Reintroductions and Wild Areas

Wildlife Recovery and Reintroduction Post-WWII

• Historical Context:

  • Post-World War II era marked significant recovery efforts for wildlife.
  • Wildlife agencies emerged in the 1930s, composed of professionals with natural resource backgrounds.
  • Key agency: US Fish and Wildlife Service established in 1940.

• Funding Sources:

  • Introduction of the Pittman-Robertson Act facilitated financial resources for wildlife conservation through the excise tax on hunting equipment.
  • By the end of WWII, $10-12 million had been accumulated for wildlife conservation.
  • Between 1938 and 1948, states acquired approximately 900,000 acres of land for wildlife refuges.

• Challenges:

  • Recovery of habitat was addressed, but wildlife populations like deer and turkeys were still declining.
  • Many species had been extirpated from their habitats, requiring reintroduction efforts.

• Reintroduction Efforts:

  • Early efforts targeted charismatic species (e.g., deer, wild turkeys) for public support:
  • Deer in Indiana: Last deer killed in 1893; reintroduction began in the 1930s.
    • By 1944: 1,200 deer, 1951: 5,000 deer, 1970: estimated 50,000.
  • Virginia: 1,300 deer released in the 1940s led to a population of 200,000 in 20 years.
  • Mississippi: 72 deer released in 1939: resulted in 50,000 deer by 1952.

• Habitat Manipulation:

  • Successful reintroductions required habitat restoration: Understanding species needs and how to address them was crucial.
  • Research into capture and relocation techniques improved success rates, such as the use of anesthesia to manage stress in transported animals.

• Examples of Species Reintroduction:

  • Bighorn Sheep: Reintroduced in Colorado and Arizona led to population rebounds.
  • Pronghorn: Increased from 26,000 in 1922 to 234,000 by 1946 due to collaborative efforts.
  • Moose in Minnesota: Increased from 2,000 in 1922 to over 10,000 by improving habitats without reintroduction.
  • Beaver: Extirpated by 1930, 8,500 beavers reintroduced across 27 states between 1937 and 1947, leading to restoration as key ecosystem engineers.

• Wild Turkey Recovery:

  • Declared near extinction in 1930; early reintroduction efforts failed due to domestication issues.
  • New strategies using net cannons for capturing wild turkeys led to successful relocations and population rebounds by 1975, making the wild turkey stable in 43 states.

• Wilderness Protection:

  • The concept of wilderness defined as areas where human activity is limited to protect ecosystems and wildlife.
  • Notable early wilderness area: Gila Wilderness, established in 1924, became a model for preserving wilderness.
  • Wilderness Act of 1964: Provided framework for preserving wilderness areas and preventing development, ensuring protection for wildlife habitats.
  • Currently, about 100 million acres of wilderness exist in the U.S. with stringent access restrictions to maintain wild character.
  • Outstanding examples include Death Valley (hot and dry) and Boundary Waters (major canoeing destination).

• Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968:

  • Established to protect free-flowing rivers for conservation and recreation, currently designating 65 rivers across 38 states.
  • Designations include Wild (primitive state, inaccessible) and Scenic (some road access), enhancing the protection of riparian habitats.

Conclusion

• Wildlife recovery efforts have shown that reintroducing species is a valuable tool for conservation, but ideally, preservation of large wilderness areas and habitat restoration is critical for ensuring long-term stability and success.