Category: Wildlife

Goldfinch

DNR conservation officers seek information on Manistee County bear poaching

Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are seeking information regarding a bear poaching incident that occurred in the evening of Nov. 16 in northeast Manistee County.
A trail camera photo provided to the DNR by witnesses shows a bear sow and three cubs seen in the vicinity of the Manistee County poaching incident.
Conservation officers were called to investigate the shooting of a female black bear, found dead of a shotgun wound near a hunting blind on public land in Cleon Township. Witnesses said that the bear had been killed on Nov. 16 at approximately 5:30 p.m. Three bear cubs are believed to have been orphaned as a result of the bear being killed, although the cubs were not located.

Conservation officers are seeking to interview a white male who was spotted at the scene on Nov. 16. The male is believed to be involved in the killing and is described as having a thin build, standing approximately 5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches tall. The male had facial hair and left the scene driving a dark-colored pickup truck. The DNR Law Enforcement Division is requesting any information to aid in the investigation of this poaching incident. Read more

Poachers, Wildlife

Endangered Mount Graham red squirrel population in southern Arizona shows strong growth

PHOENIX – As part of a conservation program for the endangered Mount Graham red squirrel, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted an annual squirrel survey and estimated approximately 272 animals in the Pinaleño Mountains in southeastern Arizona.

This year’s survey shows an increase of 59 squirrels.

Read more

Wildlife

DNR’s new Central Reservation System makes it easier to reserve a harbor slip, campsite or lodging at state parks

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) new Central Reservation System (CRS) for state parks and harbors is now open for reservations of all types at www.midnrreservations.com. This more customer-friendly version of the website allows reservations up to one year in advance for lodging and six months in advance for camping and harbors. Explore the DNR's new and improved central reservation system and be sure to book your favorite campsites and harbor slips early in the year. Campers are encouraged to plan ahead to get the first pick of campsites for some early spring camping, or – if outdoor camping in the spring sounds too cold – reserve a cabin, yurt or other lodging option. Now is also the time to start planning for the Memorial Day holiday weekend; Memorial Day is on May 26, 2014. The new system features pictures of the campsites and lodging at each location, and more views will continue to be added. Read more

General, Wildlife

African Conservation Leaders Deliver Strong Message to U.S. Government

Last week, Safari Club International Foundation held its 12th annual African Wildlife Consultative Forum (AWCF) in Livingstone, Zambia. Conservation leaders attending included wildlife management authorities from the nine African counties of Botswana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as representatives from the safari industry, NGO and wildlife science sectors.

The government representatives attending the AWCF delivered this week a letter to the Co-Chairs of the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Attorney General Eric Holder. The letter presents their recommendations for the implementation of President Barack Obama’s Executive Order Combatting Wildlife Trafficking.

The letter recommends that the Task Force appoint Safari Club International Foundation to its Advisory Council to act as a liaison for the African governments who are the principle agents for conserving wildlife on their continent.    “It is distressing that Africa’s governments were not included or even consulted on the U.S. government’s new Task Force to stop poaching. This policy decision of the U.S. government directly affects Africa’s communities, wildlife, and economies. To ignore these countries is an obvious misstep that needs to be rectified,” SCI Foundation President Joe Hosmer said. Read more

Ammunition, Animal Rights, Firearms, Hunting, Poachers, Wildlife

Red Swamp Crayfish Prohibited as Bait in Michigan

red-swamp-crayfish-sm_originalIt has recently come to the attention of the DNR that anglers are purchasing red swamp crayfish from food markets and using them as live bait in the Grand River and Kalamazoo River. These species are considered highly invasive and have already been found in Ohio and Indiana. New restrictions were just enacted to protect Michigan’s waters from yet another invasive species.

Wildlife
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