One of the challenges in protecting endangered species is to secure their habitat. That is sometimes far more difficult than imaginable. The Snail Kite is one of those species with not only a need for specific critical habitat, but, also a specialized diet.Snail Kites require foraging areas that are relatively clear and open so that they can visually search for apple snails. That right, apple snails. Can it get any tougher? But, amazingly the good people of the conservation communities are able to preserve specific habitat that will not only support a small population, but, will provide the ability to thrive and return to a larger population and then be delisted. Without protecting critical habitat the species don't have a chance.
In providing critical habitat for the Snail Kite, a viable population of Apple Snails has to live and flourish within that habitat. It is fairly complicated stuff. I think most people can appreciate the reason scientists might be upset when a photographer disturbs nests and potentially causing the Kites to leave their nests.Developing a plan for the classification of the species is tough enough, but, to have the species disturbed is nearly unthinkable and the laws provide for sentencing to leverage power so a citizen can come to understand the brevity of the law.
February 26, 2015
By Bob Kealing
According to court papers, the photographer in question was observed more than a half dozen times by a group of researchers harassing an endangered bird and violating federal law.
Lake Toho is paradise for lovers of exotic bird species. But in some cases, you must keep your distance.
The Endangered Species Act requires people to stay at least 500 feet from nests of the Snail Kite, an endangered raptor.
According to federal court papers, eight times between 2010 and 2011, a group of University of South Florida researchers observed Kissimmee wildlife photographer Jim Neiger wedge his pontoon boat into the reeds near snail kite nests.
The endangered raptors would fly off their nests, allowing Neiger and people on his boat to photograph them.
On his website, Flight School Photography Inc., Neiger lists as a specialty instruction on how to photograph birds in flight.
In exchange for a guilty plea to a single count of violating the federal Endangered Species Act, Neiger could face a maximum of one year in prison and up to $100,000 in fines. In return for the plea, prosecutors say they won't oppose two years probation, but there are no guarantees.
WESH 2 News was unable to reach Neiger at his home-based business.
In lieu of turning over his boat motor and camera, Neiger has also agreed to pay $9,000 in fines.
