Catalina Island Conservancy
Encyclopedia
The Catalina Island Conservancy (CIC) is a nonprofit organization established to protect and conserve Santa Catalina Island, California
. CIC was established in 1972 through the efforts of the Wrigley
and Offield families. CIC was created when both families deeded 42135 acres (170.5 km²) of the island over to the organization.
The stated goal of the CIC is to keep Santa Catalina Island wild by promoting preservation and restoration efforts based on sound science. Due to so many efforts in the past to capitalize on the island many invasive flora and fauna were introduced which the CIC either removes or mitigates the impact of. On one occasion the introduction or reactivation of existing distemper
nearly wiped out the Catalina Island fox
. The CIC, in cooperation with The Institute for Wildlife Studies vaccinated the remaining fox population against distemper.
Due to this outbreak The US Fish and Wildlife Service declared the Catalina Island fox an endangered sub-species. According to the CIC, in early 2010, the Catalina Island Fox population was estimated at 950 foxes.
Conservation scientists are investigating the occurrence and the potential causes of ear tumors (ceruminous gland carcinoma) that continue to plague the fox on Catalina.
Due to the impact of fauna on island flora CIC is reluctant to take any action against invasive species without first subjecting the problem to rigorous study. At one point the collection of Bison
imported onto the island were under consideration for removal, but through study and research, the organization determined that if the bison population were kept between 150 and 200, they are actually beneficial to the island.
Santa Catalina Island, California
Santa Catalina Island, often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina, is a rocky island off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The island is long and across at its greatest width. The island is located about south-southwest of Los Angeles, California. The highest point on the island is...
. CIC was established in 1972 through the efforts of the Wrigley
Wrigley
Wrigley may refer to:* Wrigley Company, a chewing gum manufacturer* EG Wrigley and Company, a British car, car component, and mechanical parts manufacturer* Wrigley Building, a skyscraper in Chicago* Wrigley Field, a baseball field in Chicago...
and Offield families. CIC was created when both families deeded 42135 acres (170.5 km²) of the island over to the organization.
The stated goal of the CIC is to keep Santa Catalina Island wild by promoting preservation and restoration efforts based on sound science. Due to so many efforts in the past to capitalize on the island many invasive flora and fauna were introduced which the CIC either removes or mitigates the impact of. On one occasion the introduction or reactivation of existing distemper
Distemper
Distemper may refer to:*A viral infection**Canine distemper, a disease of dogs**Feline distemper, a disease of cats**Phocine distemper, a disease of seals*A bacterial infection**Equine distemper, or Strangles, a bacterial infection of the horse...
nearly wiped out the Catalina Island fox
Island Fox
The island fox is a small fox that is native to six of the eight Channel Islands of California. There are six subspecies of the fox, each unique to the island it lives on, reflecting its evolutionary history...
. The CIC, in cooperation with The Institute for Wildlife Studies vaccinated the remaining fox population against distemper.
Due to this outbreak The US Fish and Wildlife Service declared the Catalina Island fox an endangered sub-species. According to the CIC, in early 2010, the Catalina Island Fox population was estimated at 950 foxes.
Conservation scientists are investigating the occurrence and the potential causes of ear tumors (ceruminous gland carcinoma) that continue to plague the fox on Catalina.
Due to the impact of fauna on island flora CIC is reluctant to take any action against invasive species without first subjecting the problem to rigorous study. At one point the collection of Bison
Bison
Members of the genus Bison are large, even-toed ungulates within the subfamily Bovinae. Two extant and four extinct species are recognized...
imported onto the island were under consideration for removal, but through study and research, the organization determined that if the bison population were kept between 150 and 200, they are actually beneficial to the island.