Fallow Deer Espionage

Interesting story on how a few Persian fallow deer were smuggled into Israel before the Iranian shah's government collapsed in 1978. (Via Kevin Stewart.)

Ivorybills

"We don't believe a recoverable population of ivory-billed woodpeckers exists" ... (News source.)

The Politics of Jaguar Conservation

An interesting article here, on the political disputes and legal controversies surrounding the Arizona-New Mexico Jaguar Conservation Team.

NJ Monk Parakeets

A feral population of monk parakeets in New Jersey has won over some of the populace, but a bill protecting them has stalled in the state Senate committee. Probably because of the high attention that invasive species are getting elsewhere... (News source.)

Say No to H.R. 669

Poorly drafted legislation purports to squelch the threat of invasive species, but does little more than create massive bureaucratic headaches, ignore primary invasive threats (plants, feral domestic animals) for sensationalized "exotics," and lay waste to the herpetoculture, aquaria, and aviculture trades without rational justification.

Details from PIJAC, and Kingsnake, and NoHR669.

OT: PIJAC Python Alert

This deserves a little more notice: here is a pdf of the Pet Industry council's alert on an idiotic political attempt to classify pythons as injurious species in the US, banning their import and interstate transportation.

Local Politics and Monster Hunting

A Swedish county council is throwing up roadblocks for "sea serpent" camera surveillance on the shore of Storsjön. (News source.)

Nationalism Arises over Snake Description

Some folks on Barbados are upset that a University of Pennsylvania herpetologist has named a tiny thread snake from that island after his wife. (News source.)

Bighorn Controversy

Anecdotal evidence is leading to investigation as to whether Bighorn sheep are found in the Pioneer Mountains, Idaho. Due to a controversial disease-management policy (creating a buffer zone between wild and domestic sheep), the findings could lead to more political frays. (News source.)

Photographer's Troubles

The Chinese man who claimed to have photographed a South China tiger has been detained by police... (News source.)

Palau Documentary

National Geographic Channel will be airing "Mystery Skulls of Palau" on Monday, March 17. For some debate on whether Palau officials were given notice about the study, and the preservation of the PLoS embargo, see here.

Chinese Gov't and the Tiger Photo

Chinese officials are going to continue their search for South China tigers despite evidence that the photo recently publicized is a fake. Looks like they may be planning to create a tourist draw in the area. (News source.)

Giant Spitting Earthworm Endangered

Several groups have sued the USFWS in an attempt to get the rare giant Palouse earthworm (Driloleirus americanus) listed as an endangered species. Press release here.

Marc Van Roosmalen Freed on Appeal

Biologist Marc Van Roosmalen (well-known for his new species discoveries) has been released by a Brazilian judge, pending appeal for trumped-up charges.

From the Washington Post:

"On Tuesday, Roosmalen was ordered released pending an appeal, according to a court official who spoke on condition of anonymity in accordance with court policy. Roosmalen's lawyer confirmed the ruling.
"Over the past decade, Roosmalen, a naturalized Brazilian, has described seven new monkey species in the Amazon and has garnered a number of international awards for his research and defense of the Amazon. In 2000, Time magazine named him one of its 'Heroes for the Planet.'
"He tried to auction off the rights to name the new species over the Internet, with the proceeds going to help preserve their habitats. But the court ruled that since he was working for a government agency when the monkeys were found, only federal officials were entitled to decide on the names."