Conserving For Tomorrow

Hunting is a North American tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation. Today, we have the privilege to enjoy nature. Truth be told, todays forests would not exist if it weren’t for the valiant effort to restore North America's wildlife and creating the North American model of wildlife conservation. Sometimes, wildlife managers, biologists, and conservationist forget that the greatest conservation success story is right in front of us.

(QDMA 2018)

For decades, we have enjoyed the reward of the greatest conservation success story in history, Wildlife Restoration. Through colonization, much of North America was stripped of wildlife and their ecosystems. Species were extirpated out of their native range; some species went extinct through overharvesting and lack of conservation. Thanks to the state and federal agencies that work to conserve, fight, and protect wildlife; through their careful work, we have wildlife, we have biodiversity, and we have diverse ecosystems. Today, the North American Model of wildlife conservation is under attack. Quality wildlife habitat is fading through urbanization and habitat fragmentation. Wildlife conservation agencies are underfunded from depleting budgets. Deadly diseases are spreading across the landscape and devastating ecosystems. While habitat loss is a serious issue, wildlife diseases are reshaping ecosystems as we know it. Bat populations have decreased by 90% in some areas. Pennsylvania Ruffed Grouse are having a population crash like never before. The greater sage grouse populations have declined in North America by 95%. Cervids are under attack from the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. These diseases arguably hold the biggest concerns for the future of wildlife.

White-Nose Syndrome (WNS)

In the winter of 2006-2007, researchers discovered White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) in Schoharie County of New York. This disease was accidentally introduced from Europe by cavers who did not properly clean their gear. As of 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimated 6.7 million bats have died from WNS and has been confirmed in 28 states the last 11 years.

White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease, (Pseudogymnoascus destrutans). This fungal disease attacks winter hibernating bats, attacking the bats skin and their wing membrane. The white fungus can be found growing around the face and wing membrane. During the winter months of hibernation, WNS can cause the bat to wake up more frequently. This causes the bat to use more of its limited fat reserve. This can cause the bat to lose all of its fat reserves during the winter and then lead to death. WNS can cause severe damage to a bats wing membrane, which can then lead towards a struggle to fly. If a WNS infected bat survives the winter, the bats immune system would be far too weak in the spring also causing death in the spring. There is currently no cure for WNS; however, research is proving that a cure is very possibly soon to come. Bats are extremely important to an ecosystem; a single bat can eat up to 1,200 mosquitos an hour. Bats are an incredibly important keystone species that fill an extremely important environmental niche. Without bats, the entire dynamic of an ecosystem will change. More than half of the 47 of North American bat species are winter hibernating and White-nose Syndrome has been confirmed in 8 winter hibernating bat species and suspected in 7 other species but has not had any confirmed cases. Causing the majority of those species to be placed on the threatened and endangered species list.

(National Park Service 2017)

West Nile Virus (WNV)

West Nile virus is an arthropod-borne virus and is mainly spread through mosquitoes. WNV was originally across Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In 1999, the first outbreak in North America was documented in New York City. By 2004, WNV outbreaks were documented in the continental United States, all of Canada and throughout Mexico. WNV effects, thousands of avian species, horses and humans. There are at least 48 different species of mosquitos that carry WNV. There have been over 250 species of birds and 18 mammalian species, including humans, have been confirmed with WNV. The only way to prevent the spread of WNV is to prevent mosquito bites. There are 2 major species of birds that are greatly affected by WNV and are experiencing population crashes, greater sage grouse and ruffed grouse. There is also a number of songbird species that are greatly affected by WNV.

Greater Sage Grouse

Greater sage grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are a western species found throughout the plains of the Rocky Mountains. As of 2006, the greater sage grouse populations have declined by 45-80% in North America. Greater sage grouse populations were already on the decline since the 1950s due to overharvesting, disease outbreaks, urbanization, and loss of habitat. There are pre-settlement population estimates as high as 16 million. In 2017, the population crash was up to 95% decline. Habitat loss is still a problem. The last decade, the greater sage grouse have had to battle the West Nile Virus. Research has shown that greater sage grouse only have a 50% survival rating when infected with WNV. Federal and state agencies have spent a combined $700 million on greater sage grouse conservation. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the federal Bureau of Land Management have been working together to purchase and secure land to establish greater sage grouse management lands. State and federal agencies must continue to work together to manage for greater sage grouse and educate the public on their survival if we give up this fight greater sage grouse will face extinction.

(Jeannie Stafford, USFWS 2015)

Ruffed Grouse

Ruffed grouse (Bonasa umbellus) populations are crashing in Pennsylvania due to the impact of West Nile Virus. Ruffed grouse are found in 35 states and most of Canada. With the discovery of ruffed grouse being affected by WNV, this has potential to be a devastating entire population crash. In Pennsylvania, populations have crashed by 63% the last decade. Wildlife conservationist goals should be to try to manage and conserve so ruffed grouse do not become the next greater sage grouse. We need to depend on scientist and wildlife biologist to conduct more research and begin to create a solution to this devastating problem.

(Ruffed Grouse Society 2009)

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

Chronic Wasting Disease is a Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) that affects the Cervidae family. CWD is a type of prion disease that attacks the brain, similar to mad cow disease. In North America, CWD has only been found in cervids: mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), elk (Cervus canadensis), and moose (Alces alces). CWD is a fatal disease that destroys the brain by mutating the prions that slowly reduce critical brain functions. When a cervid is infected with CWD and the animal progresses through the disease, it will experience, severe weight loss and extreme behavior changes. CWD was first documented in captive mule deer in 1967. Today, CWD has been found in 24 states and 3 Canadian provinces and involves both wild and captive cervids. It is critical to find a way to prevent the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease. If CWD truly spreads nationally, it could prohibit the success of quality wildlife populations.

(Dr. Terry Kreeger of Wyoming Game and Fish Department 2012)

What Can We Do To Help?

The North American model of wildlife conservation is under attack. Wildlife is important and there are so many ecological benefits to wildlife. Protecting wildlife is a privilege and it is imperative that we strive and push for wildlife conservation and research. Science should be leading wildlife conservation, not politics. Populations are continuing to decline due to poor management and the spread of disease. These diseases that were mentioned have the potential to change the functionality of ecosystems, as we know it. There are many other diseases out there that pose the same threat. Any hunter, sportsman, or outdoor enthusiast will tell you that they do what they do, because of the tradition, heritage, and passion. We need to stand together, fight for what we love and work with state agencies, federal agencies, and non-profit wildlife conservation organizations with continuing the tradition and experience of wildlife, through conservation for the next generation. It’s important to get involved with wildlife conservation and it is important to get the youth involved with wildlife and the great outdoors, through experience and education. Conserve wildlife today for the enjoyment of tomorrow.