Latest Zoo & Conservation News Week ending January 8, 2012 Compiled by: Library Staff San Diego Zoo Global

Local news in red.

• Zoos, Aquariums, Botanic Gardens, and Conservation Organizations
  • San Diego Zoo Safari Park sends four California condors to be released in Baja, California [link]
  • San Diego Zoo to provide temporary care for poisonous Mexican beaded lizard found in Rancho Bernardo [link]
  • Woman enters elephant pen at LA Zoo to pet the animals [link]
  • Orangutans ‘could video chat’ between zoos via iPads [link]
  • Louisville Zoo’s New Year’s Eve Snooze lets young animal-lovers ring in 2012 with some wild friends [link]
  • Thieves steal squirrel monkey from San Francisco Zoo, returned 2 days later by bystander [link]
  • Naples Zoo increased membership almost 9% in 2011 [link]
• Plants
  • New botany naming conventions go into effect January 1: Latin-only descriptions no longer required [link]
• Animals
  • Institute of Medicine report finds use of chimpanzees in most biomedical research to be unnecessary; NIH agree [link]
  • New species of snub-nosed monkey discovered in Himalayas [link]
  • After reintroduction 15 years ago, gray wolves seem to have a positive impact as large predators on Yellowstone ecosystem [link]
  • Royal Veterinary College London team determines elephants have a “sixth toe”, previously thought to be cartilage [link]
  • Record number of bird species found in San Diego County during annual Christmastime bird count [link]
  • Harbor porpoises sighted in San Francisco Bay for the first time since 1930s [link]
  • Wild chimpanzees inform ignorant group members of danger [link]
  • Camera trap images reveal presence of 35 Javan rhinos in Indonesia [link]
  • 2011 may be “worst year ever” for elephants poached for ivory [link]
  • Dead blackbirds fall in Arkansas town for second New Year’s in a row [link]
• Environment, Sustainability
  • Large citizen-science project studying effect of carbon capture in forests wraps up after 5 years [link]
• New and Notable Research
  • Limited range of Przewalski’s horses contributed to sharp population declines during last year’s extreme winter conditions in Gobi desert [link]
  • Identifying sloth species at a genetic level [link]
• Other headlines
  • Plaza de Panama Committee's Memo of Understanding with city to plan Balboa Park renovations deemed "illegal for the time being" by San Diego judge [link]
  • San Diego's Balboa Park brings high-capacity Wi-Fi to the masses [link]
• US Fish and Wildlife
  • Endangered species permits: 12/23/11 [link] , 12/27/11 [link] , 1/4/12a [link] , 1/4/12b [link]
  • USFWS finds listing western glacier stonefly (Zepada glacier) in Montana as endangered to be warranted [link]
  • James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Honolulu County, HI; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment [link]
  • Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan for the City of San Diego, CA [link]
  • Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, Kern County, CA [link]
  • USFWS delisting Western Great Lakes population of gray wolves (Canis lupus) [link]
  • USFWS finds listing Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) as endangered or threatened may be warranted [link]
  • Golden eagles; Programmatic Take Permit Application; Draft Environmental Assessment; West Butte Wind Project, Crook and Deschutes Counties, OR [link]
  • Removal of the Regulation that Excludes U.S. Captive-Bred Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Addax, and Dama Gazelle from Certain Prohibitions [link]

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ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, BOTANIC GARDENS, AND CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS

San Diego Zoo Safari Park sends four California condors to be released in Baja, California
December 23, 2011 By Helen Hawes

• San Diego Zoo Safari Park transferred four California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) to a quarantine facility in Baja California to prepare them for release in April.
• California condor populations were down to 27 individuals in the 1980s, but are up to 391 due to conservation efforts.
• California condors are threatened by poisoning from eating animals killed with lead bullets and by litter in the environment, which they think are bones and thus feed to their chicks.
• Mike Wallace of the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research says leadless bullets will help condor conservation efforts as well as hikers who pick up trash.

Full article: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/dec/23/california-condors-be-released-baja-california/

San Diego Zoo to provide temporary care for poisonous Mexican beaded lizard found in Rancho Bernardo
December 29, 2011

• The Animal Services facility in Carlsbad to transfer Mexican beaded lizard to San Diego Zoo. The lizard was found by a resident in Rancho Bernardo.
• Mexican beaded lizards are (Heloderma horridum) large venomous lizards native to Mexico and Guatemala.
• The Zoo will care for the lizard until San Diego County officials decide where the lizard will go.

Full article: http://www.swrnn.com/2011/12/29/san-diego-zoo-welcomes-deadly-lizard/

Woman enters elephant pen at LA Zoo to pet the animals
December 29, 2011 By Joel Siegfried

• On Tuesday, December 27, 2011, a woman described by police as mentally ill “climbed through two protective steel barriers and across an open ditch" into the Elephants of Asia enclosure at the Los Angeles Zoo.
• Woman approached female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) Jewel and Tina [which were transferred to the LA Zoo from the San Diego Zoo in 2010], ignoring visitors and employees telling her to leave the area, where she remained for 5 minutes before finally leaving the area.
• Zoo officials regard the event as an anomaly, stating, “We feel our barriers are adequate. This is the first incident of this sort since Elephants of Asia opened.”

Full article: http://www.examiner.com/news-analysis-in-national/woman-enters-elephant-pen-at-la-zoo-to-pet-the-animals

Orangutans ‘could video chat’ between zoos via iPads
December 29, 2011 By Dave Lee

• The Milwaukee County Zoo originally introduced their orangutans to iPads in May 2011, providing them with game and drawing apps for enrichment purposes twice a week.
• According to Richard Zimmerman of the charity Orangutan Outreach, the orangutans have “…been captivated by watching television on the devices, particularly when it featured other orangutans, and even more so when they saw faces they recognized.”
• Future work will be done to create durable cases for the devices so keepers don’t have to hold the iPads for the orangutans. Once Orangutan Outreach is able to provide wi-fi enabled iPads to other facilities with orangutans, the animals may be able to “video chat” with other individuals.

Full article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16354093

Louisville Zoo’s New Year’s Eve Snooze lets young animal-lovers ring in 2012 with some wild friends
December 31, 2011 By Karent Ellestad

• Louisville Zoo held a New Year’s Eve slumber party for children, featuring late-night behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, New Year’s resolution discussion about improving their conservation efforts, a midnight countdown, and more.
• Guests “camped out” in sleeping bags in the Glacier Run exhibit classroom.
• Event cost $75 for members, $90 for non-members and included a pizza dinner, late-night snacks, breakfast, party favors, and a T-shirt.

Full article: http://www.louisville.com/content/louisville-zoos-new-years-eve-snooze-lets-young-animal-lovers-ring-2012-some-wild-friends-fa

Thieves steal squirrel monkey from San Francisco Zoo, returned 2 days later by bystander
January 1, 2012

• 17-year-old squirrel monkey (Genus Saimiri) was stolen from the San Francisco Zoo, but found two days later.
• Thieves “cut through a gate and made holes in the mesh surrounding the monkey exhibit” to steal the monkey, prompting the zoo to increase security and move rest of the squirrel monkeys inside.
• “Banana Sam” was found by a bystander at a park about a mile from the zoo; zoo officials reported that the monkey was “hungry, trembling and thirsty” but otherwise in good health.

Full article: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/01/144536985/stolen-monkey-found-in-san-francisco

Naples Zoo increased membership almost 9% in 2011
January 2, 2012 By Tim Tetzlaff

• Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens reported record attendance in 2011, with 325,435 guests (an 8.4% increase over 2010).
• Zoo membership up 9% in 2011, with 23,000 current memberships.
• Executive Director David Tetzlaff attributes new exhibits as attracting visitors, including the new Giraffe Feeding Experience and honey badger exhibit.

Full article: http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-5422-Naples_Zoo_Welcomed_326,435_Guests_in_2011

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PLANTS

New botany naming conventions go into effect January 1: Latin-only descriptions no longer required
December 21, 2011

• Naming conventions approved at botanical nomenclature conference in July 2011 will become effective January 1, 2012.
• New requirements for identifying new species of plants, algae and fungi:
• Descriptions no longer have to be provided in Latin, although binomial names will still be in Latin
• Publication in online academic journals and books “will be considered as valid as print publication”
• Purpose of new rules is to speed up naming/description process in a time when many plant, algae, and fungi species have yet to be discovered.
• James S. Miller, Dean and VP for Science at NY Botanical Garden, and lead author of the summary of the new rules says, “Eliminating the Latin requirement and moving to electronic publication will really expedite and simplify the process of describing the diversity that's out there.”

Full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221211332.htm

CITATION: Miller JS, et al. 2011. Outcomes of the 2011 Botanical Nomenclature Section at the XVIII International Botanical Congress. PhytoKeys 5:1-3. doi:10.3897/phytokeys.5.1850

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ANIMALS

Institute of Medicine report finds use of chimpanzees in most biomedical research to be unnecessary; NIH agrees
December 15, 2011 By Nell Greenfieldboyce

• NIH agrees with Institute of Medicine report on chimpanzee research. NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins says NIH “…will not issue any new awards for research involving chimpanzees until processes for implementing the recommendations are in place.”
• Currently there are approximately 1,000 chimpanzees “available for research” in the U.S.; the NIH sponsored 110 research projects from 2001 to 2010 which used chimpanzees.
• Institute of Medicine report says the use of chimpanzees in “most” current biomedical research is unnecessary; recommends requiring the following three criteria for biomedical research proposing to use chimpanzees: (from the article)
  
• There's no other animal or research model that can be used instead.
• There's no way to ethically do the research on people.
• Not doing the research on chimps would mean significantly slowing or preventing advances to treat or prevent life-threatening or debilitating conditions.

Full article: http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/15/143764694/biomedical-research-using-chimps-should-be-curtailed

New species of snub-nosed monkey discovered in Himalayas
December 17, 2011 By Quentin Wheeler

• New species of snub-nosed monkey (Rhniopithecus strykeri) discovered by Thomas Geissman of Anthropological Institute of the University Zürich-Irchel and team in the Himalayas of north-eastern Burma.
• New species has not yet been photographed, but is described as having mostly black fur with white ear tufts, chin beard, and perineal area, with a long tail.
• Not yet categorized by IUCN, although species meets the criteria to be listed as critically endangered. Found only in 270 sq km are of the Maw River, with hunting as its primary threat.
• From the article: “Hunters say the monkey is most easily found on rainy days. It sits with its head facing downward between its knees to avoid rainwater entering its open nostrils. When this does happen, the monkey is reported to audibly sneeze, giving their locations away.”

Full article: http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2011/dec/18/snub-nosed-monkey-burma-sneeze

After reintroduction 15 years ago, gray wolves seem to have a positive impact as large predators on Yellowstone ecosystem
December 21, 2011

• Gray wolves (Canis lupus) were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park in 1995-96 after being absent for 70 years in the area.
• Oregon State University researchers find on 15th anniversary of reintroduction that wolf populations increased every year from 1995-2003, elk (Cervus elaphus) populations decreased and behaviors changed, resulting in:
• Diminishment of over-browsing of trees by elk
• Improved tree growth providing habitat for “greater diversity and abundance” of songbirds
• Increase in beaver colonies, which have positive impacts on “riparian hydrology and biodiversity”
• Decrease in coyote populations, positively affecting small mammal populations.
• Researchers conclude that reintroduction of large predators can improve ecosystem health, stating, “Predation and predation risk associated with large predators appear to represent powerful ecological forces…capable of affecting the interactions of numerous animals and plants, as well as the structure and function of ecosystems.”

Full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111221140710.htm

CITATION: Ripple WJ, Beschta RL. 2011. Trophic cascades in Yellowstone: the first 15 years after wolf reintroduction. Biological Conservation. DOI:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.11.005

Royal Veterinary College London team determines elephants have a “sixth toe”, previously thought to be cartilage
December 22, 2011 By Ed Yong

• John Hutchinson at the Royal Veterinary College in London and colleagues conducted a 3-year-long study that determines elephants have a “sixth toe” evolved from the animals’ sesamoids, “a set of small tendon-anchoring bones in the animal’s ankle”
• Extra digit, originally described 300 years ago as irrelevant cartilage, is 5-10 cm long, points backwards from the rest of the foot, and is a “true bone that supports the squishy back of the elephant’s foot.”
• Sesamoid bone is similar to giant panda’s “bamboo-grasping ‘thumb’”
• Research team discovered toe by examining feet from captive elephants using computer tomography (CT), electron microscopy, dissection and histology
• Detractors of the study cite lack of muscle attachment as evidence the “toe” is not bone. Additionally, the use of captive elephants, which sometimes suffer from foot and bone disorders, could have complicated the results of the study.

Full article: http://www.nature.com/news/how-the-elephant-got-its-sixth-toe-1.9712

CITATION: Hutchison JR, et al. From flat foot to fat foot: structure, ontogeny, function, and evolution of elephant “sixth toes”. Science 334(6063):1699-1703. DOI:10.1126/science.1211437

Record number of bird species found in San Diego County during annual Christmastime bird count
December 28, 2011 By Nathan John

• During annual Christmastime bird count by the national Audubon Society, 198 species of birds (300,000 individuals) were counted in North County San Diego – a record amount.
• 216 individual species seen in city of San Diego
• Some species spotted had never been recorded in San Diego before, such as the grace’s warbler (Dendroica graciae)

Full article: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2011/dec/28/record-number-species-found-annual-bird-count/

Harbor porpoises sighted in San Francisco Bay for the first time since 1930s
December 28, 2011 By Lauren Sommer

• Harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) are being seen for the first time since the late 1930s in the San Francisco Bay. Researchers have identified 250 individuals so far.
• The harbor porpoise is one of the smallest cetaceans living in the ocean, with a maximum length of 6 feet and weighing up to 200 lbs [from American Cetacean Society factsheet]
• The Golden Gate Cetacean Research nonprofit is trying to figure out why the porpoises left the Bay in the first place.
• Increased amounts of port activity during WWII may have made area inhospitable to porpoises
• Bad water quality during the 1950s and 1960s likely also a factor

Full article: http://www.npr.org/2011/12/28/143857342/60-years-after-leaving-porpoises-again-play-in-sf-bay

Wild chimpanzees inform ignorant group members of danger
December 29, 2011

• Study of wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) show that the animals are more likely to call out an alarm to a predator when they are in the presence of group members that are unaware than in the presence of aware group members
• This suggests that chimpanzees can “recognize knowledge and ignorance in others”, an ability that is commonly thought to be unique to humans

Full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111229131234.htm

CITATION: Crockford C, et al. 2011. Wild chimpanzees inform ignorant group members of danger. Current Biology. DOI:10.1016/j.cub.2011.11.053

Camera trap images reveal presence of 35 Javan rhinos in Indonesia
December 30, 2011

• Camera traps “have captured images of 35 critically endangered Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus), including five calves” on the Indonesian island of Java.
• Images show presence of 22 adult male rhinos, 13 adult females, 4 male young, 1 female young.
• Although population is growing, officials are concerned by imbalanced sex ratio.
• The Indonesian forestry ministry has plans to establish a rhino breeding sanctuary on the island to help conservation efforts, with the goal of 70 to 80 rhinos by 2015.

Full article: http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-12-cameras-rare-rhinos-indonesia.html

2011 may be “worst year ever” for elephants poached for ivory
January 1, 2012 By Bettina Wassener

• Boom in demand in Asia for ivory has led to 2011 potentially being “the worst year for elephants” since officials began tracking ivory seizures 23 years ago.
• Traffic, the international organization which monitors wildlife trade, reports that “the 13 largest hauls of ivory intercepted…weighed in at a combined 23 tons, probably taken from more than 2,500 slain elephants.”
• Smugglers are increasingly members of sophisticated crime rings.

Full article: http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/a-boom-year-for-illicit-elephant-ivory/

Dead blackbirds fall in Arkansas town for second New Year’s in a row
January 1, 2012

• Blackbird die-off reported in central-Arkansas town of Beebe on New Year’s Eve.
• Similar die-off occurred on New Year’s Eve in Beebe in 2011, with thousands of blackbirds “plummeting to their deaths” after being spooked by fireworks.
• Police department shut down fireworks displays early to prevent further bird deaths.

Full article: http://www.npr.org/2012/01/01/144549312/dead-blackbirds-fall-in-arkansas-town-again

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ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY

Large citizen-science project studying effect of carbon capture in forests wraps up after 5 years
December 29, 2011 By Priya Shetty

• Earthwatch-sponsored citizen-science project concludes after collecting five years of data on tree growth, leaf litter composition, and carbon levels in soil samples.
• Project employed help of 2,200+ volunteers in Brazil, China and India “to better understand the way that forests capture and release carbon.”
• The citizen scientists “measured more than 150,000 trees, equivalent to 60 years’ work for one scientist” and were able to reach areas which are unable to be monitored using remote sensing.

Full article: http://www.nature.com/news/citizen-scientists-climate-impact-survey-wraps-up-1.9697

CITATION: Gopalakrishnan R, et al. 2011. Impact of climate change on Indian forests. Current Science 101(3):348-355.

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NEW AND NOTABLE RESEARCH

Limited range of Przewalski’s horses contributed to sharp population declines during last year’s extreme winter conditions in Gobi desert
December 29, 2011

• New study by Petra Kaczensky and Chris Walzer (Research Institute of Wildlife Ecology at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna) explores the effect of severe winter conditions in the Gobi desert during 2009-10 on Przewalski’s horse populations (Equus ferus). Populations that winter dropped an average of 60% per group of horses studied.
• “Dzud” winter conditions are “droughts followed by cold and snowy winters”; the most extreme dzud occurred in 2009-10 in 50 years.
• “High, tightly packed snow” made it hard for Pzewalski’s horses to locate vegetation to eat during the winter and the small populations with limited ranges meant that severe weather had catastrophic effects.
• The authors cite the event as an example of the vulnerability of “small and spatially confined populations” and point to the need for “multiple re-introduction sites with spatially dispersed populations.

Full article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111229091634.htm

CITATION: Kaczensky P, et al. 2011. The danger of having all your eggs in one basket – winter crash of the re-introduced Przewalski’s horses in the Mongolian Gobi. PLoS ONE 6(12):e28057. DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0028057

Identifying sloth species at a genetic level
January 3, 2012

• Hoffman’s two-toed sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths (Choloepus didactylus) are difficult to differentiate, as they have very similar appearances and behavior patterns.
• San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research Genetics Division has developed a low-cost, easy-to-use molecular tool to differentiate the two species.
• Method uses “PCR-based technique that allows species identification of two-toed sloths without requiring sequencing by using a mitochondrial marker (COI gene) and restriction enzyme assay.”

Full article: http://www.biologynews.net/archives/2012/01/03/identifying_sloth_species_at_a_genetic_level.html

CITATION: Steiner CC, Houck ML, Ryder OA. 2011. Species identification and chromosome variation of captive two-toed sloths. Zoo Biology 30(6):623-635. doi:10.1002/zoo.20360

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OTHER HEADLINES

Plaza de Panama Committee's Memo of Understanding with city to plan Balboa Park renovations deemed "illegal for the time being" by San Diego judge
December 16, 2011 By Lauren Steussy and Brandi Powell

• San Diego Judge Judith F. Hayes' temporary ruling deemed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Plaza de Panama Committee and city to be illegal; the ruling is still pending.
• Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) sued San Diego Superior Court, claiming that "the city approved the contract before the completion of a State environmental review."
• MOU had served as a contract to "continue planning" for Balboa Park renovations, including planning for a parking garage which would remove traffic from the Plaza de Panama.

Full article: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Balboa-Park-Plans-Come-to-Screeching-Halt--135761228.html

San Diego's Balboa Park brings high-capacity Wi-Fi to the masses
January 3, 2012

• Balboa Park Online Collaborative (BPOC) contracted with Ruckus Wireless to roll out a park-wide Wi-Fi network for millions of annual Balboa Park visitors, covering a 400-acre area including 10 buildings and several outdoor spaces.
• Wi-Fi was needed to serve increasing use of mobile devices by visitors; mobile traffic to Balboa Park website was up 150% in September 2011 compared to the same month in 2010.
• Future plans include broadening coverage area and supporting mobile ticket purchases and donations via smartphones.

Full article: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/03/4159256/san-diegos-balboa-park-brings.html

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US FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE - FEDERAL REGISTER ANNOUNCEMENTS

Endangered Species; Receipt of Applications for Permit
December 23, 2011
Vol. 76, No. 247
Docket No. FWS-R9-IA-2011-N268; FXGO16710900000P5-123-FF09A30000

Applicant: Curt Harbsmeier, Lakeland, FL; PRT-033580
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Daniel Arenas, Miami, FL; PRT-60140A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiate) and Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Giordi Evenson, Saint Paul, MN; PRT-60356A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for golden parakeet (Guarouba guarouba), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Stephan Haller, Summerville, SC; PRT-60965A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiate), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: National Institute of Health, Frederick, MD; PRT-694126
    The applicant requests renewal of a permit to import biological samples from wild, captive-held and/or captive-bred mammals for the purpose of scientific research. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Terrance Wolosek, Plover, WI; PRT-60798A
    The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species.

Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-23/pdf/2011-32876.pdf

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Recovery Permit Applications
December 27, 2011
Vol. 76, No. 248
Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2011-N260; FXES11130600000D2-123-FF06E00000

Permit Application Number: TE-054237
    Applicant: U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Lakewood, Colorado.
    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to perform the following recovery activities with the following species, in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities throughout the range of each species in Colorado, for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival:
    Take (harass by survey) the Preble's meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius preblei), the Mexican spotted owl (Strix occidentalis lucida), and the Southwestern willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus); and
    Take (capture, handle, and release) the greenback cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarki stomias).

Permit Application Number: TE-067729
    Applicant: Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas.
    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to perform the following recovery activities with the following species, in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities throughout the range of each species in Colorado and Kansas, for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival:
    Take (capture, handle, and release) the Topeka shiner (Notropis topeka); and
    Take (collect and kill) 100 each of hatchery-reared Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) for prey behavior trials; and
    Take (capture, PIT tag, fin clip, and release) 100 each of hatchery-reared Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) and razorback sucker (Xyrauchen texanus) to determine the use and importance of tributaries to sustaining native fish communities in the San Juan River and identify potential barriers to fish passage.

Permit Application Number: TE-069300
    Applicant: Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, Nebraska.
    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take (capture, collect, tag, hold, and transport) the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities throughout its range in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

Permit Application Number: TE-064682
    Applicant: Prairie Wildlife Research, Inc., Wellington, Colorado.
    The applicant requests renewal of an existing permit to take (harass by survey, live trap, anesthetize, tag, collect genetic materials) the black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) in conjunction with surveys and population monitoring activities throughout its entire range, including Canada and Mexico, for the purpose of enhancing the species' survival.

Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-27/pdf/2011-33081.pdf

Endangered Species Receipt of Applications for Permit
January 4, 2012
Vol. 77, No. 2
Docket No. FWS-R9-IA-2011-N275; FXGO16710900000P5-123-FF09A30000

Applicant: Hahn Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; PRT-57058A
    The applicant requests a permit to import chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) biological samples from Guinea for the purpose of enhancement to the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Hahn Laboratory, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA; PRT-57058A
    The applicant requests a permit to import chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) biological samples from Guinea for the purpose of enhancement to the survival of the species. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Hatada Enterprises, Inc., Irving, TX; PRT-60276A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families and species to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Family:
    Bovidae
Species:
    Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi)
    Barashingha (Rucervus duvaucelii)
    Eld's deer (Rucervus eldii)

Applicant: Zoological Society of Buffalo, Inc., Buffalo, NY; PRT-675214
   The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families, genus and species to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Families:
    Anatidae (does not include Hawaiian goose or Hawaiian duck)
    Boidae (does not include Mona boa or Puerto Rico boa)
    Bovidae
    Callithricidae
    Cathartidae
    Cebidae
    Cercopithecidae (includes Colobus)
    Chinchillidae
    Crocodylidae (does not include the American crocodile)
    Equidae
    Felidae (does not include jaguar, margay or ocelot)
    Hominidae
    Hyaenidae
    Hylobatidae
    Lemuridae
    Macropodidae
    Psittacidae (does not include thick-billed parrots)
    Rhinocerotidae
    Tapiridae
    Tragopan spp.
    Varanidae
Genus:
    Podocnemis
Species:
    Japanese giant salamander (Andrias japonicus)
    Maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)
    Brazilian three-toed sloth (Bradypus torquatus).

Applicant: Akron Zoological Park, Akron, OH; PRT-012505
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families and species to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Families:
    Callithricidae
    Lemuridae
    Felidae
Species:
    Lesser slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus)
    Andean condor (Vultur gryphus)
    White-naped crane (Grus vipio)
    Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)
    Komodo Island monitor (Varanus komodoensis)
    Rodrigues fruit bat (Pteropus rodricensis)

Applicant: Disney's Animal Kingdom, Lake Buena Vista, FL; PRT-812907
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the following families and species to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.
Families:
    Bovidae
    Callithricidae
    Canidae
    Cebidae
    Cercopithecidae (includes Colobus)
    Cervidae
    Equidae
    Felidae (does not include jaguar, margay or ocelot)
    Hominidae
    Hyaenidae
    Lemuridae
    Macropodidae
    Mustelidae
    Pteropodidae
    Rhinocerotidae
    Suidae
    Tapiridae
    Viverridae
    Accipitridae
    Anatidae (does not include Hawaiian goose or duck)
    Cathartidae
    Columbidae
    Falconidae
    Gruidae
    Psittacidae (does not include thick-billed parrot)
    Sturnidae (does not include Aplonis pelzelni)
    Threskiornithidae
    Boidae (does not include Mona or Puerto Rican boa)
    Crocodylidae (does not include American crocodile)
    Gekkonidae
    Iguanidae
    Testudinidae
    Varanidae
Genus:
    Tragopan
Species:
    Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

Applicant: Topeka Zoological Park, Topeka, KS; PRT-52995A
    The applicant requests amendment to their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) to include the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus), Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi), black and white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata), western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla), Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), leopard (Panthera pardus), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), and Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Xiaobo Chu, San Jose, CA; PRT-62256A
    The applicant requests a captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for the radiated tortoise (Astrochelys radiata) to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Feld Entertainment Inc., Vienna, VA; PRT-702230
    The applicant requests renewal of their captive-bred wildlife registration under 50 CFR 17.21(g) for leopard (Panthera pardus) and Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), to enhance their propagation or survival. This notification covers activities to be conducted by the applicant over a 5-year period.

Applicant: Jeffrey Scott Anderson, Hastings, NE; PRT-59366A
    The applicant requests a permit to import a sport-hunted trophy of one male bontebok (Damaliscus pygargus pygargus) culled from a captive herd maintained under the management program of the Republic of South Africa, for the purpose of enhancement of the survival of the species.

Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-04/pdf/2011-33694.pdf

Endangered Species; Marine Mammals; Issuance of Permits
January 4, 2012
Vol. 77, No. 2
Docket No. FWS-R9-IA-2011-N274; FXGO16790000-123-FF09A30000
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-04/pdf/2011-33693.pdf

USFWS finds listing western glacier stonefly (Zepada glacier) in Montana as endangered to be warranted
December 19, 2011
Vol. 76, No. 243
Docket No. FWS-R6-ES-2011-0102; 4500030113
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-19/pdf/2011-32431.pdf

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Honolulu County, HI; Final Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Finding of No Significant Impact for Environmental Assessment
December 20, 2011
Vol. 76, No. 244
Docket No. FWS-R1-R-2011-N229; 1265-0000-10137-S3
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-20/pdf/2011-32390.pdf

Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Vernal Pool Habitat Conservation Plan for the City of San Diego, CA
December 20, 2011
Vol. 76, No. 244
Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2011-N243; FF08E00000-FXES11120800000F2-112
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-20/pdf/2011-32494.pdf

Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Maricopa Sun Solar Complex Multi-Species Habitat Conservation Plan, Kern County, CA
December 23, 2011
Vol. 76, No. 247
Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2011-N240; FF08ESMF00-FXES11120800000F2-123
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-23/pdf/2011-32894.pdf

USFWS delisting Western Great Lakes population of gray wolves (Canis lupus)
December 28, 2011
Vol. 76, No. 249
Docket No. FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029; FXES11130900000C6-123-FF09E32000
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-12-28/pdf/2011-32825.pdf

USFWS finds listing Sierra Nevada red fox (Vulpes vulpes necator) as endangered or threatened may be warranted
January 3, 2012
Vol. 77, No. 1
Docket No. FWS-R8-ES-2011-0103; 4500030113
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-03/pdf/2011-33610.pdf

Golden eagles; Programmatic Take Permit Application; Draft Environmental Assessment; West Butte Wind Project, Crook and Deschutes Counties, OR
January 3, 2012
Vol. 77, No. 1
Docket No. FWS-R1-MB-2011-N245; FXMB12320100000P2-123-FF01M01000
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-03/pdf/2011-33630.pdf

Removal of the Regulation that Excludes U.S. Captive-Bred Scimitar-Horned Oryx, Addax, and Dama Gazelle from Certain Prohibitions
January 5, 2012
Vol. 77, No. 3
Docket No. FWS-R9-IA-2010-0056; FF09A30000 123 FXGO16710900000R4
Full announcement: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-05/pdf/2012-23.pdf