Eastern monarch butterfly population plunges below extinction threshold

MARCH 20, 2020

by Tierra Curry, Center for Biological Diversity

The yearly count of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico, released today, shows a decrease of 53% from last year's count and is well below the threshold at which government scientists predict the migration could collapse.

Scientists estimate that 6 hectares—about 15 acres—is the extinction threshold for the migratory butterflies' survival in North America. The latest count, conducted by World Wildlife Fund Mexico, found overwintering monarchs occupying just 2.83 hectares, or 7 acres.

"Scientists were expecting the count to be down slightly, but this level of decrease is heartbreaking," said Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity. "Monarchs unite us, and more protections are clearly needed for these migratory wonders and their habitat."

In 2014 conservationists led by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Center for Food Safety petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the butterfly under the Endangered Species Act.

The decision on Endangered Species Act protection will be issued in December of this year under a settlement with the conservation groups. Today's low count reinforces the need to protect the beleaguered pollinator.

Continued

Census: Orca population in Puget Sound falling

31st August 2014 

With two new deaths this year and no new calves since 2012, the population of endangered killer whales in the Puget Sound continues to decline.

The number of whales in J, K and L pods has dropped to 78, a level not seen since 1985, According to a census by the Center for Whale Research. Adding to the concerns, the whales appear to be "splintering" from their pods, which are their basic social groups.

Since 1976, Ken Balcomb of the research center has been observing the Puget Sound orcas, or Southern Residents as they're known among scientists. Balcomb compiles an annual census of the population for submission to the federal government.

Historically, all three pods of orcas have come together in the San Juan Islands during summer months, often feeding and socializing in large groups, Balcomb noted. But for the past few years, the pods have divided themselves into small groups, sometimes staying together but often staying apart.

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Another Tiger Reserve soon to be tigerless in India

Big cats vanishing from Satkosia Tiger Reserve - Written by Siba Mohanty - Courtesy of Wildlife Protection Society of India

April 2013. Satkosia Tiger Reserve seems to be headed the same way as Sariska. Dwindling tiger signs and absence of breeding over the last two years have rung alarm bells for Odisha's second tiger reserve.

In the 2010 survey conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), the tiger population was estimated at eight. A host of factors now indicates that even that low number may have declined drastically. Although the management of the tiger reserve is collecting tiger signs from the prime habitats, they have been declining and are discouraging to say the least.

Just 1-2 tigers left
According to sources, camera traps installed in the tiger reserve have shown some signs of the large cats, but the population is reported to have hit a nadir. Already designated a low tiger density reserve, the drop in population may push tigers into extinction in Satkosia soon. The number at present could well be just one or two and unless urgent measures are taken, there would be none left in near future.

‘'The tiger population does not seem to be thriving since there are no signs of cubs with mothers or even juveniles to suggest that breeding is taking place and the cycle is going on. This could be fatal to the population,'' said a source in Satkosia.

Prey animals aplenty
Interestingly, the prey base in the tiger habitat, which is connected to the tiger habitats of Central and Southern Odisha and onwards to the Central India tiger landscape, has improved over the last few years. The population of wild boar, spotted deer and sambhar has jumped significantly, but there has been no sign of an improvement in tiger population.

The Satkosia Reserve management too is aware of the impending crisis. "Prey base has improved and so has the habitat and there is no record of poaching but no sign of repopulation. It may have to do with the sex ratio of the existing population," said Field Director Pandav Behera.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/tiger-reserve.html

Pacific Bluefin Tuna in Trouble, Scientists Say

Populations of bluefin tuna in the western Pacific Ocean are down by nearly 97 percent from pre-fishing levels, according to a stock assessment by researchers.

"We found the Pacific bluefin stock is being overfished," said Steve Teo, a fisheries biologist at the Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla, Calif., who was involved in the assessment.

The news comes a few days after an enormous, 489-pound (222-kilogram) tuna fetched $1.76 million at a Japanese auction, the Associated Press reported. Strong demand for tuna, primarily for use in sushi, has driven increased harvesting of the fish. Over the past 15 years, its population in the western Pacific has steadily declined and is now at or near an all-time low, Teo told LiveScience.

Continued: http://www.livescience.com/26215-pacific-bluefin-tuna-in-decline.html