Biodiversity: Study sheds new light on wolf predation

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Hunting wolves may have less of an impact on elk herds than previously believed. Photo via USFWS.

Three-year tracking project helps show that wolves alone aren’t necessarily responsible for declining elk populations

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — For quite some time, conventional wisdom has held that the presence of wolves in the Greater Yellowstone area has had beneficial impacts on the overall ecosystem by keeping elk on the move.

But a new study, led by recent University of Wyoming Ph.D. graduate Arthur Middleton, casts some doubt on that theory. For three years, the researchers closely followed the  Clarks Fork elk herd west of Cody, along with the wolf packs that prey on it. (more…)

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Colorado: Input wanted on San Juan bighorn sheep plan

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife is seeking input on bighorn sheep management in the San Juans. Bob Berwyn photo.

State biologists modernizing bighorn management statewide

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Bighorn sheep, Colorado’s state animal, have had their ups and downs over the years, but most populations in the central San Juans seem fairly stable. As part of a statewide update of bighorn sheep management, Colorado wildlife biologists want to hear from stakeholders as they finalize a  management plan for the Central San Juan herds.

The purpose of the plan for this herd and the location area, referred to as RBS-22, is to assess the current and historical status of the population and determine future management objectives that will span up to a 10-year period. RBS-22 encompasses portions of Gunnison, Hinsdale, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties and includes bighorn sheep Game Management Unit’s S-22 San Luis Peak, S-36 Bellows Creek, S-52 Rock Creek, and S-53 Bristol Head. (more…)

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Major wildfires still burning unchecked in Colorado

Posted on June 12, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Airtankers expected to join battle against fires today

Big Meadows fire Rocky Mountain National Park Arial view

A June 11 aerial view of the Big Meadows fire in Rocky Mountain National Park. Photo courtesy National Park Service.

Colorado wildfire map June 2013

Colorado wildfire map June 2013.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Authorities say they still don’t know the cause of destructive Black Forest Fire, which is still burning uncontained and has destroyed dozens of houses in El Paso County.

The fire has spread across several thousand acres since it started June 11 and more than 2,000 homes are still under evacuation orders. About 150 firefighters are trying to establish defensive lines to protect other at-risk homes in an area that lacks fire hydrants, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. (more…)

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Wildlife: Bear encounters already reported in Aspen area

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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The U.S. Forest Service is trying to get a jump on unwanted bear encounters in the Aspen area. Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Forest Service orders campers to keep food in sealed storage bins at campgrounds

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — A spate of bear encounters in the Aspen area has prompted the U.S. Forest Service to require campers to store their food, cooking equipment, cooking utensils, and coolers in bear-resistant containers, such as a closed, locked vehicle or a food locker.

The order affects all developed recreation sites on the Aspen-Sopris Ranger District in the upper Roaring Fork Valley of Pitkin County including the designated campsites along Lincoln Creek and Castle Creek. Nineteen sites on the Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District in Eagle County are also included.

The Forest Service is trying to get an early handle on unwanted encounters after a series of incidents in late May, when a large bear approached campers at one or more camp sites and was undeterred by human presence, shouting, car horns, and other noise and commotion.

One camper reported that the bear tried to open a car door with people and a dog inside. Other campers that improperly stored food and garbage probably played a major role in these incidents. When bears associate food and garbage with humans and their belongings, they will become habituated to the human environment.

The food storage order helps break the bear’s link between human presence and a possible reward of food or garbage. If bears don’t get rewarded, their natural behavior is to avoid humans and their belongings. Compared to natural foods that bears eat in the wilds, human foods and garbage have a tremendous amount of calories, fat, and nutrients.

Any odorous substance can attract bears, including garbage and refuse, cooking oil, dirty dishes, and toiletries.  It is important to prevent bears from associating any such odors with people.

Violators could be fined up to $5,000 or up to six months in prison. Visit the White River National Forest online to get more information on national forest lands camping and addresses and telephone numbers for local ranger stations.

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Wildlife: Yellowstone’s migratory elk under pressure

Posted on June 11, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Study indicates drought and predation is affecting reproduction

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This 1998 file image shows bull elk in the Lamar Valley in winter. Photo courtesy Yellowstone National Park/Jim Peaco.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Yellowstone’s migratory elk have been feeling the impacts of drought and increased predation by wolves and grizzlies  – two landscape-level changes with broad implications for conservation of migratory animals, according to a new study published in the journal Ecology.

The new study by the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit — a joint program involving U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Wyoming, and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, describes a long-term decline in the number of calves produced annually by the Clarks Fork herd, a population of about 4000 elk whose migrants travel annually between winter ranges near Cody, Wyoming and summer ranges within Yellowstone National Park.   (more…)

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Biodiversity: Wolves get short end of the stick — again

Posted on June 8, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Caving to political pressure from western states, the Obama administration wants to remove endangered species protections for the ecologically vital predators

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A gray wolf follows a grizzly bear in Yellowstone National Park. Photo courtesy NPS/Doug Smith.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — In a move that’s sure to spur another round of contentious lawsuits, the Obama administration is moving ahead with its controversial plan to take nearly all wolves across the U.S. off the endangered species list.

Federal biologists say wolves are recovered and no longer need endangered species protection, but conservation groups immediately blasted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, saying that the agency based its conclusions on faulty science.

“This is like kicking a patient out of the hospital when they’re still attached to life-support,” said Noah Greenwald, endangered species director with the Center for Biological Diversity.  “Wolves cling to a sliver of their historic habitat in the lower 48 and now the Obama administration wants to arbitrarily declare victory and move on. They need to finish the job that Americans expect, not walk away the first chance they get. This proposal is a  national disgrace and our wildlife deserve better,” Greenwald said. (more…)

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Colorado: Moose incident prompts warning

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

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A moose cow and calves grazing near Berthoud Pass, Colorado. Bob Berwyn photo.

A moose cow and calves grazing near Berthoud Pass, Colorado. Bob Berwyn photo.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Getting to close to wild animals is never a good idea, especially when the critters stand eight feet tall and weighs more than 1,000 pounds. Colorado wildlife officials are once again warning of the dangers getting too close to moose, after an incident in Grand Lake.

Tuesday afternoon, a cow moose injured a 60 year-old woman as she walked her dog in a neighborhood southwest of Grand Lake, along County Road 4721.

“It’s an unfortunate situation for the victim in this case, and we hope she has a quick recovery,” said Lyle Sidener, area wildlife manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “This is a reminder that approaching these large animals can in certain situations be dangerous.” (more…)

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Colorado: State wildlife experts support grassroots push to improve wildlife safety along Highway 9

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Wildlife underpasses could help improve safety along Colorado Highway 9 between Green Mountain Reservoir and Kremmling.

Improvements would reduce costly and deadly vehicle-wildlife collisions

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado wildlife officials say they’re supporting a grassroots drive to raise money for wildlife overpasses and underpasses along Highway 9, near Kremmling. The goal is to reduce the number of vehicle-wildlife collisions on a 10.6-mile stretch of the highway between Green Mountain Reservoir and the Colorado River near Kremmling.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, wildlife collisions in this area have led to nearly 600 vehicular accidents in the last 20 years, including 16 human fatalities and almost 200 injuries. About 35 percent of the collisions were wildlife related. In addition, there have been nearly 450 animals killed — mostly mule deer — in the last eight years. (more…)

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Colorado: Wildlife experts to offer update on mule deer studies

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
Mule deer in winter. Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Mule deer in winter sagebrush habitat. Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say they want feedback from public

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — With several extensive research projects on northwest Colorado mule deer populations under way, biologists say they want to update the public on those efforts. A long-term trend of declining populations has spurred several studies, as scientists look at predation, food supplies and energy development as possible factors.

To discuss their findings so far, wildlife managers are inviting the public to a presentation with biologists, researchers and wildlife officials, Wednesday, May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Valley Bank, 400 Main Street in Meeker. (more…)

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Morning photo: Best of the week

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Here and there …

Nesting eagles at Dillon Reservoir, Summit County, Colorado.

Nesting eagles at Dillon Reservoir, Summit County, Colorado.

FRISCO —A bit of a grab-bag of images in this week’s compendium, starting with the startling sight of a nesting bald eagle right in the heart of Summit County to some road scenes from a quick crosscountry drive. The best selection of Summit County landscape images is online at our FineArt America gallery, where you can order fine art prints, as well as greeting cards. It’s a great way to support independent online journalism in Colorado. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, Morning photo, photography, Summit County Colorado, wildlife | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

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