So often the future of one of nature's creatures is put in jeopardy by the lack of thought on the part of one or more of nature's stewards. The Region 7 Office of the Fish and Wildlife Service has put together a chronology of events which took place that made necessary the placing of the Aleutian Canada on the endangered species list to an amazing point of recovery. Careful study of the events makes even more meaningful the modern definition of endangered species which is "there is still time."

1750	First known introduction of foxes onto Aleutian Islands was supposedly made to make their capture easier and their escape less likely because of the water barrier surrounding the island.
1750-1936	Arctic foxes and red foxes were introduced to at least 190 islands within the breeding range of the Aleutian Canada goose in Alaska.
1811	First complaints were received from Aleut Natives that foxes had caused severe declines in birds that had once been numerous.
1938-1962	Aleutian Canada geese were not found on any of the islands where they historically nested and were thought to be extinct.
1963	Fish and Wildlife Service biologists found a remnant population on remote Buldir Island in the western Aleutian Islands. The population was estimated at between 200 and 300 birds.
1963	Goslings were captured to start first captive flock for propagation.
1967	In March, the Aleutian Canada goose was officially declared an endangered species under the Endangered Species Protection Act of 1966 (law that preceded the Endangered Species Act).
1971-1982	Captive-reared and translocated wild Aleutian Canada geese were released on fox-free islands.
1973	The Endangered Species Act was passed.
1973-1984	Hunting closures were implemented for Aleutian Canada geese on wintering and breeding grounds.
1975	The recovery team began developing a formal recovery program. The Spring population was estimated to be 790 birds. Recovery actions were implemented which included the removal of foxes from the breeding grounds on the Aleutian Islands and the translocation of geese to unpopulated islands.
1984	The geese began to successfully breed again on 1 of the restored islands. Foxes were successfully removed from 4 additional islands.
1990	The populations reached 6,300 geese.
1990	By December, the Aleutian Canada goose was reclassified from endangered to the less imperiled threatened status. The recovery plan was revised, establishing objectives for measuring recovery and indicating when delisting should be considered.
1990-1998	Recovery tasks continued to be implemented. The Population averaged a 20 percent growth rate.
1998	Only one of three recovery goals had been met.
1999	The population exceeded 30,000 geese, over four times the original goal for delisting.
1999	In July, the Aleutian Canada goose had reached a fully recovered status. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to delist the species, opening a 90 day public comment period. The Fish and Wildlife Service evaluated the comments.
2000	The Fish and Wildlife Service issued a final decision for delisting the Aleutian Canada goose which should place shortly. A monitoring plan will be implemented for a minimum of five years. If populations should decline significantly, the species would be relisted.
03/20/2001	Aleutian Canada was officially delisted from threatened status. (CE/CE addition to chronology)
2005	If the status remains stable or improves, monitoring will no longer be required under the Endangered Species Act. Future protections and management of the species is covered by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

If we are careful to recognize when a species is in trouble or approaching trouble we can save that species by focusing our attention and to some degree our financial resources to bring about recovery. A great activity for a parent/teacher can be had by selecting a plant or animal on the endangered species list and working with the children/students to track the events in the life of the recovery process.

This activity will serve as a reminder that the Fish and Wildlife Service's definition of endangered species (there is still time) is important for all of us to remember. Even if endangered is only one step from extinct our efforts can make it a big step. Yes, there is still time.

This is the 4980th time this file has been accessed since 10/05/2003.

The University of Tennessee at Martin is not responsible for the information or views expressed here.

True Geese of the World: The Branta Species Home Page

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Last Modified Friday, 11-Feb-2005 16:57:20 CST