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FWC TO DEVELOP NEW MANAGEMENT PLANS FOR
FOUR SPECIES
April 24, 2006
Contact: Mary Scott Gilbert (850) 410-5291
Cell: (850) 519-6962
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) scientists are gearing up to hammer out new
management plans for four animals on the state’s imperiled
species list. They will base the plans on their conclusions
about the needs of each animal.
A staff recommendation to remove bald eagles
from the list, which top scientific experts from outside the FWC
have reviewed, reflects successful efforts to rescue the species
from the threat of extinction. FWC Commissioners will consider
the change during their June 7-8 meeting in West Palm Beach.
Bald eagles have established 1,133 known nesting
territories in Florida, and each territory has one or two adult
eagles. In 1973, Florida had only 88 known bald eagle nest
territories.
“What we’re doing for eagles is working,”
Executive Director Ken Haddad said. “That’s good news. Our goal
is for all imperiled species to recover to the point where we
can remove them from the list.”
Manatees, currently listed as an endangered
species, may be reclassified as threatened if Commissioners
approve the staff recommendation. Manatees have recovered to the
point where they are no longer in immediate danger of
extinction, although they still require careful management.
“Anytime a species moves toward a new
classification, FWC scientists must evaluate current management
efforts and tailor them for recovery of that specific species,
before the new classification can take effect,” Haddad said.
“That process takes 12-24 months and includes participation by
the public.”
Two other species that haven’t fared as well are
gopher tortoises and Panama City crayfish. FWC Commissioners
will consider the staff recommendation to create new management
plans and continue the process of reclassifying both animals
from species of special concern to threatened.
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