The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold a series of public meetings and accept public comment as part of an effort to update and revise Arizona’s State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP).

This document, previously known as the Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, was accepted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Acceptance Advisory Team in April 2006. The approved plan requires the department to conduct a public review of the plan after the fourth year.

Arizona’s SWAP is unlike existing recovery plans and other regulatory documents in that it builds on and complements existing plans and wildlife conservation projects that are already underway. The plan outlines strategies and conservation actions aimed at promoting partnerships and coordinating efforts among all who hold a stake in conserving Arizona’s wildlife. As such, the plan addresses the full array of wildlife and habitats but focuses on identifying and managing the “wildlife and biotic communities of greatest conservation need”.

The review will focus on three main areas of the plan:

• The “Species of Greatest Conservation Need,” including the criteria used to determine their status and their spatial distributions.
• The spatial distribution of stressors to wildlife, including a vulnerability assessment for climate change.
• Delineation of landscapes of conservation concern.

The public meetings are scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the following dates:

• Tuesday, Dec. 15, Kingman, Arizona Game and Fish Department Kingman regional office, 5325 N. Stockton Hill Road.
• Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2010, Tucson, Arizona Game and Fish Department Tucson regional office, 555 N. Greasewood Road.
• Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010, Yuma, Arizona Game and Fish Department Yuma regional office, 9140 E. 28th St.
• Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010, Mesa, Arizona Game and Fish Department Mesa regional office, 7200 E. University Drive.
• Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2010, Pinetop, Arizona Game and Fish Department Pinetop regional office, 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd.
• Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, Flagstaff, Radisson Woodlands Hotel,1175 West Route 66.
• Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, Phoenix, Arizona Game and Fish Department Headquarters, 5000 W. Carefree Highway.

The public meetings will include a formal presentation followed by the opportunity to participate in working groups that will discuss the plan’s main areas listed above.

In addition, the department will post the existing document and proposed changes at www.azgfd.gov/w_c/cwcs.shtml. The Web page will have a mechanism for people to submit comments to the department.

For over a decade, a coalition of more than 3,000 conservation organizations known as “Teaming With Wildlife” has labored to keep species from becoming endangered by increasing state and federal funding for wildlife conservation. This effort culminated in 2001 when federal legislation established a new State Wildlife Grant (SWG) program. SWG funds are used to support the needs of wildlife, their habitats, and related recreational and educational activities.

In order to continue receiving SWG funds, each of the 56 U.S. states and territories was required, by Congress, to submit a SWAP for approval to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Guidelines for developing the state plans and the eight required elements in each plan were established by state fish and wildlife agencies working with the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the Teaming With Wildlife Committee.

Arizona’s SWAP is the culmination of a two-year effort during which the department solicited input from numerous experts, resource professionals, federal and state agencies, sportsmen groups, conservation organizations, Native American tribes, recreational groups, local governments and private citizens, and integrated those ideas and concerns into a single, comprehensive vision for managing Arizona’s fish, wildlife, and wildlife habitats.

The department is encouraging all of those previous participants, as well as any other member of the public, to contribute to this review effort.

Under the agreement, announced Oct. 15, the agencies will collaborate on law enforcement patrols, signage, and investigation and prosecution of crimes that occur in the Tres Rios Project Area. The agencies will also participate in coordination of clean-up efforts in the area.

The Tres Rios Project Area encompasses portions of the Salt, Gila and Agua Fria rivers and includes the 200-acre Base and Meridian Wildlife Area located near Phoenix International Raceway about 15 miles west of Phoenix. The area includes unique riparian habitat but has been impacted in recent years by littering and various other illegal and inappropriate activities.

“We’re excited about this effort to enhance the Gila River corridor and its special riparian environment,” said Rod Lucas, supervisor for Game and Fish’s Mesa region, which covers much of central Arizona. “We hope our work together will make this area an enjoyable destination experience for the community, families and other visitors.”

The area also hosts the annual Tres Rios Nature Festival each March, which showcases the history and special ecology of the area. The upcoming festival will be held March 6-7, 2010 at the Base and Meridian Wildlife Area.

For comments to be entered into the record, they must be submitted in writing by e-mail to KofaLionComments@fws.gov, or mailed to 9300 E. 28th St., Yuma, AZ 85365

The Draft EA is available for review and downloaded at www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/arizona/kofa.

To learn more about the history of the historic Kofa desert bighorn sheep herd, visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Web site at www.azgfd.gov/kofa.

Multi-partner reintroduction effort aims for species comeback

Nearly 50 years ago, they vanished from Arizona’s landscape, but thanks to a multi-partner reintroduction effort, black-tailed prairie dogs are making a comeback.

Biologists prepare to remove a black-tailed prairie dog from its holding container for placement in an acclimation cage at the release site.

Twenty-seven black-tailed prairie dogs captured in New Mexico were released Sept. 21 into the wild at the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita in southeastern Arizona.This release follows a release last October of 74 black-tailed prairie dogs on state land in the conservation area.

The reintroductions aim to repopulate these animals to where they once existed in Arizona.

“Black-tailed prairie dogs play a key ecological role by helping maintain grasslands for other animals to forage and serving as important prey for eagles and hawks,” said Eric Gardner, nongame branch chief with the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “Because of the far-reaching effect they have on other species, successful re-establishment would benefit the whole ecosystem by maintaining species diversity.”

The animals used to re-establish black-tailed prairie dogs in Arizona were chosen based on their similar genetics to the population that previously existed in the state.

Acclimation cages prevent the prairie dogs from dispersing too quickly upon release and allow them to adjust to their new surroundings. In time, they’ll burrow themselves out of the cages and begin establishing an underground network of tunnels.

Acclimation cages were used to prevent the animals from dispersing too quickly upon release and to allow them to adjust to their new environment. In time, the animals will burrow themselves out of the acclimation cages and be free to establish an underground network of tunnels.This reintroduction site and the first one will be used to evaluate and modify the methods employed to reintroduce prairie dogs. Once the population is stable, Game and Fish plans to re-establish the species in up to four additional sites in southern Arizona to contribute towards the national conservation effort and preclude the need for listing as part of the Endangered Species Act.

This black-tailed prairie dog release was a collaborative effort between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the Bureau of Land Management. Last October’s release teamed the efforts of Game and Fish, the State Land Department, and volunteer support for the site preparations by Sky Island Alliance, Animal Defense League and the Sierra Club.

“This is an exciting milestone for us,” said BLM Ecosystem Planner, Karen Simms.  “The partnership’s effort is one step closer to establishing a self-sustaining population of the native black-tailed prairie dogs and enhancing the unique ecosystem we have here in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area.”

Black-tailed prairie dogs are one of Arizona’s two native prairie dog species. The other species, which is found in northern Arizona, is the Gunnison’s prairie dog.

The black-tailed prairie dog formerly inhabited the grasslands of southeastern Arizona. Population declines began in the late 1800s and continued into the mid-1900s, leading to the eventual extirpation of the species from the state. Historically, it was the most widely distributed of the five prairie dog species. Human-related factors, including poisoning and habitat fragmentation, greatly reduced their numbers range-wide over the last 150 years.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are approximately 15 inches long and weigh 2-3 pounds. These tan animals with black-tipped tails are highly social, living in coteries or family units. Family groups live close together to form larger colonies or towns for predator evasion.

Arizona Game and Fish Department law enforcement officers want the public to report wildlife violations, but there are things a person should and shouldn’t do at a potential crime scene.

“The desire of the public to help us catch violators is great. However, there are instances when those desires can actually hinder law enforcement efforts,” said Ken Dinquel, Operation Game Thief (OGT) program manager in Phoenix.

Dinquel explained that those encountering violations sometimes inform the violator they will be calling the Operation Game Thief 24-hour hotline.

“At that point the violator vacates the scene before law enforcement personnel can arrive,” Dinquel said. “A better approach is to avoid contact, leave the scene, and call the OGT hotline as soon as possible with details.”

Dinquel added that license plate numbers, names (if known), vehicle descriptions, and GPS (global positioning system) coordinates are all important pieces of information an officer can use.

Another common mistake is getting too close or examining a dead animal.

“Additional footprints, tire tracks, and general disturbance of the area make an investigation difficult, if not impossible,” Dinquel explained. “If the death of a wild animal appears to be suspicious, people should assume a violation has occurred, call the OGT hotline, and provide the location. Do not disturb the area around the site.”

Individuals should also remember that confronting suspected violators in the backcountry could be dangerous.

“Approaching a violator is not the best course of action,” Dinquel warned. “Allow trained law enforcement officers to handle such situations. Individuals should focus on being a good witness, but should never put themselves in harm’s way.”

Individuals witnessing or suspecting a violation can call Operation Game Thief toll free, 24 hours a day at 1-800-352-0700. Callers can remain anonymous upon request. The OGT program may pay rewards for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in a case.

For additional anti-poaching resources or to report wildlife violations online, please visit the Operation Game Thief web page at www.azgfd.gov/ogt.shtml.

There is now a new road map for the recovery of Arizona’s state fish, the Apache Trout, which had been on the brink of extinction three decades ago.

Last week, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced the availability of a revised Apache Trout Recovery Plan, which was a collaborative planning effort amongst federal, state and tribal partners.

This revised recovery plan identifies actions to bolster populations in the wild, establishes benchmarks for measuring the progress of recovery, and estimates the costs of recovery.

Broad support for this collaborative recovery effort was recently highlighted at a signing ceremony for the Apache Trout Recovery Plan. The ceremony, hosted at the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s Sipe Wildlife Area south of Springerville, was attended by representatives from Arizona Game and Fish, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the U.S. Forest Service.

“An updated recovery plan provides the Service and all the partners in Apache trout recovery with the most up-to-date scientific information and assures we are on the right path,” said Benjamin N. Tuggle, PhD, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Southwest Region.“I’m excited to say, if a recovery plan is a map to recovery – then we are well on our way to bringing the State Fish of Arizona back from the brink of extinction.”

Kirk Young, fisheries chief for Game and Fish, said the Apache trout recovery effort has been a model for partnering and collaboration. “What’s more, we feel confident that the Apache trout will become the first fish in the nation to be proposed for down-listing. We have the road map, know what needs to be done, and we will make it happen.”

The plan sets the benchmarks to achieving full recovery success under the Endangered Species Act. The final plan identifies a goal to establish at least 30 self-sustaining populations within the historic range and to minimize or reduce threats to the point that the populations are self-sustaining.

Due to ongoing recovery actions, the pure strains of the species are now found in 28 populations on the Tribe’s Fort Apache Indian Reservation and in the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest.

A copy of the Recovery Plan and additional information can be found by visiting http://www.fws.gov/endangered/recovery/index.html#plans.

The Apache trout’s scientific Genus name Oncorhynchus means “hook snout,” referring to the hooked jaw of a breeding male, while the specific description Apache refers to the Native American Apache Tribes that live in the trout’s range. The golden-colored trout with black spots is native to the White Mountains in east-central Arizona.

Originally placed on the endangered species list in 1967, the trout was restricted to 13 populations, all on lands administered by the White Mountain Apache Tribe. A recovery plan was originally completed for Apache trout in 1979 and updated in 1983.

The main threats to the species are adverse land use practices resulting in habitat destruction and negative interactions (predation, hybridization and competition) with introduced nonnative species.

State wildlife officials pointed out that progress towards recovery would not have been possible without the White Mountain Apache Tribeand the angling community, including both labor and funding from groups like Trout Unlimited, Federation of Flyfishersand others.

Members of the Old Pueblo Trout Unlimitedchapter in Tucson regularly volunteer on barrier maintenance, crayfish removal, and habitat restoration projects in cooperation with state and federal biologists. Their support has been instrumental as a successful collaboration among multiple partners.

“The recovery of Apache trout is soon to be another success story enabled by the NorthAmerican Model of Wildlife Management,” Young said.

It’s a win-win for the public and Arizona’s wildlife. In a cooperative effort led by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the abandoned Sunrise Relief Mine in Peoria was secured on Aug. 19 to protect the public and remove the fence eyesore for local residents, all while protecting threatened California leaf-nosed bats.

A special bat-friendly gate, or cupola, was built to close the mine entrance located on BLM-managed land at 91st Ave. and Happy Valley Road. The cupola will preclude people from entering the mine while allowing the bats living in the extensive mine to enter and exit.

“The message is – ‘stay out and stay alive’,” explains Steve Cohn, field manager for the BLM’s Hassayampa Field Office. “In 2009, we fenced 25 abandoned mine sites and are working to immediately and permanently close 20 high-risk sites that have completed wildlife and cultural clearances. Where bats are present, we are committed to continue work with the Arizona Game and Fish Department to have bat gates installed.”

The BLM has a long history of resolving safety and environmental concerns at abandoned mines and has prioritized this and other sites that are in close proximity to both current and future residential developments.

“We are excited to see this project evolve from one where originally there were competing interests to one where all of the partners are proud to have found common ground that meets each partner’s objectives,” says Angie McIntire, bat conservation biologist for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The BLM’s willingness to consider alternative options for closing the mine will help us conserve an important winter roost site for California leaf-nosed bats, which are a species of concern in Arizona.”

Experts believe that preserving winter roost sites are particularly important for leaf-nosed bats. The species does not migrate or hibernate in the winter and requires geothermally warmed mine sites, making appropriate winter roosts limited for these mammals. Biologists estimate that 100-400 bats use the Sunrise Relief Mine during the winter.

The cupola is one of the first examples in the United States of a bat cupola being constructed within city limits to close a mine while protecting bats. Game and Fish plans to study the site after the cupola is installed to evaluate the effectiveness of the mine closure and what effects it has on the bat population. Other factors including future residential and road development may also have an effect and will be monitored.

Partners on the project include Game and Fish, BLM, State Mine Inspector, City of Peoria and MK Company, a housing development company working in the Peoria area.

Management of bats falls under the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s program to recover species that are threatened, declining or that have been extirpated from the state.

Through Game and Fish’s partnerships with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and the science community, the department’s wildlife recovery program aims to prevent species from becoming endangered and conserve them in a more cost-effective manner. State-level involvement provides closer oversight of wildlife species on a day-to-day basis. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying and managing the wildlife and habitat of greatest conservation need, or those species that are no longer abundant and facing increasing threats from habitat degradation, disease, introduction of non-native species and climate change.

The BLM has now documented 1,060 mine sites in the greater Phoenix area, many of which are abandoned and potentially dangerous. Six high-risk abandoned mines near Wickenburg are slated for closure under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Arizona has a rich legacy of mining in areas that were previously considered remote, but now they are in urban development zones where we are ensuring public safety,” Cohn adds.

The Abandoned Mines Lands Program (AML) mitigates physical safety risks at these sites administered by the BLM.

Recreationists that come across a shaft or mining site that is exposed are encouraged to obtain the GPS coordinates and notify the Arizona State Mine Inspector.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department Landowner Relations Program (LRP) will use $110,000 in economic stimulus funds to actively support private land improvements that will benefit both wildlife and the people of Arizona. These dollars came to the department from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Grassland restorations, riparian area protection and pond improvements are just a few of the four or five new projects that could be completed in the next year because of these funds. The projects must also benefit federal trust species that includes things like migratory birds, threatened or endangered species, and to improve water quality.

Landowner Relations Program Manager Sal Palazzolo said, “Projects that can put greater numbers of people to work will probably get chosen over others. For example, it takes lots of people and materials to put in a new fence as opposed to a project that might only take one or two people.”

For most of the improvement projects, local private contractors will be hired to perform the work, but in some cases the private landowners themselves will oversee the project. Local goods will be purchased, when they can, to help try to stimulate the economy in that area.

In the last fiscal year the LRP assisted 50 to 60 private landowners in making improvements to their properties. Most of the projects were on larger ranches that help support large numbers of wild animals and their habitats in Arizona as well as provide for recreational opportunities for the public.

Over the last year $3 to $3.5 million has been secured in outside funding through hard work by the landowners and cooperative partnerships with the department through the LRP.

Palazzolo said, “It’s a great feeling in this tough economic time to be able to assist in projects that are good for wildlife and good for Arizona.”

For more information about the Arizona Game and Fish Department Landowner Relations Program go online to www.azgfd.gov/outdoor_recreation/landowner_relation.shtml

This year, two new records were set: A record 77 eggs were laid, an increase of six over last year, with a record 67 of those eggs hatching successfully. In addition, the state celebrated the second-best year on record for the number of fledglings that took to Arizona’s skies in 2009. Forty-seven eaglets reach the critical point of taking their first flight, an important milestone for a young bird’s chances of survival.

Bald eagle numbers over the past 30 years have grown more than 400 percent in the state.

“Arizona’s intensive management of the species is paying off,” said Kenneth Jacobson, Arizona Game and Fish Department bald eagle management coordinator. “The period between the bird hatching and taking its first flight is a critical time. The bald eagle nestwatch program and regular monitoring played a significant role in helping these nestlings develop from eggs into independent fledglings.”

The breeding season for bald eagles in Arizona typically runs from December through June, although a few bald eagle pairs at higher elevations nest later than those in the rest of the state. The eaglet at Woods Canyon Lake was the last to fledge. The closure area enacted to help protect that nest will be lifted on Aug. 17.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department, a leading partner in recovery efforts for the species, attributes the success to cooperative on-the-ground management, including monitoring and survey flights; recreational area closures during the breeding season; banding and visual identification; contaminants analysis and a nestwatch program to protect breeding activities. Through the Southwest Bald Eagle Management Committee (SWBEMC), a broad coalition of 23 government agencies, private organizations and Native American tribes, a plan is in place to help ensure the continued success of the bald eagle population in Arizona.

Management of the bald eagle falls under the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s program to recover species that are threatened, declining or that have been extirpated from the state.

Through its partnerships with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and the science community, the department’s wildlife recovery program aims to prevent species from becoming endangered and conserve them in a more cost-effective manner. State-level involvement provides closer oversight of wildlife species on a day-to-day basis. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying and managing the wildlife and habitat of greatest conservation need, or those species that are no longer abundant and facing increasing threats from habitat degradation, disease, introduction of non-native species and climate change.

Adaptive management of these species helps ensure their continued presence in Arizona and protects the delicate balance of the ecosystem for future generations.

For more information on bald eagles in Arizona, visit www.swbemc.org.

If you are looking to get outdoors and out of the air-conditioning, bring the family to this great event. The temperatures in the Flagstaff area run from 50 degrees in the evenings to the low 80s in the daytime. The kids can stretch their legs, breathe some fresh air, and learn how range fences affect the movement of Arizona’s pronghorn antelope herds.

The primary activity is removing fencing that is already on the ground. Studies suggest that the long meadows in the project area play an important role in the overall health of the Anderson Mesa pronghorn herd.

Volunteers should dress appropriately and bring work gloves, wire cutters, a sack lunch, snacks, water and camping gear.

The AAF will provide volunteers a steak dinner on Saturday night and breakfast on Sunday morning for their participation.

Preregistration is encouraged to allow for meal and work planning. Volunteers should contact Scott Anderson of the AAF at (480) 213-1611 or info@azantelope.org.

To learn more about the Arizona Antelope Foundation and this project, visit www.azantelope.org.

There are three great reasons to pick up a 2009-2010 Arizona Waterfowl Stamp from the Arizona Game and Fish Department.

The reasons start with the beautifully detailed and life-like rendition of a pair of hooded mergansers by the 2006-07 Federal Duck Stamp winner Sherrie Russell Meline.

Meline is well known for her impeccably textured feather work, using an acrylic wash, delicately applying layer by layer from a self-mixed color palette. Meline’s artwork has graced the face of more than 30 other state and Canadian province duck stamps.

Secondly, for the first time ever, an alternative stamp is available – unofficially deemed the state’s junior art duck stamp.

“We created it in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to recognize young inspiring artists who are learning about the importance of wetlands and waterfowl conservation through the Federal Junior Duck Stamp program,” said Mike Rabe, duck stamp administrator and migratory bird  biologist for the department. “It’s really a neat thing and I’m glad we are able to do it.”

“To be able to recognize the contribution of our Arizona kids in this state category is truly heartwarming and inspiring,” said Margot Bissell former Arizona Junior Duck Stamp Coordinator with the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. “Now our young artists have the excitement of a second opportunity to display their conservation and artistic learning’s.”

Ten-year-old Olivia Raiff, of Scottsdale, has the honors of being the first young amateur artist from the competition to have their artwork featured on the state’s annual waterfowl stamp.

“When I got the phone call, it took me awhile to process that I won,” said Raiff. “Then I was in shock for a minute. I couldn’t think straight when the judges asked me questions. It still seems crazy now.”

Raiff, a fifth-grader from Pinnacle Peak Elementary, created an inspiring piece of art of an American widgeon taking flight out of the cattails titled “take-off” using watercolor pencils under the passionate guidance of art teacher, Gay Kohl. Her composition captured the realism of the duck’s wings direction at first flight, identified accurate habitat, and incorporated a flock of ducks in the sky off in the distance.

When asked what she liked best about the art program, Raiff added, “I like it all, but my favorite part would be the competition. I always try to add details that would make my picture stand out.”

A limited run of 500 of the alternate stamps are available for purchase, but only from the department’s headquarters office in Phoenix. Hunters and collectors can chose to purchase one or both of the stamps. Either stamp will validate a general hunting license (along with a federal duck stamp) for the legal take of waterfowl, ducks, and geese during the 2009-10 season.

Lastly, the good news is the money generated from the sale of the state’s waterfowl stamp is used to for the conservation of wetlands to benefit Arizona’s waterfowl species. When buying either stamp, you are supporting waterfowl conservation. Now in its 22nd year, some of the investments from the program have resulted in amazing resting grounds for wintering sandhill cranes, geese, waterfowl and many other birds and wildlife.

So, if you enjoy wildlife watching, birding or just beautiful wetland landscapes show your support for wildlife and artists and buy an Arizona Waterfowl Stamp – the cost is only $8.75. They can be purchased at any Game and Fish office or license dealer around the state.

For a list of where to find ducks in Arizona, visit www.azgfd.gov/h_f/waterfowl_habitat.shtml.

To learn more about the Federal Junior Duck Stamp art contest, visit http://www.fws.gov/juniorduck.

Biologists were cautious in their predictions for the success of a black-tailed prairie dog colony established late last year in the Las Cienegas National Conservation Area near Sonoita. After all, the 74 animals released in October faced some foreseen and many unforeseen challenges.

However, early surveys conducted in June indicate the original adults are faring well and have begun to establish a foothold in their new community with the addition of at least two litters of pups.

“Establishing a new black-tailed prairie dog colony from ‘the ground down’ is challenging, but we took precautions before and after the release to help ensure that the original animals were successful in establishing themselves,” said Bill Van Pelt, the program manager for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “It’s encouraging that the colony is already reproducing so early after the release.”

Biologists’ pre-release projections targeted a 10 to 20 percent survival rate for the originally released animals. Surveys conducted in June show the colony is at the upper end of that projection with 19 percent survival.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department reintroduced the species to southern Arizona to repopulate the animals to where they once existed nearly 50 years ago before they vanished from the state’s landscape.

As part of a state and national conservation effort, Game and Fish plans to re-establish the species in other sites in southern Arizona, as part of the department’s program to recover species that are declining or that have been extirpated from the state.

Through its partnerships with other public agencies, non-profit organizations and the science community, the Arizona Game and Fish Department’s wildlife recovery program aims to prevent species from becoming endangered and conserve them in a more cost-effective manner. State-level involvement provides closer oversight of wildlife species on a day-to-day basis. Specific emphasis is placed on identifying and managing the wildlife and habitat of greatest conservation need, or those species that are no longer abundant and facing increasing threats from habitat degradation, disease, introduction of non-native species and climate change.

Adaptive management of these species helps ensure their continued presence in Arizona and protects the delicate balance of the ecosystem for future generations.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are a critical keystone species in Arizona, maintaining grasslands for other animals to forage and serving as important prey for eagles and hawks. They affect a number of other species, so their successful re-establishment would benefit the entire ecosystem by maintaining species diversity.

Black-tailed prairie dogs are approximately 15 inches long and weigh 2-3 pounds. These tan animals with black-tipped tails are highly social, living in coteries or family units. Family groups live close together to form larger colonies or towns. Human-related factors, including poisoning and habitat fragmentation, greatly reduced their numbers range-wide.

More than 30 frogs, including adults and tadpoles, were released into a protected pond on private property near Show Low. The frogs for this inaugural release came from a breeding stock maintained by Game and Fish that originated from the Three Forks area of the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests. Biologists hope the frogs from this site will breed successfully and become a source population for stocking future waters.

This introduction of Chiricahua leopard frogs is the first to occur as part of a new Safe Harbor Agreement. The Safe Harbor program makes it possible for private and non-federal landowners to participate in the conservation of multiple wildlife species, including endangered Gila topminnow, desert pupfish, Yaqui topminnow, and Quitobaquito pupfish by providing refuge sites.

“Chiricahua leopard frogs were once common in Arizona, but populations declined due to habitat loss, competition from non-native species and disease,” says Valerie Boyarski, amphibians and reptiles conservation planner for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. “The Safe Harbor program focuses on identifying ideal sites that will contribute the most to the recovery of the species. Finding suitable natural waters, sources of frogs and the resources required to provide oversight after a release are the biggest challenges for the program, and the recovery of the species.”

Since source populations for Chiricahua leopard frogs are limited, the department must be selective when choosing locations for enrollment in the Safe Harbor Agreement. Only those locations with the highest potential to help recover this threatened species are selected as release sites.

Ideal establishment sites must contain a constant water source; be located within the historical range at the right elevations; be adjacent to federal lands that provide perennial waters; and, be free of non-native species that could prey on the frogs.

The reintroduction was carried out through a cooperative effort between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Game and Fish and the landowners. Funding assistance to prepare the site was provided by the Landowner Incentive Program, a grant program administered by Game and Fish on behalf of the Department of the Interior.

“It is rewarding to be an integral part of helping Game and Fish recover a species that was once prevalent in the state,” says George and Martha Gann, owners of the property where the frogs were released. “We had to go through a stringent process to determine if our property was suitable, but it will be worthwhile if we can help secure the future for these endangered frogs.”

The Chiricahua leopard frog is a greenish-brown frog that grows to be about 4 inches long. Until the 1970s, Chiricahua leopard frogs lived in ponds and creeks across central and southeastern Arizona, but populations have declined significantly since then due to drought, disease, habitat loss and threats from non-native species.

Chiricahua leopard frogs were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2002. A recovery team was created to help bring the species back from the brink of extinction. The team developed a recovery plan with the goal of recovering the species to the point where it can be removed from the endangered species list. The plan includes releases of captive-bred frogs, habitat restoration, and monitoring.

1. Quagga Mussel

Origin – Eastern Europe and Ukraine

Prolific populator; Removes food/nutrients from water column, clogs pipes and water conveyance infrastructure, damages boat motors and marinas; Management/eradication costs can be enormous for power and water supply agencies. Dispersal by boats and equipment, pipes, canals, live wells.

2. Buffelgrass

Origin – Africa

Pervasive grass introduced for soil stabilization and livestock feed; Potential to severely alter Arizona’s desert landscape due to fire-carrying capability; Regrows quickly and outcompetes to replace native plants in disturbed areas. Dispersal by windblown seeds and rapid spread along roadways into the desert and rangelands/pastures.

3.  New Zealand Mudsnail

Origin – New Zealand

Out-competes native Arizona snails for available food resources/territory; Very prolific and spreads quickly by floating and attaching to vegetation to rapidly increase its range. Dispersal by boaters and anglers (waders, boating gear, fishing equipment, etc.)

4. Red Imported Fire Ants

Origin – South America

Caused severe, irreparable damages to economy/ecology in southeastern states and parts of New Mexico and California; Damages include total crop losses, nursery infestations, livestock depletion and harm to human health (stings/allergic reactions). Dispersal by plant trade and vehicular travel.

5. Asian tiger mosquito

Origin – Asia

Widely established in southeast and
midwest U.S.; Aggressive biter carries diseases harmful to humans, e.g., West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever; Detected in Arizona in 2000 and 2006 on imported, non-native plants. Dispersal by exotic plant trade (egg dispersal), back-yard containers, and transporting old tires.

6. Northern Crayfish

Origin – Canada, south to Texas,
west to Utah, north to Montana.
Popularly used as bait and for aquatic weed control; Populations have exploded in Arizona due to no natural predators; Arizona has no native crayfish; Voracious appetite for larval fish, plants, and insects can severely harm ecosystems. Dispersal by bait buckets and aquarium discard.

7. Yellow Starthistle

Origin – Eurasia, southern Europe

Displaces native and agricultural plants
in rangelands/pastures; Grows and spreads in dense, impenetrable stands; Toxic to horses; Introduced to southwest as contaminant in grain seed. Dispersal by livestock, roadways, contaminated seed, and vehicular travel.

8. Red Bromegrass

Origin – Eurasia, Mediterranean region

Weedy annual now common throughout southwest U.S.; Grows prolifically with winter rainfall; Substantially increases fine fuels on rangelands; Increases occurance and severity of wildfires. Dispersal by seeds spreading to disturbed areas along
roadways, rangelands, agricultural
fields and urban landscapes.

9. Silver carp

Origin – China

Introduced into U.S. for algae control and as a food fish; Currently well established in the Mississippi drainage; Can grow up to 4 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds; Adults outcompete juvenile sportfish (e.g., bass, bluegill) for planktonic food. Dispersal by bait buckets and illegal commercial transport.

10. Giant Salvinia

Origin – South America

Pervasive aquatic fern that can greatly alter aquatic ecosystems; Forms very thick surface mats and completely blocks light and oxygen penetration; Impedes water flow, clogs water conveyance, and eliminates all other plant/fish species. Dispersal by boats, equipment, and natural downstream flow.

You can help stop these invasions!

Hunters, anglers, and outdoor recreationists can do their part.

• STOP AQUATIC HITCHHIKERS by cleaning, draining, and drying
  your watercraft and fishing equipment.
• DON’T RELEASE PETS into the wild.
• DON’T TRANSPORT LIVE FISH or other aquatic species for
  release elsewhere.
• DON’T PLANT A PEST: clean your vehicle and hunting equipment
  of plant parts/seeds and use native plants for landscaping.

For approved applicants that are ready to adopt a desert tortoise, the Phoenix Herpetological Society (PHS) will be holding workshops to provide future custodians with a wealth of information on how to properly care for a captive desert tortoise.

Workshops will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the summer, including June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15. In addition, a special pre-hibernation clinic will be held on Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to help adopters learn more about their tortoise’s upcoming winter hibernation and how to properly prepare.

Adoptions are approved only after applicants have submitted an application and can demonstrate that they have a proper outdoor enclosure and burrow.

While these workshops are for already-approved adopters, anyone interested in becoming a tortoise custodian is encouraged to submit their application promptly in order to attend one of the free presentations. ***image4:left***

Desert tortoises can live up to 100 years. They grow to be about 15 pounds and hibernate in the winter months. They eat plant material, including grasses, wildflowers and native cactus fruits. Once captive, desert tortoises cannot be released back into the wild. Captive animals can pass an upper respiratory disease to wild tortoise populations.

Game and Fish discourages tortoise custodians from allowing their animals to breed. Each year, there are more tortoises than good homes for adoption.

Tortoises adopted through the cooperative program between the Arizona Game and Fish Department and PHS are marked with identification and pass a health check before being available for adoption.

State law prohibits taking these creatures from the wild, and federal law bans the transport of them across state lines.

For information on the workshops, please visit www.phoenixherp.com. To learn more about adopting a desert tortoise, visit www.azgfd.gov/tortoise.