Wild New Jersey Exclusive: Carnivore expert calls for greater land preservation
(The coyote is just one of many species photo-documented by Charles Kontos's camera traps at Stokes State Forest.
Click here to see some of the others. Photo courtesy of Charles Kontos, New Jersey Fisher Experience.)
In this WildNewJersey.tv exclusive, New Jersey carnivore expert Charles Kontos shares some of his incredible recent findings on predators in the Garden State, and calls for restoring vast contiguous ecosystems to ensure the species' survival. Kontos is pioneering field research and analysis documenting the return of the fisher, bobcat, and other species to Northwestern Jersey's wild areas. Be sure to click on MORE below to see photos of the diverse array of mammals that traverse the same forest paths, from fisher and fox to opossum and coyote.
by Charles Kontos, The New Jersey Fisher Experience
Having studied carnivore populations in New Jersey for the past decade, I would like to comment on the ongoing debate on wild turkeys. Some birders have insightfully commented that entire forest tracts are being cleared by "predatory developers". We need to turn our attention to the overwhelming problem of habitat loss being driven by corporate greed and environmental unaccountability. Based on a large-scale wildlife study being conducted in northwestern New Jersey, vast contiguous tracts of forest are the key to restoring natural, self-sustaining ecosystems.
[Click on more to continue reading and for additional photos.]
Recently, at one location in Stokes State Forest, numerous fishers, coyotes, raccoons, red foxes, opossums, skunks, and other wildlife were documented during the same time period as multiple flocks of wild turkeys on several occasions. Check out the photos at http://www.njfishers.org/fishers/njturkeys.php.
These predators do not seem to be negatively impacting turkeys in this area and there is much scientific evidence that intermediate levels of predation often increase biodiversity. Other birds were also photographed at this site including brown creepers, white-breasted nuthatch, and dark-eyed juncos. Certainly there are instances such as barrier islands where red fox and raccoon populations increase to un-natural levels causing severe environmental degradation. This is one reason that top predators are crucial for the healthy functioning of ecosystems.
New Jersey has a long history of exterminating predators dating back to 1675 when the first wildlife regulation in the state allowed for the payment of 20 shillings for a wolf's head. As forests were cleared for agriculture and hunting and trapping occurred without restriction, many top predators such as cougars, wolves, bobcats, and fishers were extirpated from the state. Instead of continuing to vilify predators, we need to work together toward the bigger picture of future conservation through citizen action, improved wildlife studies, and public outreach throughout New Jersey.
Posted by WILDNEWJERSEY at 3/24/2009 10:20 AM 
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Mammals
Tags: Stokes State Forest fisher opossum Kontos NJ Fishers coyote red fox
Categories: WNJ Exclusives, Mammals
Tags: Stokes State Forest fisher opossum Kontos NJ Fishers coyote red fox
As usual, Charles Kontos' articles and photos are fantastic. Charlie keeps us updated. He informs us as to what he has recently discovered. We are told that we all must be involved. The habitats of too many animals are being destroyed thus driving them away. I'm certain we all thank Charlie for his ongoing work.
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Very informative and enlightening
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