DOGS PROHIBITED ON BEACHES AT CAPE MAY
POINT STATE PARK TO PROTECT ENDANGERED SHORE BIRDS
Special Note Regarding Service
Dogs
In an effort to protect vulnerable chicks
of the federally-threatened piping plovers and least terns,
the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
will prohibit the presence of dogs on beaches at Cape May
Point State Park, Lower Township from April 15 through September
15 annually.
During the same time period, The Nature Conservancy
also will restrict dog access to its Cape May Migratory
Bird Refuge. Its beach is contiguous to Cape May Point State
Park. The Nature Conservancy determined that the presence
of dogs has contributed to the steady decline in the area's
bird breeding success. In 1999, out of the 14 piping plover
chicks that hatched, only a single chick reached the fledgling
stage.
"We appreciate the cooperation and understanding
of visitors and residents in order to protect these endangered
species," said DEP Commissioner Bob Shinn. "We must work
together to ensure the continued survival of these increasingly
rare birds."
Both the piping plover and least tern are
listed as state and federal endangered species. The illegal
taking of piping plovers or least terns by killing chicks
or impeding access by chicks to intertidal feeding areas
is a violation of state regulations and the federal Endangered
Species Act.
As a result of field observation and citizen
reports, the Nature Conservancy determined that the primary
cause of chick mortality at the refuge and park in 1999
appeared to be from dogs or the combined interaction of
dogs and natural predators. Dogs enter refuge areas and
frighten adult birds, which causes the adults and chicks
to become separated. Lone chicks then become vulnerable
to predation.
Previous measures of erecting fencing, placing
predator exclosures over nests, restricting sunbathing and
picnicking in nesting areas and educating beach visitors
have not adequately protected chicks once they begin to
forage in the intertidal section of the beach.
Signs prohibiting dogs will be posted on the
beach at both Cape May Point State Park and the Cape May
Migratory Bird Refuge. Interpretive displays will be erected
to help educate visitors about the vulnerability of the
chicks and measures being taken to protect them.
For more information contact Dean Cramer,
superintendent of Cape May Point State Park, at 609-884-2159
or Christine Bosco, The Nature Conservancy at 609-861-0600.
Clarification the Nature Conservancy's
relationship to the Cape May Point State Park:
The Nature Conservancy does not own or manage
Cape May Point State Park. The New
Jersey Division of Parks & Forestry runs the State
Park. The Nature Conservancy has its own property, the Cape
May Migratory Bird Refuge (formerly called "The Meadows")
on Sunset Blvd.
Special Note Regarding Service Dogs
Service dogs for accessibility, such as guide dogs
for the blind, are permitted at both the Cape May
Point State Park and the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge.
The Nature Conservancy highly recommends people seeking
to visit the Cape May Migratory Bird Refuge with service
dogs to give Jay Laubengeyer, their office director,
a call at 609-861-0600 before coming to the bird refuge.
The Nature Conservancy can then arrange for access
without disturbance to the birds. |
|