Red Knot Bird Nears Extinction After Judge Lifts Hunting Ban

While the decline of majestic creatures such as the polar bear have been publicized more and more often, many other creatures slip through the cracks and are ignored while they plummet into the irreversible abyss known as extinction. The Red Knot (subspecies C. c. rufa) is one such animal.

The small shorebird has numbers close to 12,000. This may seem like a lot, but upon closer inspection it should garner much attention. Raw numbers can never be the only factor in determining whether a species is endangered or not. There are many other variables which need to be taken into account, including but not limited to the rate of decline, the steps (if any) already taken to try and help the species, what is happening to their habitat, migration routes, and the ecosystem as a whole to which they belong. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of this information, especially politicians and lawmakers.

Revisiting the number of 12,000, this suddenly becomes shocking when people realize that there were over 250,000 Red Knots (including over 95,000 in the Delaware Bay) in 1989. In the span of 17 years, that is quite a drastic decline with only 4.8% of the earlier population remaining (and that population is probably less than it was even further back).

The Red Knot makes one of the longest and most spectacular migrations in the entire world. Their breeding grounds are located high up in the artic tundra, in the northern most reaches of Canada. When winter approaches, they begin an epic journey down the coast of Canada and the United States, eventually crossing over the Atlantic and Caribbean Oceans to reach South America. During this tortuous trip, the birds can come into contact with an enormous amount of hurdles to overcome. Predation and disease are natural, of course, however habitat loss, narrow strips of resting grounds, and the harvesting of their main food source are not.

Horseshoe crab eggs are an excellent source of energy for these birds, and during their long trip they are absolutely vital. The Delaware Bay area was once a delectable buffet of eggs for the Red Knot. In recent years, harvesting of horseshoe crabs to use as bait for eel and conch fishing has hurt not only their population, but also the populations of many migratory shorebirds. A two-year ban on the harvesting of the horseshoe crabs was lifted earlier this week by a judge in Delaware who believes taking 100,000 male horseshoe crabs would have minimal effect on their population.

Perhaps this judge was not aware of the rapid decline of such birds as the Red Knot, or the reasons for the decline, or perhaps an even more depressing realization is that he may not care. Thankfully New Jersey has not lifted the ban on harvesting horseshoe crabs, as officials there still believe more data is needed to determine whether or not it is helping the Red Knot population.

Computer models are predicting that in 2010 the 12,000 Red Knots will number zero. Experts agree and state that even if the model is inaccurate, the extinction of the birds will probably come soon after if more action is not taken.

The Red Knot is one of many species that are nearing extinction not thanks to natural selection, but thanks to us. Thanks to the decimation of habitats, breeding grounds, and the harvesting of their main food staple. There is a good chance it will join the many other species wiped out by man as the next mass extinction looms closer and closer. Many believe we have already begun it. Please take the time to research endangered species in your area. If you wish to help by donating to a local organization such as The Nature Conservancy, a nearby National Wildlife Refuge, or your local Audubon Society, I urge you to do so. If you would rather get some hands-on experience and volunteer at a site close to you, I urge you to do so even more. Learning and seeing these wonderful creatures is a life-changing experience, and you will realize that they are all beautiful and important parts of this planet.