2012-10-31 Endangered Greater Sage-grouse Hang On by a Thread in Alberta, Huge Declines in Saskatchewan
Wild Lands Advocate update, August 2012, by Madeline Wilson. Counts of sage-grouse performed this spring show that last year's numbers were no fluke: again only 13 males were counted on Alberta leks. Perhaps even more worrying is the 57 percent drop in Saskatchewan numbers since 2011.
Wild Lands Advocate update, August 2012, by Madeline Wilson. Counts of sage-grouse performed this spring show that last year's numbers were no fluke: again only 13 males were counted on Alberta leks. Perhaps even more worrying is the 57 percent drop in Saskatchewan numbers since 2011.
“According to sage-grouse scientist Mark Boyce, 2012 lek counts (i.e.: 31 males observed in Canada) indicate that fewer than 100 birds in total now stand between sage-grouse being endangered and sage-grouse being extinct in Canada. The cause of this relentless decline is no mystery: sage-grouse are highly sensitive to habitat disturbance. Research has shown that when confronted with oil and gas development, sage-grouse actively abandon their leks and other habitats crucial to their survival.”
