WERC Highlights -- January 2001

Tortoise Rescue in the West Mojave Desert: USGS research wildlife biologist Kristin Berry of the Western Ecological Research Center was interviewed by the San Bernardino Sun about the large numbers of desert tortoises that go into captivity because they are illegally collected, injured, or wander into a person’s desert yard. Berry discussed diseases found in captives and how they affect or might affect wild populations. (Kristin Berry, Riverside, CA, 909-697-5361)

Oregon Public Television to Highlight USGS Sea Otter Studies: USGS research wildlife biologist Ron Jameson of the Western Ecological Research Center was contacted by the producer of Oregon Field Guide, which airs on Oregon Public Broadcasting, and plans were made to video a sea otter segment during the summer 2001 field season in Washington. The program will feature USGS population and behavioral research on sea otters that were reintroduced to Washington in 1969 and 1970. Extirpated in both Oregon and Washington by the end of the 19th century for the fur trade, sea otters were reintroduced to Oregon and Washington from Amchitka Island, Alaska, but only the Washington effort has been successful. (Ron Jameson, Corvallis, OR, 541-754-4388)

Decline of Reptiles: USGS research manager Jeff Lovich of the Western Ecological Research Center was contacted for stories about imperilled reptiles for a documentary for Sierra Club Productions. Lovich provided story ideas, links to related websites, and contact information for several USGS scientists who are studying reptiles on the brink of extinction. (Jeff Lovich, Sacramento, CA, 916-278-3210)

Brits Visit the Big Trees: USGS scientist Nate Stephenson of the Western Ecological Research Center was filmed by Great Britain's NOW channel for an upcoming television and world-wide web series on wild California. Stephenson was interviewed about giant sequoia ecology, fire and sequoia reproduction, possible threats to sequoia groves, and his recent findings about younger-than-expected ages of giant sequoias. (Nate Stephenson, Three Rivers, CA, 559-565-3176)

Roads and Wildlife: The Riverside Press-Enterprise interviewed scientists Barbara Kus and William I. Boarman of the Western Ecological Research Center about the effects of roads on wildlife. Kus spoke about the effects of highway construction near rivers on endangered birds such as the least Bell's vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher. Roads impact birds and other wildlife in the vicinity directly through the loss of habitat, and introduce other potential threats to species and their habitat through vehicle emission of pollutants and noise, lighting, and alteration of predator communities. Compensation for these impacts often occurs in the form of habitat restoration, which is a focus of Kus' research. Boarman spoke about the effectiveness of barrier fences and culverts in reducing the impacts of highways on wildlife. In recent research, he evaluated the effectiveness of a barrier fence at aiding the recovery of the threatened desert tortoise and the use of culverts by tortoises to cross beneath a busy California state highway. (Barbara Kus, San Diego, CA, 619-594-4357; William I. Boarman, Riverside, CA, 909-697-5237)

Pintails Fly into View: The Sacramento NBC affiliate KCRA TV highlighted the USGS pintail satellite tracking project on evening newscasts, January 4. Interviews of research biologists of the Western Ecological Research Center, including team leader Michael R. Miller, provided insight about the four-year study funded by the Tuscany Research Institute. Satellites will relay information about the movements and migration of 55 female pintail ducks the biologists are fitting with transmitters. To follow the pintails, visit the study’s website at http://www.werc.usgs.gov/pinsat/. (Michael R. Miller, Dixon, CA, 707-678-0682 x 618)

Raven Speaks: The Environmental News Service, Greenlines, ScienceNOW, the Washington Post, and the Orange County Register reported on the deep genetic split between ravens from the southwest United States compared to the rest of the world. Results of this genetics study by research ecologist William I. Boarman of the USGS Western Ecological Research Center and his colleagues from other research institutions appeared in an article in the December 22 issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Biological Sciences. (William I. Boarman, Riverside, CA, 909-697-5237) Official news release