You may download the complete Status Report by clicking the links below: Final Aleutian Canada Goose Status Report (1997) Jul 1997 - PDF Format (238K) See Also: Aleutian Canada Goose Status Report (2005) The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife maintains a list of endangered, threatened and sensitive species (Washington Administrative Codes 232-12-014 and 232-12-011, Appendix A). In 1990, the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission adopted listing procedures developed by a group of citizens, interest groups, and state and federal agencies (Washington Administrative Code 232-12-297, Appendix B). The procedures include how species listing will be initiated, criteria for listing and de-listing, public review and recovery and management of listed species. The first step in the process is to develop a preliminary species status report. The report includes a review of information relevant to the species’ status in Washington and addresses factors affecting its status including, but not limited to: historic, current, and future species population trends, natural history including ecological relationships, historic and current habitat trends, population demographics and their relationship to long term sustainability, and historic and current species management activities. The procedures then provide for a 90-day public review opportunity for interested parties to submit new scientific data relevant to the status report, classification recommendation, and any State Environmental Policy Act findings. During the 90-day review period, the Department holds statewide public meetings to answer questions and take comments. At the close of the comment period, the Department completes the Final Status Report and Listing Recommendation for presentation to the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission. The Final Report and Recommendation are then released 30 days prior to the Commission presentation for public review. This is a Final Status Report for the Aleutian Canada goose. Submit written comments on this report by August 3, 1997 to: Endangered Species Program Manager, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 600 Capitol Way N, Olympia, WA 98501-1091 or e-mail your comments to wildthing@dfw.wa.gov.. The Department will present the results of this status review to the Fish and Wildlife Commission for action at the August 8-9 meeting in Richland, Washington.

Final Aleutian Canada Goose Status Report (1997): Executive Summary The Washington, Oregon, and California population of Aleutian Canada goose (Branta canadensis leucopareia) was first added to the U.S. Department of Interior's list of native endangered species in 1967. In 1991 the species was downlisted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from endangered to threatened. The primary cause of the population decline was attributed to introduced arctic and red foxes. Aleutian geese were eliminated on many islands in the Aleutian chain after arctic and red foxes were introduced. Efforts to control arctic fox populations, starting in the 1950's, have been successful in significantly reducing and eliminating foxes from several key islands. The Aleutian Canada goose is one of 11 currently recognized subspecies of Canada Goose. It is the only known subspecies whose range once included both the North American and the Asian continents. Aleutian Canada geese can be distinguished from most other Canada geese by their small size and a complete ring of white feathers at the base of the neck in birds older than 8 months. They migrate from their breeding grounds in the Aleutian Islands in September, stopping along coastal areas of Washington and Oregon en route to their wintering grounds in California. Hunting of Aleutian Canada geese is prohibited in Washington. Washington is a migratory, and not a wintering, habitat. Principal migratory habitat in Washington is located within the Willapa National Wildlife Refuge and surrounding fields and farms. The 1991 revised federal recovery plan for the goose outlined 3 major delisting criteria: maintain a wild population at a level of at least 7,500 animals; re-establish self-sustaining populations of geese on three former breeding areas, and maintain adequate migration and winter habitat. Not all these criteria have been met. Substantial progress has been made, however, on all criteria. With continued success, future de-listing is likely. In response to the federal endangered status of the Aleutian Canada goose, the Department of Fish and Wildlife listed the species as a state endangered species in 1980. The federal action downlisting the goose from endangered to threatened has not as yet resulted in a similar downlisting of populations in Washington. No significant circumstances exist specific to Washington State to deviate from following the federal lead in downlisting from endangered to threatened status. It is recommended that the Aleutian Canada goose be downlisted from endangered to threatened in Washington. For more information on wildlife management issues, please contact WDFW Wildlife Management Program. Phone: 360-902-2515 E-mail: wildthing@dfw.wa.gov