June 2023 - 42
Burrowing owls live underground, often in burrows excavated by prairie dogs. (Photo by Tim Christie)
Outside of the wild population, several capThese
little owls aren't
year-round residents of
the state. Like many birds,
they leave for warmer
locales during the winter.
tive breeding programs involving the University
of Wyoming's Red Buttes Biological
Laboratory, Saratoga National Fish Hatchery
and six zoos throughout the country have
helped the Wyoming toad population jump
to new heights since 1993. The toad has also
been reintroduced to some private properties
as part of a Safe Harbor program for endangered
species.
" The biggest challenge the Wyoming toad
faces is amphibian chytrid fungus, " said Wendy
Estes-Zumpf, Game and Fish herpetologist
and Wyoming Toad Recovery Team leader.
" The Wyoming Toad is highly susceptible to
the pathogen and we see population crashes
immediately following spikes in chytrid fungus
prevalence. Game and Fish works closely
with captive breeding facilities, researchers,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, city and
county personnel and landowners to research
methods that will help the toads combat chytrid
infections, to secure high-quality habitat
for the toad and to support populations at
reintroduction sites through captive breeding. "
42 | June 2023
Chytrid fungus attacks the moist skin of
amphibians. When amphibians are infected
with chytrid fungus, their skin thickens -
making it harder for them to breathe and
reducing their ability to fight off infections.
Most amphibians with chytrid fungal infections
do not survive. The few that do have
better chances of passing on genes and traits
that are better equipped to fight chytrid
infections.
While Wyoming toad populations may
be improving, amphibian chytrid fungal
infection is the largest, active threat to more
than 350 species of amphibians throughout
the world. Estes-Zumpf said chytrid is highly
pervasive because it must stay wet to survive,
and anything that moves water can spread
the fungus. In order to limit chytrid infections,
those working in and around freshwater,
including anglers, trappers, hunters
and other recreationists are encouraged to
clean and dry anything that comes in contact
with water. Estes-Zumpf also said rinsing
gear with a 10 percent bleach solution will
kill the fungus.
June 2023
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2023
June 2023 - 1
June 2023 - 2
June 2023 - 3
June 2023 - 4
June 2023 - 5
June 2023 - 6
June 2023 - 7
June 2023 - 8
June 2023 - 9
June 2023 - 10
June 2023 - 11
June 2023 - 12
June 2023 - 13
June 2023 - 14
June 2023 - 15
June 2023 - 16
June 2023 - 17
June 2023 - 18
June 2023 - 19
June 2023 - 20
June 2023 - 21
June 2023 - 22
June 2023 - 23
June 2023 - 24
June 2023 - 25
June 2023 - 26
June 2023 - 27
June 2023 - 28
June 2023 - 29
June 2023 - 30
June 2023 - 31
June 2023 - 32
June 2023 - 33
June 2023 - 34
June 2023 - 35
June 2023 - 36
June 2023 - 37
June 2023 - 38
June 2023 - 39
June 2023 - 40
June 2023 - 41
June 2023 - 42
June 2023 - 43
June 2023 - 44
June 2023 - 45
June 2023 - 46
June 2023 - 47
June 2023 - 48
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/wyoming-wildlife-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2024-e-edition
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-iak-special-issue
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/dec-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/January2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/December2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/September2020
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