Alaska Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Current Events Calendar

Endangered Species Day
May 15, 2009

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has responsibility for seven endangered and threatened species in Alaska (Aleutian shield fern, Steller’s and spectacled eiders, short-tailed albatross, polar bear, SW Alaska population of the northern sea otter, & Eskimo curlew). We are cooperating with the Federal and State agencies, Alaska Natives, industry, and private organizations to conserve endangered species in Alaska. We collaborate on joint research projects and recovery efforts with these partners, as well as international partners.

Press Release

Steller’s eider

Steller’s eiders nest in only a few places in Alaska. Very few nests have been documented in western Alaska. In northern Alaska, the population size is estimated to be in the hundreds. The Eider Recovery Team has recommended reintroduction to help the population recover. A captive breeding flock (currently at 26 birds) has been established at the Alaska SeaLife Center. In 2007, the first duckling in captivity in North America was hatched at the Alaska SeaLife Center. This female, named Solo, is now a beautiful, healthy adult, who we hope will have young of her own in the next few years!

Yellow-billed loon
On March 25, 2009, the yellow-billed loon was designated a candidate species, which means we have enough information to support listing it as endangered or threatened. However, other species in the U.S. are a higher priority, so it will be at least several years before we propose the yellow-billed loon for listing. We’re working with the State, other Federal agencies, conservation organizations, and Native Alaskan groups to determine research needs, fill data gaps and find ways to help conserve this species.

Pacific walrus

In 2008, the Fish and Wildlife Service received a petition to list the Pacific walrus as endangered or threatened. We are conducting an initial review of the petition and other available information, and will publish a “90-day finding” in the Federal Register by fall 2009. This finding will announce whether the petition “may be warranted;” if so, we would begin a year-long status review of the species to decide if we should list it as endangered or threatened.

Polar bear proposed critical habitat:

The Fish and Wildlife is currently preparing a proposed rule to designate critical habitat for the polar bear. We expect the proposed rule to be published in the Federal Register by summer 2009.

SW Alaska population of the northern sea otter final critical habitat:

The Fish and Wildlife is currently preparing a final rule to designate critical habitat for the northern sea otter. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on December 16, 2008. The public comment period is currently open, and a public hearing is scheduled for June 2009. A draft economic analysis will be released for public comment in summer 2009. Contact the Marine Mammals Management Office at 907/786-3800 for details. We expect the final rule to be published in the Federal Register by fall 2009.

Short-tailed albatross chick translocation:
The Fish and Wildlife Service has been working for 4 years with Japanese biologists at the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology and other partners to establish a new breeding colony for the short-tailed albatross. The main breeding colony for this species is on Torishima Island (Japan), where the birds nest on the steep slope of an active volcano! It’s important to have a secure breeding colony of these birds in another location, in case the volcano erupts again. Last year was the first year that short-tailed albatross chicks were moved from Torishima to Mukojima, a protected Japanese island. The ten translocated chicks successfully fledged last year, at about the same time as other parent-reared chicks on Torishima. On February 5, 2009, 15 chicks were moved from Torishima to Mukojima, and on May 10, 2009, the first one fledged! The Service has provided major funding for this project, through grants from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and North Pacific Research Board. If you'd like more information about this project, see the article in the Spring 2009 Endangered Species Bulletin, starting on page 22 (http://www.fws.gov/endangered/bulletin/2009/bulletin_spring2009-all.pdf)

Kittlitz's murrelet

Kittlitz's murrelet is a small, rare seabird found only along the coasts of Alaska and northern Asia. The species was designated as a candidate species in 2004. Preferred habitat seems to be ice-choked fiords near tidewater glaciers, where they dive for small fish, although breeding populations also occur in places where no glaciers are present. Climate change may be having a negative effect on the species through habitat loss and reduction of preferred prey species. Currently, there are several research projects underway, including in Prince William Sound and Icy Bay, Alaska, to learn more about this little-known species.