-- 2008 Synopsis --

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The USFW synopsis of he 2008 search season in pdf form is here:

http://www.fws.gov/ivorybill/IBWAccomplishments2008.pdf

In reference to ongoing studies of Pileated Woodpecker ecology in the Big Woods they note that,
"An important issue that the research will address is the potential limiting influence of predation on the productivity of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker population"... interesting, though I'm not sure that predation upon Ivory-bills is exactly the biggest concern for whatever few individuals may remain. Although, there may be one sort of predation to be concerned over... At another point the summary notes:
"Since the rediscovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker local interests in eastern Arkansas have been concerned that their traditional economic activities; such as farming, hunting, fishing, and forestry might be disrupted. The Big Woods of Arkansas Habitat Conservation Plan will allow the continuation of these activities and promote the recovery of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker and five other endangered species."
But they further acknowledge that a questionnaire given to the Big Woods populace indicated that, "About 50% of the landowners surveyed still have concerns about government intervention and control of their land if Ivory-billed Woodpeckers were located on their property." 50% is NOT an insignificant number. One suspects that no matter how much conservation "outreach" is done by academic and governmental authorities a worrisome portion of the resident population may NOT look kindly upon IBWOs being found on land they utilize. The potential reaction of private landowners to IBWO presence on their property (...or even on public property that they use) was a concern 60 years ago, and it's at least as big a concern today.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------