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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//IETF//DTD HTML//EN//2.0"> <html> <head> <title>AR-NEWS Digest</title> </head> <BODY bgcolor=fbfaea text=#211818 link="#190748" alink="#FFFFEF" vlink="#401C92"> <center> <IMG SRC="IMAGES/HEAD.GIF" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/digest/images/head.gif" USEMAP="#toplinks" BORDER="0"><BR> <img src="IMAGES/YCBAR.GIF" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/digest/images/ycbar.gif"><a href="../INDEX~1.HTM" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/index.html"><img src="IMAGES/HOMEBAR.GIF" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/digest/images/homebar.gif" border=0></a><br></center> <map name="toplinks"> <AREA SHAPE="rect" COORDS="345,27,393,54" href="../../../tppmsgs/msgs0.htm#14" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/envirohome.html"> <AREA SHAPE="rect" COORDS="458,7,512,27" href="../SUPPOR~1.HTM" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/Support.html"> <AREA SHAPE="rect" COORDS="401,7,446,26" href="../SEARCH~1.HTM" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/search.html"> <AREA SHAPE="rect" COORDS="352,7,386,26" href="../ORGS~1.HTM" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/Orgs.html"> <AREA SHAPE="rect" COORDS="298,7,337,25" href="../NEWSPA~1.HTM" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/newspage.html"> <AREA SHAPE="rect" COORDS="211,7,286,27" href="../SUB~1.HTM" tppabs="http://www.envirolink.org/arrs/sub.html"> </map> <center><TABLE cellspacing=15 border=0> <TR> <TD width=50 align=center> </TD> <TD width=400 align=left> <!-- PAGE CONTENT GOES BELOW --> <hr> <pre> AR-NEWS Digest 407 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Dinasaur gains respect by Andrew Gach <UncleWolf@worldnet.att.net> 2) Babboons and government officials by Andrew Gach <UncleWolf@worldnet.att.net> 3) TV Alert: Militia Rednecks on parade by Pat Fish <pfish@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> 4) (US) Volunteers go to extremes for baby bobcats by allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> 5) VCR Alert & Print: NRA at Crossroads (N. America) by Pat Fish <pfish@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> 6) RFI: Animal Rights Group on Okinawa, Japan?????? by allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> 7) Yellowstone Bison Body Count Climbs by "radioactive" <radioactive@bellsouth.net> 8) U.S. FWS - INT'L MIGRATORY BIRD DAY by "radioactive" <radioactive@bellsouth.net> 9) FISH & WILDLIFE IN ALASKA by "radioactive" <radioactive@bellsouth.net> 10) MASSACHUSETTS MAN SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL HUNTING by "radioactive" <radioactive@bellsouth.net> 11) Admin Note: HTML files by allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> 12) Canadian fur industry wages PR campaign by Andrew Gach <UncleWolf@worldnet.att.net> 13) (CA) 1986 Farm Census by j_abbott@portal.ca (Jennifer Abbott) 14) Fwd: European Union, Canada, and trapping. by LMANHEIM@aol.com 15) AR/Veg McCartney Stuff Online Saturday/CPEA by Pat Fish <pfish@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> 16) Government panel on cloning by Andrew Gach <UncleWolf@worldnet.att.net> 17) AR/Cloning/Veg Great PR on VH1 McCartney Answer-Session by Pat Fish <pfish@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> 18) WHO on quality of life and longevity by Vadivu Govind <kuma@cyberway.com.sg> 19) Slaughter-lambs left to die [West Australia] by bunny <rabbit@wantree.com.au> Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 21:00:42 -0700 >From: Andrew Gach <UncleWolf@worldnet.att.net> To: ar-news@envirolink.org Subject: Dinasaur gains respect Message-ID: <337D2D6A.7C1A@worldnet.att.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Discovery of 'brainy' dinosaur shatters reputation Times of London (May 16, 1997 10:13 a.m. EDT) -- Dinosaurs were stupid, vicious or both, according to popular belief. Now evidence is showing a clever and caring member of the scaly race. Oviraptor had suffered as bad a reputation as the rest: Its name means egg-stealer. It was long believed to be a scavenger that fed on the offspring of other dinosaurs because its fossils were often found near eggs believed to belong to another species, Protoceratops. An expedition in the Gobi Desert led by an American naturalist transformed understanding of Oviraptor. Dr. Michael Novacek, of the American Museum of Natural History, uncovered a fossilized skeleton showing an Oviraptor incubating its own eggs, wrapping its limbs around them to keep them warm. Far from being an egg-stealer, Oviraptor was a caring parent as devoted to its young as a modern bird. Now Rinchen Barsbold, Director of the Geological Institute of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences, says it also had a brain proportionately much greater than any other dinosaur's. The finely preserved Oviraptor skeleton will go on show at the Natural History Museum, London, on Sunday with examples of its eggs. They form part of the museum's summer exhibition, Dinosaurs of the Gobi Desert. Most come from the collection of the institute in Ulaanbaatar which Barsbold directs. He believes that Oviraptor was as intelligent as a modern bird of prey, such as an eagle. He is also convinced that unlike many other dinosaurs it was warm-blooded, and that its anatomy and behavior link it directly to modern birds. "Cold-blooded animals don't sit on their eggs," Barsbold said. "So this find gives us the basis for believing that oviraptor was warm-blooded and incubated its eggs like a bird. We have no direct evidence of that but the indirect evidence is strong." The Gobi Desert has proved a treasure house for dinosaur fossils since the 1920s. Many died in sandstorms and the exhibition includes one trying to protect itself against the sand by cradling its head between its legs. A great variety of dinosaur eggs is on show, including 22 types found in Mongolia. Many of the dinosaurs in the exhibition, which runs until the end of August, are ancestors of those later found in North America. They include the formidable Tarbosaurus ("alarming lizard"), a relative of Tyrannosaurus Rex that weighed two to three tons and had a jaw more than 4 feet long. Its brain, however, was no larger than that of a much smaller species of oviraptor, weighing 40-50kg. By NIGEL HAWKES, Science editor, The Times of London News Service Date: Fri, 16 May 1997 21:05:28 -0700 >From: Andrew Gach <UncleWolf@worldnet.att.net> To: ar-news@envirolink.org Subject: Babboons and government officials Message-ID: <337D2E88.4FFB@worldnet.att.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit African baboons, British government officials have similar stress levels, study finds Agence France-Presse LONDON (May 16, 1997 02:02 a.m. EDT) - Senior British civil servants and baboons in East Africa that dominate in their particular troop, both show less signs of stress than their social and workplace inferiors, according to research published Friday. Both groups have plentiful access to food and resources and enjoy spare time to mate and groom, while also facing the same daily grind of stress, conflict and confrontation, wrote Eric Brunner in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). They make ideal subjects when it comes to investigating relative health records between achievers and less successful rivals, claimed Brunner, a researcher at University College London. He found studies showed that cholesterol and key protein levels -- both vital stress indicators -- were lower in high-ranking individuals than their less successful colleagues in both the officials and the primates. "The lipid and lipoprotein pattern observed in male civil servants reproduces the pattern found in the social hierarchy of male baboons," he said. The similarities made them ideal to compare relative chances of living and dying from illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Such psychosocial factors could one day provide the key to understanding the way health is affected by the mind and work, he said. The investigation also debunked the myth that high-fliers suffered greater stress levels than their co-workers lower down the success ladder. "In the civil service, low perceived control is related to poor health and many factors relevant to it, including dietary behavior and absence rate," Brunner wrote. Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 00:53:27 -0400 (EDT) >From: Pat Fish <pfish@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> To: ar-news@envirolink.org Subject: TV Alert: Militia Rednecks on parade Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.3.95.970517003741.24686H-100000@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Saturday, May 17, the EdgeWise program (MSNBC) will be covering militia related movements (ie gun nuts, wise-use, white supremacists), and the author of McVeigh's favorite book, "The Turner Diaries", William Pierce (or whatever name he's using now). I believe the show runs at 8PM US-EST and repeats every 4 hours. MSNBC is available internationally- consult your local listings. Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 01:11:28 -0400 >From: allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> To: ar-news@envirolink.org Subject: (US) Volunteers go to extremes for baby bobcats Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970517011125.006c4b30@clark.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" from CNN web page: -------------------------------- Volunteers go to extremes for baby bobcats May 16, 1997 Web posted at: 11:24 p.m. EDT (0324 GMT) MORGAN HILL, California (CNN) -- Derryn Murchison spends a lot of her time in a tacky-looking cat costume, but fashion is not the point. She's trying to look as much like a bobcat as she can while she plays mother to a pair of baby bobcats. It's less important that she look exactly like an adult bobcat than it is that she not look like an adult human being. Or any kind of human being, for that matter. The idea is that the bobcats were born wild animals, and when they're old enough they'll be released into the wild again. They were brought to the Wildlife Center in Morgan Hill, where volunteers take great pains -- even if it means getting down on all fours -- to raise the cubs as their mother would. What the volunteers at the center don't want is for the bobcats to get accustomed to humans. The fear is that if they do, they will be unable to survive in the wild. They're getting pretty good at this at the center. A veterinarian who donates his time gives check-ups to the new arrivals, but he is careful not to befriend them. Then people like Murchison put on the cat outfit, even rubbing herbs on it to disguise the human smell. Then they feed the cubs and play with them until that day when they are deemed ready to return to their native habitat. Two years ago, a bobcat named Bobby was released after spending 10 months in the center. He hasn't been seen since. At the Wildlife Center, that's considered a success story. Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 01:31:24 -0400 (EDT) >From: Pat Fish <pfish@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> To: ar-news@envirolink.org Subject: VCR Alert & Print: NRA at Crossroads (N. America) Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.3.95.970517012304.24686L-100000@fang.cs.sunyit.edu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII FOX News Sunday, May 18, 9:00 AM EST FOX will be covering the NRA this Sunday morn. Based upon the recent article I saw in this month's National Review, I suspect it's about the power-struggle going on in the NRA, and the potential problems. Good tactical food for thought. Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 01:42:17 -0400 >From: allen schubert <alathome@clark.net> To: ar-news@envirolink.org Subject: RFI: Animal Rights Group on Okinawa, Japan?????? Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970517014215.006d3b80@clark.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" posted for--and send responses to--"Karen I. Busmire" <busmire@sunnynet.or.jp> ------------------------------------- I am currently living in Okinawa, Japan and have witnessed horrible animal abuse and neglect. Can you put me in contact with any animal rights group on the island? I've already gone to the local animal shelter. They could do nothing or provide me with any info. Sincerely, Karen Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 10:39:55 -0400 >From: "radioactive" <radioactive@bellsouth.net> To: "Animal Rights" <ar-news@envirolink.org> Subject: Yellowstone Bison Body Count Climbs Message-ID: <199705171441.KAA29602@mail.mia.bellsouth.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_01BC62AE.A8950020" U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Secretary Contact: Mike Gauldin 202/208-6416 For Immediate Release: March 14, 1997 Yellowstone Bison Body Count Continues to Climb Harsh winter, shooting by Montana state riflemen claim almost two-thirds of nation s last wild bison herd Nearly half of the bison herd that roamed Yellowstone National Park have died so far as a result of the twin onslaughts of a harsh winter and the state of Montana s controversial policy of shooting bison which venture out of the park searching for food. The Yellowstone Herd included an estimated 3200-3500 animals at the beginning of the winter season, but this week only an estimated 1300-1500 surviving bison could be accounted for based on an aerial survey earlier this week of the park and adjacent National Forest land. So far this winter 1,059 bison, about a third of the original herd, has been sent to slaughterhouses or shot by Montana state riflemen. Montana has reported killing about 100 bison on public and private land since February 26, when Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt sent the Governor of Montana a letter urging him to stop the killing and work together to identify immediate solutions aimed at saving the bison. This needless and unnecessary shooting of Yellowstone bison must stop now, said Babbitt. The continued killing of bison by the State of Montana is threatening the future of America s free roaming wild herd. The bison at Yellowstone is the last remnant of the free-roaming wild herd of the American west, a national symbol of the nation s commitment to conservation. The unusually severe winter has driven a number of bison outside the boundary of Yellowstone in search of food. When bison roam outside of the park area, they are ordered shot by the State of Montana. The unacceptable killing of bison must stop. Between the ice and snow and what s left of the harsh winter weather yet to come, and the continued killing by Montana, there is cause for serious concerns of just how many bison will survive, said Babbitt. To date there are no documented findings or cases of cattle contracting brucellosis from bison in the wild. Although elk and bison both can carry brucellosis, Montana allows elk to roam free. -DOI- NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENTISTS PROPOSED STATEMENT OF TASK The NAS, an independent advisor to the government, will determine: I. What are the factors that determine the risk of transmission of the bacteria Brucella abortus to cattle from bison in Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park? What is the state of scientific understanding for the transmission of Brucella between wildlife species and between wildlife and cattle? Does Brucella affect the reproductive potential in bison generally, and specifically bison in the Greater Yellowstone Area? Does Brucella pose a risk of transmission when it occurs in bison but is not present in the reproductive system? What risk is associated with infected males? (Is it dynamic?) What is the relationship among serology, culture test results, and likelihood of infectiousness? Can serology results be used as a reliable predictor of infectiousness? What is the true prevalence of Brucella abortus in GYA bison and elk? What information is available regarding the prevalence of Brucella in other mammals in the GYA? What is the risk of direct or indirect (via aborted fetus, placenta, body fluids deposited on the ground, etc.) transmission of Brucella abortus from bison to cattle, from elk to cattle, and from elk to bison or vice versa? What is known about the prevalence of Brucella in GYA wildlife other than bison or elk and risk of transmission to cattle? In the event that Brucella is removed from bison but not simultaneously from elk, what is the risk that elk will serve as a reinfection pathway for bison? What is the known risk of Brucella transmission compared with other disease? What is the state of scientific understanding of the safety and effectiveness of exiting vaccines to control brucellosis? Why are these vaccines less effective in bison than in cattle? If a vaccination program specific to bison were undertaken, would the outcome have a high likelihood of success given the presence of Brucella in elk and other wildlife? II. Based solely on scientific considerations, what is known about the relative risk reduction potentials of the various optional approaches to reducing the risk of transmission of Brucella from wildlife to cattle? Such approaches include: Vaccinating bison Vaccinating cattle Separating cattle and bison during the bison abortion season or through the entire birthing season Limiting cattle on the proximity of the park borders to steers only III. What is the role of vaccine development for bison and elk? Can Brucella be eliminated totally from the GYA by development and use of a vaccine? What would be the theoretical tradeoffs between a vaccine-only approach and a vaccination approach combined with a test and slaughter program? [Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt has requested the National Academy of Sciences complete its study by Oct. 1, 1997] ### BISON & BRUCELLOSIS IN THE GREATER YELLOWSTONE AREA Scientific Background Bison Fundamentals: More than 30 million wild and freeranging bison (Bison bison) once roamed the West. Yet by 1902 only a remnant population of 23 wild bison remained in Yellowstone National Park. That year, bison were translocated from domesticated herds in Montana and Texas to Yellowstone. These and the remaining animals formed the foundation for the current wild bison population found in the United States. Yellowstone National Park is a harsh winter environment for bison. Cold is not a major concern because bison thermoregulate. In addition, hot springs and other thermal features aid their survival. However, one of the most significant challenges for bison in Yellowstone is deep snow. Bison have saved their energy by using plowed roads and compacted snowmobile trails that facilitate their travels especially to winter range. These energy savings and easier access to winter range, over the past seventeen years, are factors contributing to bison population increases. The 19961997 winter in Yellowstone National Park has delivered dense, compacted, rockhard snow that has made the traditional bison feeding areas unavailable. This situation has set the stage for natural population adjustments. The 1996 summer bison herd of roughly 3500, approximately a quarter occupying the northern range, were confronted with the winter of 1997. Wild, free ranging bison do not recognize political boundaries. In search of scarce food resources in the19961997 winter, bison move along the energy efficient snowmobile trails and groomed roads that lead the bison to their traditional winter range found at lower elevations. To date, more than 1,000 bison have been shot or sent to slaughter during the winter of 1997. Additional animals have died due to the harsh winter weather and other natural processes. Based on recent aerial surveys, the bison population is currently about 1,300. Brucellosis Fundamentals: Brucellosis is a contagious bacterial disease caused by various species of the bacteria Brucella which infects domestic animals, wildlife, and humans worldwide. In North America the primary livestock hosts of Brucella are cattle, goats, swine, and sheep. The principal North American wildlife hosts are bison, elk, caribou, reindeer, and feral and exotic swine. Brucellosis may also occur in carnivores, including members of the dog family. Brucellosis in Yellowstone National Park bison was first reported in 1917 and an endemic infection has persisted since that time. Approximately 45 percent of the current bison herd tests seropositive for the antibody to Brucella. However, not all seropositive animals are currently infected with the bacterium. The original source of infection is unknown; however, Brucella abortus was introduced to North America with imported cattle. Therefore, the bacteria probably was transmitted from domestic livestock to bison. Many elk residing in the Greater Yellowstone Area also test serologically positive for brucellosis. The percentage of animals testing positive varies from location to location within the Greater Yellowstone Area and may be related in part to the concentration of animals on winter feed grounds. Brucellosis is typically transmitted through ingestion. The Brucella bacteria are transmitted in aborted tissues, reproductive tissues and discharges, especially just prior to, during, or soon after abortion or live birth. The bacterium may also be shed in milk for variable lengths of time. Although transmission has been shown to occur between and among cattle, bison, and elk under experimental conditions, the risk of transmission of brucellosis between bison and cattle in the wild has not been determined. There is disagreement over the primary means of brucellosis transmission among bison and current data are insufficient to resolve this issue. Brucellosis in cattle is characterized by abortion, infertility, reduced milk production, and other reproductive problems. Although on occasion abortion may occur in wild bison herds, brucellosis does not prevent the growth of the Yellowstone bison herd. In humans, brucellosis was formerly known as undulant fever, a disease that is rarely fatal. Livestock and slaughter industry workers, veterinarians, and consumers of unpasteurized milk and products made from it have the highest risk of contracting the disease. If properly cooked, meat from infected animals is not a health risk. There have been two documented transmissions of brucellosis to humans from elk in Montana. The transmission arose from individuals handling elk fetuses and membranes. There is no effective treatment or cure for animals infected with Brucella. However, a preventative brucellosis vaccine (Strain 19) has been developed for use in cattle. Its primary use is to increase herd immunity. On average it is 65 to 70 percent effective in cattle. The effectiveness of Strain 19 on captive bison is less than that for cattle. Two other vaccines, B. Neotomae and strain RB51, are currently under study. Strain RB51 has been licensed for use in cattle calves only. Initial trials of RB51 in captive, pregnant bison caused some bison to abort when given a dose via an inoculation route that had been proven safe in pregnant cattle. However, additional tests of the safety and effectiveness of RB51 on bison are underway. Methods for brucellosis prevention in wildlife including bison, using techniques currently employed on cattle have not proven to be effective. Currently, domestic cattle can beeffectively inoculated against brucellosisbison can not. Knowledge Required: Combating brucellosis in wildlife populations such as the bison of Yellowstone National Park requires policies that are built upon a solid foundation of science. The National Academy of Sciences has agreed to undertake an independent study of the scientific issues associated with the brucellosis problem. Key elements of the study will address: o The transmission of Brucella among cattle, bison, elk, and other wildlife species; o The relationship, if any, between the bison population dynamics and brucellosis; o The ability of serology testing to estimate true infectiousness; o The efficacy and safety of existing vaccines for target and nontarget species and the need for new (including bisonspecific) vaccines; o The nature, and likely success or limitations, of a wild animal vaccination program; and o Optimal approaches to reducing the risk of transmission to cattle and among wildlife. Secretary Bruce Babbitt has requested The National Academy of Sciences complete its study by October 1, 1997. ### Bison Fundamentals The Yellowstone bison herd is the largest freeroaming bison herd and a national symbol of the nation s commitment to conservation. The National Park Service brought the last 23 wild bison back from the brink of extinction to return them to their place in the ecosystem of Yellowstone. The NPS estimates that about 1300 bison remain in Yellowstone National Park and adjacent National Forest land. Instead of an overpopulation of bison, at this point the NPS is concerned that the bison population may drop to critical levels if continued shooting adds to the expected winter mortality. An unusually harsh winter has forced bison out of the sanctuary of Yellowstone National Park and on to surrounding lands that historically served as their winter range. Snowpack in the park is 200% above normal. National Forest lands around the park, where bison are being shot, were established in part to protect winter range for the wildlife of the park. 1059 bison have been killed so far to protect cattle from an undefined risk of infection that might be present if cattle were to come into close contact with bison. There is currently no imminent threat of cattle coming in contact with bison. Under the Interim Bison Management Plan, Montana has slaughtered 504 bison (including 464 captured by the National Park Service). Montana has shot 548 bison. NPS has destroyed 7 bison due to injuries sustained during capture or shooting operations. Since January 30, the National Park Service, with USDA s Forest Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), has asked Montana to stopthe killing of bison around Yellowstone National Park on National Forest lands, and to minimize Montana s killing of bison on private land around the Park. NPS, APHIS and Forest Service asked Montana to allow bison to roam free on National Forest lands because bison need to disperse over a wider area while their winter range in the Park is largely covered with ice and snow. Though elk and bison both carry brucellosis, Montana allows elk to roam free, and supports public hunting on public lands to control their numbers. Wyoming supports public hunting of bison on National Forest land adjacent to Yellowstone. Although transmission of brucellosis has been shown to occur between and among cattle, bison, and elk under experimental conditions, the risk of transmission between bison and cattle in the wild has not been determined. Montana has shot over 135 bison on public lands in the West Yellowstone area since January 30, when APHIS informed Montana that such shooting was not necessary to protect the State s brucellosisfree cattle rating. Montana is not caught between conflicting federal agencies; USDA and DOI are committed to reasonable contingency proposals and longterm solutions. Contrary to Montana s public statements that they are being selective in their shooting of bison in the West Yellowstone area, Montana has shot bulls and calves without knowing whether they were diseasefree or not. If APHIS and NPS contingency proposals are not adopted by Montana, the Interim Plan would allow Montana to continue shooting most, if not all, bison in the West Yellowstone area of the Gallatin National Forest. The National Park Service has not removed bison, by shooting or slaughter, since February 13, 1997. Because NPS is doing all it can to protect the remaining bison herd, NPS will only shoot bison for humanitarian reasons (i.e., injury) or to protect against imminent harm to life or property. There are no cattle in the West Yellowstone area and cattle will not be returned to the area before summer. Any potential conflicts with cattle can be resolved by ensuring that cattle are managed to provide a sufficient time interval after the return of bison to the Park to avoid a significant risk of contact between bison and domestic cattle. There is no safe and effective vaccine for brucellosis in bison. Use of cattle vaccines in bison causes bison to abort their calves. Management of the freeroaming bison and the 2.2 million acres of Yellowstone National Park cannot be validly compared to other parks. Wind Cave (28,295 acres) and Theodore Roosevelt (69,701 acres) manage their bisonpopulations within specific ranges established for each park. The Wind Cave population range is 300400 animals and Theodore Roosevelt's range is 300750 animals. These parks do not mange their bison as free ranging bison in part because the parks have been fenced and are surrounded by private land. The conflict with bison is one aspect of the development and use pressures near or up to the park boundaries that Yellowstone National Park has never before experienced. Date: Sat, 17 May 1997 10:41:58 -0400 >From: "radioactive" <radioactive@bellsouth.net> To: "Animal Rights" <ar-news@envirolink.org> Subject: U.S. FWS - INT'L MIGRATORY BIRD DAY Message-ID: <199705171443.KAA29857@mail.mia.bellsouth.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_01BC62AE.F2131660" News Release Hugh Vickery 202-208-5634 HELPING PEOPLE HELP BIRDS IS THEME OF INTERNATIONAL MIGRATORY BIRD DAY ON MAY 10 Much has improved in the 35 years since former U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist Rachel Carson awakened America to the problem of pesticides with her book Silent Spring. The Nation's air and water are cleaner. Harmful chemicals such as DDT have been banned and the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, and other species have rebounded as a result. But unfortunately, many of the Nation's 800 migratory bird species are still in peril because of loss of habitat and misuse of common pesticides that can be found at any hardware store. Populations of some species are declining as fast as 2 percent to 4 percent per year. "Join the Flock . . . Be Part of the Solution" is the theme of the fifth annual International Migratory Bird Day to be observed this year on Saturday, May 10. IMBD is a celebration of spring migration and the return of millions of birds to their nesting areas. IMBD features bird walks, family activities, bird banding demonstrations, and other events throughout the United States and the Western Hemisphere. These events will be held at many national wildlife refuges, city and state parks, national forests, national parks, National Audubon sanctuaries and other nature reserves. "People will have an opportunity not only to enjoy watching and photographing wild birds but also to learn what they can do to conserve them," said Service Acting Director John Rogers. "Average citizens can play an important role in stopping the decline of some bird populations," Rogers said. "Something as simple as learning the appropriate time and way to apply pesticides to your lawn or garden can make a big difference. Many people are inadvertently poisoning birds by misusing these chemicals or applying them when birds are especially vulnerable, such as when they are nesting." The deaths of 20,000 Swainson's hawks in Argentina last year highlighted the problem of pesticides killing birds. The Service, working with the Argentine government, received a commitment from a major chemical company, Ciba-Geigy, to limit use of the pesticide responsible for the deaths and to expand education and training efforts among Argentine farmers. Pesticides are still a domestic concern. Every year, 4 million tons of pesticides are applied across the United States everywhere from farm fields to homes and gardens. In addition, well over 100,000 tons of pesticides no longer permitted to be used in the United States are shipped to developing countries where migratory birds spend the winter. Loss and fragmentation of habitat also is a major reason for the decline of many bird species. For example, the United States has lost more than half its wetlands, nearly all its tallgrass prairie and virgin forest, and 75 percent of its shortgrass prairie. Similar destruction and degradation of native habitat is ongoing in many other countries along migration routes. Last year on International Migratory Bird Day, the Service unveiled a national strategy to better conserve bird habitat by coordinating conservation efforts at the local, state, and national levels. The plan was developed by Partners in Flight, a partnership of 16 Federal agencies, 60 state and provincial fish and wildlife agencies, and more than 100 businesses and conservation organizations. Under the strategy, dubbed the "Flight Plan," teams of biologists are identifying and ranking bird species most in need of conservation and then setting population and habitat objectives for each species. They are also designating geographic areas critical to birds and developing a conservation blueprint for each species. By the end of 1998, the Service and its partners expect to complete 50 regional conservation plans. These plans will help landowners who voluntarily conserve birds coordinate their efforts with their neighbors. "Regardless of much or how little property they own, landowners can become part of a larger voluntary effort to conserve birds," Rogers said. "They can get together with a local bird or garden club, or coordinate land management or landscaping activities with neighbors and nearby parks or refuges. By combining our efforts, we can help ensure future generations will not have to face a silent spring." Migratory bird conservation also has significant benefits for the economy, Rogers said. The 65 million adults who watch birds spend up to $9 billion a year on everything from bird seed to birding trips, according to a 1995 study commissioned by the Service. One of the easiest and most effective things Americans can do for birds is to purchase a Migratory Bird Conservation Stamp, commonly known as the "Duck Stamp," available for $15 from post offices and national wildlife refuges around the country. Ninety-eight cents of every 
