Endangered species returned to Wayne National Forest

By Staff Report | The Tribune

Published Thursday, June 11, 2009

NELSONVILLE — The Wayne National Forest along with several partners released 300 pairs of the American burying beetle (ABB) onto the Forest in an effort to reintroduce populations of this endangered species in a tri-county area including Athens, Morgan, and Perry County.

This was the largest number of beetles released in Ohio in a single year.

This is the second year that partners have released the rare beetle on the Forest in hopes the species will establish itself in Wayne National Forest.

In 2008, 250 pairs of beetles were introduced. The beetles used in the release came from rearing facilities at Ohio State University, The Wilds, and the St. Louis Zoo.

The release sites will be monitored as they were in 2008 for signs of breeding activity by checking for larvae and, later, new adult beetles. In 2008, the beetles did show signs of reproduction.

The last known record of an American burying beetle in the State of Ohio occurred in 1974 in Hocking County.

“The ABB was once a part of the diverse historic fauna found in the Buckeye state. I am a firm believer that no nativespecies is insignificant enough to not care about its continued existence,” said Athens ranger district wildlife biologist, Lynda Andrews.

“Our goal is to establish self-sustaining populations of the American burying beetle, so that one day, it will no longer need the protection of the Endangered Species Act,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Biologist Angela Boyer. “As with many wildlife management efforts, partnerships are playing a significant role in restoring this missing piece of Ohio’s natural landscape.”

Among the partners joining the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are the Ohio DNR, Division of Wildlife; Ohio State University; The Wilds; the St. Louis Zoo; and the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Funding came from the Ohio Division of Wildlife through donations to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species Program.

This program receives donations through the state income tax checkoff and revenues from the sale of the wildlife conservation license plate.

The other partners provided substantial in-kind services.

See more digital images from the reintroduction of the American burying beetle at http://www.flickr.com/waynenf/.

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