Archive for August 2010

Aug
13

Why did the turtle cross the road?

Posted by in Field Research,Texas,Uncategorized

Female Missouri River Cooter

Like the chicken of legend and lore, the answer to the question is to get to the other side.  But in the process, turtles crossing one East Texas highway are finding the journey fraught with peril and one that could change the very make up of their population and irrevocably alter their future.

Each spring, prehistoric, bony plated animals begin an arduous journey in Texas.  The journey, one that has occurred since the time of the dinosaurs, is undertaken by a determined and tenacious animal – the female fresh water turtle.

Since the summer of 2008, researchers from the Houston Zoo have been conducting road mortality surveys for wildlife on approximately 2 miles of State Highway 190 crossing Steinhagen Lake between Jasper and Tyler counties.  So far, Zoo researchers have counted  over 500 dead turtles, most of which are female Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) and Missouri river cooters (Pseudemys concinna metteri) that are crossing the road to nest alongside the highway.

Houston Zoo Biologists

The rate of mortality in the first year of our research equals to approximately 115 turtles killed per mile per year on this stretch of road, making the area near Steinhagen Lake second on the list of the top 5 highest mortality spots for turtles in North America. According to published findings at other locations similar to the highway near Steinhagen Lake, research indicates this type of road mortality is not sustainable and will eventually result in a male biased population resulting in the eventual decline of the turtle population in the lake.

Turtle road mortality

The Houston Zoo is currently working with partners to identify possible solutions to reduce the number of turtle deaths. The most likely solution would be a 2-mile fence running along side State Highway 190 to prevent the female turtles from crossing the road.  Such fences have reduced mortality up to 98% in other high mortality locations.

Hatchling Turtles

To learn more about freshwater turtles and get savvy on turtle facts and myths, click here.

Aug
12

Palm Oil – what you can do

Posted by in Borneo,Endangered Species,Featured,orangutan,What You Can Do

We are much too impatient these days. When was the last time you spent a few extra minutes at the grocery store looking at an ingredient label? Those extra few minutes can help protect orangutans in the wild.

Due to its low cost, Palm Oil has replaced many of the saturated fats and other vegetable oils that at one time were part of many of the processed foods we purchase in the store. Oil Palms produce more oil per hectare of land than any other oil producing crop – clearly it is the cheaper alternative for companies. But many of these companies look away at the removal of both wildlife and forest to produce palm oil products. Although large companies such as Unilever and Nestle’s have suggested they are moving to a sustainable palm oil product, there are still dozens of large companies who are not, and in turn, fuel the trade in palm oil from poorly managed plantations who will kill wildlife and burn forests to clear land for production.

Orangutans are found only on the islands of Sumatra (Indonesia) and Borneo (made up of Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei). 85% of the worlds plam oil comes out of Indonesia and Malaysia. The third largest forest nation with 120 million hectares, Indonesia is subsequently the world’s third largest carbon polluter and loses more than 1 million hectares per year due to illegal logging, illicit land clearing and forest fires. About 90 percent of the approximately 40,000 wild orangutans live in Indonesia, between Sumatra and Borneo islands, while the remaining 10 percent can be found in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia. Both species of orangutans have been place on the red list of The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with The Sumatran species listed as critically endangered. 

Palm oil plantation and habitat loss

Orangutans are potentially disappearing at the rate of up to 2,000 individuals per year due to loss of habitat and hunting pressures. Loss of habitat is specifically due to increasing plam oil plantations as well as pulp and paper concessions.

I was in Walgreens last week and picked up two bags of a similiar product. One had plam oil in the ingredient, the other did not and was the same price or less. The decision was easy, and only added a few seconds to my trip. Is it worth it? Take a look at your food and even health care packaging (Dove, shampoos, etc.) at home. What percentage of the product you now buy contains palm oil?

Palm oil production has been documented as a cause of substantial and often irreversible damage to the natural environment. It’s impacts include deforestation, habitat loss for critically endangered species, and a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions. Make a statement with your shopping habits, it is the only way left in keeping orangutans off the extinction list.

Voices of the Forest: Kinabatangan Orangutan Conservation Project

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Aug
10

600 ft in the air for sea turtle conservation, how do I get myself in these situations?

Posted by in community-based conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research,Sea Turtles,Texas,What You Can Do

Sweet plane. It even has a parachute!

Picture this gem of a scene. It’s Saturday morning, July 17th, 2010. Angleton, Texas. Brazoria County Airport.

I am in the smallest airplane on earth. I am about to take OFF in the smallest airplane on earth.

 Apparently, I will fly 600 – 1000 feet above the Gulf of Mexico.

 I am quite certain I will not be coming back. 

What will become of poor Mr. Jiggs? (Mr. Jiggs is my 14 year old pug) Did I leave my flat iron on? Why didn’t I use the restroom before I got in the plane?

 I am speaking to myself in first person. I don’t think I was doing this aloud, but maybe I was. Who knows at this point?

 Despite my terror and impending feeling of doom, I do feel kind of cool because I have on those pilot headphone thingies and am kind of having a Top Gun moment. I want to say something like ” Alpha Bravo Charlie 2 5 6 8 3, what’s your AGL, OVER”. I don’t. In hindsight, I should have though.

 I am wondering the following:

 Why is the pilot explaining to me the whole…”If I have a heart attack this is the lever you need to pull” type thing and why are we having the “this is the little GPS tracking device, and you will need to press this button twice before we ditch so they can find us” type discussion? Why am I wearing a life vest flotation device?

 Why did I lie about my weight and say I was five pounds lighter that I am? Really? I would rather die and take two innocent people down with me than tell someone my actual weight?

Me, the co-pilot!

I nervously attempted to repeat what he had just said to me because I realized that while he was giving me instructions I was thinking about the Top Gun volleyball scence and was so shocked that he was talking to me about this type of situation that I wasn’t really paying attention. Oh god. I am a goner for sure.

You may be trying to figure out why I am putting myself through this type of panic causing situation? Well, to be honest, this was an honor and a once in a lifetime type experience!

Jeanine, student with TAMU Galveston and Kemps ridley patrol coordinator on the upper Texas coast!

 My good friend Carole Allen, a conservation hero, sea turtle advocate and Gulf Coast Director with the Sea Turtle Restoration Project, asked myself, along with a few other lucky individuals, if we would be interested in taking a LightHawk flight in the few days following the opening of shrimp season off of the Texas coast. Shrimp boats must be equipped with Turtle Excluder Devices (aka TEDs) when trawling for shrimp so any captured endangered sea turtles can escape and not drown. Find out more about sea turtles and Houston Zoo conservation efforts here.

 We were to look for the following things during our flight: 

  • Law enforcement presence
  • Evidence of illegal shrimp boats
  • Counting number of shrimp boats
  • To look for evidence of oil off of the Texas coast

 The unique and amazing non-profit organization that was able to make this aerial survey a reality was a nonprofit group called LightHawk. LightHawk’s mission is to champion environmental protection through the unique perspective of flight. Their goal is to mobilize enough volunteer pilots, aircraft and resources to help tip the balance toward sustainability for every major environmental issue within their targeted areas of focus.

Randy our super talented pilot that got me back on the ground alive. Thanks Randy!

Take off!

Our pilot, Randy Henry, a retired employee of Kinkos, spends his free time, and donates his beautiful plane, to help not only with conservation projects like ours, but with human aid efforts as well. Really, a genuine and fantastic person all around. Bravo to you Randy Henry! It just shows you that no matter what you do for a living or what your hobby is, conservation groups need your expertise and time. Whether you or an accountant, a photographer, a writer or a mechanic, we need you! You can make a difference to an amazing program near you!

Despite all my paranoia and protests, this was the most amazing flight I have ever been on. You really feel like a feather floating in the air. The take off and landing was so smooth, you didn’t even realize it had happened! Much smoother than your commercial airline flight.

We counted over 30 shrimp boats on our flight. No law enforcement. No sign of oil.

Shrimp boat. Yes, we were that close. 600ft.

Aug
09

World’s most endangered otter re-discovered in Borneo

Posted by in Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Borneo,Carnivores,community-based conservation,Endangered Species,Field Research

The Houston Zoo has supported researchers in Malaysian Borneo on a number of small carnivore projects over the past 2 years. following is an article out of the Malaysian Insider noting the rediscovery of a species thought to have been extirpated from the island:

The world’s most endangered otter species, known as the hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana), has been “rediscovered” in Deramakot Forest Reserve in Sabah by a team of German and Malaysian researchers.

“This is great news for Sabah and shows once again how unique and fortunate we are in terms of wildlife and nature.  In addition, these findings also boost the conservation of this endangered otter internationally as historically this otter was distributed throughout large parts of southeast Asia,” said an elated Sabah Wildlife Department Director, Dr Laurentius Ambu.

The last confirmed record of the hairy-nosed otter in Sabah is a museum specimen collected over a hundred years ago.

“Even over the whole island of Borneo, the last record – a road-kill from Brunei – was 1997, over ten years ago. Therefore it was unknown to scientists if this species can be still found on Borneo,” stated Andreas Wilting, the project leader of the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW).

In 2008, IZW initiated the Conservation of Carnivores in Sabah (ConCaSa) project with the collaboration of SWD and Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) to study carnivores such as the Sunda clouded leopard, civets and otters in the state.

The ConCaSa project used automated camera traps that were set up in Deramakot and the surrounding forest reserves during the last two years. As the different otter species look very similar the hairy-nosed otter, pictures had to first be verified by a number of experts before they were published recently by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Species Survival Commission journal.

In addition to capturing camera trap pictures of the endangered hairy-nosed otter, the study also confirmed the presence of five Bornean cat species, as well as 13 other small carnivores such as the Banded civet and the sun bear.

“These results mean that out of 25 known carnivore species in Borneo, our project, together with a Japanese researcher Hiromitsu Samejima, confirmed 20 in Deramakot. This makes Deramakot outstanding for being extremely rich in its diversity of carnivores,” explained Wilting.

Besides the pictures, ConCaSa also obtained the first video footage ever taken of some species, such as the otter civet (Cynogale bennettii).

Since 1997, Deramakot Forest Reserve has been managed by the SFD as a sustainable logged forest with the coveted Forest Stewardship Council certification.

“These findings show that long-term sustainable forest management is of great importance for the protection of some of this country’s most threatened species and of the unique biodiversity of the forests of Borneo,” shared Datuk Sam Mannan the Director of the SFD.

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Aug
05

Join us in Yellowstone for the 2011 Wolves & Bear Discovery Trip!

Posted by in Carnivores,Endangered Species,Travel,What You Can Do

Travel with the Houston Zoo and Wildlife Expeditions for:

Yellowstone Wolves and Bear Discovery   May 17-21, 2011

 I have had some pretty fantastic wildlife experiences in my day, and generally, I get most excited about the slimey and scaley. However, I have to admit, seeing a wolf in Yellowstone National Park goes down as one of my most exhilirating wildlife moments ever.

When I peered ino the spotting scope, my heart pounded and pure exhiliration soared, to see an animal so wild, elusive and misunderstood. It was a male and a female moving together, gracefully and swiftly towards a kill site. They fed until their bellies were round and carried away chunks of meat to their den site for no doubt several eager wolf pups. The wolf, gone from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem for many decades, was reintroduced back into the park in 1996. The transformation of the park since their reintroduction is amazing. Everything in the park is flourishing, a trickle down effect from keeping the elk herds in check, has allowed native grasses and willow to grow once again, beavers, moose and song birds to rebound, amongst several other species.

Join us for this exiciting tour and see first hand how the wolf has breathed life back into Yellowstone National Park.

This trip offers premiere wolf and bear viewing opportunities in the country. This program is a must if you are a bear or wolf enthusiast, or are just curious about large predators. Participants travel to the best sites in Yellowstone to view grizzly and black bear behavior as they emerge from months of hibernation, and the interaction of wolves and their prey. You’ll enjoy spying bison and elk calves, the magnificent green-up of North America’s “Little Serengeti,” and famed scenic highlights of the world’s first national park.

There is no where else in America you can see 4 or 5 different species of hooved animal mingling together, along with top predators, wiley coyotes, foxes, song birds, multiple bird species of prey, and chirping ground squirrels.

 For pricing, itinerary and more photos visit our website here.

 Grizzly mom and cubs

Comments from May 2010 participants:
 
What did you enjoy most about the Discovering Bears and Wolves Yellowstone Tour?
 
“The sights were breathtaking and our excellent guides’ encyclopedic knowledge of the park and wildlife made every drive a special experience.  The thrill of seeing a mother Grizzly with her two new cubs could only be topped by watching three wolves travel across a ridge to feast on their kill in a river bed. Sharing all this with a congenial group of Zoo members made it all the more enjoyable.” ~Alice and Roy Lively
 
“There’s terrific diversity, impressive numbers, and the animals are sufficiently habituated to humans they let you watch them.” ~Alma & Ed Novotny
 
What did enjoy most about traveling with the Houston Zoo? 
 
“The people from the Zoo and the others on the trip.  We can’t think of anything that would have made this trip better for us.  It met and exceeded all of our expectations and we have sung the praises of this trip to all who would listen.” ~LaNelle and Frank McKay
 
 This trip is limited to 12 participants. Spots will fill up soon!

We sold out very quickly for this tour in 2010.

Aug
04

Thirsty Dogs Help Wildlife Conservation

Posted by in Africa,Animal Origins & Fun Facts,Carnivores,community-based conservation,Endangered Species,Painted Dog,What You Can Do

New** Now available in the zoo gift shop!  Keep your dog cool, and let him support conservation of his or her distant wild cousins in Africa, by purchasing our new dog water bottles. These unique water bottles are specialized for a domestic dog’s tongue, with an easy to drink roller ball, and are available in green or red.  All proceeds from the purchase of this product go to saving the second most endangered carnivore in Africa, the Painted Dog (aka African wild dog).  The bottle has the Painted Dog Conservation (PDC) logo on it.  PDC is located in Hwange National park, Zimbabwe, Africa and is committed to protecting the Painted Dog in partnership with the local people.

Painted Dogs, also known as African Wild Dogs, are unique to Africa and they are among this continent’s most endangered species. It is estimated that a mere 3,000  – 5,000 remain. The Painted Dog Conservation program in Zimbabwe focuses on community outreach, education and development,  Painted Dog rehabiliation and re-introduction.

Contact conservation@houstonzoo.org for more information on where to purchase.

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Aug
02

Introducing Xmas Impofu from the Painted Dog Conservation Project in Zimbabwe

Posted by in Africa,Carnivores,community-based conservation,Painted Dog

In 2006 I was asked to come out to the Painted Dog Conservation project in Zimbabwe.   The project’s director, Dr. Greg Rasmussen, asked me to share my knowledge of Painted Dogs (AKA African Wild Dogs)  with his dedicated staff.   I had been work with a large number of dogs in captivity for over 7 years, so he felt that I could help his newly formed animal care team.  I was honoured and overjoyed to be invited, but I had no idea of what to expect.  

Me and Xmas Impofu, head keeper at PDC's rehabilitation facility in Zimbabwe.

Painted Dog Conservation is a community-based conservation project that exists to preserve and protect the second most endangered carnivore in Africa, the Painted Dog in Zimbabwe.  Over 70 locals from rural communities are employed by the project and work in its various departments.  At PDC’s rehabilitation center there is a staff that cares for injured and orphaned dogs until they are fit to be re-released back into the wild.  Xmas Mpofu is the lead keeper at the rehab center.  He is from a local rural village, and has grown up near the park.   I was assigned to work along side Xmas to implement a daily health and behavior observation record system(this includes details about food consumption, feces consistency, injuries, medicating, and interactions with other dogs at the rehab center), enrichment schedule, diet schedule, and behavioural training methods for the rehab center.

He was an absolute dream to work with.  He taught me a lot about the dogs, but most importantly he introduced me to his people’s traditions and culture.  I loved hearing about how his people historically viewed wildlife and the change in thinking that has gone on directly due to PDC’s efforts.  The population of Painted Dogs has doubled in the past 10 years thanks to this project. 

Xmas teaching kids from a local village about the dogs

I am introducing you to my friend Xmas because he has agreed to send me updates from PDC in Zimbabwe about the rehabilitation center and it’s residents.  I will be posting them on the conservation blog so that you can get to know this amazing community-based conservation project from words of a local.

So without further ado here is Xmas Impofu’s first installment reporting from PDC in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.   

“We have four of our permanent Rehab dogs that won’t be released back into the wild. The 4 dogs are currently being used for educational programs and to show visitors from all over the world when they visit our place. There are quite a few reasons why the 4 dogs are not released back into the wild; the first …2 dogs, namely, John the male and Angela the female were in bad condition.

The 3rd one, Zanga which is a Ndebele name for crazy or nasty, is the dog from South Africa that was brought in with 15 other dogs and is the only survivor, the rest died of snares and some by road accident.The 4th one is called Roman for Roman biscuits and is a female who was also brought in the Rehab Facility with other 2 dogs known as Marie and Lobels all named after biscuits. The 2 died after they have been released, then Roman is the survivor.”

Painted dogs in Hwange National Park

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