Statement from Audubon’s Dr. Paul Gray Regarding the USFWS Decision to Start Captive Breeding of Florida Grasshopper Sparrows
Contact: Dr. Paul Gray, Audubon Florida Science Coordinator, 863-655-1831, pgray@audubon.org
“Audubon supports the decision by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to start a captive breeding program for the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow. Surveys from the Sparrow’s habitat are showing a population in free-fall, with possibly fewer than 200 individuals remaining. Emergency measures such as captive breeding are necessary to help this mysterious bird recover – and may be the Sparrow’s last hope. The Florida Grasshopper Sparrow is a priority species for Audubon’s Northern Everglades conservation efforts; we have funded two sparrow workers on the Kissimmee Prairie this year and are recruiting volunteers to help with research that will assist with the recovery. The disappearance of this species would leave a void in our biological landscape and would make Florida and the world a less interesting place to live. Audubon Florida is committed to working with our agency and non-profit partners to protect this remarkable species of Florida’s prairielands.”