Canadian Endangered Species Programme Update 2010

1. Canadian Endangered Species Programme Update 2010 By: John Carnio Endangered Species Biologist, CAZA

2. CESP � Canadian Endangered Species Plan:

3. CAZA Funding:

4. Whooping Crane Robert Peel and Dr. Sandy Black (Calgary Zoo) are the representatives on this recovery effort.

6. Whooping Crane Calgary Report: �As of August 13, 2010, the Calgary Zoo held a total of 25 (11 males, 14 females) Whooping Cranes, consisting of 7 breeding pairs, 8 (3 males, 5 females) unpaired birds, Three females were inseminated from 2 males. A total of 24 eggs were laid in 2010 (11 fertile, 9 infertile, and 4 broken)). A total of 10 fertile eggs were transported to the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. All 10 eggs hatched (5 males, 5 females). Two chicks died, and 8 chicks survive at this time for release to the wild later this year.

8. Redside Dace:

9. Black-Footed Ferret

10. Return of the Black-footed Ferret to Canada

11. Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia

12. Eastern Loggerhead ShrikeRecovery Program

13. 2010 Births & Releases Total: 126 chicks born in captivity, Overall: 32 captive deaths and 76 young released to the wild 86 (41.35.10) birds remain in captive pop. 12 surpluss (8.4) 11 (3.0.8) to be released 2011 63 (30.31.2) remain in captive pop for 2011. Again, previously released birds have returned to Ontario to breed - this is the sixth year in a row that this has happened.

14. Future: The Captive Programme may need to restructure and downsize due to the possible loss of some of its partners. If no new partners are found then the captive breeding population will need to be reduced to 80 birds max. and the new goals will be 90% genetic diversity over a 10-15 yr. period.

15. Vancouver Island Marmot Update

16. Introduction: The Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota Vancouverensis) is North America�s most endangered mammal. Endemic to the sub-alpine areas of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, this species has experienced a total wild population decline of 80% in the last decade. The Vancouver Island Marmot is a large social rodent (5-7Kg), chocolate brown in colour with some white on the muzzle and belly, and is a true hibernator. It is the only marmot species found on the Island even though there are four other marmot species living in North America (woodchuck, hoary marmot, yellow-bellied marmot, Brower�s marmot and Olympic marmot).Introduction: The Vancouver Island Marmot (Marmota Vancouverensis) is North America�s most endangered mammal. Endemic to the sub-alpine areas of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, this species has experienced a total wild population decline of 80% in the last decade. The Vancouver Island Marmot is a large social rodent (5-7Kg), chocolate brown in colour with some white on the muzzle and belly, and is a true hibernator. It is the only marmot species found on the Island even though there are four other marmot species living in North America (woodchuck, hoary marmot, yellow-bellied marmot, Brower�s marmot and Olympic marmot).

19. Future: AT present the future, while it looks very promising, is uncertain, as the Marmot Recovery Programme is feeling the economic crunch of the time. It is possible that certain partners will either drop out or reduce their support thereby jeopardizing the field monitoring necessary during the captive releases and the running of the holding/breeding facility at Mount Washington. Therefore, the Recovery Team is preparing to downsize the Captive population and its efforts in the field if necessary.

20. Spotted Owls

24. Comments: Successful year for most CESPs but the emerging theme is that support and finances are becoming more difficult to come by�