Our Pacific Northwest: Region's Deadliest Predator Endangered

Our Pacific Northwest

Region's Deadliest Predator Endangered


In the same week wolverines in our Pacific Northwest received consideration for more protection,  the most feared and misunderstood creatures in our waters will temporarily receive the same consideration. The San Francisco Chronicle reported this week the California Fish and Game commission unanimously voted to advance the Great White Shark’s candidacy to the list of endangered species. According to the report, the commission will conduct a one-year review of the species in which the species will be carefully examined and receive temporary protection. The review was prompted by the findings of two recent studies on the species whose range in the Pacific reaches from Mexico to Hawaii and Alaska. The studies found the number of female Great Whites mature enough to reproduce was estimated to be less than 100, according to the San Jose Mercury News. Not only will the sharks receive more protection during the year-long review, but it also includes a ban on incidental catches by net fisherman, according to the Chronicle. The review exemplifies our Pacific Northwest's progressive commitment to protecting all of our region’s creatures, no matter how feared or beloved they may be.

Photo Via National Geographic







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Our Pacific Northwest

Our Pacific Northwest

Wolverines Struggle to Weather Climate Change

This week federal wildlife officials will begin considering placing wolverines under protection of the Endangered Species Act according to a report by The Columbian. According to the report, there are roughly 200 to 300 wolverines remaining in the contiguous United States, surviving in small pockets in Washington, Wyoming, Idaho, the Northern Rockies and larger populations in Alaska and Canada. Although these tenacious 40-pound creatures fear no apex predators, their species has declined over the years due to a drop in heavy snow falls. The heavy snow is critical for wolverine mothers to build sufficient dens for their newborns. Many environmentalists within the region are pointing to the effects of climate change as the leading cause of the wolverine’s demise. Despite this dire news, the report did indicate there is still time to save the species by introducing them to the tall peaks of the Rockies in Colorado. Only time will tell if more efforts will be made to save a unique species in our Pacific Northwest.

 

Photo Via The Nature of Travel

 

To learn more about climate change, read Fiddling While Rome Burns