/PRNewswire/ -- The Fading Call of the Wild, a report released today by the world's leading wildlife conservation organizations, details the increasing threats and plunging populations of big cats and rare canids living in the wild. Faced with a striking loss of habitat and prey due to over-development of land and direct killing by poachers and others who see them as a threat, wild cats such as lions, cheetahs and snow leopards, and wild dogs like the Ethiopia wolf and bush dog face an uncertain future.
Eighty percent of all wild cat species are experiencing population declines, as are 25 percent of wild canids - the family of foxes, wolves and wild dogs. The report looks beyond the raw numbers and delves into the plight of 15 of these species that are considered ecologically vital, detailing their current numbers in the wild, changes to the population in the last ten years, and conservation solutions for improving their status. The 15 species were chosen because they are considered umbrella species that, if conserved appropriately, protect their corresponding landscapes and other species dependent on those ecosystems.
A snapshot of the report's findings include:
-- A century ago there were as many as 200,000 lions living in Africa,
today there are fewer than 30,000. Lions are now extinct from 26
countries that they formerly occupied. The single greatest threat to
lions is killing by people who own livestock. Herders and ranchers
shoot, trap and poison lions across their range.
-- There are fewer than 500 Darwin's Fox living today. The animal are
found only in Chile and their restricted distribution makes them
highly vulnerable to extinction. The gentle and curious canids are not
fearful of people which contributes to their endangerment, however
timber exploration and land development are the two biggest factors
that have pushed the animals to the brink.
-- There are fewer than 7,000 snow leopards in the wild today. Snow
leopard poaching is rampant with their bones and hides frequently
confiscated in illegal shipments of wildlife parts bound for markets
in China and throughout Asia.
-- Fewer than 500 Ethiopian wolves remain with more than half found in
the Bale Mountains. The highly social animals live in packs which
makes them especially vulnerable when their populations decrease.
Entire packs are wiped out by rabies outbreaks, while those that
survive face rapid loss of habitat.
-- One of the most ecologically and genetically unique animals, African
wild dogs exist in less than seven percent of their historic range,
and are extinct in 22 countries that they formerly inhabited.
Accidental snaring and rabies have decimated populations throughout
Africa, and fewer than 8,000 of the animals remain.
The report calls for increasing conservation resources and swift policy changes, specifically passage of the Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Act that would provide conservation assistance to the 15 species highlighted in the Fading Call of the Wild report.
"Great cats and rare canids are currently suffering from a variety of threats and the positive impact from their protection will no doubt benefit them and many other species," said Jeff Flocken, DC Office Director, IFAW. "The Great Cats and Rare Canids Conservation Act offers viable and valuable methods to ensure a safe future for these majestic animals."
First introduced in July 2004, and set to expire this year unless the Senate takes action, the measure would provide wild cats and canids the same type of conservation assistance presently supporting tigers, great apes, elephants, sea turtles and other iconic species through the Multinational Species Conservation Funds, administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The funds were designed to conserve species deemed by Americans to be of special global value, but simultaneously endangered with extinction.
Senators Joe Lieberman (I-CT), Tom Udall (D-NM), Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are leading the charge to usher the bill through their chamber this Congress. The House passed the measure in April 2009 with a two-thirds majority and bi-partisan support led by Reps. Jay Inslee (WA-01), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and the International Conservation Caucus. The Act is supported by more than 80 scientific, animal welfare, conservation, outdoor recreation organizations, zoos and aquariums.
Actress Glenn Close contributed the foreword for the report and noted, "Whether it is the iconic African lion or the shy Darwin's fox, these animals hold an important place in the landscapes they occupy. They are all ecosystem guardians. As predators, they maintain healthy functioning places, and their absence negatively affects wildlife and people. Not only would losing these species have drastic ecological and economic impacts, I believe their loss will impact us in ways we aren't event able to yet articulate."
The report was authored by Panthera, the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and the Wildlife Conservation Society, in cooperation with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Canids and Cats Specialists Groups.
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Showing posts with label report. Show all posts
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Monday, July 26, 2010
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Rabies Cases Among Cats on the Rise
/PRNewswire/ -- While reported cases of rabies in the United States dropped in 2008, veterinarians and public health officials warn that an increase in the number of reported cases in cats poses a health risk to both animals and people.
There were 6,841 reported cases of animal rabies in the United States and Puerto Rico in 2008, according to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in the Sept. 15, 2009, edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The number represents a 3.1 percent decrease from the 7,060 rabies cases in animals reported to the CDC in 2007. There were two cases of rabies in humans in 2008, up from one case reported in 2007.
According to the CDC report, rabies continues to affect wildlife much more than it does domestic animals. Wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, accounted for 93 percent of all rabies cases reported in 2008, the report states.
More work needs to be done, however, when it comes to controlling rabies in pets, especially cats and dogs. Cats led the list of domestic animals with reported cases of rabies in 2008. According to the CDC report, there were 294 reported cases of rabies in cats last year, up about 12 percent from the 262 reported cases in 2007. Dog-related cases totaled 75 in 2008, down from 93 in 2007.
Jesse Blanton, an epidemiologist at the CDC, said cats have more interaction with wildlife, where they are prone to being bitten by a rabid animal, and they aren't getting the vaccinations they need.
"The CDC's general belief is that people are doing a good job vaccinating their dogs, but not their cats," Blanton said. "We have controlled canine rabies through the vaccination of domestic dogs, so we know that vaccinating works."
The belief that cats aren't getting their necessary shots is supported by data from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) report that indicates 36.3 percent of U.S. cat-owning households did not visit a veterinarian in 2006. In contrast, the report, "U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook," indicates that 17.3 percent of dog-owning households did not visit a veterinarian in 2006.
The simple act of vaccinating a pet, Blanton said, provides protection to the animal and the humans with whom it may come in contact. Veterinarians can vaccinate dogs and cats, and they will advise clients on the recommended or required frequency of vaccination needed.
Rabies remains a threat worldwide, killing more than 55,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organization. The release of the CDC report comes at an opportune time for continued public education, as World Rabies Day is approaching on Sept. 28. World Rabies Day, now in its third year, aims to raise awareness about the public health impact of human and animal rabies. For more information on World Rabies Day, visit the AVMA's World Rabies Day Web page.
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There were 6,841 reported cases of animal rabies in the United States and Puerto Rico in 2008, according to a report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and published in the Sept. 15, 2009, edition of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The number represents a 3.1 percent decrease from the 7,060 rabies cases in animals reported to the CDC in 2007. There were two cases of rabies in humans in 2008, up from one case reported in 2007.
According to the CDC report, rabies continues to affect wildlife much more than it does domestic animals. Wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes, accounted for 93 percent of all rabies cases reported in 2008, the report states.
More work needs to be done, however, when it comes to controlling rabies in pets, especially cats and dogs. Cats led the list of domestic animals with reported cases of rabies in 2008. According to the CDC report, there were 294 reported cases of rabies in cats last year, up about 12 percent from the 262 reported cases in 2007. Dog-related cases totaled 75 in 2008, down from 93 in 2007.
Jesse Blanton, an epidemiologist at the CDC, said cats have more interaction with wildlife, where they are prone to being bitten by a rabid animal, and they aren't getting the vaccinations they need.
"The CDC's general belief is that people are doing a good job vaccinating their dogs, but not their cats," Blanton said. "We have controlled canine rabies through the vaccination of domestic dogs, so we know that vaccinating works."
The belief that cats aren't getting their necessary shots is supported by data from an American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) report that indicates 36.3 percent of U.S. cat-owning households did not visit a veterinarian in 2006. In contrast, the report, "U.S. Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook," indicates that 17.3 percent of dog-owning households did not visit a veterinarian in 2006.
The simple act of vaccinating a pet, Blanton said, provides protection to the animal and the humans with whom it may come in contact. Veterinarians can vaccinate dogs and cats, and they will advise clients on the recommended or required frequency of vaccination needed.
Rabies remains a threat worldwide, killing more than 55,000 people every year, according to the World Health Organization. The release of the CDC report comes at an opportune time for continued public education, as World Rabies Day is approaching on Sept. 28. World Rabies Day, now in its third year, aims to raise awareness about the public health impact of human and animal rabies. For more information on World Rabies Day, visit the AVMA's World Rabies Day Web page.
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Pew Will Push Shark Conservation at World Fisheries Meeting; New Report Indicates Half of Oceanic Shark and Ray Species Are Threatened With Extinction
/PRNewswire/ -- The Pew Environment Group today called for stronger shark conservation measures worldwide as a new report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies 35 out of 64 known pelagic shark and related ray species around the world as threatened or near threatened with extinction.
The IUCN report was released just days before a joint meeting of the world's fishery managers in San Sebastian, Spain. The regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), which mostly focus on managing tuna fisheries, agreed at their first joint meeting two years ago that the problem of declining shark populations urgently needed to be addressed. To date, however, none have set limits on the number of sharks that can be caught in their jurisdictions.
"Up to 70 million sharks are killed around the world every year for the shark fin market, virtually all of which are caught in areas where there is no management regime in place to ensure their sustainability," said Joshua Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group. "This is a staggering number. Unless this situation is soon reversed, large numbers of shark species will disappear altogether."
The shark fin trade is a driving force in the overfishing of sharks. Shark fins are highly valued for use in the Asian delicacy shark fin soup. Often, shark meat is worth much less and takes up more cargo space. As a result, the practice of shark finning has evolved: the shark is brought on board a fishing vessel, the fins are sliced off, and the body is dumped back into the ocean.
According to the IUCN report, overfishing is the primary reason why a number of sharks in U.S. waters are threatened, including two species of thresher sharks, basking sharks, great whites, shortfin and longfin makos, porbeagles, oceanic whitetip sharks, dusky sharks, sandbar sharks, and three species of hammerheads.
At the San Sebastian meeting of the world's fisheries managers, Pew is joining other conservation groups in calling for precautionary, science-based management plans for sharks, starting with the immediate adoption of binding measures to:
-- Prohibit retention of particularly vulnerable and/or depleted shark
species taken in tuna fisheries, including hammerheads, threshers,
porbeagles and oceanic whitetips;
-- Establish catch limits that significantly reduce fishing pressure on
globally vulnerable shortfin mako sharks;
-- Cap catches of near-threatened blue and silky sharks until safe catch
levels are determined;
-- Close off areas of high shark concentration to commercial fishing; and
-- Prohibit removal of shark fins at sea.
To improve enforcement of the U.S. finning ban and enhance understanding of dwindling shark populations, the Pew Environment Group supports the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S. 850/H.R. 81), introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA). The legislation, which passed the House unanimously in March, would require that all sharks be landed with their fins naturally attached, eliminate loopholes and strengthen enforcement in the current U.S. shark-finning law and promote the conservation of sharks internationally.
The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.
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The IUCN report was released just days before a joint meeting of the world's fishery managers in San Sebastian, Spain. The regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs), which mostly focus on managing tuna fisheries, agreed at their first joint meeting two years ago that the problem of declining shark populations urgently needed to be addressed. To date, however, none have set limits on the number of sharks that can be caught in their jurisdictions.
"Up to 70 million sharks are killed around the world every year for the shark fin market, virtually all of which are caught in areas where there is no management regime in place to ensure their sustainability," said Joshua Reichert, managing director of the Pew Environment Group. "This is a staggering number. Unless this situation is soon reversed, large numbers of shark species will disappear altogether."
The shark fin trade is a driving force in the overfishing of sharks. Shark fins are highly valued for use in the Asian delicacy shark fin soup. Often, shark meat is worth much less and takes up more cargo space. As a result, the practice of shark finning has evolved: the shark is brought on board a fishing vessel, the fins are sliced off, and the body is dumped back into the ocean.
According to the IUCN report, overfishing is the primary reason why a number of sharks in U.S. waters are threatened, including two species of thresher sharks, basking sharks, great whites, shortfin and longfin makos, porbeagles, oceanic whitetip sharks, dusky sharks, sandbar sharks, and three species of hammerheads.
At the San Sebastian meeting of the world's fisheries managers, Pew is joining other conservation groups in calling for precautionary, science-based management plans for sharks, starting with the immediate adoption of binding measures to:
-- Prohibit retention of particularly vulnerable and/or depleted shark
species taken in tuna fisheries, including hammerheads, threshers,
porbeagles and oceanic whitetips;
-- Establish catch limits that significantly reduce fishing pressure on
globally vulnerable shortfin mako sharks;
-- Cap catches of near-threatened blue and silky sharks until safe catch
levels are determined;
-- Close off areas of high shark concentration to commercial fishing; and
-- Prohibit removal of shark fins at sea.
To improve enforcement of the U.S. finning ban and enhance understanding of dwindling shark populations, the Pew Environment Group supports the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S. 850/H.R. 81), introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-MA). The legislation, which passed the House unanimously in March, would require that all sharks be landed with their fins naturally attached, eliminate loopholes and strengthen enforcement in the current U.S. shark-finning law and promote the conservation of sharks internationally.
The Pew Environment Group is the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental organization that applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.
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