treehugginliberal
08/02/05, 12:33 am
In April of this year, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology announced that the Ivory-billed Woodpecker, thought to have been extinct since at least 1944, had been re-discovered, in the Cache River National Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, based on several sightings and a brief (though not very clear) video clip of a large bird flying of a tree trunk away from the camera.
Today the New York Times published and article here (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/01/science/earth/01cnd-bird.html?hp&ex=1122955200&en=a8794456c9d77392&ei=5094&partner=homepage) that stated two of the three biologists involved in a critiicism of the previous evidence were preparing to withdraw from said criticism because of a sound recording recently released by the Cornell Lab.
From what I have been able to ascertain, the search in Arkansas had been going on for nearly 2 years and Cornell sat on the information for a couple of years in order to 1) make darn sure that they had enough information before going public and 2) try to avoid an influx of birders into the area. I could go on and on about this but for those who are interested the details may be found here (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/)
Although a few birds does not a viable species make (making for a shallow gene pool and all, in spite of all the warm and fuzzys regarding the Whooping Crane and California Condor, there are genetic problems with these species because of a lack of genetic diversity), there is at least a faint glimmer of hope for this largest woodpecker (often refered to as the "Lord God Bird").
Another aspect of this discovery and in my opinion the most important aspect of this discovery is the fact that the Nature Conservancy and other enviro-groups have been purchasing land surrounding the Cache River NWR. Plus if I am remembering correctly there is now a grant from the government to purchase more land, in other words, habitat preservation (hope they don't find oil there). :)
Even if Campephilus principalis cannot be saved, a breeding pair requires something like 6 square miles of territory, other creatures will benefit by the increase in habitat. Since the creation of the Cache River NWR Bald Eagles and Swallow-tailed Kites have returned to Arkansas after long absences.
Although this area is not easily accessed (being largely swampy in nature), it is important to the local economy as it is frequented by hunters and fisherfolk who, regardless of one's personal opinion on hunting and fishing, pay more than their fair share for habitat preservation than most of us (mainly through licensing). Now this area will attract birders which should also bring in a few more bucks for the local economy (we American birders spend an estimated $5.2 billion per year on our hobby according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service).
This is truly an exciting time for professional and amateur naturalists.
Sorry for rambling on and on but having been a birder for almost 40 of my 49 years, this is unbelievably exciting.
Today the New York Times published and article here (http://www.nytimes.com/2005/08/01/science/earth/01cnd-bird.html?hp&ex=1122955200&en=a8794456c9d77392&ei=5094&partner=homepage) that stated two of the three biologists involved in a critiicism of the previous evidence were preparing to withdraw from said criticism because of a sound recording recently released by the Cornell Lab.
From what I have been able to ascertain, the search in Arkansas had been going on for nearly 2 years and Cornell sat on the information for a couple of years in order to 1) make darn sure that they had enough information before going public and 2) try to avoid an influx of birders into the area. I could go on and on about this but for those who are interested the details may be found here (http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/)
Although a few birds does not a viable species make (making for a shallow gene pool and all, in spite of all the warm and fuzzys regarding the Whooping Crane and California Condor, there are genetic problems with these species because of a lack of genetic diversity), there is at least a faint glimmer of hope for this largest woodpecker (often refered to as the "Lord God Bird").
Another aspect of this discovery and in my opinion the most important aspect of this discovery is the fact that the Nature Conservancy and other enviro-groups have been purchasing land surrounding the Cache River NWR. Plus if I am remembering correctly there is now a grant from the government to purchase more land, in other words, habitat preservation (hope they don't find oil there). :)
Even if Campephilus principalis cannot be saved, a breeding pair requires something like 6 square miles of territory, other creatures will benefit by the increase in habitat. Since the creation of the Cache River NWR Bald Eagles and Swallow-tailed Kites have returned to Arkansas after long absences.
Although this area is not easily accessed (being largely swampy in nature), it is important to the local economy as it is frequented by hunters and fisherfolk who, regardless of one's personal opinion on hunting and fishing, pay more than their fair share for habitat preservation than most of us (mainly through licensing). Now this area will attract birders which should also bring in a few more bucks for the local economy (we American birders spend an estimated $5.2 billion per year on our hobby according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service).
This is truly an exciting time for professional and amateur naturalists.
Sorry for rambling on and on but having been a birder for almost 40 of my 49 years, this is unbelievably exciting.