Field Reports
MARINE MAMMALS
Alaskans seeing blue
A very large but rare sight has surfaced in Alaska waters — endangered blue whales, the largest animal known to live on Earth.
The sighting by researchers on board a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration vessel means the blue whale population may be getting healthier and expanding to traditional territories.
“We are thrilled,” Dr. Jay Barlow, chief scientist on board the McArthur II, said last month from Kodiak. “It’s been 30 years since we had a confirmed sighting up here.”
Most recent population estimates show about 12,000 blue whales worldwide, with about 2,000 in U.S. waters off California in summer and fall. Others are found in the western Pacific, the North Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and the Antarctic. Blue whales in the Pacific can reach 85 feet long and 100 feet long in the Antarctic, Barlow said.
Associated Press
WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
Locke names commissioner
Dr. Pete Schroeder, a marine mammal veterinarian from Sequim, has been named to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission by Gov. Gary Locke.
Schroeder replaces Russ Cahill on the nine-member panel, which guides policy for the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Cahill resigned last spring to volunteer for several political campaigns and to travel.
Schroeder, 68, has more than 30 years of experience in marine mammal veterinary work, serving in a number of private and government positions and has worked with the U.S. Navy on marine mammal research and development.
He has worked with NOAA-Fisheries for the Puget Sound Orca Recovery Plan.
His commission term runs until Dec. 31, 2006.
In addition to Schroeder, the commission consists of Fred Shiosaki of Spokane, plus Chair Will Roehl, Holly Ledgerwood, John A. Hunter, Ron Ozment, Lisa Pelly and Bob Tuck. Commissioner R.P. “Van” Van Gytenbeek, is still serving, but will resign this fall to become chief executive officer of the Federation of Fly Fishers based in Bozeman, Mont.
Rich Landers
HUNTING
Dog trainer patriotic
One Texas dog trainer has fetched some patriotic attention for supporting U.S. troops.
Marine Corps reservist Bill Vanzanten bought a Labrador retriever pup last fall, not expecting to be deployed for his third tour of duty in Iraq.
According to the Dallas Morning News, Vanzanten agonized in April over what to do with the black female Lab he named Piper. Vanzanten’s wife is a college student who stays busy raising the couple’s preschool children.
He decided to board the dog with a trainer, since he would be abroad during the dog’s developmental stage.
Professional trainers normally charge about $400 a month to tend a dog, but while in Iraq, Vanzanten learned that trainer Eric Starnater offered to train the dog for free.
“I felt like it was the least I could do for a guy putting it on the line for all of us,” he told the Morning News.
A local retriever club chipped in to help and they got Purina Mills to supply Piper’s dog food. Vanzanten received periodic e-mail updates, including one with a photo of Piper with an American flag in the background.
Staff and wire reports
BIG-GAME
Wallowas get goats
Rocky Mountain goats captured in the Elkhorn Mountains near Baker City, Ore., were relocated last month near Eagle Creek in the Wallowa Mountains, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reports.
Mountain goats have been released in Oregon on 13 occasions, starting with six goats reintroduced to the state in 1950. They were transported to the Wallowas from Chopaka Mountain in north-central Washington.
A total of 21 goats were released in the Elkhorn Mountains during the 1980s, using six from Idaho, eight from Washington and seven from Alaska. The herd’s population has increased rapidly to about 150.
Sixteen goats were captured in the Elkhorns in 2002 and released in Hell’s Canyon, increasing to about 40 animals by the end of 2003.
Rich Landers