On September 2, 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) issued a stakeholder alert implementing restrictions on hunter harvested wild bird meat/carcasses from all of Canada, regardless of province, due to the risk of transmitting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). However, after significant pushback, APHIS has been working with stakeholders and other federal agencies to provide options for importing hunter-harvested wild bird meat/carcasses that address the HPAI transmission risk to domestic poultry. Effective September 12, APHIS will allow the import of hunter harvested wild bird meat/carcasses with several specific transport requirements.
We reported on the first natural reproduction of eastern hellbenders in captivity (ONB Dec 2020) as a major step forward in conservation of this species. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that their Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) will contribute $2.7 million to improve hellbender habitat in a four-county region in south central Indiana, the only remaining habitat for hellbenders in the state.
The Wildlife Management Institute is seeking a new President to replace Steve Williams who last month announced his plans to retire at the end of March 2023. The WMI Board of Directors has begun their search for a new president and plans to select a candidate on or before February 2023. A position description has been developed and qualified candidates are welcome to submit their materials for consideration. Following is the full position description.
