Threatened and endangered species feature: peregrine falcon

ESA 40th anniversary logoJune 18, 2014

Through generous support from DTE Energy, the DNR is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Michigan’s Endangered Species Act from now through September. Each week, an important species will be featured.

Peregrine falcons are the fastest-flying birds in the world, reaching speeds of 200 miles per hour in a dive. Powerful and fierce, the peregrine falcon hunts small and medium-sized birds, dropping down on them from high above. Distinguishable by their dark brown backs and white faces with a black tear on their cheeks, these regal raptors can be seen on cliffs in the Upper Peninsula and in cities across the state.

peregrine falconPeregrine falcons are currently endangered in Michigan. They were included on the first list of endangered species created under Michigan’s Endangered Species Act. Pesticides took their toll on this bird of prey, and they were virtually eradicated from eastern North America by the middle of the 20th century.

After World War II, the use of a new insecticide known as DDT increased. Small birds and mammals accumulated the pesticide in their bodies. Raptors feeding on the contaminated birds and rodents were, in turn, poisoned by a progressive build-up of the pesticide. DDT was especially harmful to birds because it caused eggshell thinning, which resulted in weak eggs that broke under pressure.

After significant recovery efforts, peregrine falcons have made an incredible rebound and are now regularly seen in many large cities and coastal areas. In 2012, there were 12 confirmed nesting pairs in Michigan!

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Charity Navigator Issues “Donor Advisory” Against HSUS


GW:  This from www.Humanewatch.org

In response to criticism of his organization, Humane Society of the United States CEO Wayne “I don’t love animals” Pacelle has often pointed to his organization’s rating from Charity Navigator, a charity evaluator. HSUS had a four (out of four) star rating until earlier this year, when it dropped to three stars. Now, it’s a former rating.

As of last week Charity Navigator removed its rating of HSUS and replaced it with a “donor advisory.” The advisory notifies website visitors of the $15.75 million settlement of a racketeering and bribery lawsuit that HSUS was a part of last month. You can read more about that settlement here, but the lawsuit involved HSUS money allegedly paying a witness who lied to a federal court. Read more

SCI Foundation Hosts Director Of CAMPFIRE Association To Address White House Council, Congressional Caucus

June 13, 2014

Washington, D.C. – This week, Charles Jonga, Director of the Community Areas Management Program for Indigenous Resources (CAMPFIRE) in Zimbabwe came to Washington as a guest of the SCI Foundation.  He discussed the necessity of community involvement in wildlife management before the Presidential Advisory Council on Wildlife Trafficking (Advisory Council) and shared how hunting is an integral source of funding for CAMPFIRE programs. Additionally, Director Jonga addressed over 150 U.S. Congressional staffers at the International Conservation Caucus Foundation to inform policy makers on CAMPFIRE’s anti-poaching efforts, and to demonstrate the negative impacts created by the recent U.S. ban of elephant imports.

“The CAMPFIRE program benefits over 750,000 households across Zimbabwe. I was very thankful for the opportunity to speak, so that I could articulate just how severe an impact would occur if U.S. government policies continue to undermine our funding base,” Jonga said. “Organizations such as CAMPFIRE rely on American hunters as a primary revenue source to fund anti-poaching programs. The current ban will severely cut CAMPFIRE’s budget and our ability to protect elephants.” Read more

Tahquamenon Falls River Trail re-opens after high water damage

Tahquamenon Falls State Park announced today that the River Trail at the park has re-opened.

River Trail repair workOn May 21, the trail was closed due to water levels three times higher than the average for May (according to the U.S. Geological Survey). Rangers and other park staff members have been working to repair the damage, removing fallen trees and repurposing materials from the old boardwalks and bridges to build new ones. “Our staff is dedicated to maintaining the safety of our guests,” said park supervisor Craig Krepps, “They worked diligently to repair the trail in an expedient fashion, allowing park visitors the chance to enjoy this popular trail this summer. Read more

Take Scouting To A Whole New Level With The Bushnell Trophy Cam HD Series

Overland Park, Kan.Bushnell, an industry leader in high performance sports optics for more than 65 years and a market leader in the trail camera industry, has introduced three new Trophy Cam HD trail cameras. Leading the industry with a one-year battery life and superior image clarity, the Bushnell Trophy Cam HD and HD Max offer a host of valuable features in an aggressive new design.

Featuring black no-glow LEDs, an 8MP camera and high definition video (720p for the HD and 1080p for the HD Max), the Trophy Cam HD is packed with features to help hunters more effectively monitor game activity around the clock, including hybrid capture mode, a hyper passive infrared sensor (PIR) and an extended detection range. Read more

DNR offers tips for residents encountering snakes

This time of year, as snakes are out and about in the great outdoors, the Department of Natural Resources gets many questions about Michigan’s snakes. Michigan is home to 17 different species of snakes, 16 of which are completely harmless to humans.

 

There are two that are very similar and often cause a stir when people encounter them. Eastern hog-nosed snakes, when threatened, puff up with air, flatten their necks and bodies and hiss loudly. (This has led to local names like “puff adder” or “hissing viper.”) If this act is unsuccessful, the snakes will writhe about, excrete a foul-smelling musk and then turn over with mouth agape and lie still, as though dead. Despite this intimidating behavior, hog-nosed snakes are harmless to humans.

 

The eastern massasauga rattlesnake, the only venomous species found in Michigan, is quite rare and protected as a species of special concern due to declining populations from habitat loss. As the name implies, the massasauga rattlesnake does have a segmented rattle on its tail. It should not be confused with the other harmless species of snake in Michigan that do not have segmented rattles but will also buzz their tails if approached or handled. Read more

ThermaCELL..a Great Gift For Father’s Day

Got skeeters?  Make ’em go away!

Bedford, MA- It’s not too late to shop for a Father’s Day gift, so quit “bugging” your dad, and go out and buy him a ThermaCELL mosquito repellent appliance.

ThermaCELL has a variety of perfect gift ideas ranging from $25-$40 that has kept millions of satisfied customers depending on their products in order to enjoy the outdoors.

ThermaCELL’s line up of mosquito repellent lanterns, backyard torch or the repellent appliance is sure to be the perfect gift for your dad whether he’s in the field hunting, on the water fishing or in the comfort of a lawn chair in his own yard.

The repellent in ThermaCELL is a synthetic copy of a naturally occurring insecticide found in certain types of chrysanthemum flowers. The repellent is virtually odor free and does not spook game. Read more

Geneticists Banking DNA to Ensure Future of African Animals

DALLAS — Dallas Safari Club (DSC) is continuing its financial support of a Texas A&M University effort to build a DNA repository of African game species. The growing bank of DNA samples can be used to track the genetic heritage and health of wildlife. DSC has awarded grants for this effort since 2011. “Biologists say this program is an insurance policy for the future of wildlife,” said Ben Carter, DSC executive director. “And it’s passionate, generous hunters, mainly from the U.S., who are making it go.” Read more

How Many Animals Does HSUS “Care” For?

This from www.HumaneWatch.org

HSI_StreetDogs

The Humane Society of the United States relies on guile. When HSUS advertises to the public, it implies that it is a cat-and-dog group, one that will “rescue animals now.” Yet only 1 percent of its budget goes to pet shelters, and HSUS doesn’t run a single pet shelter despite having $200 million in assets.

HSUS’s deceptive attitude was on display after the group recently took part in a $15.75 million settlement of a racketeering lawsuit. HSUS told the public that donor money would not go to pay the settlement. Yet HSUS was denied liability insurance for the settlement—a fact it willfully omitted from its statements.

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