Lion's Den P41
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Transcript of Lion's Den P41
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As oil continues to flow into the Gulf of Mexico from the BP Deepwater Horizon spill, concern and some despair is spreading to wildlife managers and conservationists across the country. The effects of the oil, already called by some the nation’s worst ecological disaster, are being calculated daily.
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How? Migratory birds. Many birds that breed in Wisconsin winter along the
Gulf Coast. Notable species that will be affected, say scientists, include the
common loon and blue-winged teal.
“This is an environmental disaster that could affect ducks for years to come,”
said Frank Rohwer, a scientific director with Delta Waterfowl and professor at
Louisiana State University’s School of Renewable Natural Resources.
An estimated 13 million ducks and 1.5 million geese winter along the Gulf Coast,
including birds from the Central and Mississippi flyways. Although it’s impossible to
estimate how many birds will be affected, the only prognosis is negative.
“It’s a special, special place, and it breaks my heart seeing it despoiled more
and more with each passing day,” Rohwer said.
Rohwer said blue-winged teal begin showing up in the coastal marshes in
August. And in November, large numbers of diver ducks, including canvasback
and scaup, wing into the barrier islands and other coastal areas.
“How many won’t make a return trip is anyone’s guess,” Rohwer said.
“I don’t like the odds.”
To help provide alternative habitat to the migrating waterfowl, the National
Fish and Wildlife Foundation last week announced a $2.5 million grant to Ducks
Unlimited. The money will be used to flood and enhance about 20,000 acres in
coastal Louisiana and Texas.
Work on the project will begin immediately, according to DU.
Are waterfowl hunters likely to see reduced daily bag limits for ducks this fall?
Ashe said no decisions had been made by the USFWS; the service will meet in
July to discuss regulations for Wisconsin and other states.
“What concerns wildlife
professionals most is what
we can’t see - the birds
and marine mammals that
spend all or most of their
lives offshore in waters
now inundated with oil,
and the probable chronic,
long-term effects of the spill
on the marine and coastal
environment,” said U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service
deputy director Dan Ashe
in remarks at the Outdoor
Writers Association of
America annual conference
earlier this month in
Rochester, Minn.