The North Atlantic Right Whale is one of the most endangered species of whales out in the oceans. They can typically be found in the north in the New England area but during the winter they travel south to Georgia and North Florida to where their primary calving grounds are located. Environmentalists tend to keep close watch on this area during the winter time to make sure the whales are not harmed. Right now the environmentalist and the navy are in a heated battle which the navy is going to win.

               There is a planned training range being set up for submarine warfare with sonar use off the north Florida Atlantic Coast. It is said that the sonar can disrupt the whales feeding patterns and even cause distress in which the whales beach themselves. The environmentalist are afraid it will hurt the whales going to the calving grounds and that the species overall will be hurt. They are trying to get the navy to just not do their exercises during the breeding months. It does not seem the navy will postpone their exercises during that time.  Lookouts for the whales will be at an all time high to try and protect them.  

           One would never think of bunnies as being endangered. We think of them as being very populous, and all over the place. In fact, there is one species that is endangered and it is native to Florida. This species is called Sylvilagus palustris hefneri or the Lower Keys Marsh rabbits. This particular species is named after Hugh Heffner, the playboy bunny founder who contributed money to research rabbits in the field.

           The Lower Key Marsh rabbit is very dependant on its habitat for survival. It only eats certain plants and grasses that are in the marshes. It also relies on the way the marsh is naturally, for shelter. Unfortunately, with habitat destruction due to human encroachment and vehicles, these rabbits are losing their homes and their lives. There are about 300 rabbits left today. The rabbits do not have enough genetic diversity in their genes according to researchers to be able to adapt easily to new situations.  The rate of survival goes down with less genetic diversity. The US Fish and Wildlife Service are hoping to relocate the rabbits in order to help prevent its extinction. They are hoping to put them in an area where they are least likely to be disturbed and help them grow again.  

One of the most delicate creatures is, naturally, one of the most susceptible to wildlife habitat destruction.  An important part of the food chain, and a delight around a garden, butterfiles of many varieties are endangered due to loss of habitat, some of which, in Florida, is attributed to hurricane damage and pesticide use.  Florida has many concerned groups following the many troubled species.  State, and local organizations, as well as the North American Butterfly Association and the University of Florida have teamed up to protect species like the Miami Blue.

Native to South Florida, numbers of Miami Blues have dwindled over the years and were believed extinct.  It was rediscovered in 1999 in Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys.  The species has been successfully reintroduced, albeit in a shaky, single, captive colony with about 100 at any given time. Officials plan to continue introduction in other areas including Everglades and Biscayne National Parks.  More information about butterflies in Florida is available through the Florida Butterfly Monitoring Network.

One way you can aid butterflies in your area is by making your garden butterfly-friendly.  The North American Butterfly Association guides gardeners to plants likely to attract butterflies in their region.  The site lists native plants for different regions essential to restoring wildlife for butterflies near your home. 

The past few months have seen increased discussion of alternative energy sources including wind energy here in the United States. Private investors including oil-man T. Boone Pickens have touted exploitation of the Midwest’s wind potential through high-profile television ads in this time of four-a-gallon gas prices.  With 40,000 new turbines expected to be erected, the Fish and Wildlife Service remains wary, but understands the importance of developing renewable energy, and remains
committed to cooperation to increase the vitality of both interests.  The U.S. Department of the Interior established a Wind Turbine Advisory Committee (WTAC) for the purpose of making recommendations to the Secretary on maintaining wildlife habitat. Whooping cranes typically fly at altitudes of at least 500 feet: So far no whooping cranes have been killed by wind turbines, which are usually about 300 feet high.

The danger comes, however, upon their nightly landing.  According to Tom Stehn, of the FWS, the placement of wind farms could result in huge losses of natural habitat if birds avoid their usual migration routes. Note how the migration route overlaps the wind power map. whooping crane migration map  Another article notes that other species, such as the Prairie Chicken, avoid nesting near tall structures such as turbines.  The corridor reaching from North Dakota down into Texas is recognized as some of the greatest wind potential.  Industry officials from organizations such as the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) are aware of the potential impact on wildlife and aim to minimize it, but emphasize the role in all areas of development of protecting wildlife and not singling wind power, since, according to Nature, one bird is killed for every thirty turbines--a number much less than many other man-made features.   Most environmental groups, the FWS,  and the Secretary of the Interior support renewable energy sources such as wind, but wish to work together to protect the interests of both sides.

Articles on this topic: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/03/04/wind-farms-cranes.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23389384/

Fact Sheets on Wildlife Impact from the American Wind Energy
Association

http://www.awea.org/pubs/factsheets.html

 WTAC site—they are meeting this week, so this site may have
updates soon

http://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/windpower/wind_turbine_advisory_committee.html

FWS on Wind Energy

http://www.fws.gov/habitatconservation/wind.html

On this past Thursday, last year's record of 11 panthers struck by vehicles was tied. With 5 months and 16 days left in the year, this record will surely be broken.

At the same time, a new system of ecopassages in Leon County is being designed to prevent turtle deaths on Highway 27 at Lake Jackson. While the Department of Transportation is funding the design of the project there is currently no money lined up for contruction.