I was fortunate to have observed one species that may go extinct if man does not intervene, the?Hooded Grebe.? The population has decreased by 80% in the past few years due in part to their breeding lakes drying likely from Global warming. The population stands at 700 individuals, most of which nest on the Strobel Plateau of Patagonia, a relatively small area. The 700 birds remaining only produced 1 chick last year. Though possibly a cycle, the weed that normally reaches the surface of the lakes upon which the grebe nests is not surfacing. Researchers have developed an artificial platform upon which they place the weed and some birds are using these with copulation noted this year. The population has begun to rise at some 2%.?
I met these researchers and they are very dedicated. Rainbow trout were introduced into many lakes for sportsmen who pay $1000 a night to fish because with the rich food source they can grow to 35 pounds. However, the fish consume much of the food the grebes require, The team are dragging nets to remove them but this is slow?going?and money is needed to fund better methods. Introduced Mink kill grebes and can take several at a time because historically the grebes have never had land predators and are unwarry. The mink too are slowly being eradicated with one of the researchers having?trained dogs to kill them.
I encourage those who can donate to this cause to do so. The link on top leads to a donation request.
pat.mary.taylor