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Port’s Environmental Program Aids Survival of Endangered Bird

Monday, 03 November 2008

Five endangered light-footed clapper rails will be released tomorrow (Nov. 4) at the Chula Vista Nature Center in the Sweetwater National Wildlife Refuge. The birds are the product of a captive-breeding program started in 2001 by the Chula Vista Nature Center.

In 1998, only 222 pairs of clapper rails were counted in their range in California and a program was started to increase their numbers. In the 10-year period since then, the number of breeding pairs in the wild has doubled with the program releasing more than 200 captive-bred birds. The Port of San Diego has funded the project since its inception, and in June 2008, the Board of Port Commissioners approved an additional $90,000 for three years.

The light-footed clapper rail once thrived in the coastal marshes of Southern California, although the development of 90 percent of the clapper rail's natural habitat along with the threat from introduced predators like the red fox and feral cats caused the population to dwindle. Habitat destruction has also resulted in ‘genetic bottlenecking' within the isolated subpopulations. This lack of genetic diversity results in the birds inbreeding which causes a decline in the breeding rates. Additionally, because of the inbreeding, the birds and their offspring become very unhealthy.

The light-footed clapper rail is a native of the marshes in and around San Diego Bay. It is a small, long-legged bird about the size of a large pigeon that has a beautiful iridescent coat of feathers in varying shades of brown. It is very shy and not often seen amongst the marsh grasses. Its ‘clapping' call, however, is distinctive. Its legs and long, splayed out toes enable it to move quickly and easily over the soft marsh ground and give it the ‘light-footed' portion of its name.

A captive breeding and relocation program began in 2001 with the aim of increasing the number of birds as well as introducing genetic diversity to improve their overall health. Chula Vista Nature Center with SeaWorld San Diego and the San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park breeds and raises clapper rail chicks. Before release, the young birds are transferred to a marsh enclosure which simulates their natural environment. The birds are carefully monitored to make sure they have adapted to their new environment and know how to take care of themselves.

The program has enjoyed increasing success over the years. Six birds were released this past Sunday in the National Wildlife Refuge at Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach. Tomorrows release will bring the total number of clapper rails released this year alone to 47.

Charles Gailband, program manager at the Chula Vista Nature Center, credits the Port of San Diego with being one of the first agencies to support this program. Over the years, the Port has contributed $140,000 to the project over and above the $90,000 recently committed.

The Port of San Diego has started a variety of initiatives to enhance the environmental quality of San Diego Bay and its surrounding tidelands. These include wildlife and natural resource management, storm-water runoff programs, integrated pest management, environmental education programs and environmental partnerships with public and private entities.