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By Tom Stienstra THE CASE of the worst mass killing of elk in the past 100 years--15 Roosevelt Elk slaughtered by poachers in Northern California--was solved by wildlife detective Jim Banks (see photo) using DNA analysis at the California Department of Fish and Game's forensic lab. This was the most dramatic crime among thousands of wildlife violations in which Banks' lab work has led to convictions. As the godfather of wildlife DNA lab work, Banks was named the top game warden in America this week, the International Conservation Officer of the Year, by the Shikar- Safari Club. Game Warden John Dawson said many suspects confess when they are told what they are up against. "I tell them we have the best forensic scientist in the nation who will be able to tell me the exact sex and the number of animals represented by a blood smear or meat sample," Dawson said. Facing the combination of Banks and DNA science, they often... Read On | ||||
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PHOENIX, AZ-- Recently Phoenix activated its first-ever electric "wildlife crosswalk" aimed at reducing wildlife collisions that pose a risk to drivers and cost millions in property damage each year. Population growth and the ever-expanding network of highways in Arizona have led to increasing wildlife-vehicle encounters on some of the state's most traveled routes. "This crosswalk on State Route 260 east of Payson has the potential to reduce the number of wildlife collisions and also make highways easier for animals to cross," says Norris Dodd, the Arizona Game and Fish Department's lead biologist on the project. "Right now, highways can be a place where wildlife is killed and wildlife populations get stuck and isolated because they can't migrate across." (Elk crosses highway in wildlife crosswalk) The crosswalk system uses thermal infrared cameras that send images to sophisticated software normally used by the military to find targets. The software determines if the object is large enough--such as an elk or deer--to be a risk to motorists. The software sends signals to electronic warning signs placed in advance of the crosswalk in either direction, and to flashing... Read On | ||
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By Jason Smith MANY SPECIES of woodland wildlife benefit from the presence of “den trees.” Den trees, or snags, are those standing trees that are used by animals for nesting, roosting, cover, food supply and other critical functions of basic survival. These trees are often over-mature with many defects and no financial value from a forestry standpoint. However, from a wildlife standpoint, their value is life itself. Wildlife that inhabit these den trees, such as woodpeckers, nuthatches, bluebirds, squirrels, and raccoons, are called cavity nesters. The type of wildlife that utilize these den trees will also depend on the kind, size, and location of the den tree. (Manon Vanschoyck, Licking County, OH, says years ago, she and her husband planted this 12-ft. snag that is about 6 inches in diameter near their pond to provide a perch for Kingfishers.) There are two basic kinds of den trees: hard or soft. Hard den trees have rotten centers with a solid exterior and a few limbs. These usually make the best den trees because the center can... Read On | ||
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Camouflage By Mother Nature This Eastern Screech Owl blends in with the tree and isn't easily seen by prey or predator. Photo was made by Leisa's Backyard Habitat Photos. For more nature photographs, see the Gallery on WindStar's web site and Nature's Best Photographs Album in the American Wildlife Blog. | ||
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IF YOU DID, what better way to spend it than on the 'Mad Bluebird'! Usually he's the "Bluebird of Happiness" but here he appears ruffled and disgusted with the onset of colder weather in this color photograph by Michael L. Smith. This is one of the most famous nature photographs ever created and originally was seen in a National Geographic Society birding book. We have framed and unframed prints in 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20 inches. The talented photographer frames and signs each print. It looks terrific in any room of your house! Find more Mad Bluebird and other nature products in the Nature Shop | ||
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Rising Tide of Invasive, Exotic Species THE PLIGHT IN THE United States and around the world, invasive species are a major cause of species endangerment and extinction, second only to habitat loss. In recent years, thousands of nonnative animals and plants have entered the United States. Roughly half of the native animals and plants on the U.S. endangered list are at least partly threatened by these invaders, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Dale Hall, the agency's director, puts invasive species as the No. 1 environmental threat to the United States today. Exotics, he says, "can push out native species, alter habitats, transmit foreign... Read On Native
Plants Can 'Make' Your Habitat
WHEN ESTABLISHING a backyard habitat, providing plants that produce berries is essential. Native plants, which have evolved with wildlife to provide optimum nourishment at specific times, should be considered first. The types of plants that are chosen will determine the species of wildlife that will be attracted to your yard. Plant a variety of species that bear fruit at different times of the year to provide food from early spring through the winter. One of the most conspicuous plants with berries surviving through the winter and into early spring is staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina). Why, when the berries persist all winter and are there for the birds to eat, are they still present in the spring...Read On | ||
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That's it for this week. Be sure and sign up for the American Wildlife Blog for the latest commentary and please feel free to add comments of your own. Have An EXCELLENT Day in your WILDLIFE HABITAT! (Highbush Cranberryi>
 Tom Patrick Email: wildlife@windstar.org
Phone: 301-293-3351
Web &
Blog: http://www.windstar.org |
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