U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Recovery Plan for the Mariana Islands Population of the Vanikoro Swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi)
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 30-Sep-91
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: Pacific Islands Fish And Wildlife Office ( (808) 792-9400 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 111 Secure known swiftlet caves: Mahlac Cave Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2009 United States Navy , Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement, Management: Land Use Internal Administrative This cave is protected and managed by the U.S. Navy.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 112 Secure known swiftlet caves: CNMI Caves on Aguijan and Saipan Partially Complete Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement Internal Administrative Some of the caves on Saipan are managed by DFW.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 113 Secure known swiftlet caves: Vampire Bat Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 114 Secure known swiftlet caves: Takpochao Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 115 Secure known swiftlet caves: Hour Glass Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 116 Secure known swiftlet caves: Tin Can Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 117 Secure known swiftlet caves: Celis Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12111 Regulate entry to caves: Mahlac Cave Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 United States Navy , Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources Management: Other, Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12112 Regulate entry to caves: Vampire Bat Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12113 Regulate entry to caves: Guano Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12114 Regulate entry to caves: Pillar Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12115 Regulate entry to caves: Cliff Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Acquisition: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12116 Regulate entry to caves: Landing Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12117 Regulate entry to caves: Black Noddy Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12118 Regulate entry to caves: Takpochao Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12119 Regulate entry to caves: Hour Glass Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12120 Regulate entry to caves: Tin Can Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12121 Regulate entry to caves: Navy Hill Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 12122 Regulate entry to caves: Celis Cave Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 1221 Inhibit access of brown tree snake: Mahlac Cave Ongoing Current FY 1995 - FY 1999 United States Navy , Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Management: Predator and Competitor Control Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 21 Conduct surveys for additional colonies and caves Partially Complete Prior to FY 1995 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Population Surveys Internal Field Assistance Additional surveys are needed on Saipan and in northern Guam.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 22 Secure newly identified colonies and caves Partially Complete Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Acquisition: Management Agreement, Management: Other Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative An additional colony was established in southern Guam and secured and managed by the U.S. Navy. Additional work on cave surveys is needed before this task can be completed.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 1 23 Manage new caves and colonies Partially Complete Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources Management: General, Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation, Management: Predator and Competitor Control, Management: Planning Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative The Navy is managing the relatively recently re-colonized cave on their lands.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 3111 Determine reproductive rate Partially Complete Prior to FY 1995 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Demographic Studies Contract, Internal Field Assistance Work has been completed but results have not been reported.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 3112 Determine recruitment rate Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Demographic Studies Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 312 Study movements among caves and islands Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Migration Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 313 Study habitat requirements Partially Complete Prior to FY 1995 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Habitat Requirements Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance Additional work on foraging habitat is needed.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 314 Study foraging requirements Partially Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Other Information Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 321 Investigate suspected limiting factors: Predation by brown tree snake Partially Complete Prior to FY 1995 United States Navy , Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Predation Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 322 Investigate suspected limiting factors: Effects of pesticides Partially Complete Prior to FY 1995 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Environmental Contaminants Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance Some initial work was completed by Grue in 1985 on Guam. Additional sampling on Rota, Aguiguan, and Saipan is needed to complete work.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 323 Investigate suspected limiting factors: Susceptibility to avian disease Not Started U.S. Geological Survey, Biological Resources Division, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources Research: Disease Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 324 Investigate suspected limiting factors: Effects of disturbance to swiftlets at caves Partially Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Other Information Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 41 Determine likelihood of natural recolonization Complete Prior to FY 1995 FY 2007 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Other Information Internal Field Assistance Swiftlets naturally recolonized Maemong cave on Guam around 1999. This colony steadly increased through 2007 and still persists.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 2 42 Increase reproductive success Partially Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Research: Management Techniques Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance Cockroach control is ongoing on Saipan and snake control is ongoing on Guam. These activities appear to be increasing breeding success as populations on both islands are increasing. Expanded management on Saipan is needed.
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 3 431 Determine feasibility of reintroduction Ongoing Not Current FY 2005 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Management: Reintroduction, Management: Planning Contract, Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 3 432 Implement reintroduction program Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Management: Reintroduction Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance, Internal Administrative
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 3 433 Construct artificial caves Not Started Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Division Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Graduate Student, Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 3 61 Conduct up to 12 censuses per year at selected caves Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources Research: Population Surveys Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 3 62 Conduct annual census of key caves Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources Research: Population Surveys Contract, Internal Field Assistance
Mariana gray swiftlet (Aerodramus vanikorensis bartschi) 3 63 Conduct complete census at least every 5 years Ongoing Not Current Prior to FY 1995 Division of Fish and Wildlife, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam Division of Aquatic & Wildlife Resources Research: Population Surveys Contract, Internal Field Assistance Not all caves surveyed on Saipan and Aguiguan surveys are sporadic.
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