Guahan rare pride project plan presented by
Measuring the Success of the Campaign
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- Long term measures include
- 12.0 Target species
- 12.2 Biological characteristics
- 12.3 Social or cultural characteristics
- 12.4 Economic benefits and considerations
- 12.5 Other species considered for flagship status
- 12.6 Justification
11.1 Measuring the Success of the CampaignTo measure the success of the campaign, monitoring must be done throughout the progression of the campaign. Monitoring will enable one to accurately and reliably assess the on-going impact of a project’s interventions to determine whether it has achieved its goals and objectives, and what needs to be done to improve efficacy. A number of techniques will be utilized. Refer to Table 3 for details on exact measures and timelines.
Long term measures include:
Other information to be collected includes:
12.0 Target speciesA successful Rare Pride campaign requires the identification and use of an appropriate flagship species. This inaugural Guam campaign intends to elevate the status of the Guam Rail and make it a visible symbol of native wildlife conservation. 12.1 The process of flagship species selectionAs the territorial bird of Guam, the Guam rail or ko’ko’ as it is colloquially called, is a natural choice for a flagship species. Likenesses of the bird have already been used in the community for advertising and recognition3. As the authority on Guam’s natural resources, the Guam Department of Agriculture has used the bird to symbolize endangered native wildlife. Whenever possible, a live bird mascot has accompanied biologists to presentations to not only expose the public to the species but also raise awareness and support for current conservation projects on Guam. A Rare Pride campaign in support of the ko’ko’ will not only clarify the threats and issues surrounding its demise but also threats to other remaining endangered native species of Guam. By focusing on a well known icon, it will rally island-wide support for conservation on a grand, uniform scale that has yet to be witnessed. With backing from the territorial Governor and leadership by the GDAWR, the Guahan Pride campaign will indubitably be successful in changing knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in support of protecting the ko’ko’ and its conspecifics. 12.2 Biological characteristicsGallirallus owstoni as the ko’ko’ is referred to in scientific literature is unique. It is endemic to Guam within the Mariana Islands. As part of the order Gruiformes, it belongs to one of the older lineages of modern birds and is one of the last remaining flightless rails in the Pacific region. Currently no closely related species occur in Micronesia though remains of ancient rails were found in Rota (Steadman 2006). This ancestral lineage can be used to highlight its significance and uniqueness in evolutionary history. This is a focal point to emphasize in a flagship species. The body of a ko’ko’ is elongated and laterally compressed, allowing the bird to move rapidly through dense vegetation. The plumage of both sexes is similar; however males are often larger in size. Their coloration of varying shades of brown, grey, black and white, combined with their ability to move and sit silently makes detection in the wild difficult (Jenkins 1979). The manamko or community elders of Guam compare their WWII experiences of hiding in the jungles from Japanese invaders to the stealth movements and camouflage abilities of the ko’ko’ (Buck Cruz, personal communication March 2008). As members of the family Rallidae, the species exhibits considerable diversity in both prey and habitat preferences. This species is a generalist, preferring animal over vegetable matter. Guam rails use its beak to kill prey but when confronted, can also kill predators such as the brown tree snake. In an anthropogenic sense, the protective nature of rails can be seen as an admirable attribute. Historically, ko’ko’ were common throughout the island in all habitat types except wetlands although Jenkins considered both savanna and mature limestone forest marginal habitat (1979). Observations from an experimental population on Rota show ko’ko’ like to live in brushy areas mixed with grassland or forest (Paul Wenninger, personal communication, November 2007). Once again, the adaptability of the species is seen as an characteristic worth emulating especially by the elders of Guam’s community. Having evolved without predators, the flightless Guam rail is easy prey for dogs, cats, rats and monitor lizards brought by the various peoples who colonized the island. The species builds a shallow nest on the ground, making it easy for these predators to catch the ko'ko' and its chicks. The ease of predation can stimulate sympathy in the public and incite the need for protection from invasive or feral species. Guam rails are naturally fecund and successfully breed in captivity, making individuals available for future reintroductions economically and logistically feasible. They mature at six months of age and have been known to produce up to 10 clutches per year in captivity. Ko'ko' lay up to four large, freckled eggs and young fledge when they are only one day old (Jenkins 1979). The animal has the attraction of rearing cute, robust chicks which need minimal human intervention. This characteristic facilitates the ease of setting up captive breeding programs. From the media’s perspective, the use of photogenic, charismatic animals are an added benefit for an intense marketing campaign such as the Rare Pride program. Captive raised Guam rails have been known to exhibit distinct characteristics and personality. They can be charismatic which deems them good for public, promotional, and educational opportunities. The public will be able to relate to personable animals. The invasive brown treesnake is the cause of Guam’s dramatic loss of endemic avian species (Savidge 1987). Today only two native forest bird species remain in precariously low numbers due to the hardiness of this invasive snake. Attempts to establish ko’ko’ in snake-reduced areas utilizing traps and barrier technology on mainland Guam have had limited success. In low snake densities, reintroductions of ko’ko’ are feasible. Almost immediately, rails breed and chicks can be successfully reared within 6 months. Past experiments prove that with effort and continued support, gains against invasive species and feral animals are possible. The Guam rail is a species that can be brought back from the brink of extinction. The existing flock cannot be penned in protected facilities indefinitely. To escape the threat of stochastic events such as disease and natural disasters, the flock should be separated into multiple populations. Future plans anticipate that community supported reforestation measures will aid in the identification of additional suitable habitat for endangered species reintroduction. Free-roaming birds will cultivate innate wild behaviors susceptible to the effects of selective breeding and time. It should be stressed that the secret to the species’ interesting and important biology lies in its relationship to its habitat. Ko’ko' are best suited to native habitat, free from invasive and feral animals and plants. Therefore to be able to reintroduce the ko’ko’ in the wild, whole ecosystem restoration must take place. The outcome will benefit not only the ko’ko’ but other endangered species and the community as well. 12.3 Social or cultural characteristicsThe ko’ko’ is part of Chamorro cultural heritage. It is thought to have lived on the island since ancestral times and used as a source of food and companionship. A Chamorro legend tells how the ko'ko' got its stripes (see Appendix H). Historically, the ko'ko' was so common that local hunters were able to hunt them for sustenance. This fact connects the species to human history and cultural inheritance. Monogamy and dedication of parents to young are attributes that are seen as admirable to the local community and biologists. From a scientific standpoint, management of a captive breeding program is logistically simple, with pairs mating easily and consistently for seasons or years at a time. From the viewpoint of a Roman Catholic dominated society, Guam residents can identify with the admirable characteristic of a committed relationship to one spouse and family. Guam Department of Agriculture hopes to provide more accessible viewing of this species to the general public. Currently efforts to release Guam rails on Guam have failed due to feral cat and brown treesnake predation. Most releases occurred on military lands where access for the general public is restricted. On the island of Rota in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands where environmental conditions are similar to Guam and there are no brown treesnakes, an experimental wild population of rails is being established. Annually, approximately 100 ko'ko' are released. High mortality primarily due to feral cat predation slows population establishment and may be the primary cause of population decline (Paul Wenninger, personal communication November 2007). Exact rates of survival are difficult to determine. However credible sightings of ko’ko’ are made periodically by both locals and “birders” interested in seeing the species in a natural setting. Here, the public has the opportunity to experience the species on a personal level, an experience one cannot have on Guam. Before the boom in brown treesnake population, the numbers of rails on Guam was estimated in the thousands (Jenkins 1979). Primarily, only the elderly have had personal experiences with the bird species. Many of the manamko can recall tales of when ko’ko’ were plentiful on Guam and often relate stories of easily observing ko’ko’ running along roadsides in tall grass or of birds bathing in the morning dew. Now, generations of have grown up only experiencing the bird in books and legends or limited interaction when a tame ko’ko’ is provided during an educational visit. Those that can remember, state Guam rails are quite vocal and active during the early and late hours of the day. Since the introduction of the brown tree snake, Guam’s forests have been silent. Successful reintroduction of the species will fill the silence with a cacophony of calls and song not yet heard by the young people of Guam. Sometimes seen as dejected or defeated because of its hunched stance, the ko’ko’ has persevered like the Chamorro people who have withstood the onslaught of time and colonization. Hope in the face of almost total extinction should be focused upon and emphasized as relatable analogies can be easily drawn to touch the heartstrings of both the young and old to conserve Guam’s natural heritage. 12.4 Economic benefits and considerationsThe Guam rail is now one of the most critically endangered rails in the world; it was federally listed as endangered in 1984 and currently listed as extinct in the wild (IUCN 2007). Since the ko’ko are few in numbers, it is worth 'cherishing' in the eye of the public. This fact can help generate local pride and a sense of ownership of the species. Alternatively, the ko’ko’ can be deemed destined to extinction and seen as a possible waste of resources. The pre-project survey suggests that the majority of the public believe there is something that can be done to protect the species thereby projecting that community support of conservation will override the sense of ecological doom. An avian flagship species is advantageous as birds are a typical focus of conservation and likely to attract funding and in-kind support. The Government of Guam and the US Federal Government have spent millions of dollars in research and control of brown treesnake in order to protect Guam’s resources and prevent the spread to other locations (Vice 2000). Without these measures, millions in lost revenue is possible in locales unprepared to handle such an invasion. Furthermore, snake-induced power outages have damaged transformers, electrical substations and subsequently have become a drain on the local economy. Neighboring islands can learn from Guam’s mistakes. Prevention and monitoring of invasive species is cheaper than eradication and control once the invasive species is established. In 1983, the remaining 21 ko’ko’ were successfully brought into captivity to establish a captive breeding program ensuring that the species does not become extinct. Currently, the captive population stands at over 200 birds on Guam and in various zoos throughout the continental United States (Suzanne Medina, personal communication November 2007). For mainland zoos, exhibiting rare species such as the ko’ko’ are a draw for professional conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts alike that bring profit and prestige to zoological institutions. Due to the high cost of barrier maintenance and nuisance animal removal, offshore areas without these limitations are being groomed for future native species reintroductions. Although the ko’ko’ are able to reproduce in the presence of low snake densities, they cannot withstand the presence of feral cats in an environment where deer and pig eat and trample the vegetation (Wiles et al. 2003). Safe Harbor Agreements signed between the landowners and regulating authorities will ensure land management practices will benefit endangered species without added restrictions to the landowner. With successful restoration and positive results, partnerships between the public and private sectors can prove beneficial for wildlife. The landowners will gain a sense of ownership and possibly even prestige. While monetary benefits are not emphasized, there may be some small financial gains for persistence of the species in the form of ecotourism opportunities. Easily recognizable, effigies of the ko’ko’ are used by local businesses and the tourist industry to promote the island’s natural heritage on a local and international scale. At present, tourists from primarily Asia come to Guam to not only shop but experience wildlife and nature related activities. The Guam Visitor’s Bureau has made a committed effort to market Guam as an ecotourism locale (Amy Pangelinan, personal communication, June 2008). By increasing conservation efforts and restoring native species and habitats, new opportunities for the tourism sector will be available thereby strengthening the economy of Guam. 12.5 Other species considered for flagship statusBrown treesnake – As a non-native, invasive species, a negative campaign must be planned to ensure compliance to eradication and biosecurity measures to prevent (re)colonization of the snake or its prey. While it is plausible that increased knowledge can rally support for native wildlife protection against this virulent species, increased media exposure may cause unwarranted panic in the local community. Emphasis of its biological characteristics (its aggressive, prolific, persistent and adaptable nature) could be detrimental for the tourism industry. Guam’s economy may suffer as most tourists may not want to visit an island with extremely high snake densities. Furthermore, reiteration of the bleak outlook for Guam’s wildlife is not encouraging for the morale of the local community and the professionals that work to eradicate the snake. Marianas Fruit Bat – Historically this species was an important food source. Like the ko’ko’ only elders have memories of the abundance of this species. Currently, low population numbers are a result of human persecution and loss of habitat. Since this species is capable of becoming critically endangered or even extinct in a very short time period, the fruit bat would be an unsuitable flagship species because conservation efforts might be doomed to failure (IUCN 2007). The existing colony is restricted to military lands which are hard to physically and logistically access. Community support of this species may be hard to gather as many may feel disconnected due to the lack of visibility. Alternatively, increased knowledge of roosting sites could cause poaching to occur. Serianthes nelsonii – Due to invasive plant species and the browsing of feral ungulates, native plant species are extremely rare. Only one solitary tree exists on Guam in a remote, inaccessible area. The inability to visit the tree may result in feelings of disconnection within the community. Furthermore, plants used as a “mascot” may not be received as well as a charismatic animal mascot. Plants can seem one-dimensional, not personable, and difficult to relate to. Regeneration efforts of this species have had little or no success. The difficulty in propagation harms this species chance at flagship status as it may be fated for extinction. Finally, since cultural belief marks these trees as the traditional homes of the spirits of the ancestors (the Taotaomona) locals may fear association with this species altogether. 12.6 JustificationThe latest trend within environmental education has encouraged all facets of community to cooperate to identify and resolve socio-ecological problems (Palmer 1998). All interested parties should work together to create environmental literacy which will ultimately result in environmental behavior change. The ko’ko’ would be an ideal Rare Pride flagship species as it is already identified as a familiar, existing icon for science, commerce, and Chamorro culture. It can unify not only the vision but also the agencies conducting conservation and species restoration. By increasing pride in Guam’s natural and cultural resources, awareness and positive action for Guam’s environmental problems will increase and economic gains will rise accordingly. Additionally, other threatened or endangered species will benefit from ecosystem restoration. Both the local community and native species of Guam will not only benefit but hopefully prosper and multiply. 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