Loon Population Dwindling in Wyoming

Wyoming is beginning to miss its rarest nesting bird. 

Researchers from the Biodiversity Research Institute of Maine have noted the dwindling loon population in Wyoming. However, they're not entirely certain what is causing the problem. 

The institute is in the process of a five-year study of Wyoming's loon population that is now in its second year, according to the Casper Star-Tribune.

"We're trying to stabilize the population and identify threats," said David Evers, executive director of the Biodiversity Research Institute, via the missoulian.com. "Loons are very poor colonizers. If you lose your population, even though it's good habitat, it could be a long, long time before you see more loons breeding here."

Evers notes that threats to loons may include acid rain, climate change, habitat destruction, human disturbance and lead ingestion. However, as long as these creatures have access to at least 20 acres of lake, they should be able to successfully nest.

Though this bird is relatively well-known throughout parts of New England, the black and white common loon doesn't get the same amount of attention in Wyoming.

"Maybe its overshadowed by all the other great animals in Wyoming--like grizzly bears and bison and things you don't see elsewhere," Evers added, via WyoFile.

With the help of a $6.5 million grant from the Ricketts Conservation Foundation, Evers and other researchers have teamed up to protect the dwindling common loon population.

Just 14 pairs of loons are known to be living in the northwest corner of the state at this time, a drop from 24 pairs in the 1990s, according to Evers.

The researchers' goal is to get the population back up and running to around 25 and 30 pairs within the state.