Endangered Species Day Raises Awareness of Imperiled Wildlife

RALEIGH, N.C. (May 16, 2008) —The majestic bald eagle recently soared off the Endangered Species List to much fanfare. However, many more species remain on the list, and this week, the polar bear was added, largely due to the threat of decreasing sea ice habitat.

To raise awareness about the threats endangered species face, today has been designated Endangered Species Day. Endangered Species Day is a great opportunity for people around the state to learn more about endangered wildlife and their habitats. With more than 1,800 species worldwide now listed as threatened and endangered, every public education effort is greatly needed.

In North Carolina, more than 220 terrestrial and aquatic species are either federally or state-listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern. The Northern saw-whet owl, the red-cockaded woodpecker, the shortnose sturgeon, the northern flying squirrel, the Virginia big-eared bat, the Carolina heelsplitter, the loggerhead seaturtle and the southern hognose snake are just a few Tarheel species that need special protection attention afforded by state and federal endangered species laws to help their populations return to healthy levels.

Biologists with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program conduct research and management projects that focus on endangered and nongame species.

The peregrine falcon is one endangered species that agency biologists helped recover. After a 13-year effort during which Commission biologists released nearly 100 captive-bred falcons back into the wild and similar efforts of numerous other state, federal and private conservation organizations, the falcon was removed from the list of federally endangered species. Commission biologists continue to monitor 13 breeding pairs at cliff sites throughout western North Carolina each year to ensure that the population recovery is sustained.

They also have constructed structures that provide long-term roost security for a population of Rafinesque’s big-eared bats in Haywood County. With assistance from the U.S. Forest Service and volunteers, Commission biologists have built two experimental roosts for this state-listed threatened species to replace a maternity roost that was destroyed.

“Providing secure roost structures for these bats to roost and raise their young should help ensure the long-term sustainability of these bat populations,” said Chris McGrath of the Commission’s Wildlife Diversity Program.

To fund these projects, the Commission relies upon donations by North Carolinians to the Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Fund. The money from this fund is used to support nongame and endangered species research, conservation and management, and to provide matching funds for federal and other grants. These sources supply all of the funding that enables the Wildlife Resources Commission to do the work necessary to ensure that future generations of North Carolinians are able to enjoy and appreciate our state’s rich wildlife heritage.

North Carolinians interested in learning more about or helping the Commission conserve nongame and endangered wildlife click here to:

• Donate;
  
• Register a vehicle or trailer with a N.C. Wildlife Conservation license plate;
  
• Donate a portion of their state income tax refund;
  
• Volunteer to help Commission staff with nongame-related projects.

In addition, those who shop at the Commission’s N.C. Wild Stores can “round up” their purchases to the nearest dollar, five dollars or even 10 dollars, with money going to benefit nongame and endangered wildlife.