Wildlife Preservation Canada. Spring 2014, Vol 27, Issue I

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1 Spring 2014, Vol 27, Issue I Canada is home to eigh ght native fresh shwater turtle species all of which occur in south thern Ontario and some are spread across Canada - except for turtleless Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. Sadly, seven of these species are currently at risk, despite prime nesting sites in protected habitat. Wildlife Preservation Canada has been work- in g on saving our freshwater turtles since See where we are now, 10 years later. Starting in 2004, Wildlife Preservation Canada began investigating nesting success in two of Ontario s largest, most important turtle nesting areas. The research showed that, even though the nesting sites were in prime, protected habitat inside national and provincial parks, virtually 100% of all turtle nests were being destroyed within 48 hours of being laid! The culprit? Bloated populations of natural predators such as raccoons and skunks. Anywhere there are people, there are healthy populations of raccoons, skunks, opossums and even coyotes. Before we started to work on this issue, there aren t any young turtles because the eggs were not even making it to the hatchling stage. Since 2005, we began to reduce nest failures and to protect nests and eggs from being eaten. In the next five years, by using wire cages placed directly over nests, relocating nests to safe areas, and artificially Map turtle incubating the eggs in a lab, our team saved over 4,000 eggs from predation! And since 2011, Christina Davy and her team have released over 3,000 turtle hatchlings. In addition to our work with five turtle species at a site on Lake Erie considered one of the most important nesting areas in Ontario, we have been working with western painted turtles in British Columbia. This year we are working with Granby Zoo and Zoo Ecomuseum to protect Quebec s last population of spiny softshell turtles, near the Vermont Border in Lake Champlain. There, we will be saving nests and ~continued on page 9 Wildlife Preservation Canada

2 ! " #! $! # % & ' ( ) * & ) & & Founder Gerald M. Durrell OBE President Ian Glen Vice-President Chris Boynton Secretary Chris von Boetticher Treasurer Ryan Dyment Board of Trustees Christopher Boynton Michelle Chislett Ryan Dyment Ian Glen Rachelle Hansen Douglas Hart Shirlee McEdwards Monteith Stephanie McLarty H. Alec B. Monro Bridget Stutchbury, PhD. Chris von Boetticher Honourary Trustees Louise Gervais Kathryn B.P. Dempster Graham F. Hallward Anson R. McKim William Noble Richard Fyfe, OC Thomas C. Sears Eleanor R. Clitheroe W. Paterson Ferns Stephen T. Molson William E. Stavert Lee Durrell, PhD. Executive Director Elaine Williams ON THE EDGE is published three times a year by Wildlife Preservation Canada. Established in 1985, WPC is a nonprofit charitable organi- sation (Reg. # RP0001) dedicated to saving critically endangered animal species from extinction. Contact us at: Wildlife Preservation Canada RR #5, 5420 Highway 6 North Guelph, ON N1H 6J2 Tel: admin@wildlifepreservation.ca wildlifepreservation.ca Issues related to the environment and climate change are very much top of mind these days. Even if you haven t been affected personally by extreme weather events, you can read, view or hear about the impact of floods, droughts, and blizzard conditions on almost any day in the news media. After the winter of 2013, it s not surprising that people are talking more and more about the weather. A key consequence of climate change, and the focus of our concern at Wildlife Preservation Canada has been the impact on animal species, especially those most at risk of extinction. As the 911 emergency room for endangered species, Wildlife Preservation Canada performs a specialized role in the management and funding of hands-on programs designed to save the most vulnerable species. In 2013, in response to the growing need, we significantly increased both the breadth and depth of our conservation programs, funding 15 projects involving 20 species across the country. We launched a National Pollinator Conservation Program to address the critical state of bees, butter-flies and other pollinating invertebrates. We also expanded conservation programs for threatened or endangered reptiles including several species of freshwater turtles and the massasauga rattlesnake. You may note that in the list of endangered species in our programs, there are no large land mammals, or whales - so-called charismatic species. We instead focus on what are critically endangered, but sometimes forgotten animals - birds, small reptiles, insects - whose continued existence is critical to maintaining the biodiversity essential for nature s balance. Wildlife Preservation Canada is committed to building scientific capacity in Canada through the support and mentorship provided to young biologists by our staff and project leaders. Our Canada s New Noah scholarship program provides practical training and field experience in managing and conserving endangered species. As part of the program, the recipient of our 2014 New Noah scholarship, Martin Kastner, has journeyed to Mauritius in the Indian Ocean to participate in the Durrell Post-Graduate Diploma in Endangered Species Recovery. Funding for our expanded activities in 2013 was made possible by the continued generosity of individual donors, foundations dedicated to preserving the environment and our long-standing partners in provincial and federal government ministries. We are most grateful for your contribu-tion to the cause of wildlife preservation. I would like to add my personal thanks to our dedicated staff, project leaders and volunteers. You are the front line in the struggle to save our endangered species. Your hard work is most appreciated. Finally to my Board colleagues - thank you for your counsel and support of the good works of Wildlife Preservation Canada. Ian Glen Wildlife Preservation Canada - 2 -

3 Wildlife Preservation Canada has now sent 25 young Canadian biologists to receive hands-on training with some of the most endangered bird and reptile species in the world on the island of Mauritius through our Canada s New Noah program. Though populations are still low, the Mauritius kestrel, pink pigeon and echo parakeet have been brought back from the brink of extinction. Echo parakeets at just a few days old, and as mature birds. Introducing the world s rarest parakeet - in 1986 less than a dozen birds existed in the wild, and only three were female. The echo is one of just nine surviving bird species that are found only on the tiny island of Mauritius, where they exist in alarmingly small populations. Without emergency help from Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and Wildlife Preservation Canada, this bird would have become as dead as the dodo, the famously extinct Mauritian bird. The echo parakeet was until recently one of the most intensively managed avian species in the world. Techniques were refined and developed, and included protection of nest sites, providing nest sites, supplementary feeding of wild birds, and captive-breeding and releasing chicks to the wild. Between 1997 and 2005 a total of 139 birds were released into the wild at 3 different release sites. By 1999, the captive breeding program was no longer required, due to the significant increase in bird numbers in the wild. The population increases in recent years are the result of higher numbers of chicks surviving to fledging due to the management strategies used by the program and the consequent increase in the number of breeding age birds. Approximately 7% of species that have been recovered globally through direct conservation intervention are from Mauritius, making it an ideal training ground to send our Canada s New Noahs (see page 5). The techniques developed and refined on Mauritius to recover bird populations at risk of disappearing have been brought to the benefit of Canadian species, like the eastern loggerhead shrike and burrowing owl. The Mauritius program has also been a training ground for what is now 25 young Canadian conservation biologists, who have returned to Canada to build conservation capacity and create a network of skill professionals who will drive conservation efforts in Canada and around the world for decades to come

4 ˆ Dr. Christina Davy has been Wildlife Preservation Canada s Freshwater Turtle Team Leader in Ontario since As a recipient of the prestigious Libero Ero postdoctoral fellowship she is turning her attention to the plight of our native batsand a primary threat to their health, white nose syndrome. Already this disease has been confi rmed in 25 of the U.S. states, killing ov er 6,000,000 bats. The following is her report from January of this year. The fungus that causes WNS is moving inexorably westward, and we need to keep track of its progress to figure out what effect it is having. If we don t know where the fungus is, we can t track its effects from year to year. And we won t know where to look for potential population declines or for more encouraging evidence that some bats might be able to survive the disease. ƒ This little brown bat is hibernating, covered in frost and looking like a little jewel. The winter of 2014 has been a bleak one, with record-breaking cold snaps. Most bats in Canada are hibernating, with the exception of the species that fly south for the winter. West of Lake Superior, bats hopefully won t emerge from hibernation until the snows have thawed and their insect prey have emerged. But to the east, it s a different story. Ontario is the current Canadian front-line in the fight against bat white nose syndrome (WNS) because that s where the current moving edge of the fungus distribution is located next year, that line may be farther west or north, in Manitoba, Alberta or even the Northwest Territories. Bats only get WNS during the winter, and infected bats may display unusual behaviours. They may emerge early from hibernation, before there are insects for them to eat, and are sometimes observed flying during the day in the winter. There are other circumstances that can also trigger winter flight in bats but if you see a flying bat this winter, it could be an indication of WNS. The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre (CCWHC ) is the national organization that monitors health and disease in wildlife populations. Part of its role is to track the spread of WNS and coordinate a Canadian response. The trouble is, we need to know where the bats are at before we can respond. Observations of dayflying bats are made by whoever is in the right place at the right time often not the people monitoring the population. This conservation crisis requires direct action from the public. Please help us to help the bats! +, -. / : ; 7 < = / > 3 1 ; > 4 < 3?? 7 A C D E F G H I J K L M J K M J K N M O P M K H P Q D H R M S T H U V M Q D E F W P I J X F V T Y M J K Z P V J T E [ K F M P K \ X L M J K ] ^ _ ` a ^ b a c ^ d e ] d f I E O E T ] ^ d g ` ^ h h e ^ c g a ] E i U j c e d b k J U M P V H M J K D I J M R I U ] ^ c b b ^ b h e ^ d h c ] l M J V U H O M Q S M X Y M U T m E F M J Q D H P U m F E X U n E P P V U H P V E X M J K o I Y H J ] ^ e ` b ^ _ b b ^ g c ] g p L O E P U M ] ^ d ` e ^ a ] ` ^ b b h c W P V U V X m q H L H r O V M ] ^ b ` d ^ g g b ^ e ` ` e + s / t < 3 8 3? ; / 0 -. / 0 1 > 3 1 ; 7 9 u ; 1 /? / < 3? 9 / v w x 7? 2 5? 7 y - > 7 /? / 9 7 ; 1 ; z +, - ; < u - 0 ; t ; / 0 1 ; 1 / / / ? A { 5. / ; v - ; ; z } - ; 1 ; / 8 - y / 0. / ? 2 7 ; - 3 ; - ; < ; 3 w.? - ; w 3 4 > = - 8 z + } u 7 ; 0 - ~ t ; 0 -. / 0 1 ; y 0 / w w - w > - 0 ; / y 1 u -. t >? 7 < A 7 1 u 4 / t 0 u -?. : x - < 3 8 ; 1 /. 1 u - ; / y 1 u 7 ; 2-3 2? ; - 3 ; - z Wildlife Preservation Canada - 4 -

5 The Ca Th Canada da s s N da New N Noahs hs pprogram iis a hi high ghly gh ly val aluedd op al oppo port po rtunititity fo rt for young bi biol ologis ol ists is ts iin Ca Canada da. Si da Since , it hhas fillle 90 ledd le a gap in conservation education in this country, providing practical training and field experience in managing and conserving endangered species. Wildlife Preservation Canada is pleased to introduce our 25th Canada s New Noah, Martin Kastner, and en nd welcomes home our 24th, Myles Lamont. we Originally from Montreal, Martin Kastner attended McGill for his undergraduate degree in biology, and spent three weeks at the Barbados campus learning applied tropical ecology. He also spent several months as a member of the Canadian Field Studies in Africa program variously chasing or being chased by a diversity of wildlife species. Over the course of my time, I ended up climbing almost 250 trees and banded about a third of the echo population this season, Myles tells us. I have had a tremendous time while out here and can t thank Wildlife Preservation Canada enough for the opportunity. The birds, field work, friendships and contacts made have been an invaluable experience and I will forever be indebted to WPC for having provided the chance to have been sent here. I began to grasp the links between development, health and the environment, explains Martin. These experiences allowed me not so much to step out of my comfort zone, but rather to broaden it considerably. He followed up his undergrad with further travel and education, and acquired his MSc. at University of Waterloo. Now, as Canada s New Noah, he is off to the island of Mauritius, once home to the now extinct dodo, to work with some of the most endangered bird species in the world. I am incredibly thrilled, Martin enthuses. What a privilege to be given the opportunity to learn about my favourite topics from some of the greatest experts in the field, and on a beautiful tropical island to boot! I am highly motivated to make the most of this award. Meanwhile, our 24th New Noah Myles Lamont completed his program in early April, having some experience on Madagascar and finally flying to Cape Town to volunteer at a seabird centre where they are working with the endangered African penguin. During his time on Mauritius, he had the opportunity to work with the echo parakeets, once one of the most endangered birds in the world, and now celebrating healthy populations. Noahs in Mauritius: Myles, above, with an echo parakeet chick; and below, Martin with an Aldabran giant tortoise. -5- Wildlife Preservation Canada

6 ± My name is Danika Bax and I am 9 years old and a 2nd year Brownie. I live in Ailsa Craig, Ontario. I am writing to you because I am doing a project called TREES for BEES. This project is about saving the B. affi nis species by planting early fl owering, native trees and shrubs. I started research last May and have been doing many fundraising events and raising awareness about this endangered species. I was able to raise $ on my own. I also got $ from the Girl Guides of Canada tree planting grant. The Ausable Bayfi eld Conservation Authority matched my funds and gave me $ By March of this year, I had a total of $ I am planting 100 trees/shrubs on at the Ausable Cut Conservation Area, right next to the Pinery Provincial Park! Thank you to Danika for her enthusiasm in helping save endangered pollinators like the rusty patched bumblebee by creatively raising money to plant an area next to the Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario. She wrote a letter to Sheila Colla, Pollinator Project Leader, describing her efforts. I love going to the Pinery. I have been there many times kayaking with my family and to do the Friends of the Pinery trail and road runs. I know that the oak savannah is the only place the B. affi nis lives now in Canada. It was sad to learn that it may be extinct already. I would like to invite you to my tree planting day. Happy Spring! Š Œ Ž Š Š š š œ š œ š ž Ÿ ««Ÿ ª Ÿ Ÿ ± Ÿ ± ² ³ ± ² µ ¹ ª ± Ÿ sn14 Š Œ Ž º» ¼ ½ ¾ À Š Š Á š œ š œ Á š š ž Ÿ Â Ã Ä Å Æ Ç È É Ê Ë Æ Ì Ã Ç Í Å Î Ï Å Ä Ã Ð Ñ Å Ò Ó Ô Â Õ Ö Ø Ù Ú Û Ü Ý Ý Þ ß Ù Ö Ø à á Ú â Ý Ú ã Ü Þ Ù Ú Ø â ä Û å â æ ç æ â Ö Û è Ø Û é Û Ø ê Ü Ù â ß ë Ü ß Ü ç Ü Ù Ø Û Ý Û â ê Û Ù Ú Û Ü à Þ ß Ù â ß ç â Ý Ü Ù Û ç ß Ù Ú Û ì Ø é Ù ç Ü í Ö Û Ü Ý Ú à ß Ù Ú î ã Þ ß ç Û Ø é Ù Ü ß ç ã á â æ æ Ø Û Ý Û â ê Û Ü Ù Ü ï Ø Û Ý Û â ð Ù Ö Ø Ù Ú Û Ö Þ æ æ Ü à Þ ß Ù Ü Ù Ù Ú Û Û ß ç Ö Ù Ú Û í Û Ü Ø î ã Þ ß ç Û Ø é Ù Ü ß ç Ù Ú Ü Ù ã Ý Ü ß Ý Ú Ü ß ñ Û Ø Ý Ü ß Ý Û æ à í Ü ñ Ø Û Û à Û ß Ù Ü Ù Ü ß í Ù â à Û ò í Ý Ü æ æ â ß ñ ó æ æ Û ß ô Û â ß Ú Ü Ø Ù õ ö Û à ò Û Ø ø ß Ø ô Û æ Ü Ù â ß é î ù ú û ü ý þ ÿ ÿ We sometimes trade names with likeminded organisations. If you do NOT wish to receive their mailings, check here Wildlife Preservation Canada - 6 -

7 One of every three bites of food we eat is dependent on pollinators, such as bumblebees, butterflies and other insects. Pollinators provide billions of dollars worth of pollination to Canadian crops each year. In addition, between 80-90% of all plants require animal pollination. It is obvious that pollinators are valuable - and many of them are in trouble. To address the issue of pollinators and their peril, Wildlife Preservation Canada has launched a variety of initiatives. What is Wildlife Preservation Canada doing? Dr. Sheila Colla and her team explored the Pinery Provincial Park in Ontario to determine to what extent the rusty-patched bumblebee has declined throughout its native range and how bumblebee species diversity has changed in southern Ontario over the past 100 years. We also hope to determine habitat associations and requirements for bumblebee species for future conservation efforts. On Denman Island in British Columbia, Peter Karsten in B.C. is exploring captive breeding as an option to assist the endangered Taylor s checkerspot, a butterfly which in Canada only exists on the island. The karner blue butterfly no longer exists in its Canadian range, though is still in the US.. This species relies on lupines in oak savannah habitats. In a collaborative effort, Wildlife Preservation is working to bring the karner blue back to the Canadian wild. In Guelph, Ontario, one of the first and largest pollinator habitat plantings is in the initial stages at a 45ha decommissioned landfill site. This long-term, multi-stage project is a team effort with the community and other partners. What can I do? Plant a garden! Pollinators are attracted to flowers by their colour and scent. Have plants blooming from spring to fall to ensure that the garden can supply nectar and pollen for a variety of pollinators. Bright Download your full-size poster at insect-pollinators. colours, especially blue, yellow and violet are attractive to pollinators. Pick plants that are native to your region, or at least to North America. They are better adapted and therefore more able to provide for a pollinator s needs. Some examples: cardinal flower, honeysuckle, bee balm, zinnia, phlox, mint, fuchsia, sage, cosmos, english lavender, nasturtium, lupine, coneflower, geranium, black-eyed susan, sunflower, angel s trumpet, verbena, aster, shasta daisy. Grab your camera! Join the community of citizen scientists who are helping follow a handful of bumblebee species. A new website BumbleBeeWatch.org allows you to identify and help protect bumblebees. Upload photos, identify the bumblebees, and connect with other citizen scientists Wildlife Preservation Canada

8 releasing hatchlings. As with our western painted turtle program, one of the methods we use is headstarting. Hatchlings are held in captivity over one or several winters, fed and kept warm. They continue to grow throughout the winter and reach a young adult size before they are released, to give them a headstart against their many predators. We are teaming up with the Kawartha Turtle Trauma Centre in Ontario to study the effectiveness of headstarting as a conservation tool for the blanding s turtle. We will attach radio transmitters to our released turtles to track them over multiple years to determine success rates. Our multi-faceted, multi-species turtle conservation programs are designed using the best research, science and partners. We are doing everything we can to ensure the continued survival of Canada s native freshwater turtles. Spiny softshell hatchlings ready to be released. Wildlife Preservation Canada - 8 -