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SCIENTISTS “CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC”
ABOUT IVORY-BILL EVIDENCE IN FLORIDA
September 26, 2006
Contacts: (FWC) Henry Cabbage (850) 488-8843 or Stan Kirkland
(850) 265-3676
(NWFWMD) (Lands) William Cleckley or
(Public Information) Georgann Penson (850) 539-5999
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) scientists said Tuesday they are cautiously
optimistic about an Auburn University professor’s recently
discovered evidence of ivory-billed woodpeckers in the Florida
Panhandle.
“There is not enough evidence to confirm the
birds’ presence yet,” FWC Executive Director Ken Haddad said,
“but the indications are promising, and we will work closely
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Auburn University and
the Northwest Florida Water Management District to see if we can
confirm the reports.”
Auburn University ornithologist Dr. Geoff Hill,
who recently completed a year-long search for the endangered
woodpecker, unveiled his findings Monday, indicating there are
signs ivory-bills might exist on land owned by the water
management district. He produced audio recordings that appear
similar to historical recordings of ivory-billed woodpeckers.
However, he has not collected clear photographic or video
evidence, which is the standard for scientific confirmation.
“The water management district owns, manages and
protects over 200,000 acres
in Northwest Florida, the majority of which are along its major
river systems,” said Douglas E. Barr, executive director of the
Northwest Florida Water Management District. “If the existence
of these endangered/extinct birds is verified, then the
acquisition, protection and management of these lands since the
mid-1980s reflect the District’s intent and mission to preserve
its water resources and habitats.”
FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto said he and the six
other Commissioners are bracing for potentially good news in
coming months.
“This will be fantastic if we can confirm the
woodpeckers are there,” Barreto said. “Many experts believe the
ivory-bill is extinct, but experts have searches under way in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas.
Florida is the only state besides Arkansas to come close to
confirmation in roughly 40 years.”
Additional information about ivory-bills is
available at
www.fws.gov/ivorybill/.
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