Dele Ue HOON) (Bieler bo DrloN 27 
CONTROLLED AS PESTS 
There were five species that man intentionally tried to exterminate 
and nearly did. These species competed with man and, therefore, became 
his enemy. [he grizzly bear and the wolf killed the early settlers’ live- 
stock and were therefore eliminated from all but the most remote regions. 
PAST EXPLOITATION 
Past exploitation has been responsible for sixteen species becoming 
rare or endangered. [hey were harvested with no limits whatsoever, 
primarily by market hunters, because of their commercial value. This 
group contains six species of whales that have gained protection only 
recently and three species of fur seals. 
ENVIRONMENTAL ALTERATIONS 
As the previous chart indicates, a large majority (72) of our rare 
and endangered species got that way because of environmental changes 
caused by man. Most of these have rather specialized habitat require- 
ments. 
The drainage of natural wetlands and marshes to make room for 
various developments and agriculture has taken its toll of wildlife. Cal- 
ifornia black rails and three subspecies of clapper rails are rare or en- 
dangered because the marshes where they live are being drained for 
housing developments or are being polluted. 
The northern red-cockaded woodpecker and other forest dwelling 
animals have suffered from man’s tampering with their habitat. A good 
example is the ivory-billed wookpecker that feeds on wood boring beetle 
larvae found in dead and decaying trees. Elimination of such trees by 
current forestry practices has led to their decline. 
Some species simply don’t tolerate the addition of man into their 
world. [They must have a certain amount of seclusion from man es- 
pecially during the nesting season. The southern bald eagle and the 
California condor would represent this group. 
Other species decline when man brings new diseases, predators and 
parasites to their environment. In Hawaii the introduction of dogs, cats, 
mongooses, rats, pigs and bird diseases and parasites have brought many 
birds near or to extinction. Already 22 species are extinct in Hawai. 
Over half of the 60 rare or endangered U.S. birds are Hawaiian. 
These changes which we impose upon our land may not kill wildlife 
as quickly as does the hunter, but the effects are more devastating and 
permanent. When man permanently destroys wildlife’s food, cover and 
other essentials, he not only deprives that particular generation of wild- 
life a place to live, but also that of all future generations. 
REGULATED HARVEST 
By “regulated harvest” I’m referring to hunting seasons based on 
scientifically gathered data as we know them today. It may surprise 
you that legal hunting for sport has not caused a single species to be 
added to the list of rare and endangered species. 
It was noted earlier that the passenger pigeon and the heath hen 
were completely wiped out by hunters and the bison and pronghorn 
nearly followed. However, at that time there were few restrictions regard- 
