Extirpated and Rare Species of

New York State

Elk (Red Deer: Cervus elaphus• Historically low densities in NYS

• 1893 – 1906: 332 Rocky Mtn. elk were introduced to Adirondack Park

• 1953: extirpated (hunting, poaching and roundworm brain worm; loss of lg. predators, increase in deer, spread of brain worm)

• Matriarchal and social (males keep harems)

• Considered pests by farmers

• 6 tined antlers

• Noisiest deer species

Wolverine: Gulo guloHistorically present - last known in NYS in1840

Habitat: large expanses of forests and other

isolated, boreal ecosystems.

Reproduction: Breed in summer; 30-50 day

gestation; birth in Spring? (~ 250 days later)

Induced ovulation and Delayed implantation

Now described as “The Rarest Mammal in North America”

Causes of decline:

• Require large, undeveloped areas

• Increased human access

(hunting, trapping)

• decline of large mammals and their

carcasses (which wolverines fed on)

Canada lynx: Lynx canadensis15 kg; ~ twice as large as bobcat (L. rufus)

Historically present in ADKs and northern forests of NYS

1890: last confirmed specimen in NYS

Causes for Extirpation:Deforestation, over-hunting and trappingRequire large, intact wilderness, snowshoe hares (winter)

Reintroduction: 1988 – 1990

• 83 released (from a Canadian populations); hard release (instead of in stages) in Adirondacks by ESF and DEC researchers• mortalities on roads, etc.• One dispersed to NJ• Unsuccessful: Lack of funding, inadequate follow-up

and no report or data made available for improved plan

Wolf: Canis lupus and C. rufus

Red wolf: Canis rufus

Historically present in NYS (Grey in north; Red in south)

• One of its largest native predators; maintained population levels of prey, including deer (prevented over-grazing, …)

• 1890: Last confirmed population

Causes for Extirpation:•Persecution – hunting, trapping and bounties•Fragmentation•Loss of large expansive of undisturbed, undeveloped lands•Reintroductions successful in Yellowstone, …•Others expanding south into Great Lakes Region on their own

prey

Grey wolf: Canis lupus

Mountain lion: Puma concolorHistorically present: one of largest

predators since the ice age

• 1908: Last specimen in NYS

• Causes for decline: Persecution Fragmentation Decline in Prey (elk, …)

Yellow – historic range

Allegheny woodrat: Neotoma magister• Historically present in southern NYS

• 1987: Last specimen

• Causes for decline:Habitat fragmentation, chestnut blightParasite – “raccoon” roundwormVector: raccoonPackrats – collect material to their nest/middens, including feces of raccoons spread the roundworms

~ 350 g

Least weasel: Mustela nivalis• Smallest carnivore in

North America

• Consumes ½ weight, ~ 2-3 mice, per day

• Generally widespread and

abundant where it occurs, but now rare in NYS

• Factors for decline: Competition with other weasel species Climate change (it is a northern species)

Long-tailed Short-tailed (80 g) Least (50 g)300g (males),

Molar, carnassial, 2 premolars

New England cottontail:Sylvilagus transitionalis

• Range declined by 75% since 1960: IUCN Vulnerable

• Occasionally present in extreme eastern NYS

• Often misidentified/confused with eastern cottontail rabbit

• Distribution limited to parts of New England, and is declining

• Habitat – early successional woodlands and thickets with tangled vegetation (provides food and cover from predators)

• Causes for decline

• Forest maturation

• Introduction of non-native plants (multiflora rose,

honeysuckle bush and autumn olive) replace preferred plants

• Competition with S. floridanus (whose range is expanding)

Adults ~ 1 kg

Smaller than Easter CT, with black on head and ears

http://www.mnh.si.edu/mna/full_image.cfm?image_id=336�

We didn’t kill them all!Successful “management” actions(often involves stopping mis-management = over-harvesting, habitat loss, …)

• Closed hunting/trapping seasons and • Habitat restoration, • Reintroductions

recovery of some species in NYS

Odocoileus virginianus

Perhaps too successful! Overabundance over-browsing, decline in habitat for other species (passerine birds); spread disease, round worm ( brain worm in Elk)habitat management for this mid-successional (edge habitat) species decline of late-successional (mature forest) species.

Castor canadensis

Decline: overharvesting - trapped for their fur and for castor (used in “perfumes”)Recovery: controlled trappingNow, considered a nuisance at times depending on where dams are built (along highways): provide critical habitat for many amphibians, fish and other aquatic organisms or species depending on wet soils

Lutra canadensis

Decline: overharvesting - trapped for their fur and for castor (used in “perfumes”)Recovery: controlled trapping and reintroductions

Martes americana (Marten)

• Declined substantially the late 1800s and early 1900s, primarily due to habitat loss caused by intensive logging, and overharvesting by trappers.

• In 1936, New York closed the marten trapping season. Over the next 42 years, martens re-occupied much of their former Adirondack range.

Martes pennanti (Fisher)

• Declined substantially the late 1800s and early 1900s, primarily due to habitat loss (prefer mature coniferous forests) caused by intensive logging, and over-trappers.

• Populations rebounded after trapping season was closed, and while forest succession continued toward more mature stands of coniferous forests.

Extirpated, Rare Species,

and Recovering Mammals

of New York State

Extirpated and Rare Species of �New York StateElk (Red Deer: Cervus elaphusWolverine: Gulo guloCanada lynx: Lynx canadensisWolf: Canis lupus and C. rufusMountain lion: Puma concolorAllegheny woodrat: Neotoma magisterLeast weasel: �Mustela nivalisNew England cottontail:� Sylvilagus transitionalisSlide Number 10Slide Number 11Odocoileus virginianusCastor canadensisLutra canadensisMartes americana (Marten)Martes pennanti (Fisher)Extirpated, Rare Species, and Recovering Mammals of New York State