Minnesota Zoo Celebrates Conservation Efforts on Endangered Species Day, May 16

Apple Valley, MN – May 16, 2008: In honor of the third annual Endangered Species Day, a national day of observance, the Minnesota Zoo has announced its 2007 global conservation efforts funded by the Ulysses S. Seal Conservation Grant Program.

Created in 2002, the Program awards small grants to projects promoting the conservation of wildlife and natural ecosystems. Funding priority is given to field-based conservation, but worthy zoo-based projects are also considered. As of April 2008, the fund has awarded $161,862 to 57 projects in 30 countries worldwide.

Amur Leopard: Reintroduction Biodiversity Study, Russia
The Amur leopard is among the most critically endangered of the big cats; fewer than 50 remain in the wild. Prey species reductions, habitat loss, and conflicts with humans continue to threaten this rare cat. Like other animals, Amur leopards are additionally prone to extinction due to catastrophic events (e.g., fire) and inbreeding. There are more Amur leopards in captivity than in the wild, and Minnesota Zoo will proudly feature them in its new exhibit, Russia’s Grizzly Coast, opening June 7. Lasovsky State Nature Reserve in Russia, large enough to sustain big cat populations, once contained Amur leopards and is now a strong candidate for a future leopard reintroduction program. Researchers plan to use camera traps to photograph predator/prey species in the Reserve. In 2007, the grant program provided funding to purchase camera setups, film, and batteries for this unique biodiversity study.

Argali Sheep and Ibex: Ecological research, Mongolia
Argali sheep and Siberian ibex live in mountainous regions of central Asia, including the rocky desert-steppe environment in Mongolia. Populations of Argali sheep are thought to be declining due to poaching, competition with domestic livestock, and other threats. Researchers have initiated a project to understand their ecology, with the ultimate goal of developing long-term conservation management plans for these species. Funding was given to a Zoo staff member for some travel costs while she participated in the Wildlife of the Mongolian Steppe conservation project, where she captured and radio-collared the animals, collected behavioral data and samples, surveyed other animals, and monitored vulture nests.

Beavers: Disease Screening, Canada
Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota supports one of the highest densities of beavers in North America. Beavers have a profound impact on the park’s ecosystems, and in 2004, the Park initiated a new beaver research and monitoring program in collaboration with several universities and other agencies, which investigates the prevalence of diseases and parasites in the beaver population. Funding was granted to a Zoo staff veterinarian to participate in this ongoing program, where she collected biological samples from captured beavers, established baseline health data for the park’s beaver population, and surgically implanted intra-abdominal radio transmitters in 30 free-ranging beavers to help monitor beaver movements during the winter.

Blakiston's Fish Owl: Ecological Research, Russia
The Blakiston’s fish owl is a secretive, non-migratory endangered species. It is endemic to northeast Asia, and is one of the largest owls on earth. Based on the limited literature, there is strong evidence that Blakiston’s fish owls are associated with extremely diverse forests, and dependent on healthy populations of fish. Similarly to spotted owls in North America, Blakiston’s fish owls are potentially in direct conflict with logging. This research project conducted intensive studies of fish owls in Primorye, Russia, to determine nest site requirements, habitat requirements, home range size and characteristics, food habits, and nesting success. The Grant Program provided funding to this project for the purchase of GPS collars.

Bukhara Deer, Habitat Rehabilitation, Tajikstan
Bukhara deer (or Bactrian Wapiti) are found in central Asia and are endangered. Habitat loss and poaching led to drastically declining population numbers, and in 1999 it was estimated that only 350-500 deer were left. A World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) project focusing on species conservation and restoration in model sites has since led to stabilization and population growth; the most recent study showed up to 1000 deer. One of this species’ major habitats is the Tigrovaja Balka Reserve in Tajikistan. As a native floodplain forest, this area needs regular floods for normal existence and development. The main goals of this rehabilitation project are to conserve and restore the ecosystem in the Tigrovaja Balka area and to ensure restoration and sustainable development of the most important native deer population. The Zoo’s grant program gave funding to build canals to help restore flooding cycles to Tigrovaja Balka.

Canada Lynx: Tracking and Research in the Great Lakes, USA
The Canada lynx, native to Minnesota, was once relatively abundant. After a long period of decline, this species was classified as “threatened” in 2000 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Because Canada lynx are typically nocturnal, solitary, and wary of people, it is difficult to study them in the wild. Researchers from the Natural Resources Research Institute at the University of Minnesota Duluth have been using innovative methods to track and study lynx in the Great Lakes region of Minnesota. To better understand their distribution, they have outfitted numerous lynx with radio telemetry and GPS collars to obtain information about ranging behavior and habitat use, activity levels and ambient temperatures. The Zoo’s grant program funded an additional GPS collar.

Environmental Education, Russia
The Russian Far East harbors diverse and spectacular wildlife, including many endangered species. Muraviovka Park, established in 1996, provides excellent habitat for approximately 200 bird species – including more than 20 rare and endangered ones. After implementing better management practices and environmental education, crane and stork populations in this area greatly increased. The International Crane Foundation has been influential in supporting environmental education in this area through international workshops and summer camps, bringing together teachers, students, and staff from all over the world. The Zoo’s grant program allowed one Zoo staff member to participate in this project.

Fishing Cat: Survey and conservation project, Thailand
The fishing cat is a secretive animal found near marshes and swamps of southern and southeastern Asia. Wetland habitat loss is considered its primary conservation threat. Limited evidence suggests that fishing cat populations are declining but further work is necessary to evaluate the cat’s status. Current work in Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area, Pattalung Province, Thailand seeks to document and safeguard wild populations of fishing cats using sign recognition, camera trapping, and educating residents and conservation staff to coordinate conservation measures. The Zoo’s grant program funded camera traps and film.

Peregrine Falcon: Monitoring and Banding, USA (Midwest)
Poisoning from DDT and related chemicals had devastating effects on Peregrine falcons in the mid 1900s. Biologists have since established recovery programs to restore their populations. In the Midwest, releases of young peregrine falcon chicks started along the cliffs of the Mississippi River near Kellogg, Minnesota in 1982 and later expanded to 13 states and 2 Canadian provinces. Nearly 1300 young captive-bred falcon chicks over 20 years have been released, and as of 2007, over 200 nesting pairs have produced over 450 young in the regional population. In 1999, the peregrine falcon was de-listed from the Endangered Species list and is currently being monitored for changes in the population that might require re-listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The State of Minnesota is currently considering de-listing the species based on the data of this project and the apparent continued growth in the state’s peregrine population. The Zoo’s grant program provided funding in both 2005 and 2007 for a staff member to monitor and band peregrine falcons as part of this successful program.

Great Lakes Piping Plover. The Piping Plover Recovery Program, Michigan, USA
The piping plover is a small shorebird weighing less than 2.2 ounces. There are three populations of piping plover; the Atlantic, the Northern Great Plains and the Great Lakes piping plover (GLPP). Historical estimates of the GLPP are between 500-800 pairs that occurred throughout the Great Lakes region. Due to habitat destruction, nest disruption, hunting and predation numbers dropped to approximately 17 breeding pairs, and in 1986, the GLPP was placed on the Endangered Species List. Between 1986 and 2005 their numbers have fluctuated between 12 and 60 breeding pairs. Today they are found mainly in Michigan. In 2003 the GLPP recovery program was approved, with the goal of restoring and maintaining a viable population. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, the University of Minnesota and a Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) have coordinated their efforts to protect the GLPP. To increase genetic diversity and increase population numbers, abandoned nests or nests that are in imminent danger of being lost are salvaged and taken to the University of Michigan’s Biological Research (UMBS) station in Pellston, Michigan. The Zoo Grant Program provided funding in 2007 for a staff member to participate in the program. The GLPP population has gradually increased since 1986 thanks to the dedication of many individuals and agencies.

Rainforest Research and Recovery, Puerto Rico
Tropical rainforests are being cut down at alarming rates, adversely affecting biodiversity and local economic sustainability. Researchers in Puerto Rico are testing ways to sustainably-harvest rainforest trees by mimicking nature. Trees that die of natural causes often fall, creating gaps in the forest. These gaps can be important for biodiversity by providing microenvironments for different types of species–especially those that need lots of light to grow. These researchers are also collecting data on an endangered nocturnal frog that is found only in the forests of Puerto Rico. The Zoo’s grant program funded a staff member to participate in this project through the Earthwatch Institute.

Sundaland Clouded Leopard: Surveys and Habitat Research, Malaysia
Sundaland clouded leopards are medium-sized wild cats found in forests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Due to their shy and elusive nature, little is known about them in the wild. High levels of deforestation on their native islands are a particular threat to these leopards, whose numbers are thought to be declining (further research is needed to confirm this and establish population sizes). Researchers are evaluating the effects of logging and forest composition, important because most of the Bornean habitat is commercial reserves. A network of camera traps, as well as daily surveys, will provide information about the presence/abundance of these carnivores. The Zoo’s grant program provided funding for camera traps.

Wolverine: Tracking and Research, USA (Alaska)
The wolverine is considered a vulnerable species throughout its range. The current status of wolverine populations are not known, due to the elusive nature of these animals. Attempts are being made by various studies, many through the Wolverine Foundation, to not only obtain an accurate population count but also to study how wolverine populations are affected by human influences such as logging, trapping, and resource development. Researchers are currently attempting to get an accurate count of wolverine populations in southeast Alaska by discovering which habitats are preferred by reproductive females, tracking wolverine movement, and investigating viable populations. The Zoo’s grant program provided funding to this project to purchase camera traps.

The Minnesota Zoo is located in Apple Valley, just minutes south of Mall of America. For more information, call 952.431.9500 or visit mnzoo.org. The Minnesota Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA).


source: www.mnzoo.org