Oiled Wildlife Care Network’s Post

Via David Shiffman - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Critical Habitat for Two West Indian Manatee Subspecies - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS): The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing critical habitat revisions and additions for the two subspecies of the West Indian manatee. The Service proposes a total revised designation of 1,904,191 acres for the Florida manatee and a new 78,121-acre designation for the Antillean manatee in Puerto Rico. All areas proposed for critical habitat for both subspecies are occupied; no unoccupied areas are proposed. https://lnkd.in/e8SDwysc

Congress had sharp criticism for a proposed rule that would prioritize a climate change agenda over a proven hunting conservation strategy that has benefitted wildlife conservation and sportsmen and women. It’s not the first time, either. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health (BIDEH) rule update would implement a rule to “combat” climate change at the expense of wildlife conservation through hunting and angling. The proposal would put National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) decisions based solidly in Washington, D.C., and not in the hands of local biologists who are best positioned to make policy decisions for sustainable conservation. https://lnkd.in/gncWuQYT #BIDEH #USFWS #climatechange #wildlifeconservation

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is suggesting changes to the critical habitat areas for both the Florida and Antillean manatees, which are subspecies of the West Indian manatee. This proposal involves adjusting 1.9 million acres for the Florida manatee and designating 78,121 acres for the Antillean manatee in Puerto Rico. Importantly, all the proposed areas are already inhabited by the manatees, with no new unoccupied spaces included in the plan. Links to the press release and FAQs in English and Spanish: - Press release:  https://lnkd.in/gyS6__yC - FAQs: https://lnkd.in/gPN5XibF - Spanish press release: https://lnkd.in/grbgbPvP - Spanish FAQs: https://lnkd.in/gd_hjGWM

Today, the American Wildlife Conservation Partners (AWCP) – comprised of the nation’s top 52 sporting-conservation organizations that represent America’s hunter-conservationists, professional wildlife and natural resource managers, outdoor recreation users, conservation educators, and wildlife scientists – released Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume VII (W-21). This comprehensive publication focuses on solutions to conserve wildlife and their habitats across the nation, bolstering public access, and protecting our outdoor traditions. Every four years since AWCP was first convened in 2000, the partners have put forth their collective priorities in Wildlife for the 21st Century, which serves as the roadmap for AWCP’s vision for wildlife and sportsmen and sportswomen. “Our partners that make up AWCP should be proud of their ability to coalesce around a shared set of policy priorities which, should they be adopted, would produce real and meaningful benefits for hunters, habitat, and wildlife across the United States. It is a comprehensive suite of recommendations that can serve as a blueprint for conservation and hunting policy in the future,” said John Devney, AWCP Vice-Chair and Chief Policy Officer for Delta Waterfowl. Find a copy of Wildlife for the 21st Century, Volume 7 here: https://hubs.li/Q02Ptx4L0 #wildlife21#wildlife21stcentury#americanwildlifeconservationpartners#awcpwildlife21

An update from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge: "The Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a proposal that would expand the boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, adding approximately 22,000 acres adjacent to the existing refuge. The Service is seeking public input on the proposal. If adopted, the proposed minor boundary expansion would enable the Service to work with willing landowners to explore voluntary conservation actions, including potential acquisition, that would further protect the refuge’s globally significant freshwater wetland system and wildlife habitat. The proposed expansion includes lands currently held by Twin Pines Minerals, LLC as well as a one-mile fuel reduction zone adjacent to the refuge." A public comment period is now open until November 18 with a public meeting in Folkston on October 29. Be on the lookout for upcoming information from the Georgia Conservancy. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gC_Ab5qh

Big news for giraffe conservation: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed listing giraffes under the Endangered Species Act, offering critical protections for five subspecies. This move aims to address the alarming poaching rates and curb the demand for giraffe products, as the U.S. is a major market for items like rugs, boots, furniture, and even Bible covers made from giraffe parts. Protecting these gentle giants is a crucial step toward ensuring their survival in the wild. Let’s hope this action sparks global efforts to safeguard their future. #Conservation #EndangeredSpecies #GiraffeProtection

The Potential Moderating Effect of the Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 on Human Elephant Conflict Mitigation The Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 is a comprehensive legislation that protects Uganda's wildlife and natural resources. It provides a legal framework for managing human-wildlife conflicts and outlines the responsibilities of both government agencies and local communities. The law spells out Potential Moderating Effects such as Improved Conflict Mitigation Strategies: The Act can provide a legal basis for implementing effective conflict mitigation measures, such as Elephant deterrent electric fences: To prevent elephants from entering agricultural areas. Community-based conservation: Involving local communities in wildlife management and conservation efforts. Compensation schemes: To compensate communities for losses incurred due to human-elephant conflicts. Enhanced Enforcement of Wildlife Laws: The Act can strengthen the enforcement of wildlife laws, making it more difficult for individuals to engage in illegal activities such as poaching or habitat destruction. This can help to reduce the factors that contribute to human-elephant conflicts. Improved Public Awareness: The Act can promote public awareness of the importance of wildlife conservation and the need to coexist peacefully with elephants. This can help to foster a more tolerant and understanding attitude towards wildlife. The Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 offers a valuable framework for managing human-elephant conflicts in Murchison Falls National Park, its effectiveness will depend on a combination of factors, including adequate funding, community engagement, and strong enforcement. The Uganda Wildlife Act 2019 promotes the coexistence of humans and elephants.

Congress had sharp criticism for a proposed rule that would prioritize a climate change agenda over a proven hunting conservation strategy that has benefitted wildlife conservation and sportsmen and women. It’s not the first time, either. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) proposed Biological Integrity, Diversity and Environmental Health (BIDEH) rule update would implement a rule to “combat” climate change at the expense of wildlife conservation through hunting and angling. The proposal would put National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) decisions based solidly in Washington, D.C., and not in the hands of local biologists who are best positioned to make policy decisions for sustainable conservation. https://lnkd.in/gncWuQYT #BIDEH #USFWS #climatechange #wildlifeconservation

Yesterday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced changes to how the Endangered Species Act is implemented. One of the changes known as the "blanket rule" rolls back a key distinction in how threatened and endangered species are regulated. Unfortunately, restoring the blanket rule is a setback for species recovery. Why? Because species-specific guidance informed by science results in more effective recovery plans than a one-size-fits-all approach. With two-thirds of endangered species dependent on private lands, the most effective way to help wildlife recover is to improve the incentives for private landowners to protect and restore habitat. The Fish and Wildlife Service's decision makes states and landowners indifferent to whether species are improving or declining. https://lnkd.in/guVi9_VW

On Saturday 1 June, the Miles Government announced that Bush Heritage Australia’s 8000-ha Edgbaston Reserve, in the Lake Eyre Basin near Longreach, will soon be declared the state’s second special wildlife reserve, after the safeguarding of Pullen Pullen Reserve as a special wildlife reserve in 2020. Like national parks, special wildlife reserves receive legal protection from incompatible land uses such as commercial timber harvesting, grazing or petroleum and mineral resource extraction. These private protected areas are a crucial part of Queensland’s Protected Area Estate and are vital to conserving biodiversity. Edgbaston protects 26 plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth – including the critically endangered red-finned blue-eye (Scaturiginichthys vermeilipinnis) and Edgbaston goby (Chlamydogobius squamigenus) – freshwater fish found only in the Great Artesian Basin springs. Edgbaston has also been the cornerstone of new species discoveries, including 15 types of plants and the yet-to-be-described Edgbaston shrimp and amphipod. The announcement follows the state government's 31 May assurance of protections for Australia's groundwater reserves, legislating to permanently ban carbon capture and storage activities within the expansive Great Artesian Basin. “The Miles Government has now taken a leadership decision to bring forward a legislative ban on these types of projects in the Great Artesian Basin to ensure that there are no future attempts at this type of storage in this essential water resource. Our decision will remove any doubt and ensure the Great Artesian Basin’s protection for generations to come," stated Environment Minister Leanne Linard. The state government reached the agreement to protect Edgbaston with Bush Heritage Australia (BHA) and Bidjara Traditional Owners, and its formal declaration as a special wildlife reserve is scheduled to take place later in 2024. Queensland remains the only state in Australia to provide national park-level protections on private land through the special wildlife reserve class of protected area. Learn more about special wildlife reserves at https://buff.ly/3X6OaZ3 📷 Courtesy of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Clockwise from top left: Matthew Taylor, Rowan Hinchley, Katie Degnian, Dr Dean Gilligan at Big Springs, Red-finned blue-eye.