NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
November 13, 2006

Contact:

Mark Salvo, Director, Sagebrush Sea Campaign · 503-757-4221

West Nile Virus Taking Toll on Greater Sage-grouse Across the West

CHANDLER, ARIZ. - The U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center has reported that West Nile virus continued to spread into previously uninfected populations of greater sage-grouse across the West in 2006. The disease has now been detected in sage-grouse in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming, as well as Alberta, Canada. Experimental studies at have shown that West Nile virus is usually fatal to sage-grouse, resulting in death within 6 days of infection.

West Nile virus represents the latest factor in the decline of greater sage-grouse populations. The species already suffers from habitat loss. Livestock grazing, oil and gas drilling, off-road vehicle use, the spread of invasive species, and the placement and construction of roads, fences and utility corridors continue to fragment and degrade what remains.

"The evidence that supports listing greater sage-grouse under the Endangered Species Act is mounting," said Mark Salvo, Director of the Sagebrush Sea Campaign.

The historic range of greater sage-grouse closely conformed to the distribution of sagebrush-steppe in what became twelve western states and three Canadian provinces. But since 1900 sage grouse populations have declined. Greater sage-grouse distribution has decreased by at least 44 percent while overall abundance has been reduced by as much as 93 percent from historic levels.

Dr. Clait E. Braun, former Avian Research Program Manager for the Colorado Division of Wildlife, has produced "A Blueprint for Sage-grouse Conservation and Recovery" to manage threats to greater sage-grouse and increase both sage-grouse populations and range. Federal and state agencies and sage-grouse working groups are urged to adopt the management guidelines in the report.

The Sagebrush Sea Campaign focuses public attention and conservation resources on protecting and restoring the vast sagebrush-steppe landscape. The campaign participates in public planning processes, advocates for natural resource protection, and uses education, research, legislation and litigation to conserve and restore the Sagebrush Sea for present and future generations. The Sagebrush Sea Campaign is a project of Forest Guardians.

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