Darwin's Fox

By Annie O’Brien

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Intro:
Slowly floating down the stream, Huck asks Jim what it's like to be a slave. After waiting a while to answer, Jim explains the pros and cons, eventually landing on the fact that it is a way for some people to use their power over others. Still curious, Huck pushes, asking how something could be so unfair. Finally coming to a conclusion, Jim sighs, admitting, "that is just the way with some people. They get down on a thing when they don't know nothing about it." A theme in literature and wildlife alike, the human exploitation rates of materials has and continues to skyrocket. This over-usage has affected many species, including the lycalopes fulvipes, also known as Darwin's Fox.

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General Summary:
Discovered by Charles Darwin himself, Darwin's fox lives primarily in the Chiloé Island of Chile. These critters are endemic to Chile as well, and do best in dense forest habitats. Luckily, Darwin's foxes feed off of a wide variety of plants, mammals, and reptiles; so while the specificity required of their geographic location can get in the way of having a healthy population, the food they eat does not.


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Geographic and Population Changes:
Currently, there are six hundred and fifty nine mature foxes left. While this number may seem small, it is actually much larger than its population has been in recent years. In fact, in 2004 Darwin's Fox was listed as critically endangered, with less than 250 mature adults left. It wasn't until 2008 that the fox population had improved enough to be classified as endangered.

Listing:
Not too much has changed since 2008, and the Darwin's fox population remains listed as endangered, according to the IUCN Red List.

Major Threats:
With Chilean protected areas being commonly flooded with domestic dogs, these canines and the diseases they spread are considered the main threat to the Darwin's fox population. Upon an encounter between a fox and a dog, the dog will most likely attack and kill the fox. Because these domestic dogs often live in old growth forests, many foxes are forced to live elsewhere, creating spatial displacement. 

The Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is commonly found in domesticated dogs, caught most likely due to a lack of vaccination. There is no known cure, and the disease may cause seizures, paralysis, and eventually death. Through biting, CDV is passed on to foxes, and is also considered a major threat to its population.

CDV effects on canines

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Recovery Plans:

In efforts of conservation, many National Parks or other conservation areas have created specific habitats in hopes of restoring the Darwin's fox population. A primary example is the Nahuelbuta National Park, located along the coastal mountains of Chile. These mountain ranges provide the perfect home to the old growth forests the foxes need. Similarly, more and more canines are receiving the vaccine against the CDV virus. Luckily, these critters eat a variety of foods, which has played a key role in their population's survival over the last few years. While the only known captive Darwin's foxes are located near Villarrica, a Chilean volcano, they have achieved successful reproduction rates for nearly two consecutive years.

Villarrica Volcano, Chile

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How to Help:

Although a number of efforts have been made to improve the fox's population, there is still a lot to be done. Currently, known populations are being heavily monitored and studied, with new information regarding genetics, disease, occupancy, and habitat use vastly popular. 
With the CDV virus such a major threat to the fox's population, I have started a petition in hopes of requiring the vaccination in all dogs at birth, once and for all. If you'd like to take action, please visit the link below to sign:
https://www.change.org/p/world-wildlife-fund-give-a-fox-about-it?recruiter=403494504&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
Hopefully, with more efforts like these, Darwin's fox can see more examples of natural selection in its future. 

Sources:

"Lycalopex Fulvipes." The IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. The IUCN, 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

"Distemper in Dogs." PetMD. N.p., 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.

"Lycalopex Fulvipes." Encyclopedia of Life. EOL, 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016.
O'Brien, Annie. "Give a Fox about It!" Change.org. N.p., 30 Nov. 2016. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.
"Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital." Canine and Feline Vaccination Guidelines | UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine - Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. UC Davis, 2012. Web. 30 Nov. 2016.

Jack Ratkovich - Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Image taken from National Geographic

Some of my favorite childhood memories are of snorkeling off the beaches of Maui, which eventually evolved into a passion for scuba diving. The draw for me was never the dozens of colorful fish that I would see. Rather, it was the sea turtles that excited me every time I saw them swimming beside or beneath me, and though it never seemed as though the turtles felt threatened by me, I often had to remind myself not to pet them. Green sea turtles are majestic, docile creatures that glide through the water as though they were flying, which is why I was heartbroken to discover that they are endangered, and that their population is only declining further with each passing year.

Image taken from the World Wildlife Fund

Curiously, the green turtle is not named so for its shell, but rather for their green cartilage and fat. In fact, the color of their shells can vary, and they are referred to by an alternate common name, “black turtle”, by locals in areas where their shells are darker, such as the Eastern Pacific (WWF). They typically grow no larger than 4 feet, and they have been known to weigh up to 440 pounds (FWS). Adult green turtle shells are smooth, heart-shaped, and light to dark brown with a light yellow plastron (FWS). With the exception of migration periods, green turtles usually spend their time in shallow waters near reefs and lagoons (FWS). Because of their diet, green turtles can often be found in and around shoals with lush marine grass meadows and plenty of algae (FWS), as they are the only herbivorous species of sea turtle (WWF).  Green turtles lay their eggs at night upon open, undisturbed beaches with varying seasons and at varied intervals ranging 2 to 4 years on average, and they typically nest upon the same beach on which they hatched every time they nest, migrating long distances to travel between feeding grounds and nesting grounds (FWS). In one nesting season, a single female might produce up to 9 clutches consisting of 75 to 200 eggs each, meaning a single female could potentially lay up to 1800 eggs in a single season (FWS). 

Habitat of the Green Sea Turtle
Taken from the International Union for Conservation of Nature

The green turtle dwells in warm, tropical and subtropical oceanic waters worldwide, including the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Pacific Ocean (IUCN). However, despite inhabiting the waters of over 140 countries, their species is in decline throughout all major ocean basins, and they are currently listed by the Fish and Wildlife Service and by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as endangered (FWS, IUCN). Initially categorized as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 1982, the green turtle was again listed in 1986, 1988, 1990, 1994, and 1996 (IUCN). Primarily as a result of overharvesting of eggs, the poaching of nesting females, and the hunting of adults and juveniles in feeding grounds, the number of nesting female green turtles has declined 48-67% in the last three generations (IUCN). Tens of thousands of green turtles are poached annually for their meat and parts, and egg harvesting, despite its devastating effect on the green turtle population, remains legal in some countries (IUCN). Secondary reasons for decline include bycatch by shrimp trawls, longline hooks, and fishing gillnets, habitat degradation at nesting grounds and foraging areas due to human development, disease, and artificial lighting, which disorients hatchlings, causing them to head inland instead of going out to sea and making them vulnerable to predation (WWF). 

Recovery Plan:

Due to the vast migratory ranges of the green sea turtle, the U.S. Pacific Sea Turtle Recovery Team works exclusively in areas that are within U.S. jurisdiction, which poses major challenges to conservation efforts. The Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan for these magnificent creatures includes eight necessary actions:

1. “Stop the direct harvest of green sea turtles and eggs through education and law enforcement actions.”
2. “Eliminate the threat of fibropapillomas to green turtle populations.”
3. “Reduce incidental harvest of green turtles by commercial and artisanal fisheries.”
4. “Determine population size and status through regular nesting beach and in-water censuses.”
5. Identify stock home ranges using DNA analysis."
6. “Support conservation and biologically viable management of green turtle populations in countries that share U.S. green turtle stocks.”
7. “Identify and protect primary nesting and foraging areas for the species.”
8. “Eliminate adverse effects of development on green turtle nesting and foraging habitats” (FWS).

How can I help?

There are a number of ways you can help save the green sea turtle. 

1. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
1. We’ve all heard of “the Three R’s” of environmentalism, and the importance behind them cannot be overstated. By reducing garbage waste and picking up trash on the beach, you might be saving a turtle from entanglement or from mistaking trash for food. Also, reduce chemical usage at home, as they can be be carried to coastal waters via rain.
2. Turn Off Lights Near the Beach
1. Because sea turtle hatchlings navigate to the water via moonlight, they are disoriented and confused by artificial lighting, and as a result might never find their way to water. Also, artificial lights may prevent adult females from nesting.
3. Be Aware of Nesting Grounds
1. While one might be tempted to approach a turtle that is sitting on the beach, this could disturb nesting or impede hatchlings from reaching the ocean.
4. Adopt a Sea Turtle
1. Provide funds for the conservation effort of sea turtles. And if saving the turtles isn’t incentive enough, a donation to the World Wildlife Fund comes with a nifty plush toy and some other cool gear. 
2. https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/Species-Adoptions/Sea-Turtle.aspx?sc=AWY1705OQ18316A01275RX&_ga=1.214088023.1557542844.1475803128
5. Be Active!
1. Volunteer. Organize a beach clean-up with your friends. Educate people your peers.  Do a school project on the green sea turtle (maybe even a blog? Just spitballing here). 

For more on what you can do for sea turtles, visit:

https://www.worldwildlife.org/

http://www.defenders.org/

Works Cited

"Green Turtle." WorldWildlife.org. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016. 

Recovery Plan for U.S. Pacific Populations of the Green Turtle (Chelonia Mydas). Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, 1998. ECOS. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Web. 26 Nov. 2016. 

Seminoff, J.A. "Support the." Chelonia Mydas (Green Turtle). International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2004. Web. 26 Nov. 2016

Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife. "Species Profile for Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas)." Species Profile for Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia Mydas). U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2016. 

"The Things You Can Do With Little Lithium." Chemical & Engineering News 35.49 (1957): 82. Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. 

"Turtle Gifts When You Donate to WWF." WWF. World Wildlife Fund, n.d. Web. 27 Nov. 2016.

Seminoff, J.A. (Southwest Fisheries Science Center, U.S.). 2004.  Chelonia mydas. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2004: e.T4615A11037468.

Amanda Radner- Jaguar

Amanda Radner

Fall 2016

The Jaguar 

Panthera onca

Jaguar Lounging in a Tree

Description and Ecology

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of a jaguar? For me, it was their uniquely spotted coat. But jaguars are significant for much more than the beautiful black rosettes on their tan coats.

Jaguar

Jaguars have the strongest teeth and jaws of any American cat and they typically measure from about 5 to 8 feet. Jaguars generally breed year-round and cubs remain with their mother for 1.5 to 2 years. Their age range is about 10 to 15 years. The list of prey taken by jaguars includes more than 85 species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife).

Geographic and Population Changes

The Geographic Range of Jaguars

Threats to Jaguars

Jaguars once roamed from the southern tip of South America to the region surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border.  Today significant numbers of jaguars are found only in remote regions of the Amazon in South and Central America. (Jaguar)

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Recovery Plan, abundance and population trends for the jaguar are still not well known in the Western Hemisphere, however, populations throughout their range continue to be at risk. Jaguars are known to be extirpated in 37 percent of their historical range (U.S. Fish and Wildlife).

Listing Date and Type of Listing

The species was originally listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Conservation Act (ESCA) in 1969. Under the ESCA, two separate lists of endangered wildlife were maintained, one for foreign species and one for the United States. The jaguar appeared only on the “List of Endangered Foreign Wildlife”. Endangered status was not extended to the jaguar in the U.S. until July 22, 1997 (U.S. Fish and Wildlife).

Cause of Listing and Main Threats to Continued Existence

The primary threats to the continued existence of the jaguar are habitat destruction and overexploitation.

Marcus Obal

The jaguar is classified as “Near Threatened” on the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation (IUCN) due to a number of factors, including habitat loss and fragmentation of populations across portions of the range. Loss, fragmentation, and modification of jaguar habitat have contributed to population declines throughout much of the species’ range, including northern Mexico. 

Although hunting for pelts has decreased, there is still demand for jaguar paws, teeth, and other products.  Additionally, illegal killing of jaguars due to conflicts with humans is a major threat to jaguars. Jaguars are often killed by ranchers as pest species.  Experts agree that one of the most severe causes of mortality is the direct hunting of jaguars, either because jaguars have caused some conflict by killing livestock or to sell the jaguar as a trophy. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife)

Description of Recovery Plan

The goal for the plan is to conserve and protect the jaguar and its habitat so that its long-term survival is secured and it can be considered for removal from the list of threatened and endangered species. 

The plan states that the management of listed species outside of U.S. borders are primarily the responsibility of the countries in which the species occurs, with the help, as appropriate, of assistance from the U.S. 
There are three key objectives to recover Jaguar populations:
1.     Restore habitat to support viable populations.
2.     Minimize the effects of human population growth and development in areas that affect jaguars
3.     Reduce direct human-caused mortality (illegal and legal killing) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife)

So you might be asking... What can I do to help the jaguar? 

Here are a few simple and easy ways to help:

Mike Flanagan

 1.    “Adopt” a Jaguar- Give a donation to a company that supports and works to defend jaguars and their habitats.  An example is: https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/species-adoptions/jaguar.aspx  

2. Stay Informed- Organizations such as “Defenders of Wildlife” offer alerts to stay informed on issues affecting jaguars.   (https://secure.defenders.org/site/SPageServer/;jsessionid=3F455CE975C01BD6655DBD93C8D95EAA.app220a?pagename=act_signup) By staying up-to-date on news regarding jaguars and their habitats you will be able to take action to save these amazing cats when necessary! (Threats to Jaguars)

For even more information you can visit...

https://www.wcs.org/our-work/species/jaguars
http://www.worldlandtrust.org/education/species/save-the-jaguar


Works Cited

Jaguar Lounging in a Tree. Digital image. Sacred Ways Colorado. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2016. <http://www.sacredwaysco.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=33490383>.

"Jaguar." National Geographic. National Geographic Society, 17 Nov. 2016. Web. 20 Nov. 2016. <http://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/j/jaguar/>.

Marcus Obal. A Jaguar Takes a Yawn at the Toronto Zoo. Digital image. A-Z. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2016. <http://a-z-animals.com/animals/jaguar/pictures/2150/>.

Mike Flanagan. 'Got Any Jaguars?' - 'Sorry, They're an Endangered Species.' Digital image. Cartoon Stock. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Nov. 2016. <https://www.cartoonstock.com/directory/j/jaguar.asp>.

"Threats to Jaguars." Defenders of Wildlife. Defenders of Wildlife, 13 Dec. 2013. Web. 18 Nov. 2016. <http://www.defenders.org/jaguar/threats>.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "Recovery Outline for the Jaguar." (2012): 1-42. Web. 18 Nov. 2016. <http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/049777%20-%20Jaguar%20Recovery%20Outline%20-%20April%202012_2.pdf>.