DEAR READERS: President Joe Biden has vetoed two Republican-drafted bills that would have reversed federal protections for the lesser prairie chicken and the northern long-eared bat under the Endangered Species Act. Habitat loss to fossil fuel development, agriculture, roads and power lines threatens the lesser prairie chicken, which is known for its elaborate mating rituals. White-nose syndrome (a fungal disease), wind turbines and indiscriminate logging by the timber industry all threaten the long-eared bat’s survival. (Full story: The Associated Press, Sept. 27)
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These animals play vital roles in maintaining the health of ecosystems in which they evolved for millions of years before our incursion and destruction. Prairie chickens consume grasshoppers and probably help prevent them from morphing into crop-devastating locust swarms. The northern long-eared bat devours many species of insects and helps protect trees from invasive beetles.
"Bats are critical to healthy, functioning ecosystems and contribute at least $3 billion annually to the United States agriculture economy through pest control and pollination," Biden said in a veto statement.
From a One Health perspective, it is enlightened self-interest to protect all native species, whether plant or animal. This perspective links ecological and environmental health with public health, and calls on us to better constrain our destructive, consumptive urges.
The black-footed ferrets, like some species of the burrowing owl and the swift fox, have almost been pushed into extinction. But the relentlessly persecuted “prairie wolf” -- the coyote -- has been able to survive and is now colonizing many residential communities across the country, creating wildlife-human conflicts. Organizations such as Project Coyote are seeking to solve these conflicts with sound science and compassion.
The less we interfere with wildlife, the better for all.
ABALONE: A SEAFOOD DELICACY TO AVOID
Many people enjoy abalone, a mollusk harvested by the California fishing industry. But this industry wanted the sea otter taken off the endangered species list because otters consume abalone, clams and sea urchins, and are therefore seen as "competition" by the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara and the California Sea Urchin Commission.
Thankfully, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rejected these groups' petition to delist the sea otter. Otters are already at risk from warming and acidifying waters, diseases such as toxoplasmosis, predation by sharks and toxic algal blooms caused by pollution. (Full story: fws.gov, Sept. 19)
This is yet another instance of vested human interests seeking to override the rights and interests of wildlife, much like ignorant deer hunters who regard wolves as competitors and want them exterminated, or “managed,” at barely viable population numbers.
Every wild animal species provides vital ecological services. Sea otters, in consuming sea urchins, help prevent sea urchins from decimating the kelp forests that provide essential habitats for many fish.
So think twice about consuming abalone -- and, in my opinion, any seafoods -- because of global overharvesting and the reality of declining biodiversity in ocean ecosystems.
A NOTE FOR THE DAIRY INDUSTRY AND ICE CREAM PARLOR
Overtreatment of dairy cows with mild or moderate mastitis is common, and could potentially contribute to drug resistance, according to a study led by researchers at Michigan State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Many dairy farmers continue treatment beyond the recommended duration based on the misconception that abnormal milk appearance is an indication of infection. However, previous research has shown that abnormal milk appearance is a sign of inflammation, not necessarily of infection. (Full story: Food Safety Magazine, Sept. 27)
GOOD MOVE FROM RINGLING BROS. CIRCUS
After a hiatus of several years, the Ringling Bros. Circus is returning, but it will no longer include animal acts of any kind. For details, see: onegreenplanet.org/animals/ringling-circus-returns-sans-animal-acts.
(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.
Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)