Sage Grouse dying from West Nile Virus!!

[Ithaca 37]

This could be what puts them on the Endangered Species list! This info has not been made public by the BLM yet. Insiders have leaked it.

"Early Alert August 7, 2003


To: WO BLM/DOI Officials


From: Wyoming and Montana State Offices


Through: WO Public Affairs Group Manager

Subject: West Nile Virus Found in Sage-Grouse in the Powder River Basin

What: West Nile virus (WNV) has been confirmed in the deaths of three
sage-grouse that were being monitored in a research study to evaluate the
potential impacts of coal bed methane (CBM) development on sage-grouse in
the Powder River Basin in northern Wyoming.

Who: University of Montana researchers are conducting this study for
Wyoming and Montana BLM.

Where: The mortalities have occurred in the Buffalo Field Office near
Spotted Horse, Wyoming.

When: Mortalities were first observed in mid-July with the last potential
mortalities observed on August 5 th.

Background: Researchers have sent eight unknown sage-grouse mortalities
to the Wyoming State Vet Lab during the past 18 days. Three necropsies have
been completed and the Wyoming State Vet Lab has confirmed that WNV
resulted in their deaths. Necropsies on the remaining birds may take two
additional weeks. These are the first confirmed mortalities of sage-grouse
by WNV in North America.

The extent and duration of this outbreak is unknown. The Wyoming and
Montana State Offices will continue to cooperate with state and local
agencies, University of Montana, and the Center for Disease Control (CDC)
to monitor sage-grouse and other animal populations. Additional resources
may be requested to continue monitoring sage-grouse through the end of
mosquito season at five study locations in Wyoming and Montana.

BLM may want to alert industry and the public about human health and
safety issues. If WNV is confirmed to be more widespread in wildlife
populations this could have implications on potential listing (ESA) of
sage-grouse and other impacted special status species.

Contact: Bob Bennett, Wyoming State Director, 307-775-6001

===========================================

This is not good news for sage-grouse, the number of radioed birds
that died as a result of WNV was significant. This virus is moving
westward and ornithologists have been very concerned about its effects on
bird populations.

For us here in Idaho BLM this means that we should be very conservative in
approving activities that may adversely affect sage-grouse or sage-grouse
habitat. If populations will be depleted because of disease then we need
to do all we can to increase productivity and the number of birds out
there. This directly relates to habitat quality and habitat abundance.

Disease is one of the 5 listing factors under ESA. Depending on the
severity this virus has on sage-grouse we could seriously be faced with a
possible listing soon, particularly if the other listing factors are not
being sufficiently addressed. The population biologists are very concerned
about this disease and effects on sage-grouse and efforts to test all dead
birds for WNV are underway.

I'll try to keep folks informed but please do all you can to promote
sage-grouse conservation. Sage-grouse are just one of the many birds that
will likely be adversely affected by WNV."

 

[Ithaca 37]

More News!

Latest update from Wyoming on West Nile and sage grouse. Unfortunately
it's not good news.

To: WO BLM/DOI Officials

From: Wyoming State Office

Through: WO Public Affairs Group Manager

Subject: West Nile Virus continues to be found in Wyoming Sage-Grouse

What: West Nile virus (WNV) has been confirmed as the probable cause
of death of eight additional sage-grouse in Wyoming. WNV is now believed
to have contributed in the deaths of nine sage-grouse since mid July. The
deaths have occurred in two separate areas.

Who: A University of Montana researcher conducting a research study
to evaluate the potential impacts of coal bed natural gas (CBNG)
development on sage-grouse for Wyoming and Montana BLM located six of the
grouse. A private consultant for a Powder River Basin coal company who is
conducting a sage-grouse movement study found two of the sage-grouse. An
antelope hunter observed the ninth bird succumb as he was sitting in an
archery blind, hunting for antelope near a small water reservoir. The
hunter retrieved the bird and turned it in to the Wyoming Game and Fish
Department.

Where: Ten of the mortalities have occurred in the Buffalo Field
office area. Six of these occurred near Spotted Horse, Wyoming and two
mortalities occurred 25 miles away near Gillette, Wyoming. Two mortalities
occurred northeast of Wamsutter, Wyoming in the Rawlins Field office area.

When: Mortalities were first observed in mid-July with the last
potential mortalities observed this past weekend.

Background: Researchers from the University of Montana conducting research
for Wyoming and Montana BLM have sent eight sage-grouse mortalities to the
Wyoming State Vet Lab. To date, six of the eight sage-grouse have been
confirmed to have WNV. Complete necropsies are pending but the State Vet
Lab’s preliminary findings indicate WNV probably resulted in their deaths.
One additional necropsy is pending from the Spotted Horse area while an
additional grouse died from other causes. These are the first documented
mortalities of sage-grouse by WNV in North America.

The private wildlife consultant conducting research in the Powder River
Basin near Gillette, Wyoming has sent four sage-grouse to the Wyoming State
Vet Lab. Two of four birds tested positive for WNV; the other two died of
other causes. Two golden eagles have also tested positive for WNV. They
were found by the public in the Gillette area.

Contact: Bob Bennett, State Director, 307-775-6001

 

[BigHornyRam]

Ithaca,

Why do I get the feeling you are happy about this?

Paul

 

[Ithaca 37]

I'd much rather see sage grouse thriving all over the West. This shows the problem when the welfare ranchers do everything possible to block the listing process and still don't do anything to help the species recover. Then some disease comes along and wipes out populations so they have to be listed and there's no way around it.

It's real uncertain what effect listing will have on my hunting, so I don't know how to feel about it yet. I do know that if this latest news scares the hell out of some welfare ranchers enough to make them take this problem seriously and start doing something to help the grouse recover it will be good for lots of other species.

 

[BigHornyRam]

Ithaca,

I disagree. I think your pathetic post shows how the enviro nazi's are trying to use this bird, as well as a number of other critters to get rid of cattle ranching. People are getting fed up with your games. They know your type is nothing but a pack of lying weasels. Look at the dam breaching issues. You and Buzz claim to be an experts on it, yet a novice like me is spanking you at free will. I give up on you Ithaca. I don't think you are capable of an honest answer. Your a waste of my time, as well as every other sane American. Bye.

Paul

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 08-27-2003 07:10: Message edited by: BigHornyRam ]</font>

 

[Muledeer4me]

"My job, which I do with The Wildlands Project, is to conceptualize a new kind of reserve system that does deep ecology on the ground, because deep ecology isn't deep ecology when it's just academic intellectual masturbation. Deep ecology becomes something real when it motivates our day-to-day actions, and there is no more honorable thing any of us can do with our lives than to work to put part of the world off-limits to the activities of human beings."
Not to make light of the decline of the sage grouse or any other animal but I see sign's of Earth First ,The wildland's Project and so many other radicl green groups it makes me wonder just what some folks are working towards?

I should of know the West Nile Virus
was caused by the Rancher

 

[Ithaca 37]

BHR, Good. I'd really rather not try discussing anything with you until you get your medication adjusted.

 

[1_pointer]

He never said that the Virus was caused by ranchers. But, the lowered populations of sagegrouse somewhat due to ranching may be in trouble because of the disease.

FWIW, I know of at least two Cooperative Resource Management groups in UT that are working to help the sagegrouse, most of the members are ranchers. As they are afraid of what may happen if the bird is listed.

 

[Ten Bears]

Welcome back MD4M.

IT, everything in life is not the result of some evil cow farmer plot. Your posts smack of "Macarthyism".

WNV controls will probably do more damage to wild bird population then the virus itself brfore this is all over.

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 08-27-2003 10:31: Message edited by: Ten Bears ]</font>

 

[Muledeer4me]

Quote from Ithaca,
"This shows the problem when the welfare ranchers do everything possible to block the listing process and still don't do anything to help the species recover."


Quote from 1pointer,
"He never said that the Virus was caused by ranchers. But, the lowered populations of sagegrouse somewhat due to ranching may be in trouble because of the disease. "

Yes 1pointer somewhat due to ranching!!!!!
Somewhat due to other things as well.

"FWIW, I know of at least two Cooperative Resource Management groups in UT that are working to help the sagegrouse, most of the members are ranchers. As they are afraid of what may happen if the bird is listed."

So now we know that there are indeed rancher's that are working to help sagegrouse.
Heck if I were a land owner I would be afraid what will happen if the bird is listed .


Ten,thanks for the welcome back .

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 08-27-2003 14:57: Message edited by: Muledeer4me ]</font>

 

[Ithaca 37]

I certainly never said there weren't ranchers somewhere who weren't smart enough to recognize the threat from sage grouse being listed, but I sure don't think there are many Idaho welfare ranchers who understand. Or if they do understand the problems that may arise, they'd rather try to derail the Endangered Species Act than do anything to help the sage grouse.

 

[Tom]

We've had West Nile Virus down here a few years now. Our quail season this year is supposed to be excellent. We don't have sage grouse though. I think we had like 1500 cases in horses last year, but they have a treatment to prevent it, as I understand it, i.e. for horses.

 

[mtmiller]

Tom,
Looks like you guys aren't doing too bad with West Nile in Texas. Hopefully that will continue.

West Nile outbreaks in birds national map

AS you can see from the map, there are some hot spots in WY. Within the last week there were some bird mortalities in MT. Hope to have results by next week.

Speaking of bird mortalities, only five more days until some of our upland seasons open. yee-haw....

<FONT COLOR="#800080" SIZE="1">[ 08-27-2003 15:33: Message edited by: mtmiller ]</font>

 

[Ithaca 37]

MT, Thanks for keeping us updated on the situation in Montana. Good luck this bird season!

 

[JoseCuervo]

MD,

Welcome back!!! We have missed you. It got to where all of our fun was with the Whacko Sherrif and Paul. I am not sure who was farther out in left field. But now it looks like you have chased Paul away.

MD said
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Yes 1pointer somewhat due to ranching!!!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Which is great. As soon as the Sage grouse gets ESA listed, then the Agencies will be required by law to remove the Welfare Ranchers until all the studies are done to prove that each allottment does not impact the bird.

I agree with you completely MD4ME, and welcome back.

 

[Ten Bears]

Or is it that the agencies will start evaluating grazing schedules and pressures from the beginning?

 

[1_pointer]

Gunner- That may not be possible in UT, as one private ranch and one other area (Parker Mtn.) are managing for sagegrouse and may have large enough populations to keep the whole state from being listed. The best was to list this species is to find a 'new' sub-species of it. That's how the Gunnison sagegrouse was listed and I've heard threats of the same happening in No. Calif.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Either way is fine. Many of the lawsuits have been because BLM was working on 30 year old grazing plans. But either way is fine, just as long as it gets the Welfare Rancher off the Public Land.

Glad to see we agree on this one Ten.

 

[Ten Bears]

I'm for evaluating areas site by site, and developing new grazing allotments and schedules. I'm not for the removal of grazing from public land across the board. I have found some grazing schemes to be beneficial, even inthe mountainous country were I live.

 

[Michaelr]

Good to see you back MD4M