LEGAL PROTECTION FOR BORDERCATS
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United States: All three species of bordercats are on the U.S. endangered species list. The ocelot and jaguarundi have not had a revised recovery plan written since the original plan (1990), which outlines no critical habitat for either species. In the short term, BWG is concerned with federal highway projects, gas/oil development, and international bridges that may be within bordercat habitat. According to Tewes, there is evidence that both ocelots and bobcats in Texas avoid the two international bridges in the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge. In addition, out of 57 tagged ocelots in Texas, 12 died from vehicle accidents. In the immediate future, the recovery plan for each species needs to be re-written and critical habitat needs to be designated. Melissa Grigione and colleagues are currently reviewing the plan from a scientific and legal perspective in order improve the current plan and to influence the formal recovery team and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A jaguar conservation team, consisting primarily of state fish and game departments and several federal agencies, has written a Conservation Agreement (CA) for the jaguar. The efforts under the CA are based on voluntary participation. BWG will work closely with this team to promote species recovery. Now that the jaguar is listed as an endangered species north of the Mexican border, however, the Fish and Wildlife Service has the statutory responsibility to write a recovery plan for the species. The BWG will influence the Fish and Wildlife Service to both form a recovery team for the jaguar and write a thorough recovery plan for this species. Other US legal activities: Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, and Frontera Audubon are currently involved in litigation concerning Army Corps of Engineers and Border Patrol activities in the Lower Rio Grande region of Texas (See Presentations, Publications & Outreach pages for more information). The Corps intends to mow vegetation, build boat ramps, install lights, rebuild roads and fences in several areas (spanning approximately 100 miles) along the Rio Grande, in close proximity to the Lower Rio Grande and Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuges. Ocelots and jaguarundis have been observed in this region and Corps activities could detrimentally affect what few individuals are left in this area. The Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge is currently acquiring additional habitat for species such as ocelots. In light of this, it is important that areas suitable for ocelots (and jaguarundis) be acquired into the refuge system as soon as possible. Through this lawsuit, we are preventing illegal Corps activities from occurring and in addition, are building relationships with the Border Patrol in order to determine ways in which we can work together to allow cats to live within the border region while keeping drugs out. Copies of this lawsuit are available. Lastly, Joint Task Force-6 (JTF-6) is a Department of Defense group that works with Border Patrol across the entire U.S.-Mexico border. This group, like the Army Corps of Engineers, helps the Border Patrol with its efforts to keep drugs out of border areas. They have just completed a plan which details all JTF-6 activities across the border region expected to occur during the next five years. Activities are expected to take place in habitats suitable for the border cats. These activities will undoubtedly take habitat away from the border cats. In May 1999, Melissa Grigione submitted detailed comments to JTF-6, with regard to this plan. Copies of this report are available. Mexico: The jaguar, ocelot, and jaguarundi are protected under the Mexican law "SEDESOL. 1994. Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-059-ECOL-1994 que determina las especies y subespecies de flora y fauna silvestres terrestres y acuaticas en peligro de extincion, amenazadas, raras y las sujetas a proteccion especial, y que establece especificaciones para su proteccion. Diario Oficial de la Federacion. 431:2-60" and no hunting of these species is allowed, although not enforced due to limited human and economic resources. In the first quarter of 2000, Mexicans working with Jaguars, or whose experience could contribute to the conservation of the species, formed the "Subcomite Consultivo Tecnico para el Jaguar," a working group officially recognized by the Mexican Government that will lead conservation efforts for the Jaguar in Mexico. Other neotropical felids are currently being considered for inclusion into this group. All Mexican members of the BWG are or will be part of this group. |
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