Conserving for Tomorrow

Hunting is a North American tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, we have the privilege to enjoy nature. Truth be told, todays forests would not exist if it weren’t for the valiant effort to restore North Americas wildlife and creating the North American model of wildlife conservation. Sometimes, wildlife managers, biologists, and conservationist forget that the greatest conservation success story is right in front of us.

For decades, we have enjoyed reward of the greatest conservation success story in history. Wildlife restoration. Through colonization, much of North America was stripped of wildlife and their ecosystems. Species were extirpated out of their native range; some species went extinct through overharvest and lack of conservation. Thanks to the state and federal agencies that work to conserve, fight, and protect wildlife; through their careful work, we have wildlife, we have biodiversity, and we have diverse ecosystems. Today, the North American Model of wildlife conservation is under attack. Quality wildlife habitat is fading through urbanization and habitat fragmentation. Wildlife conservation agencies are under funded from depleting budgets. Deadly diseases are spreading across the landscape and devastating ecosystems. Wildlife diseases are reshaping ecosystems as we know it. Bat populations have decreased by 90% in some areas (CFBD 2017). Pennsylvania Ruffed Grouse are having a population crash like never before (PFGC 2017). The greater sage grouse populations have declined in North America by 95% (Axelson 2015). Cervids are under attack from the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. These diseases arguably hold the biggest concerns for the future of wildlife.

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS)

In the winter of 2006-2007, researchers discovered White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in Schoharie County of New York. This disease was accidentally introduced from Europe by cavers who did not properly clean their gear. As of 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated 6.7 million bats have died from WNS and has been confirmed in 28 states the last 11 years (CFBD 2017).
White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease, (Pseudogymnoascus destrutans). This fungal disease attacks winter hibernating bats, attacking the bats skin and their wing membrane. The white fungus can be found growing around the face and wing membrane. During the winter months of hibernation, WNS can cause the bat to wake up more frequently. This causes the bat to use more of its limited fat reserve. This can cause the bat to loose all of its fat reserve during the winter and then lead to death. WNS can cause severe damage to a bats wing membrane, which can then lead towards a struggle to fly. If a WNS infected bat survives the winter, the bats immune system would be far to weak in the spring also casing death in the spring (USFWS 2017). There is currently no cure for WNS; however, research is proving that a cure is very possibly soon to come. Bats are extremely important to an ecosystem. A single bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitos an hour (USFWS 2017).

(National Park Service 2017)

More than half of the 47 bat species are winter hibernating that live in North America. White-nose Syndrome has been confirmed in 8 winter hibernating bat species: big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus), little brown bat (Myotis grisescens), eastern small-footed bat (Myotis leibii), gray bat (Myotis grisescens), Indian bat (Myotis sodalist), northern long-eared bat (Myotis lucifugus), south eastern bat (Myotis austroriparius), and tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). WNS is currently suspected in 7 other species but has not had any confirmed cases (USFWS 2017).

(Brandon Witmer 2017)

West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile virus is an arthropod-borne virus. WNV is mainly spread through mosquitoes. WNV was originally across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In 1999, the first outbreak in North America was documented in New York City. By 2004, WNV outbreaks were documented in the continental United States, all of Canada and through out Mexico. WNV effects, thousands of avian species, horses and humans. There is at least 48 different species of mosquitos that carry WNV. There have been over 250 species of birds and 18 mammalian species, including humans, have been confirmed with WNV (USGS 2016). The only way to prevent the spread of WNV is to prevent mosquito bites. There 2 major species of birds that are greatly affected by WNV and are experiencing population crashes, greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus). There is also a number of songbird species that are greatly affected by WNV.

Greater Sage Grouse

Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are a western species found throughout the plains of the Rocky Mountains. As of 2006, the greater sage grouse populations have declined by 45-80% in North America (Clark et al 2006). Greater sage grouse populations were already on the decline since the 1950’s due to overharvest, disease outbreaks, urbanization, and loss of habitat. There are pre- settlement population estimates as high as 16 million. In 2017, the population crash is up to 95% decline. Habitat loss is still a problem. The last decade, the greater sage grouse have had to battle the West Nile Virus. A study was done to determine a survival rate for greater sage grouse when infected with WNV. The study resulted in only a 50% survival rating (Clark et al 2006). Federal and state agencies have spent a combined $700 million on greater sage grouse conservation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the federal Bureau of Land Management have been working together to purchase and secure land to establish greater sage grouse management lands (Axelson 2015). State and federal agencies must continue to work together to manage for greater sage grouse and educate the public on their survival, if we give up this fight greater sage grouse will face extinction.

(Jeannie Stafford, USFWS 2015)

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) populations are crashing in Pennsylvania due to the effect of West Nile Virus. Ruffed grouse are found in 35 states and most of Canada. With the discovery of ruffed grouse being affected by WNV, this has potential to be a devastating entire population crash. In Pennsylvania, populations have crashed by 63% the last decade (PGC 2017). Wildlife conservationist goals should be to try to manage and conserve so ruffed grouse do not become the next greater sage grouse. We need to depend on scientist and wildlife biologist to conduct more research and begin to create a solution to this devastating problem.

(Tim Lenz 2009)

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Chronic Wasting Disease is a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) that affects the Cervidae family (CWDA 2017). CWD is a type of prion disease that attacks the brain, similar to mad cow disease. In North America, CWD has only been found in cervids: mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), elk (Cervus Canadensis), and moose (Alces alces). CWD is a fatal disease that destroys the brain by mutating the prions that slowly reduce critical brain functions (CWDA 2017). When a cervid is infected with CWD and the animal progresses through the disease, it will experience, severe weight loss and extreme behavior changes (CWDA 2017). CWD was first documented in captive mule deer in 1967. Today, CWD has been found in 24 states and 3 Canadian provinces and involves both wild and captive cervids. In the United States, 21 states have found CWD in free ranging cervids. There are 160 counties that have been deemed infected by CWD by their state agencies (CWDA 2017). It is critical to find a way to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. If CWD truly spreads nationally, it could prohibit the success of quality wildlife populations.

(Dr. Terry Kreeger of Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2012)

What Can We Do To Help?

The North American model of wildlife conservation is under attack. Wildlife is important. There is so many ecological benefits that wildlife provides. Protecting wildlife is a privilege. It is imperative that we strive and push for wildlife conservation and research. Science should be leading wildlife conservation, not politics. Populations are continuing to decline due to poor management and the spread of disease. Ask any hunter, sportsman and outdoor enthusiast, they do what they do, because of the tradition and heritage. We need to stand together and work with state agencies, federal agencies, and non-profit wildlife conservation organizations with continuing the tradition and experience of wildlife, through conservation for the next generation. It’s important to get involved with wildlife conservation and it is important to get the youth involved with wildlife and the great outdoors, through experience and education. Conserve wildlife today for the enjoyment of tomorrow.

Brandon Witmer

Work Cited: 

Axelson. G. 2015. Five things you need to know about greater sage grouse and the

endangered species act. All About Birds. <www. Allaboutbirds.org/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-greater-sage-grouse-and-the-endangered-species-act/>. Accessed 22 Apr 2017.   

Center for biological diversity [CFBD]. 2017. White-nose syndrome: questions and

answers. Center for Biological Diversity. <www.biologicaldiversity.org/

campaigns/bat_crisis_white-nose_syndrome/Q_and_A.html>. Accessed 22 Apr  2017.

Chronic Wasting Disease Alliance [CWDA]. 2017. Chronic Wasting Disease Info.

<www.cwd-info.org>. Accessed 22 Apr  2017.

Clark L., J. Hall, R. McLean, M. Dunbar, K. Klenk, R. Bowen, and C. Smeraski. 2006.

Susceptibility of greater sage-grouse to experimental infection with west nile virus. Journal of Wildlife and Disease. 42:14-22.

Pennsylvania game commission [PGC]. 2017. West nile virus. Pennsylvania Game

Commission <www.pgc.pa.gov/Wildlife/WildlifeSpecies/Documents/

West%20Nile%20Virus%20and%20Pennsylvania%20Grouse.pdf>. Accessed 22 Apr  2017.

U.S. fish and wildlife service [USFWS]. 2017. White-nose syndrome. U.S. Fish and

Wildlife Service. <www.whitenosesyndrome.org/about-white-nose-syndrome>.  Accessed 22 Apr  2017.

U.S. Geological Survey [USGS]. 2016. West nile virus (WNV). U.S. Department of the

Interior. <www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/west_nile_virus/>. Accessed 22 Apr  2017.

Fish and Oil Spills

Seven years ago on April 20^th, Deepwater Horizon oil well drilling platform in the Gulf of Mexico exploded. Spilling four millions barrels of oil into the water. This oil spill lasted over an 87 day period. The oil spill was finally capped on July 15, 2010. Killing and damaging millions of wildlife and fish species throughout the Gulf of Mexico and United States. This oil spill was considered to be one of the worst environmental oil spills in the United States history. Damaging and destroying entire habitats for wildlife and fish species all over. On December 15, 2010, the United States of America filed a complaint against BP Exploration and Production along with several other defendants who were responsible for the spill. Oil spills have a huge impact on everything from habitats lost to the effects on many different fish species.

Figure 1 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill May 20, 2010

The oil that was used in the Deepwater Horizon spill was considered to be a light crude oil. Light crude oil is considered to be moderately volatile. Light crude is also considered to be extremely toxic. Killing any wildlife and plants it comes into contact. This type of crude oil can leave a residue for up to one - third of the amount spilled after a couple of days. Light crude oil has the potential to cause long – term contaminations in the ocean. This type of light crude oil, causes harm to wildlife through physical contact, ingestion, and absorption.

Habitat is extremely important to wildlife and fish species throughout the United States. Even the habitat for humans is important just like wildlife. Oil spills have an effect on both wildlife and humans habitats. For wildlife and fish species, their habitat has more of an impact on the oil spill than humans. Oil will contaminate algae, larvae of invertebrates, and fish eggs all located in the water. For instance, fish will become contaminated through the consumption of contaminated prey. The prey is contaminated by directly coming into contact with the oil from the spill. Another example, this time for humans, humans will fish and catch many large contaminated fish from the food chain. They will than eat the fish they caught, becoming contaminated from the fish. Oil has been detected in sediment 30 years later after a massive oil spill. This even includes the sandy beaches that humans use. Oil will sink deep into the sand and stay there for many years. Oil will even descend deep into the muddy bottoms of flat and salt marshes in the ocean. With oil staying deep in the sediment, the oil has a long – term impact on both the fish and wildlife populations in the water. In order to minimize the impact on both wildlife and fish habitat, cleanup work continues for many years after the spill has happened. Damage assessments of the habitat are conducted in order to find ways that will minimize this long – term effects on both old and new generations of wildlife and fish species.

Figure 2 Habitat with an oil spill

Several wildlife species have a hard time dealing with the oil spill in the water. Many birds are harmed and killed in great numbers due to the impact of oil in the water. The oil that is spilled will float on top of the water causing many birds to come into contact with it. For example, brown pelicans are the most likely to be exposed to the oil since, they float on the water surface. When a bird comes into contact with oil, the bird will start to lose their ability to fly, dive for food, and/or float on the water. Losing their ability to float on the water, will cause them to drown. Oil will also interfere with the bird’s water repellency of the feathers. Without this water repellent, hypothermia will set in with the right conditions. Birds can ingest and inhale the oil that is on their bodies through grooming. Ingesting and inhaling oil can kill animals immediately. However, it does result in lung, liver, and kidney damage that can lead to death. When an oily bird sits on the nest, the eggs will become damaged and/or may not hatch. When oil is ingested by mammals, they show signs of suppressed immune system, organ damage, behavioral changes, and skin irritation. Damage to the mammal’s immune system can possibly lead to secondary infections. Behavioral changes affect the mammal’s ability to find food and avoid predators.

Figure 3 Pelican covered in oil

Marine animals have the greatest impact from the oil in the water. Two very important sea turtle, the loggerhead and leatherback turtles are the most impacted turtle species from the oil spill. They are impacted by the oil as they swim to the shore in order to nest. The oil could contaminate the shore in which the loggerhead and leatherback nests are located at. Damaging the eggs from both types of sea turtle species. Fish are impacted directly through the taking of water by the gills. Fish also get contaminated from the digestion of oiled prey. Oil spills affect fish eggs and larval survival rate. This biggest impact is the change in the ecosystem that helps support the many different fish species in the ocean.

Figure 4 Scientists studying the impact of oil on fish

Today, scientists are still studying the impact of oil spills in the ocean. This is an ongoing research study on fish. Although the Deepwater Horizon oil spill took place seven years ago, there are still huge impacts on the wildlife and fish species. Scientists at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida are conducting research on fish species from the ocean. These scientists are raising adult fish and exposing them to oil, just like the oil spills in the ocean that happen in today’s world. This research is to find out how different species are affected by this.

No matter how big the oil spill will be, it will have some type of impact. Oil spills have a huge impact on everything from habitat lost to the effects on many different marine species. We could have another Deepwater Horizon explosion happen at any time. Could we handle another 4 million barrels of oil in the ocean? What will this study show scientists about fish and oil spills? Will this research help with future cleanup efforts?

Literature Cited:

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA]. 2017. How oil harms animals 

            and plants in marine environments. <http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-

           chemical-spills/oil-spills/how-oil-harms-animals-and-plants-marine-environments.

           html>. Accessed 17 Apr 2017.

United States Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. 2017. Deepwater horizon – BP gulf of

Mexico oil spill. < https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/deepwater-horizon-bp-gulf-

mexico-oil-spill>. Accessed 17 Apr 2017.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS]. 2010. Effects of oil on wildlife and habitat.

<https://www.fws.gov/home/dhoilspill/pdfs/dhjicfwsoilimpactswildlifefactsheet.pdf>. Accessed 17 Apr 2017.

WBUR. 2017. In Florida, scientists raise fish to test impacts of oil spills.

<http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/04/17/scientists-fish-oil-spills>. Accessed 17 2017

Imagine Cited:

Figure 1: National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration:

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2012/20121203_dwh.html

Figure 2: National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration:

http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/potential-impacts-oil-spill-sea-turtles-infographic_noaa_2500.jpg

Figure 3: National Wildlife Federation:

http://blog.nwf.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/11/files/2014/05/Louisiana-gov-office_oiled-pelican_crop.jpg

Figure 4: WBUR:

http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2017/04/17/scientists-fish-oil-spills

Reflecting on Success: Greater Sage-grouse Conservation

The heavy toll this new administration has had on the environment is undeniable. In the midst of all this frustration and uncertainty for the future of our planet it is very easy to despair and lose hope. However, we cannot afford to sulk in this gloom. The Earth still needs our help! In order to stay inspired and ‘fight the good fight’, it is important to reflect on and celebrate our successes, however small or temporary.

A relatively recent success from September 2015 is the colossal conservation effort which prevented the Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) from requiring protection of the Endangered Species Act.

Since the species was first announced to be under consideration for listing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) in 2010, huge economic losses in western states were feared to be imminent if it took place. Legal protection for the grouse and its habitat would impact energy development, livestock grazing, and housing construction throughout the region. Additionally, conservationists were concerned that listing the sage-grouse would undermine the enormous progress they made in organizing a voluntary effort to preserve sage-steppe habitat, colloquially referred to as the “sagebrush sea.”

After the USFWS assessed the coordinated efforts of federal and state agencies, private landowners, industry, and conservation groups it was determined that threats to the grouse were reduced in over 90% of their breeding habitat. They concluded the species no longer fit the criteria for legal protection.

“It demonstrates that the Endangered Species Act is an effective and flexible tool and a critical catalyst for conservation—ensuring that future generations can enjoy the diversity of wildlife that we do today.”

-Sally Jewell, former Secretary of the Interior

Currently, there are approximately 200,000 to 500,000 Greater sage-grouse inhabiting 173 million acres of sage-steppe habitat across 11 states. Known as an “umbrella species,” sage-grouse habitat requirements benefit the entire sage-steppe ecosystem including mule deer winter range, migration corridors, and sagebrush dependent songbirds such as Brewer’s sparrow and Green-tailed Towhee.

 This effort was overwhelmingly successful because it protected the habitat while still permitting development. In Wyoming, areas critical to grouse were limited to five percent disturbance per square mile which protected 15 million acres. An additional 4.4 million acres of private land were protected by 1,100 ranchers who voluntarily enrolled through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sage Grouse Initiative (SGI). SGI reported land set aside for conservation easements increased by 1,809% since the partnership began.

Other federal agencies including the Bureau of Land Management, which manages the majority of sagebrush habitat acres, and the U.S. Forest Service increased emphasis on sagebrush conservation. Industry also responded with a 60% decrease in conventional drilling and 1,600% increase in directional drilling to reduce impact while continuing energy extraction. Although some are concerned that these new federal regulations are not restrictive enough, a report from the Western Values Project indicates that only 2% of core habitat overlaps with prime drilling areas.

Even though conservation efforts such as those involving the sage-steppe ecosystem are ongoing, it is important to celebrate our victories. By taking time to recognize our successes we can learn what works and make contributions towards future successes.

Sources

1.      http://www.audubon.org/news/unprecedented-conservation-efforts-keep-greater-sage-grouse-endangered-species

2.      https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/historic-conservation-campaign-protects-greater-sage-grouse

 Robert is a recent graduate of Penn State with a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Science. He has worked a variety of field positions including Canada lynx habitat monitoring, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Greater sage-grouse, and snowshoe hares. He is beginning his Masters in Fall 2017 at University of Nebraska-Kearney studying bison spatial ecology.

The Future of the Endangered Species Act

On February 15^th, 2017 the U.S. Senate Environment Public Works Committee held an oversight hearing regarding the “modernization” to the Endangered Species Act.   I put the word modernization in quotations for my own biased opinions on the Senates lack of understanding what modernization means as far as environmental impact is concerned.  However, for the sake of this learning experience, I am going to save my opinions and present you with the facts on the events of the meeting and the agenda of the senate vs. the agenda of the ESA.  

 

The point of the meeting is that, as I believe has been talked about at least once on this blog previously, the U.S. Senate is looking to overhaul the Endangered Species Act by changing regulations, changing funding, and impacting our environment one way or another: either for good or for bad.

In case you need a quick little reminder, the Endangered Species Act, regulated by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, came to being at the end of 1973 to protect and conserve species that are threatened to be endangered or are endangered already. This includes the conservation of their habitats throughout a significant portion of their range.  Since 1984, the ESA has included that all habitats deemed crucial to the survival of a species on the list be protected by the federal law.  While President Obama was in office, he extended that rule to protect land that could be used for the rehabilitation of endangered species in the future.

To put it simply, the republicans aren’t entirely pleased with the rules on land protection that the ESA provides.  They are looking to “eliminate the red tape and bureaucratic burdens that have been impacting the ability to create jobs.” (Fears, 2017).  In other words, they believe that the ESA is too highly regulated and constricting, and therefore is preventing the creation of more jobs in America—one of President Trumps’ main focuses.  Senator John Barrasso, a republican from Wyoming, led the two hour meeting stating that the EPA as it stands just doesn’t work as it impedes on land management plans and disrupts housing development and cattle grazing (Fears, 2017).

Now, it’s important to point out right now that even the Senate is split on what they want to DO with the ESA.  Some want to revoke the act completely while others have pointed out that it’s been “hijacked” and is nothing more than an attempt at land grabbing.  After all, land is needed in order to preserve habitat and species, so of course those of us in the conservation field want all the land we can get.

What does Senator Barrasso suggest we do?  He would like to make it easier to develop on wilderness areas.  To do this, federal land would be turned over to the states to control.  After all, wouldn’t the state know best how to deal with their land?  This could have some fatal flaws to it, the destruction of critical habitats for various species, some which may already be endangered. This would also open up the potential for oil and gas drilling on land that was once protected by the ESA.  We all know that the fundamental reason for species going extinct is from habitat loss, farming, oil and gas development, among other, similar reasons. 

So I guess the real question comes down to the fact of the matter of: do we still need the ESA as it is?  Do we still need the land for conservation?  Does the ESA even work?

Today about 2,270 species are listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA; threatened species being defines as those likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future.  Of the 1,652 species that have been listed as endangered, around 47 of them have been removed from the list.  

Senator James M. Inhofe, a republican from Oklahoma, pointed out during the meeting that given that small percentage of “successes” the ESA should be reconsidered as a hole since it is clearly not successful.

That’s not the only issue with the act. The ESA does not completely permit habitat loss from occurring.  Habitats are lawfully allowed to be destroyed so long as it does not “jeopardize” species survival, which have been found to be vague and difficult to determine criteria.  There are also a few other rules that allow land to still be developed on with the current regulations of the ESA including rules stating that habitats may be destroyed so long as landowners offset those losses (Parenteau 2017). 

So overall, there’s no doubt that the ESA has some flaws.  Recovery takes a long time, and the Act certainly can be improved upon.

But is that any reason to get rid of it completely or change it so drastically?

The ESA has done some serious work to conserve our endangered species.  After all, since its birth only 30 species have disappeared after being placed on the list.  So this means that nearly every other species placed on that list has been saved from disappearing into oblivion.  In fact, 93% of listed species are stable or improving in numbers. The ESA is saving our biodiversity, our ecosystem, and maintaining the lives WE live on this planet as well.  Because let’s be honest, I don’t need to tell you guys what’s going to happen to us if we lose the bee population, right?

All endangered species depend on the ESA to makes sure they have safe habitats to live in and the protection of their quality of life- whether that is in the wild or in captivity where they are actively being bred for population increase and hopefully for release.  

Does the ESA need some work? Absolutely. Do we need new regulations on the land management?  Yes.  Ideas used by other countries such as privatizing the protection of land could in fact help with this if done correctly.  Of course there are also plenty of other ideas out there that could also help with regulation.  So yes, change the regulation of the ESA laws, it’s been done many times before, but cutting funding for the ESA and ignoring our endangered species completely is not the answer. 

I’m going to leave this blog with a quote from the Senate hearing.  This is from the President of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a former Service Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Daniel Ashe who spoke during the meeting. “Although we have made significant progress in saving endangered species, this work is far from done.  Species protection and conservation requires long-term commitment by all of us. It is through the ongoing work related to species recovery plans that we will conserve these species for future generations… We need to be vigilant. There is certainly risk and potential danger. My bottom line advice…is that any effort to modernize the Act, must be based in a consensus objective to improve our ability to save species from extinction.” 

Outside sources (and definitely articles you should read):

Fears, D. (2017). The Endangered Species Act may be heading for the threatened list. This hearing confirmed it.  The Washington Post. < https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2017/02/15/the-endangered-species-act-may-be-heading-for-the-threatened-list-this-hearing-confirmed-it/?utm_term=.c1a1e3407d40>

Parenteau, P. (2017). Counterpoint: Don’t Kill the Endangered Species Act. Inside Sources. < http://www.insidesources.com/counterpoint-dont-kill-endangered-species-act/>

The L.A. Times Editorial Staff. (2017). With this congress, the Endangered Species Act itself might be Endangered.  The LA Times.  < http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-endangered-species-act-congress-trump-eagle-condor-20170221-story.html>

Wells, S. (2017).  Is the Endangered Species Act in Danger of Going Extinct?  One Green Planet. < http://www.onegreenplanet.org/environment/endangered-species-act-in-danger/>

The Summary of Ashe’s address to the Senate: https://www.aza.org/aza-news-releases/posts/ashe-to-congress-aza-accredited-zoos-aquariums-important-part-of-the-endangered-species-acts-past-fu

Kaitlin is a recent Penn State Graduate who has worked with the conservation of various endangered species including San Clemente Loggerhead Shrikes, Channel Island Foxes (which were delisted in August of 2016), and African Penguins.