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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

News

Release June 13, 2008

Steps Taken to Address 

Selenium Concerns at 

Cane Ridge Wildlife 

Management Area

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U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Home 

Contacts 

Georgia Parham 812-334-4261 x 203 

Bill McCoy 812-749-3199 

 

 

Following discovery of elevated levels of selenium in the water and aquatic 

life at Cane Ridge Wildlife Management Area in southwestern Indiana, U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service biologists have begun employing management 

actions designed to discourage endangered least terns and other migratory 

birds from nesting on the refuge. 

On May 20, 2008, the Service received water data indicating levels of 

selenium may be harmful to nesting birds. Test results received on May 27 

showed selenium levels in fish that, if ingested by birds, may be harmful to 

egg development. As a result, Service biologists decided to immediately stop 

the flow of water from Gibson Lake into Cane Ridge and to discourage least 

terns from using Cane Ridge, draw down the Cane Ridge ponds, and remove 

potentially contaminated fish. 

Service biologists have placed flags to discourage least terns from nesting at 

Cane Ridge. As the water is drawn down, fish will be removed from the 

ponds. Once the water is fully drawn down, biologists will disc the soil on the 

bottom of the ponds to redistribute selenium in the soil, allowing for a return 

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to active nesting next year. 

Cane Ridge has proven to be an extremely attractive habitat for least terns 

and other nesting migratory birds. The Service will continue to work with the 

many partners who have committed time, money and other resources to 

creating the area which has been named an Audubon Society Important Bird 

Area. 

According to the Service’s Bill McCoy, who oversees Cane Ridge, “We are 

confident that we can use an alternate water source for the area to provide 

habitat for migratory birds next year. We will continue to work with Duke 

Energy and our many other partners to ensure Cane Ridge continues to be a 

safe place for both people and wildlife.” 

Though the public is still allowed to visit the observation sites at Cane Ridge, 

the low water levels may be disappointing to bird watchers. Ideally, the 

displaced birds will locate to the state-built Tern Bar Slough nesting pool a 

quarter-mile east of Cane Ridge. As a reminder, the public has never been 

allowed access to or fishing in the Cane Ridge nesting island pool. 

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to 

conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the 

continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted 

partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, 

stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and 

commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the 

people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

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