Jan 07 2009
Eagles at Santa Cruz Island in Southern California
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You’ve probably heard that the National Park Service has removed the Golden Eagles from Santa Cruz and has reintroduced Bald Eagles.
Last week we spotted the results at Forney’s Cove and later at Cueva Valdez.
Even at a distance of a couple of hundred yards, the birds are impressive. OK, they didn’t do anything, but they have an arresting countenance. In fact, besides the eagles I can’t think of much beyond gorillas and J. Trimble Boyd, my high school principal, that I’d say have a countenance.
Since Bald Eagles are fish eaters, they’re no threat to the Island Foxes.
You can take a look at their nest via live video cam at Eagle’s Nest.
Headline from the Ventura County Star, January 15th, 2015: ISLAND FISH POPULATIONS IN PERIL
According to biologists from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, several species of small fish, in particular anchovies and mackerel, have declined to record low levels around Santa Cruz Island. The reason, officials say, is predation by a burgeoning population of Bald Eagles, which were introduced in 2002 by the National Park Service. The Bald Eagle, as you may recall, was introduced after the Golden Eagle was removed from the island so it would no longer prey upon the Island Fox.
The effect of the reduced populations of smaller fish has migrated up the food chain, causing a steep decline in the numbers of larger fish that feed on them. The result has been devastating for the commercial and sport-fishing industries. According to biologists, even populations of the common dolphin have been diminished.
To see things first hand, this reporter booked a charter aboard the sailing yacht Sancerre II, piloted by Captain Dan Ryder. As we approached the island, the sky darkened ominously as literally thousands of Bald Eagles circled overhead. Capt. Dan glared malevolently skyward. “I can’t get within ½ mile of Santa Cruz without getting my entire boat covered with Eagle sh*t,” he lamented. “And forget about trying to anchor out there, unless you want to walk around wearing a raincoat and carrying a shovel.”
But according NPS ranger Miguel Cruz, the Bald Eagle debacle is not the only problem that has arisen from the manipulation of the Raptor populations. The Island Fox, now free of predation, has also dramatically increased in numbers. After wiping out all of the native rodents on the island, the fox now stalks tourists and frequently steals their food. “The other day I had to explain to a group of 3rd graders why their lunches had disappeared,” Cruz reported sadly.
Last week the NPS and the Nature Conservancy announced a joint plan to rid the Island of Bald Eagles, expected to take 9 years and cost 11 million dollars. Also hunting permits would be issued for the Island Fox.
Perhaps the folks at NPS are too young to remember a line from a popular TV commercial a decade or two ago: “It’s not nice to fool with Mother Nature.”