American Burying Beetle: First Terrestrial Invertebrate on the Species Survival Plan
Louis Perrotti, RWPZ's Conservation Program's Coordinator, ABB Species Coordinator, Field Conservation Advisor for the Terrestrial Inverterbrate Taxon Advisory Group (TITAG)
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The American Burying Beetle Project has allowed RWPZ to become a key player in collaboration with USFWS, RIDEM and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife in the conservation of a local endangered species. The partnerships formed by this recovery program illustrate how conservation efforts by state and federal agencies can be enhanced by a zoo’s involvement. In turn, the beetle project has enriched keepers in invertebrate husbandry and conservation skills with the opportunity to participate in fieldwork. Education programs have been initiated at the zoo from the knowledge our keepers have gained. This has enabled our institution to spread the important message to our visitors and colleagues that conservation should not discriminate, that all aspects of life command the same respect. Public awareness of the American burying beetle has dramatically grown in the past seven years due to RWPZ's commitment, and the hard work and dedication of the keeper staff. RWPZ has been recognized for its contributions to conservation and has been a feature on the Discovery Channel, the children's show 'Arthur' and on the syndicated show, 'Wild Moments,' as well as numerous local newspaper and magazine articles such as Wildlife Conservation magazine. Invertebrate conservation is an excellent way for institutions to help save some of the most fascinating parts of the natural world and educate its visitors of the importance of invertebrates and the roles they play in the ecosystem. |
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American Burying Beetle Recovery Updates
In 2007, more American burying beetles (nearly 100 individuals) were caught than in any previous annual monitoring effort. Also in 2007, we recorded the highest number of beetles captured per trap-night effort. American burying beetles are now known to be distributed over the entire eastern half of Nantucket Island and their population center is the Eastern Moors, one of the original release sites. Post-release monitoring has confirmed that substantial numbers of beetles are reproducing and surviving over winter, though actual population levels are not known.
Future work
The USFWS recovery plan identifies as a recovery objective, the restoration of additional populations of the beetle within its historic range in the northeastern, southeastern, mid-western and Great Lakes region of the U.S. Captive rearing and reintroduction of the species appears to be the most readily available means to achieve that end. The Nantucket Island reintroduction is an important test of the feasibility of this program. Continued monitoring of the “re-established” Nantucket population is extremely important. Comparable data sets over several years will be essential in documenting the natural history and persistence of the American burying beetle on Nantucket. In future years, we intend to continue monitoring with an aim to determine a lower bound population estimate for the eastern side of the island. We will identify population “hot spots” that have higher capture rates than other areas. Understanding the ecology at these locations may provide useful information for reintroduction programs elsewhere with the species range.
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Acknowledgements
Many contributed long hours, tireless research, and continuous dedication. Our team includes: |
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Michael Amaral, Senior Endangered Species Biologist of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Andrew Mckenna Foster biologist with the Maria Mitchell Association for his work and dedication to the recovery effort
- Philadelphia Zoo and the Pittsburg Zoo & PPG Aquarium generously provided invaluable financial support for the 2007 field work
- We would like to specially thank Dr. Ernie Steinauer of Mass. Audubon, Karen Beattie of NCF for facilitating our work on the properties they manage, and Bob Kennedy of the Maria Mitchell Association who supported and helped organize logistics for the project
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Christopher Raithel, Wildlife Biologist of RI Department of Environmental Management
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Tom French, of the Mass. Division of Fisheries and wildlife for their ongoing support in RWPZ's involvement in this project
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Special thanks to Andrea Kozol, whose groundbreaking research led the way to the continuing success of this project.
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We would also like to thank the Rhode Island Zoological Society and Roger Williams Park Zoo for their ongoing support.
- We also thank the many volunteers who helped with field work: Marjorie Thomas, Heather Perrotti, John, Stavros, Krysti Popandopoulos, and Rachel Rasfeld.
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Additional thanks belong to the curatorial staff past and present of Roger Williams Park Zoo for ongoing zookeeper support, especially David Wetzel, David Martini, Joel Hamilton, Amos Morris, Pat Sharkey, and Tim French.
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We would also like to recognize the leadership of Ming Lee Prospero, whose contributions to this project have been unlimited.
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many thanks to our fellow zookeepers who gave up much of their time in working on this species.Russ Menard, Jennifer Hennessey, Michael Jeffries, Ken Curtin, Penny Krebbs, Lori Braun, Scott Wheeler, Nikki Mann, Kelly Garner
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We owe special mention to the continued support of the Rhode Island Nature Conservancy, the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the University of Massachusetts, Boston, Field Station and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and the Maria Mitchell Association
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Contact Information:
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Louis Perrotti, RWPZ's Conservation Program's Coordinator
1000 Elmwood Avenue
Providence, RI 02907-3659
(401) 785-3510 ext. 335
email:
lperrotti@rwpzoo.org
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