1996 32c Endangered Species: Brown Pelican
# 3105h - 1996 32c Endangered Species: Brown Pelican
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US #3105h
1996 Brown Pelican
- Part of set of 15 stamps picturing Endangered Species
- Issued during National Stamp Collecting Month
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Endangered Species
Value: 32¢First-Class mail rate
First Day of Issue: October 2, 1996
First Day City: San Diego, California
Quantity Issued: 14,910,000
Printed by: Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Lithographed
Format: Panes of 15 (3 across, 5 down) from printing plates of 90 (9 across, 10 down)
Perforations: 11.1 x 11
Why the stamp was issued: The pane of 15 Endangered Species stamps was issued as part of the US Postal Service’s National Stamp Collecting Month. The theme for 1996 was “Collect and Protect.” The USPS hoped these stamps would appeal to children, who would then become lifelong stamp collectors.
About the stamp design: The stamps show photographs of 15 animal species that live in America and re threatened with extinction. The photos were taken by James Balog. The animals chosen for the stamps are from all major geographic areas of the US.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the San Diego Zoo. In 1996, the zoo was celebrating its 80th birthday. The country of Mexico issued its own pane of endangered species stamps on the same day and took part in the First Day of Issue ceremony. (The stamps were not a joint issue.) In addition to honored human guests, two sea lions, an Andean condor, and a North American timber wolf were also in attendance at the celebration.
Unusual fact about the Endangered Species stamps: The 1996 National Stamp Collecting Month was co-sponsored by the US Postal Service and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
About the Endangered Species Set: The species shown on the pane of Endangered Species stamps are: Black-footed Ferret, Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, Brown Pelican, San Francisco Garter Snake, Ocelot, Gila Trout, Hawaiian Monk Seal, Thick-billed Parrot, California Condor, Wyoming Toad, Woodland Caribou, Florida manatee, Florida Panther, Piping Plover, and American Crocodile. All of them are listed on the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
History this stamp represents: Relying on the wellbeing of our coastlines, the brown pelican has long been in a precarious position. In fact, in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the nation’s first wildlife refuge – Pelican Island – to protect brown pelican nesting sites. When the Louisiana population of this species disappeared entirely between 1957 and 1961 and its California population suffered a catastrophic decline, it became obvious that more aggressive steps needed to be taken.
Large-scale use of pesticides, especially DDT, posed the greatest threat. Found in highly concentrated doses in fish – the pelican’s primary food source – DDT was absorbed by the birds, causing them to lay thin-shelled eggs that seldom survived incubation. But a 1972 ban on DDT gave the brown pelican a second chance.
Despite other threats such as oil spills, overfishing, and destruction of breeding grounds, the future looks promising. Since the ban, the population has increased dramatically and colonies have successfully been re-established in Louisiana and Texas, although there is still a need to protect nesting areas. Efforts to protect the California brown pelican proved successful, the bird was taken off the endangered species list in 2009.
Establishment Of First U.S. Wildlife Refuge
On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation creating Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the first such protective area in America.
Just off the eastern coast of Florida lies a chain of barrier islands lined with mangrove trees. While the islands attract a wide array of shore birds, there was a small five-acre area that seemed to be a favorite for pelicans. By the mid 1800s, people in the area took note of the birds and began to hunt them for their feathers. These feathers were often uses to decorate women’s hats and were sold for very high prices.
In 1881, Paul Kroegel moved to the Indian River Lagoon and was fascinated by the pelicans and other birds. He also grew concerned about their safety after witnessing their extensive hunting. Kroegel believed the island needed protection, but there no such laws in place at the time. So he sailed to the island to guard the birds from hunters himself.
Click here to visit Pelican Island’s official website.
US #3105h
1996 Brown Pelican
- Part of set of 15 stamps picturing Endangered Species
- Issued during National Stamp Collecting Month
Stamp Category: Commemorative
Set: Endangered Species
Value: 32¢First-Class mail rate
First Day of Issue: October 2, 1996
First Day City: San Diego, California
Quantity Issued: 14,910,000
Printed by: Ashton-Potter (USA) Ltd.
Printing Method: Lithographed
Format: Panes of 15 (3 across, 5 down) from printing plates of 90 (9 across, 10 down)
Perforations: 11.1 x 11
Why the stamp was issued: The pane of 15 Endangered Species stamps was issued as part of the US Postal Service’s National Stamp Collecting Month. The theme for 1996 was “Collect and Protect.” The USPS hoped these stamps would appeal to children, who would then become lifelong stamp collectors.
About the stamp design: The stamps show photographs of 15 animal species that live in America and re threatened with extinction. The photos were taken by James Balog. The animals chosen for the stamps are from all major geographic areas of the US.
First Day City: The First Day of Issue ceremony took place at the San Diego Zoo. In 1996, the zoo was celebrating its 80th birthday. The country of Mexico issued its own pane of endangered species stamps on the same day and took part in the First Day of Issue ceremony. (The stamps were not a joint issue.) In addition to honored human guests, two sea lions, an Andean condor, and a North American timber wolf were also in attendance at the celebration.
Unusual fact about the Endangered Species stamps: The 1996 National Stamp Collecting Month was co-sponsored by the US Postal Service and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
About the Endangered Species Set: The species shown on the pane of Endangered Species stamps are: Black-footed Ferret, Schaus Swallowtail Butterfly, Brown Pelican, San Francisco Garter Snake, Ocelot, Gila Trout, Hawaiian Monk Seal, Thick-billed Parrot, California Condor, Wyoming Toad, Woodland Caribou, Florida manatee, Florida Panther, Piping Plover, and American Crocodile. All of them are listed on the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants.
History this stamp represents: Relying on the wellbeing of our coastlines, the brown pelican has long been in a precarious position. In fact, in 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the nation’s first wildlife refuge – Pelican Island – to protect brown pelican nesting sites. When the Louisiana population of this species disappeared entirely between 1957 and 1961 and its California population suffered a catastrophic decline, it became obvious that more aggressive steps needed to be taken.
Large-scale use of pesticides, especially DDT, posed the greatest threat. Found in highly concentrated doses in fish – the pelican’s primary food source – DDT was absorbed by the birds, causing them to lay thin-shelled eggs that seldom survived incubation. But a 1972 ban on DDT gave the brown pelican a second chance.
Despite other threats such as oil spills, overfishing, and destruction of breeding grounds, the future looks promising. Since the ban, the population has increased dramatically and colonies have successfully been re-established in Louisiana and Texas, although there is still a need to protect nesting areas. Efforts to protect the California brown pelican proved successful, the bird was taken off the endangered species list in 2009.
Establishment Of First U.S. Wildlife Refuge
On March 14, 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation creating Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, the first such protective area in America.
Just off the eastern coast of Florida lies a chain of barrier islands lined with mangrove trees. While the islands attract a wide array of shore birds, there was a small five-acre area that seemed to be a favorite for pelicans. By the mid 1800s, people in the area took note of the birds and began to hunt them for their feathers. These feathers were often uses to decorate women’s hats and were sold for very high prices.
In 1881, Paul Kroegel moved to the Indian River Lagoon and was fascinated by the pelicans and other birds. He also grew concerned about their safety after witnessing their extensive hunting. Kroegel believed the island needed protection, but there no such laws in place at the time. So he sailed to the island to guard the birds from hunters himself.
Click here to visit Pelican Island’s official website.