Wildlife News Roundup - October 2004

In this issue of Wildlife News Roundup, there's news of a growing controversy over government plans to poison black-tailed prairie dogs on federal land in South Dakota. Conservationists argue that the endangered black-footed ferret relies on prairie dogs as their primary food source, so the measure to control the prairie dog population further endangers the rare ferret.

There are also numerous headlines about great white sharks. Great white sharks are now protected under CITES, a treaty banning trade in endangered species. The Monterey Bay Aquarium is hosting a female great white shark that was caught in halibut nets off the coast of California. Scientists have tracked a great white on an epic journey across the Indian Ocean and back.

• Amphibian Populations Seen Dwindling (NPR) — October 14, 2004. Frogs, toads, and salamanders are highly sensitive to toxins in their environment so they serve as good indicators of environmental health. Scientists warn that the sharp decline in amphibian populations over recent years indicates a significant decline in environmental quality.
• 'Sleeping Dragon' Fossil May Link Dinosaurs, Birds (National Geographic) — October 13, 2004. A fossil 'troodontid', a type of dinosaur, was preserved in a sleeping position used by present-day birds. The fossilized creature was curled up with its head tucked beneath its forelimb. The similarity may hint at a possible behavioral link between it and birds.
• Great White Shark Added to Endangered List (NPR) — October 13, 2004. The international community has recognized the need to protect great white sharks against illegal trade under CITES. The protection of the great white shark under CITES means trade of shark teeth and jaws is to be closely monitored and if necessary, banned entirely.
• Reindeer Decline Threatens Mongolian Nomads (National Geographic) — October 12, 2004. The Tsaatan culture is nomadic tribe that has inhabited the taiga of northern Mongolia for over 3,000 years old. They rely on reindeer herds for their livelihood but in recent years the reindeer population has been falling due to disease and inbreeding.
• Prairie Dog Poisoning Begins on Federal Land in South Dakota (WWF) — October 11, 2004. Federal officials have started poisoning black-tailed prairie dogs on public land in South Dakota in an effort to control their populations.
• Irrawaddy Dolphins Gain Trade Protection Under CITES (WWF) — October 8, 2004. The Irrawaddy dolphin is to be protected under CITES in an effort ensure the species future. Under such protection, international commercial trade of the dolphin is strictly forbidden. Additionally, CITES urges its member countries to also prohibit noncommercial trade of the dolphins for display in zoos and aquariums.
• Plan to Poison Prairie Dogs Challenged (NPR) — October 5, 2004. Conservation organizations have filed a lawsuit against government plans to poison black-tailed prairie dogs on federal land. Environmentalists argue that the poisoning of prairie dogs would threaten the black-footed ferret, an endangered species that relies on prairie dogs as its food source.
• Bee Decline May Spell End of Some Fruits, Vegetables (National Geographic) — October 5, 2004. In the past five decades, the honeybee population has declined by half. Since honeybees act as polinators for many fruits and vegetables, the decline in honeybees may result in the disappearance from some fruits and vegetables from the food supply.
• California Aquarium Hosts Great White (NPR) — October 4, 2004. A young female great white shark has been kept at the Monterey Bay Aquarium for 19 days—a record for great whites who are notoriously difficult to keep in captivity. The shark was caught by accident in a halibut net and fishermen brought the animal to the aquarium where she has been thriving.
• Great White's Marathon Sea Trek (BBC News) — October 6, 2005. A great white shark has completed a journey from South Africa to Australia and back in nine months according to scientists tracking the large predatory fish.

About Wildlife News Roundup

Wildlife News Roundup is a monthly digest featuring animals and wildlife headlines from around the web. It includes headlines from well-established sources such as the World Wildlife Fund, BBC News, New York Times, National Public Radio, National Geographic, and Birdlife International. The sources are selected with care and include only those that archive articles for many years, offer top-notch science writing, and follow stories as they develop over time.

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