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Friends of lost woodpecker hope for cash windfall

Millions may go to conservation of ivory-billed bird.

US officials are seeking $2.2 million to help conserve the 'rediscovered' ivory-billed woodpecker (Campephilus principalis), even though there have been no new confirmed sightings of the bird.

Read the story here.

Posted by Nicola Jones on March 08, 2006
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To me the story here is the fact that poorly documented observation has passed scientific scrutiny. Historically, science has ignored the accounts of rare, natural phenomena such as atmospheric anomalies and strange creatures that are difficult to document scientifically. Typically, observations of hard-to-verify phenomena have been discounted outright, simply because they are non-scientific: poorly verifiable and non-repeatable. Are we seeing the emergence of a more open-minded scientific establishment more trusting of serendipitous observation?

Posted by: Damian Hayden | March 13, 2006 11:05 PM

$200,000 for law enforcement? What agency is using the sighting to enhance its operating budget?

Posted by: Jeff Steck | March 14, 2006 12:40 PM

It seems to me that this is another counter-evolutionary event. It would seem that this and other woodpeckers (eg red cockaded) are unable to adapt to survival in an altered world. Hysterical attempts at interfering in the process may either be futile or an exercise in romanticism. I am unable to be convinced of the apocolyptic view that species failure portends the end of the world. Millions have already been spent on this project to promote academic careers and media satiety.
One might make the argument that a valid experiment would test the hypothesis that this bird will survive if left alone or that it will not.
Creating an expansion of the woodpecker industry including guide services, canoe rentals, food and lodging and eventually building of roads for gawkers may fit the goals of spectator biology but seem unlikely to either "save" the species or retain the tranquility of the Cache River bottoms.

Posted by: CECIL H. FOX | March 14, 2006 12:52 PM

I seem to recall that the video tape was not the only evidence submitted. Recordings were also make at various locations in the cash river area and compared with known recordings of the Ivery billed woodpecker and the double raps heard on the tapes were identical to the 1930s recordings

[Ed - you're right, though the experts we have spoken to call these audio tapes 'inconclusive'. There will be another story on this topic on our homepage in about ten minutes - check back!]

Posted by: Brian Nabors | March 15, 2006 03:29 PM

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