California sea lion population rebounded to new highs

Sea lion numbers reflect conditions in California Current through the decades

Date:  January 17, 2018

Source:  NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region

Summary:

California sea lions have fully rebounded under the protection of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, with their population on the West Coast reaching carrying capacity in 2008 before unusually warm ocean conditions reduced their numbers, according to the first comprehensive population assessment of the species.

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Why Are Shark Attacks on the Rise?

By Mindy Weisberger, Senior Writer | June 7, 2016 02:06pm ET

Shark attacks have dominated Australian headlines during the past week, with two fatalities occurring just a few days apart in waters near Perth.

Those attacks may not be just a coincidence or bad luck: Shark attacks have been on the rise, with more attacks reported worldwide last year than in any other year on record, according to an annual survey.

The International Shark Attack File (ISAF), a database of shark attacks maintained by the Florida Museum of Natural History (FMNH), includes a yearly summary of so-called "unprovoked attacks" — aggressive interactions initiated by sharks against people in the sharks' habitat, without any prior contact — and tallied 98 such attacks in 2015. The previous record was 88 attacks, which occurred in 2000.

Forty-nine percent of the incidents involved surfers, according to the ISAF.

However, the report noted that the increased number of attacks likely does not indicate that sharks are attacking people more frequently. Rather, human populations are growing, so there are more people swimming, surfing and diving in the ocean.

But concerns about sharks are currently running high in Australia. On June 5, a woman diving near a marina near Perth died after being mauled by a shark, becoming the second person in one week to suffer a fatal shark attack while in Australian waters.

The 60-year-old woman was attacked by a shark (possibly a great white shark) measuring an estimated 16 feet (5 meters), according to the trio of fisherman who tried to help her and who claimed that the shark was "longer than their boat," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported.

ABC added that the woman was believed to have died before she could be moved to shore.

And on May 31, Ben Gerring, 29, was severely injured when he was bitten by a shark while surfing, also near Perth. Gerring was transported to Royal Perth Hospital and died of his injuries on June 3, ABC reported.

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Legal harvest of marine turtles tops 42,000 each year

Date:
February 20, 2014

Source:
University of Exeter

Summary:
A new study has found that 42 countries or territories around the world permit the harvest of marine turtles -- and estimates that more than 42,000 turtles are caught each year by these fisheries. All seven marine turtle species are currently listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The direct take of turtles has continued legally in many regions and countries, often for traditional coastal communities to support themselves or small-scale fisheries supplying local markets with meat, and sometimes shell. The fisheries are an important source of finance, protein and cultural identity, but information can be scarce on their status -- despite often being listed as one of the major threats to turtle populations.


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Deforestation increases across the Amazon

November 2013: Deforestation in Brazil rose by 28 percent last year, according to new figures released by Brazil’s environment ministry. In total 5,843 sq km of Amazon rainforest - an area half the size of Jamaica - was cleared between August 2012 and July 2013.

The two worst-affected states were Pará and Mato Grosso. Pará state experienced the biggest area of forest clearance – some 2,379 sq km – owing largely to illegal mining. That’s 37% higher than the previous year’s figure. Mato Grosso registered the highest increase in the rate of forest loss – up 52% since last year, to 1,149 sq km. 

In response to the new figures, Brazil’s environment minister Izabella Teixeira stressed that the state governments and local communities must work together to address threats to the rainforest from illegal logging and other activities. Through its partnership with the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation (ACTO), the Brazilian government will also help to monitor and reduce deforestation in other Amazon countries.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/Amazon-deforestation-increase.html

Ocean acidification may increase 170 percent this century

November 2013: Ocean acidification may increase by a staggering 170 percent by 2100 says an international report led by the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme, and marine ecosystems and biodiversity are likely to irreversibly change as a result with far-reaching consequences. The legacy of historical fossil fuel emissions on ocean acidification will be felt for centuries.

One of the lead authors Ulf Riebesell of GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel said: "What we can now say with high levels of confidence about ocean acidification sends a clear message. Globally we have to be prepared for significant economic and ecosystem service losses. But we also know that reducing the rate of carbon dioxide emissions will slow acidification. It was emphasised by the experts that if society continues on the current high emissions trajectory, cold water coral reefs may become unsustainable and tropical coral reef erosion is likely to outpace reef building this century.

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Rhino Death Toll on the Rise in India

At least 26 greater one-horned rhinos have already been massacred for their horns in the Indian state of Assam during the first five months of 2013.

The tally now exceeds 2012′s total of 21 rhinos gunned down in Assam. And there is yet another threat to the vulnerable pachyderms: The annual monsoon season, which begins in June and ends in September. Last year, at least 28 rhinos drowned. Rising floodwaters also force the rhinos out into the open as they seek higher ground, which makes them even easier targets for rhino-killing gangs. However, it is hoped that deployment of camera-equipped unmanned aerial vehicles(UAV) will help monitor Kaziranga during the flooding.

As of March 30, 17 rhinos had reportedly been killed in Assam since the beginning of the year. Most recently, a male rhino was found dead with his horn missing on May 30 in Kaziranga National Park, near Kanchanjuri in the Bagori range of the park. Forest officials found “several empty cartridges of AK-47 and .303 rifles” near the rhino’s body. A female rhino had been gunned down just a week earlier near Dhanbari in the Agratoli range, where NDTV reported that three spent AK-47 cartridges were found.

A rifle was recovered on May 21 in Kaziranga National Park, thanks to a tip-off which prompted a joint operation by the Forest Battalion Force, India Reserve Battalion (IRB) and Assam Police. The illegal firearm was found “wrapped in a gunny bag and hung on a tree near Lal Dapu area”, according to the Times of India.The rifle recovery followed the arrest of two members of a rhino killing gang over the May 18 weekend. The suspects were identified by the Business Standard as Naren Doley and Bimal Pegu. A .303 rifle was deized from the duo.

Read on

Kaziranga’s vital Indian rhino population increases despite poaching

Rhino population increasing slowly

March 2013. Despite an increased level of poaching in Kaziranga National Park, the latest rhino census has recorded a 37% increase since 1999 (And a few rhinos that were relocated to found a new population in Manas National Park).

Kaziranga's rhino population has increased from 1672 in 1999, to 2048 in 2009 and 2290 in 2013.

Kaziranga is a vital habitat for the Asian one horned rhino, containing more than 60% of the world's entire population, as well as more than 50% of the world's wild water buffalo population. Kaziranga, in Assam, is a World Heritage Site.
The census was undertaken by more than 250 trained staff riding on elephants.

Poaching
Last year, more than 20 rhinos were poached in Kaziranga, and 14 have been poached so far this year as poaching has increased.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/kaziranga-rhino-census013.html

US duck populations reaching record levels

Habitat decline not affecting duck populations this year
August 2012. Although breeding habitat conditions have declined from previous years, the US 2012 "Trends in Duck Breeding Populations" report estimates waterfowl production in North America is at a record high. This year's report estimate of 48.6 million ducks is significantly higher than the 45.6 million birds estimated last year and 43 percent above the long-term average.

This annual report summarizes information about the status of duck populations and wetland habitats collected by wildlife biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife and Canadian Wildlife Service for the Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey (Survey). The Survey samples more than two million square miles of waterfowl habitat across the United States and Canada.

Highlights

Highlights from the Survey in the north-central United States, south-central and northern Canada, and Alaska (the traditional survey area) include the following population estimates:

Mallard abundance is 10.6 million - a 15 percent increase over 2011 and a 39 percent increase over the long-term average of 7.6 million.
Gadwall abundance is 10 percent above the 2011 estimate, and 96 percent above the long-term average.
American wigeon abundance increased 3 percent from 2011, but remains 17 percent below the long-term average.
Abundance of green-winged teal and blue-winged teal were 3.5 million and 9.2 million, which were 20 percent and 3 percent above their 2011 numbers. Both species continue to remain well above their long-term averages by 74 percent and 94 percent, respectively.
Abundance for northern shovelers is 5.0 million, which is 8 percent above 2011, and 111 percent above their long-term average.
Northern pintails are at 3.5 million which is 22 percent below the 2011 estimate and 14 percent below the long-term average.
Redhead abundance was unchanged from last year but 89 percent above the long-term average.
Canvasback abundance was 0.8 million, which was 10 percent above last year's estimate and 33 percent above their long-term average
The combined lesser and greater scaup abundance estimate was 5.2 million, which was 21 percent above the 2011 estimate and 4 percent above the long-term average.
In the eastern survey area (north-eastern United States and eastern Canada), the estimated abundance for American black duck, green-winged teal, and merganser populations showed an increase from 2011 estimates in this area. The survey showed declines in abundance for mallards, goldeneyes, and ring-necked ducks.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/usa-ducks-2012.html