5.

Highs and lows for Red Kites in 2011

Bird Watch Ireland, eWings Issue 28. January 22, 2012 After an absence of 200 years as a breeding species in Ireland, Red Kites are once again a familiar sight in parts of the east coast, thanks to the success of the Irish Red Kite Reintroduction Project. The Golden Eagle Trust, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Welsh Kite Trust have collected 120 Red Kite chicks from nests in Wales, which have been subsequently reared and released in County Wicklow between 2007 and 2011. The fruits of this labour were confirmed by NPWS ranger, Damian Clarke, who recorded the first brood of Irish born kites in Wicklow in 2010. Following this milestone, the project has gone from strength to strength, and in 2011 there were 14 breeding pairs of kites in Wicklow, which produced a minimum of 17 young. In 2011, which saw the final phase of the collection of young kites from Wales, an additional release site was established in Fingal, County Dublin where 39 Red Kites were released. This project, which is managed by the Golden Eagle Trust, is funded by Fingal LEADER Partnership through the Rural Development Programme 2007 2013 and the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Fingal County Council, at Newbridge Demesne, and a private landowner hosted and facilitated the two separate release cages. The work has also benefitted from the significant support from the local communities, a large network of volunteers and landowners, with over 100 people involved in building the cages, collecting the birds, and feeding and monitoring of the released kites. It was with great disappointment to staff and volunteers therefore that a series of deaths were recorded in late 2011. A total of eight dead kites were recovered in Fingal during the autumn and winter of 2011, which represent just over 20% of the birds released in this area. The deaths included the satellite tagged kite @ which had travelled as far as County Mayo since its release in July, before returning safely to Fingal, where it was later confirmed to have died near Lusk in November. Ms. Phil Moore, from the Fingal LEADER Partnership expressed sadness saying, We just cant believe our baby is dead. We have all been following the satellite tagged kite since her release and have pictures all over the office of her journey; it is upsetting to know she is now dead. Dr. Marc Ruddock, Red Kite Project Manager for the Golden Eagle Trust, said, There is nothing more heart-breaking than having to collect the carcass of a bird after having followed its development from a small, downy chick in Wales and then watching it flying free in Ireland. Analysis of the Red Kite carcasses under a postmortem protocol operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Agriculture and the State Laboratory revealed that at least four of the kites contained the second generation rat poison, brodifacoum. Dietary analysis of the kites, both in Wicklow and Dublin, has shown that they are hunting and scavenging rats, which puts them at risk from secondary poisoning from rodenticides. Dr. Ruddock further said, We recognise the requirement for rodent control in terms of human health and food safety, but urge amateur and professional users alike to ensure that rodent control is carefully planned to reduce the risk to non-target wildlife. Best practice rodent eradication strategies record information such as the quantity and location of all baits and require bait stations to be regularly inspected and not

left exposed to non-target animals and birds. Furthermore, dead rodents should be collected and disposed of safely and baits should be removed at the end of the treatment. Urban and rural rodenticide users are urged to be mindful of the potential environmental effects of the use of chemicals. John Lusby, Raptor Conservation Officer with BirdWatch Ireland, noted the efforts of the Golden Eagle Trust to restore our Red Kite population have been phenomenal. These deaths however highlight an area of serious concern, recent research has also shown that other species such as Barn Owls, Kestrels and Long-eared Owls are at significant risk". As John Lusby stated, The problem occurs when these raptors capture live rodents which have ingested poison. The compounds used in certain Rat poisons nowadays are extremely toxic and accumulate within a bird which has fed on a poisoned rodent. There are some clear steps we can take to try and reduce the threat of secondary poisoning to our raptor populations, such as amending current regulations in Ireland and increasing awareness of best practise rodent control, and we hope to work alongside the Trust and relevant Government bodies in 2012 to attempt to address these issues. In addition to the problems posed to Red Kites and other wildlife through the legal use of Rat poisons, two other (untagged) Red Kites were confirmed to have been illegally poisoned by Alphachloralose in Wicklow last autumn. Dr. Ruddock continued, It remains clear there are still serious issues which require further attention and action to protect our Irish raptors.

Comments: I cant believe people would illegally poison the birds. Nice reintroduction story, and seems like the public is really involved and enthusiastic.

6. Extremely Rare Turtle is Released Into Wild

ScienceDaily January 18, 2012 The Wildlife Conservation Society, in conjunction with the Cambodian Fisheries Administration and Wildlife Reserves Singapore, just announced the successful release of a Southern River terrapin (Batagur affinis) -- one of the most endangered turtles on earth -- into the Sre Ambel River in Cambodia. The turtle was released on January 16th at a ceremony attended by officials, conservationists, and local people. The female turtle, which weighs approximately 75 pounds (34 kilograms), is fixed with a satellite transmitter that will allow conservationists to track its whereabouts -the first-ever satellite monitoring study for this species. Captured in the Sre Ambel River by local fishermen in April, 2011, the turtle is one of an estimated 200 adults remaining in the wilds of Cambodia, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It was voluntarily turned it over to the WCS Cambodia turtle team instead of being sold into the black market trade where it would have been sent to food markets in China. The population in the Sre Ambel River is estimated at less than ten nesting females. Thus, this individual is extremely important for maintaining genetic diversity of this species that has already suffered drastic population declines. WCS believes the population has an excellent chance of recovery as the coastal mangrove forests of Southeastern Cambodia are some of the largest and most

pristine in Southeast Asia, spanning some 175 square miles (more than 45,000 hectares). These habitats are crucial to numerous aquatic and terrestrial animals and are vital nursery areas for marine fisheries. Conservationists will monitor the turtle's movements to see how it utilizes this region. Of particular interest is how the turtle navigates through commercial fishing grounds, as well as areas where it could be threatened by other factors such as habitat destruction by sand mining or conversion of mangrove forests into shrimp farming facilities. WCS notes that numerous studies on similar long-lived species have shown that as little as a five percent increase in annual adult mortality can cause populations to go extinct. "By reducing the adult mortality of the Southern River terrapin, even by fractions -- as little as ten animals a year per population in this circumstance -- we can have immediate and long-term positive impacts on the remaining wild populations of this critically endangered species" said Brian D. Horne of the Wildlife Conservation Society. Heng Sovannara, Deputy Director of Cambodia's Fisheries Administration's Conservation Department, is extremely hopeful that the release will enhance efforts to conserve the species. "By identifying areas that are most utilized by the turtles, we can pinpoint our efforts to reduce the turtles being caught as fishery by-catch as well as targeted hunting," he said. Dr. Sonja Luz, Deputy Director of Conservation & Research for Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said: "This project will contribute greatly to a much brighter future for this critically endangered terrapin. Hopefully, more public awareness and education opportunities will arise from this and allow us to create better protection tools and a safer environment for these amazing reptiles."

In 2000, a small population of Southern River Terrapins, Batagur affinis, was found in the Sre Ambel after many years of being considered locally extinct. The turtle was once considered solely the property of the King of Cambodia, but has been decimated by overhunting over the past two decades. Following the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot regime, the Cambodian people were left in severe poverty, and with the growing international demand for turtles in China for human consumption, literally thousands of turtles were captured and sent to China for much needed income by the country's impoverished people.

Comment: That is one giant tracking device attached to the turtles back I would expect a more discrete and non-invasive tracker, given how vulnerable they are to extinction. It could easily get snagged in the river on debris. On a brighter note, the public seem really into it and voluntarily turning it in instead of selling it to China for food is great!

7. New 40,000 square mile haven for Pacifics leatherbacks

Wildlife Extra News January 21st, 2012 But how do they get there safely? January 2012: Protection for 40,000 square miles of protected critical ocean habitat off the shores of Washington, Oregon and California are now in place - creating a haven for the endangered Pacific leatherback sea turtle. The new protection laws establish critical habitat in areas where leatherbacks feed on jellyfish after swimming 6,000 miles across the ocean from nests in Indonesia. This is the first permanently designated area for leatherbacks in continental US waters and, although it is substantially smaller than the original proposals for 70,600 square miles, it is the largest area set aside to protect sea turtle habitat in the United States or its territories. Now we need migration safeguards for these ancient animals Habitat protections are vital to the survival of leatherbacks. We urgently need migration safeguards for these ancient animals as they make the longest, most epic journey of any creature on the planet to get to our West Coast every year,' said Catherine Kilduff of Florida's Center for Biological Diversity. However, there are concerns that the new rules do not extend to protect turtles' migratory paths from commercial fishing, water pollution and marine vessel traffic. The new regulation excludes protections for migration through these habitats and also excludes consideration of dangers to the turtles from fishing, such as mile-long drift nets used for swordfish off California. This is a major decision to protect feeding hotspots for endangered leatherback sea turtles, but the federal government failed to acknowledge that the turtles need safe passage to get there,' said Ben Enticknap, Oceana's Pacific project manager. Leatherbacks finally have a safe haven along our coast, but still face extinction due growing threats from fisheries, pollution and ship strikes,' said Teri Shore, programme director at SeaTurtles.org in California. Pacific leatherback population declined by more than 95 per cent Mile-long drift gillnets and longline gear used to catch swordfish, sharks and tunas are the two types of fishing gear most commonly known to capture and kill leatherback sea turtles. While current regulations restrict fishing to protect these sea

turtles, the Fisheries Service is currently developing proposals to expand the use of these fishing gears into areas important to the leatherback. The largest of all sea turtles, leatherbacks can grow up to nine feet long and weigh up to 2,000 pounds. Pacific leatherback sea turtles have declined more than 95 per cent since the 1980s; as few as 2,300 adult female western Pacific leatherbacks remain. The species dates from the time of the dinosaurs, having survived for 100 million years virtually unchanged; but now they face the danger of extinction. The leatherback sea turtles feeding off the US West Coast make the longest known migration of any reptile, across the Pacific Ocean where they nest on beaches in Papua, Indonesia. They make this great migration to feed on jellyfish in the productive ocean waters of the American Pacific. They are generally found off the West Coast in the summer and fall months.

Comment: This sounded really great, but it looks like theyve got miles to go before this turtle has any chance of surviving. Boat traffic, pollution, etc still pose a huge threat. And its ridiculous that they pass a law through like this, but then fisheries want to expand use of fishing gears, known to be responsible for leatherback deaths, into areas important to the turtle. Stupid, stupid, people Also, this area is huge and will require extensive monitoring. Declaring it safe doesnt make it so

8. Florida: Imports of Four Snake Species Are Banned

New York Times January 18, 2012 The United States announced a ban on imports of four snake species on Tuesday after years of unsuccessful efforts to eradicate the giant snakes from Everglades National Park in Florida and from other ecologically sensitive areas. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said the rule would take effect within about 60 days and would also make it illegal to transport the snakes across state lines. The ban applies to the Burmese python, a notorious invasive species from Southeast Asia; the yellow anaconda; and northern and southern African pythons. Biologists say that most of the pythons in the Everglades are thought to have been released by their owners once they realized that the pets could grow from just a foot to 12 feet. The action were taking today is a milestone in the protection of the Everglades, Mr. Salazar said at a news conference in a corner of the Everglades just outside Miami. Wildlife officials held aloft a recently captured 13-foot python at the event.

Comment: Should have been done a long time ago not after 10,000 pythons established in the everglades. Too late for this to make any significant impact, the population is already stable, breeding, and large.

9. Scottish river rebent to save wildlife

Wildlife Extra News January 20, 2012 Logie Burn off the straight and narrow Logie Burn, once a straightened watercourse through farmland, has been transformed back to its old, meandering ways to help wildlife thrive. The Logie Burn in Scottish Natural Heritage's (SNH's) Muir of Dinnet NNR had been straightened to improve drainage at some time in the past. Straight burns tend to move sediment farther and faster, supporting fewer wild plants and animals. Meander The Dee Catchment Partnership carried out the work to restore the burn to its meandering route, using well-tested techniques for restoring rivers. The new design' allows for plants to trap more sediment in the burn. This means that any flooding will be in a part of the reserve where it will benefit wildlife and reduce sediment getting into the lochs, without affecting nearby farmers. Reserve manger Catriona Reid said: "Since last autumn when the works were completed, the burn has started to look a lot more natural. Dead trees, snapped off by the wind, have fallen into the burn and will provide hiding places for young fish, while nearby scrapes' have filled with water and will provide feeding areas for wading birds and breeding areas for dragonflies The habitat here should continue to improve and benefit wildlife in years to come." Flood prevention Drainage has been part of land use in Scotland for centuries. However, the benefits that it brought for forestry and farming down the years were rarely good for wildlife. Quick drainage may also increase the risk of flooding downstream, and the sediment may damage the gravel beds where fish such as salmon need to breed, as well as affecting the water quality of lochs into which the burns run.

Comment: Neat idea, Id be very interested to see a follow up study to see how much biodiversity increased.