NMFS), a separate agency that takes the Serianthes nelsonii species, N. s. pecosensis, has severely lead on most sea-dwelling animals. NMFS declined in numbers. Water demand in the recently published several notices relating This large tree is endemic to two of the region is increasing, and may cause fur- to the Act, and they are summarized Mariana Islands in the western Pacific ther reduction in range and population. To below: Ocean. A single mature specimen is help prevent the extinction of the Pecos known to survive on Andersen Air Force subspecies, the Fish and Wildlife Service Base in the Territory of Guam, where the proposed May 11, 1984, to list N. s. peco- A notice of review was initiated February species is known locally as hayun lagu. sensis as Threatened and to designate 16 on the status of the Chinese River dol- Approximately 64 are known on the island Critical Habitat for it. (See summary in phin {Lipotes vexillfer). This aquatic mam- of Rota, Commonwealth of the Northern BULLETIN Vol. IX No. 6.) mal is found primarily in the lower and mid- Mariana Islands, where the local name is After extensive review of the comments dle Chang Jiang (Yangzte) River in east- tronkon guafi. The future of S. nelsonii is on the listing proposal, the FWS published central mainland China. Information con- imperiled by habitat degradation or de- the final rule in the February 19, 1987, tained in a petition from the Center for En- struction, typhoons and other natural or Federal Register. The Critical Habitat vironmental Education indicates that this human-related disasters, insect damage, areas were reduced from the amounts pro- dolphin may qualify for listing under the and the cropping of seedlings by intro- posed, and revised maps were printed with Endangered Species Act. Further informa- duced deer and pigs. It was proposed for the final rule. Current Federal activities af- tion is requested on this species' status listing as an Endangered species on Octo- fecting the Pecos River are not expected and threats to its survival, and should be ber 25, 1986 (summary in BULLETIN Vol. to be incompatible with the Critical Habitat sent to the Assistant Administrator for XI No. 11), and the final rule appeared in designation. Fisheries, National Oceanographic and At- the February 18, 1987, Federal Register. The State of New Mexico already pro- mospheric Administration, National Marine The governments of Guam and the Com- hibits take of the Pecos bluntnose shiner Fisheries Service, Washington, DC 20235, monwealth of the Northern Mariana Is- except under scientific collecting permit for by April 17. NMFS has indicated that it in- lands, along with Air Force officials, have conservation purposes. Because of this tends shortly to initiate status reviews on expressed interest in conserving the protection, and because habitat loss rather all other species of river dolphins species. than take is the primary threat to the fish, worldwide. the final listing rule included a special In a February 27 notice, NMFS pub- Pecos Bluntnose Shiner provision allowing for take without a Fed- lished its determination that listing the win- (Notropis simus pecosensis) eral permit if a State collection permit is ter run of the chinook salmon (On- obtained and all applicable State laws and corhynchus tshawytscha) in California's Notropis simus historically occurred in regulations are followed. Sacramento River is not warranted at this the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, north * * * time. A listing petition had been submitted through New Mexico to near the site of the These listed species now are protected by the American Fisheries Society. People Abiquiu Reservoir on the Chama River, under the Endangered Species Act, the wanting a copy of the determination can and in the Pecos River in New Mexico from terms of which are summarized in this write to the above address or call the upper reaches of Avalon Reservoir BULLETIN at the end of the story on spe- 202/673-5348. north to above the town of Santa Rosa. cies newly proposed for listing.

surements of these fish have documented ing 4 to 6 weeks cold treatment. Various Regional News excellent growth. Similar growth was regimes will be used to determine the most (continued from page 2) shown for razorback sucker fingerlings successful planting techniques. The new Staff from the Sacramento Endangered stocked on the Imperial National Wildlife populations will be *monitore * * d for 5 years. Species Office and the San Francisco Bay Refuge, also in Arizona. The encouraging National Wildlife Refuge examined two results highlight the potential for using ref- At the end of January, the presence of a land parcels that are the subject of a pro- uge waters as supplemental sites for rais- juvenile whooping crane {Grus americana) posed land exchange involving the Antioch ing Endangered fishes prior to eventual re- with several thousand sandhill cranes (G. Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. The pro- introduction into native waters. canadensis) was confirmed in western posed exchange would increase the Oklahoma. In mid-February, the bird amount of habitat available for the Contra A project is under way to establish two moved north to Quivira National Wildlife Costa wallflower {Erysimum capitatum new populations of Texas snowbells Refuge in Kansas. On February 20, it was var. angustatum), Antioch dunes evening {Styrax texana) in the hilly Edwards again in western Oklahoma with about primrose {Oenothera deltoides ssp. how- Plateau, west of San Antonio. If success- 10,000 sandhill cranes. ellii), and the Lange's metalmark butterfly ful, the project will more than triple the cur- This was the smallest fledgling-age bird {Apodemia mormo langel). A number of rently known 39 plants and place Texas color-banded in Canada in August. It ap- invertebrates that are candidates for listing snowbells well on the road to recovery. parently became separated from its par- proposals (mostly insects) also would ben- The San Antonio Botanical Garden will co- ents during migration. Both parents arrived efit from the proposed exchange. ordinate the effort with help from the FWS, at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge in De- the State of Texas, and private land- cember. Discovery of the chick means all Region 2 — Razorback sucker (Xy- owners. Seedlings raised at the botanical 21 chicks present in Canada in August rauchen texanus) and bonytail chub {Gila garden will be planted at sites to be se- have survived into winter. Average chick elegans) fingerlings were stocked in ponds lected this spring. survival from August to December is typ- on the Buenos Aires National Wildlife Ref- Seedling production at the garden has ically about 70 percent. uge in Arizona last fall as part of the recov- been very successful; over 85 percent of ery effort for these species. Recent mea- the seed produced seedlings after receiv- (continued on page 7)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 3 Endangered Gray Bat Benefits from Protection

by Merlin D. Tuttle President, Bat Conservation International

The Endangered gray bat {Myotis gri- least 95 percent of the entire known spe- extent and causes of decline. In 1976,1 re- sescens) was once one of the most abun- cies population hibernates each winter in visited each of the 22 colonies (from the dant mammals of the southeastern U.S. just nine highly vulnerable caves, with original 120) that I believed would be least People in at least five States, especially Al- more than half in a single cave.^ likely to have declined since my last abama, Tennessee and Missouri, viewed Undisturbed colonies typically contain census in 1970. Even these colonies had hundreds of thousands passing over in tens of thousands of individuals, some- declined by an average of 54 percent in great columns each summer evening. times hundreds of thousands.^ More than just six yearsP If all 120 colonies had been These bats also played an important role any other American mammal, they require censused, I likely would have found that in the checks and balances of nature as caves year-round. For their size, they are most had disappeared entirely, as shown the primary controllers of night-flying among the world's slowest reproducing in a similar survey in Kentucky.® The few aquatic insects, including mosquitos. Sin- mammals. Mothers usually do not produce that had escaped human disturbance re- gle colonies consumed literally tons their first offspring until they are two years mained stable, while hundreds of thou- nightly. old and require five years to leave just two sands had disappeared from the most Until the arrival of man, caves remained that survive.3 Furthermore, large numbers, heavily disturbed sites. The relationship the secure bastions of this dominant spe- often many thousands, are required in between human disturbance and colony cies. Problems apparently began when ab- order to share the cost of heating a roost. decline was undeniable.^ original tribes first camped or lived in the When numbers fall too low, growth of I sampled guano from these caves and entrances of large caves. Some gray bats young bats slows unacceptably, and the sent it to Dr. Don Clark at the Patuxent likely perished through suffocation when remaining colony dies out, leading to a Wildlife Research Center for pesticide resi- smoke from fires penetrated their pre- threshold phenomenon sometimes due analysis. Several colonies showed po- viously safe living quarters, while others referred to as the "passenger pigeon tentially dangerous levels of toxins, rang- apparently ended up in Indian stew pots. effect."^'' ing from organochlorine pesticides to Nevertheless, the majority remained out of By the late 1950's, the popularity of cave polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and reach in deep, dark caves. exploration was rapidly increasing. Unfor- lead, but the influence of human disturb- It was modern man that made the real tunately, one of my earliest observations ance completely overshadowed our ability difference. During the Civil War, guano for was that the frequency of human visitation to assess any measurable impact from gun powder was extracted from nearly of caves was highly correlated with the dis- toxins.2 By this time we knew that every substantial gray bat cave in the appearance of gray bat colonies. In the pesticides were killing some gray bats,^ South. Large guano accumulations in early 1960's I often found vast quantities of but probably not as many as had died from these caves undoubtedly prolonged the guano in caves that obviously had not roost disturbance by people.2 ® war by providing a reliable source of salt- been occupied by bats for several years. peter long after importation had been cut At first, I, like others who explored caves, Protection Provided off. Without a doubt, gray bat colonies suf- believed that the bats had simply moved to fered some of the biggest losses of the other caves. Regardless of why, it was clear that gray Civil War. However, given their highly specific bats were seriously endangered. At my re- Following the war, the gray bat, a highly roost needs, few colonies have suitable quest, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service resilient species, once again was able to options. Caves not already occupied are officially listed them in 1976. Although prosper, as evidenced by the conspicuous too warm or too cold, located too far from most conservation organizations were not replacement of large guano deposits in feeding areas, lack appropriate roost sur- yet ready to help anything as unpopular as most formerly occupied caves. Modern faces, are too vulnerable to predation, or bats, the Tennessee Valley Authority re- man had arrived, but he, for the most part, are too disturbed by people. In fact, my sponded to my requests for assistance still feared and avoided the dark inner banding studies documented that evicted and played a leading role in saving these reaches of caves. colonies seldom survive.^ bats. Within two years, they had funded a For example, when Hambrick Cave, major study of foraging habitat and had Early Studies near Guntersville, Alabama, became provided excellent protection for such vi- heavily disturbed by people, its large gray tally important sites as Hambrick and Nick- My personal introduction to gray bats bat nursery colony disappeared within a ajack Caves, where past nursery colonies occurred when my family moved to Knox- year. A high proportion of these bats were likely totaled at least a half million or more. ville, Tennessee, and lived near Baloney banded, enabling me to trace their sur- The Fish and Wildlife Service soon ac- Cave. I soon joined high school friends in vival. Through banding studies, I already quired and protected Blowing Wind and exploring this and other caves, quite un- had established their seasonal movement Cave Springs Caves, where past nursery aware of the potential harm that could re- patterns and also had documented loyalty populations exceeded a total of half a mil- sult to bats from our often poorly timed for life to whichever hibernating cave was lion gray bats, and New Fern Cave, site of trips. I was particularly fascinated by the selected in their first winter. After losing the world's largest known hibernating bat spring and fall appearance of several thou- their nursery cave, these bats disappeared population which alone sheltered an esti- sand gray bats that would mysteriously from their traditional hibernating caves, de- mated 1.5 million gray bats as recently as disappear in only a few days. monstrating that they had not survived by 1969. The Nature Conservancy, with Bat My fascination quickly grew, eventually merely moving to another summer cave.^ Conservation International's (BCI) assist- leading me to search out and visit 120 gray ance, acquired and protected Judges bat caves in six States, while banding Decline Documented Cave, housing the most important remain- 40,182 of these bats in a study that ing nursery colony in Florida, and Hub- spanned 20 years.' I learned that they are Seeing such dramatic losses, and realiz- bards Cave in Tennessee (See BATS, De- highly selective and require unique cave ing how needless most were, I became cember 1985). Hubbards is one of the types, using 0.1 percent of available caves alarmed and determined to do something. species' three most important hibernation in winter and 2.4percent in summer.^ At First, I needed clear documentation of the sites. State non-game wildlife programs

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 also played important roles in gray bat pro- tection, especially in Florida, Missouri, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Success It has been argued that remnant popula- tions of Endangered bats likely could not reestablish themselves, even if provided adequate protection from human disturb- ance. Therefore, it is exciting to report enormous success over the first nine years of protective efforts for the gray bat. For example, of the four protected summer caves (Hambrick, Nickajack, Cave Springs, and Blowing Wind), three had en- tirely lost their nursery colonies by 1976, and Blowing Wind had been reduced to bachelor use by approximately 128,000 bats, only a fraction of former numbers. With protection, all four caves are now oc- cupied by large nursery colonies that to- taled 692,000 in 1985.^ Without protection, it is unlikely that any of these bats would exist today, yet they alone consume nearly a million pounds of insects over Alabama and Tennessee reservoirs each summer. (Hubbards and New Fern Caves are ex- tremely difficult to census accurately, hibernating gray bats on the ceiling of Hubbard's Cave hence their omission from regular census- ing.) Increasing cooperation from organized well. (Editor's note: see BULLETIN VoL X Note: BCI members, Bob Currie and caving groups is encouraging. For exam- No. 12.) Fred Bagley of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ple, the Tennessee Cave Survey now in- Unfortunately, many gray bat nursery Service, and Ralph Jordan (Project Man- cludes identification of sensitive bat caves caves and some important hibernation ager, Streams, Trails and Natural and dates when they can and cannot be sites remain unprotected. In many of Heritage, Tennessee Valley Authority), de- visited without harm to bats. Education of these, colonies already are gone or con- serve special credit for much of the suc- the public and cooperation between pro- tinue to decline rapidly. Much remains to cess in saving gray bats. I thank them and fessional cavers and management agen- be accomplished before the gray bat and the many other individuals and organiza- cies also is on the increase. others are truly safe. tions who have helped. In most cases, gray bats apparently can be reestablished even where pesticides have been implicated as especially prob- lematic, as was well demonstrated at Cave Springs Cave. Guano samples from this References site contained the most pesticides and other pollutants of any examined," yet 1. Tuttle, M.D. 1976. Population ecology dangered gray bat in Kentucky. J. simple protection from disturbance permit- of the gray bat {Myotis grisescens): Wildl. Manage., 44:955-960. ted colony reestablishment. Thousands of Philopatry, timing and patterns of 7. Clark, D.R., Jr., R.V. LaVal and S.M. these bats apparently died of poisoning movement, weight loss during migra- Swinford. 1978. Dieldrin-induced mor- this summer, so it cannot be said that tion and seasonal adaptive strategies. tality in an endangered species, the toxins are no threat, just that they are not Occ. Pap. Mus. Nat. Hist., Univ. Kans., gray bat (M. grisescens). Science, yet an insurmountable obstacle.^ 54:1-38. 199 (4335): 1357-1359. A remaining concern is that gates to pre- 2. Tuttle, M.D. 1979. Status, causes of 8. Clark, D.R. 1981. Bats and environ- vent untimely human intrusion into caves decline and management of endan- mental contaminants: A review. U.S. can cause more harm than good, when im- gered gray bats. J. Wild!. Manage., Dept. of Interior, Fish & Wildl. Serv., properly designed. We now know that 43:1-17. Special Sci. Rept.—Wildlife No. 235, gates must allow adequate fly-over space 3. Brady, J., T.H. Kunz, M.D. Tuttle and 27 pp. to be tolerated by gray bat nursery colo- D. Wilson. 1982. Gray bat recovery 9. Bagley, F. Unpublished U.S. Fish & nies.^ Some early gates must be re- plan. U.S. Fish & Wildl. Serv., Denver, Wildlife Service Censuses. moved, as they are excluding bats from CO, 17 pp & 5 appendices. 10. Tuttle, M.D. 1977. Gating as a means formerly important roosts. Fences gener- 4. Tuttle, M.D. 1975. Population ecology of protecting cave dwelling bats. Pp. ally have been effective only where ade- of the gray bat {M. grisescens): fac- 77-82 in Natl. Cave Manage. Sympos. quate patrolling, signs, and law enforce- tors influencing early growth and de- Proceedings, 1976. (T. Aley and D. ment were provided, though signs alone velopment. Occ. Pap. Mus. Nat. Hist., Rhodes, eds.), Speleobooks, Albu- have helped in some cases, especially Univ. Kans. 36:1-24. querque, NM, 146 pp. where there are cooperative landowner 5. Stevenson, D.E., and M.D. Tuttle, 11. Clark, D.R. Personal communication. agreements. Gray bat intolerance of full 1981. Survivorship of the endangered gates at nursery caves continues to be a gray bat {M. grisesceris). J. Mamm., major obstacle, though properly designed 62:244-257. (Reprinted by permission from the Decem- gates at hibernating sites, such as the one 6. Rabinowitz, A., and M.D. Tuttle. 1980. ber 1986 issue of BATS, the newsletter of at Hubbards Cave, seem to be working Status of summer colonies of the en- Bat Conservation International.)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 $5,000 Reward Paid in Grizzly Bear Case

A Montana man who led Federal and be establishing a reward fund for people Parks, and provided information on the lo- State wildlife agents to an illegally-killed who provide information about wildlife law cation of the bear hide, skull, and skeleton. grizzly bear {Ursus arctos) and helped violations that lead to convictions and en- He later flew into the wilderness area with them convict the poacher received a hance the recovery of endangered and officers and helped them locate the re- $5,000 reward January 2 from the National threatened species." The non-profit Na- mains of the illegally-taken bear. Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the U.S. tional Fish and Wildlife Foundation is a pri- Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Grizzly vate, independent organization estab- As a result, the poacher, another Mon- bears in the 48 conterminous States cur- lished by Congress in 1984 to help raise tana resident, was charged in U.S. District rently are listed by the FWS as Threat- funds to support high-priority fish and wild- Court in Helena, Montana, with one count ened, a classification that gives them pro- life conservation programs. of illegal take of a Threatened species and tection under the Endangered Species a second count of possession and trans- Act. The FWS paid $3,000 of the reward The investigation began in September portation of an illegally-taken grizzly bear. and the Foundation contributed $2,000. 1985, when the recipient overheard that Through a plea arrangement, he pleaded Chip Collins, director of the Foundation, another man had illegally killed an adult guilty to the second count and was fined said that the Foundation plans to pay more male grizzly bear in a portion of the Flat- $8,500 and placed on 2 years' probation. rewards in the future. "Because of the im- head National Forest, Montana, that is This is the largest fine ever assessed portance of deterring illegal killing of pro- closed to grizzly hunting. He gave the in- against an individual for transportation and tected species such as grizzly bears, the formation to officers with the FWS and the possession of an illegally-taken grizzly National Fish and Wildlife Foundation will Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and bear.

often are enclosed in pastures, some pop- Available Conservation Proposed Listings ulations of all three plants also have been (continued from page 1) damaged by trampling and nutrient over- Measures load in the pools. Among the conservation benefits pro- square, and they are rare even in the best A. pusillus and I. melanospora are listed vided to a species if its listing under the localities. under Georgia State law as endangered, a Endangered Species Act as Threatened or All three plants have declined signifi- classification that prohibits the take of Endangered is approved are: protection cantly in range due to habitat degradation. these plants from public lands without a from adverse effects of Federal activities; Their presence on granite outcrops makes permit and regulates intrastate sale and prohibitions against certain practices; the them particularly vulnerable to quarrying; transport in these species. Georgia law, requirement for the FWS to develop and 38 percent of historically known I. melano- however, does not provide for protection implement recovery plans; the authoriza- spora populations, for example, have been against habitat destruction, which is the tion to seek land purchases or exchanges lost to this activity. Rock outcrops also are main threat. The existing protection will be for important habitat; and the possibility of popular recreational sites. Many of the strengthened if the FWS listing proposal is Federal aid to State or Commonwealth pools supporting the proposed plants have made final. conservation departments that have been damaged by off-road vehicle (ORV) Comments on the proposal to list Am- signed Endangered Species Cooperative use, especially as the result of increased phianthus pusillus as Threatened and Iso- Agreements with the FWS. Listing also erosion, and some of the plants have been etes melanospora and I. tegetiformans as lends greater recognition to a species' pre- crushed or uprooted directly. Other Endangered should be sent to the Endan- carious status, which encourages further damage to the fragile habitat has resulted gered Species Field Station, U.S. Fish and conservation efforts by State and local from such vandalistic activities as littering Wildlife Service, Jackson Mall Office Cen- agencies, independent organizations, and and fire building. The mere rearrangement ter, Suite 316, 300 Woodrow Wilson Ave- individuals. of stones in two pools caused a decline in nue, Jackson, Mississippi 39213, by April two populations of A. pusillus and I. Section 7 of the Act directs Federal 20, 1987. melanospora. Because granite outcrops agencies to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act by carrying out conservation programs for listed species. It also requires these agencies to ensure that any actions they authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the survival of a listed species. If an agency finds that one of its activities may affect a listed species, it is required to consult with the FWS on ways to avoid jeopardy. For species that are proposed for listing and for which jeopardy is found. Federal agen- cies are required to "confer" with the FWS, although the results of such a conference are non-binding. Further protection is authorized by Sec- tion 9 of tfie Act, which makes it illegal to take, possess, transport, or traffic in listed animals except by permit for certain con- servation purposes. For plants, the rule is different; the prohibition against collecting applies only to listed plants found on lands Amphianthus pusillus and Isoetes melanospora occur at this pool (which is much under Federal jurisdiction. Some States, larger than most) in De Kalb County, Georgia, but some plants may have been de- however, have their own laws against take stroyed when vandals constructed the thin rock "peninsula." of listed plants.

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 regulation to protect grassbeds. Excessive the recently completed Bureau of Land Regional News turbidity caused by hundreds of large Management's Dwarf Bear-Poppy Man- (continued from page 3) boats moving through the area in the fall agement Plan and the FWS' Dwarf Bear- and spring months is thought to be ad- Poppy Recovery Plan. The Bureau of Land From the total of 29 thick-billed parrots versely Impacting this critical manatee Management will provide technical and fi- (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) that were feeding area. nancial assistance to the project. Utah released in the Chiricahua Mountains of State Division of Lands and Forestry southeastern Arizona in September and (which owns and manages over half the October, 13 birds remain. The 8 parrots Representatives from the FWS Carib- species' habitat) and FWS personnel will that disappeared In November may have bean Field Office attended the January support the research effort with limited overwintered in Mexico. meeting of the Puerto RIcan parrot {Ama- technical and field assistance. zona vittata) working group. Significant is- sues discussed included budgetary prob- The Bureau of Reclamation's 4-year Ari- lems relating to proposed funding, delays An informal interdisciplinary Montana zona Bald Eagle Study, conducted by Bio- in the construction of the Rio Abajo aviary, Piping Plover Recovery Committee was systems Analysis, Inc., of Santa Cruz, Cal- and safety issues related to Increasing organized in Montana in the spring of ifornia, is now under way. The study is criminal activity in the Caribbean National 1986. This group of biologists, ornitholo- designed to identify limiting factors to the Forest. Agreement was reached between gists, and interested lay persons will meet population and has already yielded new in- FWS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center at least once a year to organize searches formation about the winter foraging ecol- and National Audubon Society representa- for piping plovers (Charadrius melodus) ogy of a pair in the Pinal territory. A breed- tives on a volunteer program to conduct and select geographic areas of respon- ing adult female living at the Pinal territory essential nest-guarding activities. In addi- sibility for members to search. has been captured and radio-collared. tion, there was agreement on a 1-year During the 1986 breeding season, 20 This pair began Incubating their eggs on management policy to maximize the cap- piping plover nests were located in four of January 26. The research team will soon tive breeding stock. seven areas of potential or known habitats resume trapping efforts with the goal of at- searched in northeastern Montana. Ten taching radios to a minimum of 12 plover nests were found on Medicine Lake breeding adults, including members of 8 An In-house team of three taxonomlsts National Wildlife Refuge and the Northeast pairs. has been appointed to evaluate data com- Montana Wetland Management District, piled on the silver rice rat {Oryzomys ar- six nests were located on Dry Arm of Fort gentatus). The FWS postponed action last Region 4 — The Indiana bat {Myotis Peck Reservoir, Charles M. Russell Na- year to list the silver rice rat as Endan- tional Wildlife Refuge, and four nests were sodalis) population has declined by ap- gered because questions arose as to proximately 50 percent at Stillhouse Cave found at Nelson Reservoir near Malta, whether it was a distinct species or the Montana. Additional pairs of plovers were In Kentucky, according to a survey con- same animal as the common rice rat that ducted by the Ashevllle, North Carolina, noted at Fort Peck Reservoir, but nests occurs throughout Florida. Based on the were not located. Endangered Species Field Office. No rea- team's findings, the FWS will determine Data have been compiled and entered son for the decline was readily apparent whether or not to give the silver rice rat En- into an electronic data base. For a copy of during the survey. Stillhouse Cave Is a pri- dangered Species Act protection. A report the 1986 survey results in northeastern ority Indiana bat hibernaculum. from the team is expected sometime in late Montana, contact the U.S. Fish and Wild- The Virginia big-eared bat (Plecotus May or early June. The silver rice rat is re- life Service, Endangered Species Field Of- townsendii virginianus) population has in- ported only from the lower Florida Keys. creased by about 900 Individuals since the fice, Federal Building and U.S. Court- last survey was conducted 2 years ago, for house, 301 S. Park, P.O. Box 10023, Helena, Montana 59626. a current population of approximately Region 5 — On January 13, a meeting 3,600. Twenty-five percent of the known was held in Ashevllle, North Carolina, with population of this big-eared bat sub- representatives of eastern States involved Region 7 — Last month, the regional of- species Is located at Stillhouse Cave. in peregrine falcon (Faico peregrinus) re- fice reported that approximately 20 Endan- Cave Conservation International has covery activities. Items discussed at the gered Aleutian Canada geese (Branta agreed to construct gates at Rocky Hollow meeting included the 1986 nesting and canadensis leucopareia) died from avian Cave In southwestern Virginia and at a productivity survey, 1987 release ac- cholera at the Modesto, California, oxida- U.S. Forest Service cave In West Virginia. tivities, 1987 funding outlook, nest manip- tion ponds, a traditional roosting area for Rocky Hollow Cave, which will be gated In ulation, captive breeding outlook, and Aleutian geese in the San Joaquin Valley. July, is used as a hibernating site by Indi- overall coordination of recovery activities Although action was taken to haze the ana bats. The West Virginia cave, sched- in Regions 4 and 5. geese from the affected area, several uled to be gated soon, is an important site more dead Aleutian geese have been re- for Virginia big-eared bats. covered. Dr. Nancy Thomas of the FWS A meeting hosted by the Environmental National Wildlife Health Lab in Madison, Protection Agency (EPA) was held on Feb- Wisconsin, now reports that a total of 47 Biologists from the Florida Department ruary 5 in Atlanta, Georgia, to discuss Aleutian geese have died from avian chol- of Natural Resources, Jacksonville Endan- FWS pesticide consultation responsibil- era in California during January and Feb- gered Species Field Office, FWS Sirenia ities under Section 7 of the Endangered ruary of this year. An additional two geese Project, and a grassbed ecologist from the Species Act. The EPA demonstrated a that apparently died of lead poisoning also National Marine Fisheries Service's Beau- willingness to accommodate the endan- were recovered. fort Laboratory met at Hobe Sound, Flor- gered species concerns of FWS and out- ida, in January to plan the implementation lined how both agencies could work to- Although the wintering flock has begun of a 5-year study. Hobe Sound is a major gether effectively. to move northward toward Crescent City, feeding site for many of the 200 to 270 where they stage prior to spring migration, manatees (Trichechus manatus) that win- cholera has periodically been reported ter at the Florida Power and Light's power Region 6 — The Utah Native Plant So- from this area as well. Numbers of Aleutian plant in Riviera Beach, approximately 18.5 ciety has funded a study on the ecology of geese in the Crescent City area are ex- miles to the south. The study is designed the Endangered dwarf bear-poppy (Arcto- pected to reach a peak between late to evaluate the status of the grassbeds mecon humilis) near St. George, Utah. March and mid-April. Their movements and the comments to a proposed no-wake The study will address needs identified in (continued on page 8)

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1 Regional News (continued from page 7} BOX SCORE OF LISTINGS/RECOVERY and health will be closely monitored. The loss of 49 birds amounts to about one per- PLANS cent of the total population in the wild. * * * ENDANGERED THREATENED SPECIES Category U.S. U.S. & Foreign 1 U.S. U.S. & Foreign SPECIES* HAVING Region 8 (Research) — Two southern Only Foreign Only 1 Only Foreign Only TOTAL PLANS FWS cooperative research units are en- Mammals 26 20 242 I 5 0 22 315 23 gaged in research projects related to the Birds 61 16 141 3 2 0 223 55 green pitcher plant {Sarracenia oreo- Reptiles 8 6 60 1 10 4 13 101 21 philia). The Mississippi Cooperative Fish Amphibians 5 0 8 1 3 0 0 16 6 and Wildlife Research Unit, In a study of Fishes 39 4 11 1 22 6 0 82 43 pitcher plant colonies, has developed a list Snails 3 0 1 ' 5 0 0 9 7 of 329 associated plant species (including Clams 23 0 2 I 0 0 0 25 21 282 vascular plants and 47 bryophytes). Crustaceans 4 0 0 1 1 0 0 5 1 Baseline information has been collected Insects 8 0 0 5 0 0 13 12 on all known green pitcher plant colonies Plants 118 6 1 1 26 3 2 156 54 In Alabama, Georgia, and a recently dis- TOTAL 295 52 466 1 80 15 37 945 243" covered location in North Carolina. Com- munities will be monitored and the list will "Separate populations of a species, listed both as Endangered and Threatened, are tallied be refined to designate indicator species twice. Species which are thus accounted for are the gray wolf, bald eagle, American alliga- as the study continues. Information col- tor, green sea turtle, Olive ridley sea turtle, leopard, and piping plover. lected will be Incorporated Into the Green **More than one species may be covered by some plans, and a few species have more Pitcher Plant Recovery Plan. than one plan covering different parts of their ranges. In another study, green pitcher plants Number of Recovery Plans approved; 209 were transplanted into suitable sites and Number of species currently proposed for listing: 27 animals monitored during the subsequent growing 31 plants season. From this effort, the Mississippi Unit reached the conclusion that it is Number of Species with Critical Habitats determined: 96 economically feasible to transplant this Number of Cooperative Agreements signed with States: 47 fish & wildlife species. Long-term monitoring is continu- 26 plants ing to determine whether or not the plants February 28, 1987 will reproduce at the new site. The Alabama Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Is producing two slide-tape shows on the green pitcher plant and its habitat, based upon informa- bogs in the southeastern United States. final products are expected to be available tion needs identified by the Office of Infor- One version will be for general audiences, by summer. Copies will be available for mation Transfer. These modules will stim- while the other slide-tape will Include semi- loan; Information on how to order these ulate interest in protecting, preserving, and technical information of interest to re- products will be provided when the presen- enhancing the remaining pitcher plant source managers. Currently in review, the tations are completed.

March 1987 Vol. XII No. 3 FIRST CLASS POSTAGE AND FEES PAID US DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR PERMIT NO G-77

TO^ImiC^I DllllA^in I^^P^rtment of mtenor U S Fish and Wildlife Service 1 Cvlllll v>dl DUIICklM Endangered Species Program Washington, D C 20240

ENDANGERED SPECIES TECHNICAL BULLETIN Vol. XII No. 3 (1987) 1