Researchers discovered that the Galapagos giant tortoise and marine iguana are targeted by mosquitoes feeding on reptile blood, raising fears of devastating native wildlife diseases. The mosquito's adaptation to life in Galapagos could enable rapid spread of new diseases due to the islands' lack of immunity.
A Michigan scientist and ethicist argue that environmental scientists have a responsibility to advocate for environmental policy. They analyze key arguments for and against advocacy, finding that most lack soundness. The researchers conclude that more active participation by scientists in policy matters is necessary to better society.
A Purdue University study found that animals can easily access runway areas, increasing the likelihood of plane strikes. The study suggests enclosing airport perimeters with partially buried fencing and frequent maintenance to deter wildlife.
The US wildlife trade is plagued by a lack of coordination and regulation, leading to the importation of millions of animals each year. This can have devastating effects on native species, food supply chains, and human health, as evidenced by previous disease outbreaks such as monkeypox.
A recent study by Brown University and the Wildlife Trust found that US wildlife imports are fragmented and insufficiently coordinated, failing to accurately list over four in five species entering the country. This lack of regulation poses significant risks to human health, food supply chains, and ecosystems.
UC Davis establishes Mountain Gorilla One Health Program to conserve gorillas & address human health, livestock, and agricultural issues. The program aims to improve gorilla health & prevent disease from affecting human populations.
A new study reveals widespread and substantial declines in wildlife populations in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve. The researchers found that a growing concentration of human settlements near the reserve is linked to large losses of wildlife, including giraffes, hartebeest, impala, and warthogs.
A Virginia Tech graduate student has received the first-ever Rachel Carson Award for Scientific Excellence from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for her work developing successful culture systems and feeding regimes for endangered freshwater mussels. The award recognizes Mair's extraordinary results in fish and wildlife conservation ...
Russell Mittermeier, a leading expert on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation, will deliver the Roger Tory Peterson Memorial Lecture at Harvard University. He has been recognized for his critical work on biodiversity hotspots and species conservation, offering hope for the future of conservation efforts.
Researchers use new software to rapidly identify individual tigers and estimate populations by matching unique stripe patterns from camera trap photos. The software is up to 95% accurate in identifying tiger species from scanned photos, aiding tiger conservation efforts.
A new indicator shows climate change is affecting many bird species in Europe, with some benefiting and others declining. The study found that 75% of the species studied are projected to decline due to climate change.
Sarah Keenan Jacobi, a Lincoln Park Zoo researcher, has been awarded the prestigious Smith Fellowship to develop a framework for efficiently allocating resources for conservation. The fellowship program will support her research on managing habitat and controlling invasive species such as reed canary grass.
A survey in a Yorkshire village found that people are less aware of past changes in local bird populations, indicating 'generational amnesia.' The study's results suggest that wildlife knowledge is not being passed on from older to younger people.
Long-term research reveals a quarter-century of data on penguin numbers, showing a decline of over 20 percent in the last 22 years. Penguins are struggling with food scarcity, leading them to nest outside protected areas where they fall prey to predators.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that middle-class communities in Eastern Africa have lower fish levels due to increased motorized fishing vessels and decreased cultural restrictions. In contrast, wealthy communities have healthier fish populations due to diversified economies and technological advancements.
A recent study suggests that the Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda could support a large lion population, with estimates suggesting up to 905 individuals. The research, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison professor Adrian Treves, used aerial surveys and prey data to predict lion abundance.
The Urban Wildlife Institute aims to mitigate wildlife and human conflicts in Chicago through holistic ecosystem health research. The institute will utilize sound science to create pragmatic solutions for zoonotic disease threats and urban habitat preservation.
A new University of Missouri study examines the effect of golf courses on salamander populations, finding suitable habitats for species native to the area. The researchers propose managing landscapes for human recreation and biodiversity preservation, creating a win-win situation for stakeholders and wildlife.
The new guide provides standardized guidelines for collecting data from wild primates, aiming to identify infection patterns and prevent epidemics. By integrating research from various disciplines, the study seeks to reduce the risk of pathogens jumping from animals to humans and vice-versa.
The rapid spread of West Nile virus in North America has had significant effects on wildlife, with many bird species still recovering from large population declines. Research is ongoing to understand the factors influencing species vulnerability and mosquito transmission, which could lead to better predictions and public warnings.
A new study found that nearly half of low pathogenic avian influenza viruses in northern pintail ducks in Alaska contained genes more closely related to Asian strains. This research validates surveillance sampling processes and demonstrates the effectiveness of genetic analysis in understanding virus exchange between continents.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that roads in Central Africa's Congo Basin are creating 'siege mentality' among forest elephants, forcing them to become isolated and confined. This reduces their ability to find suitable habitat and increases the risk of poaching.
A CU-Boulder study reveals that diverse host species, such as gray tree frogs, can reduce the risk of parasitic infections and limb deformations in American toads. The research found that tadpoles raised with tree frog tadpoles had significantly lower infection rates than those without.
A new UC Davis study found that symmetrical systems of wildlife corridors may do less good for natural communities than designs with randomness or asymmetry built in. This research provides insights for land managers and community planners designing corridors, shedding light on what works and what doesn't.
The Indonesian government and World Wildlife Fund announce a commitment to protect Sumatra's forests and critical ecosystems, home to endangered species. The agreement aims to restore ecosystems and promote sustainable development on the island.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that beaver dams provide critical habitat for migratory songbirds in semi-arid regions of the West. The more dams built, the more abundant and diverse local songbirds become.
A recent study by ASHS found that students participating in the National Wildlife Federation's Schoolyard Habitat Program showed significantly increased math scores compared to those using traditional curricula. The program improved academic performance, particularly among Hispanic students, but not equally across all ethnic groups.
Researchers from WCS have gathered data on Myanmar's tiger and smaller carnivore populations using remote camera traps, revealing estimates of 7-70 tigers in the Hukaung Tiger Reserve. The study also confirms the existence of 18 smaller carnivores across various habitats.
A report by Wildlife Conservation Society reveals a large population of threatened monkeys, including 42,000 black-shanked douc langurs and 2,500 yellow-cheeked crested gibbons, in Cambodia's Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area. The populations have remained stable since 2005 and are estimated to be the largest known in the world.
A new test for West Nile virus in horses has been developed, which could be modified for use on humans and wildlife. The test is highly effective at diagnosing infections and provides accurate results, making it useful for tracking the ecology and epidemiology of the disease.
A recent study suggests that experienced elephant matriarchs give their family groups an edge in periods of famine and drought. The study found correlations between calf survivorship and the movements of the group, with older female members playing a crucial role.
Researchers have adapted a human test to screen for elevated iron levels in marmosets and tamarins, enabling early identification and treatment of hemosiderosis. This diagnostic tool also helps veterinarians provide tailored care to individual animals.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has discovered a significant increase in western lowland gorillas, with a census showing over 125,000 individuals in the Republic of Congo. The census data revealed high densities of gorillas in some areas, indicating successful conservation efforts and a food-rich habitat.
The kipunji monkey is critically endangered with only 1,117 individuals remaining in the wild. Habitat degradation and poaching pose significant threats to its survival.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that bovine tuberculosis is prevalent among wild boar, red deer, and fallow deer in Doñana National Park, threatening the health of endangered lynx and domestic cattle. The high prevalence suggests that a feeding ban alone would have limited effect on controlling the disease.
A recent study published in The Southwestern Naturalist has shed light on the pollination habits of endangered Texas wild-rice (Zizania texana), revealing that pollen can only travel about 30 inches away from a parent plant. This information will be crucial for conservation efforts to reintroduce and propagate this rare aquatic grass.
Numerous studies have documented adverse effects of lead on wildlife, particularly waterbirds and scavenging species, due to ingested lead shot, bullets, and fishing sinkers. The use of lead ammunition remains common despite bans on waterfowl hunting, with upland game and scavenging birds continuing to be exposed.
A research study found that extreme weather events can alter normal host-pathogen relationships, leading to catastrophic mortality from multiple infectious outbreaks in wildlife. Climate extremes can trigger mass die-offs of livestock and wildlife by creating a perfect storm of infectious diseases.
Researchers at Oregon State University successfully relocated Caspian terns to a new nesting site at Crump Lake, finding over 135 nesting pairs. The move aims to reduce the birds' impact on threatened and endangered salmon populations in the Columbia River estuary.
A WCS study in Chile's Karukinka reserve aims to understand guanaco movements and habitat impact. The research will help restore overland migrations of guanacos, critical for biodiversity in Latin America.
The U.S. Geological Survey is investigating the cause of thousands of bat deaths in the northeastern US, with most affected species showing signs of emaciation and poor body condition. Environmental samples have been collected to determine if toxicants or secondary microbial pathogens are contributing to the illness.
Researchers found that black bears acquire behavior to conflict with humans through social learning and isolation, challenging the assumption that mother bears teach their cubs. The study indicates that 56% of mothers did not share behavioral habits with their offspring.
A recent assessment by the Wildlife Conservation Society and other groups suggests that bison can thrive again in large areas from Alaska to Mexico within the next 100 years. The study identified prime locations across Canada and the US, as well as parts of Mexico, where ecological restoration could take place.
Researchers in Uganda have discovered a new orthopoxvirus in red colobus monkeys, similar to those causing monkeypox and cowpox. The finding highlights the potential for unknown pathogens to emerge in wildlife and pose risks to human health.
The Avian Reintroduction & Translocation Database (ARTD) centralizes information on 128 bird species, 405 release sites and 1,207 events. It provides a valuable tool for wildlife managers to design future programs based on lessons learned from past projects.
The Wildlife Conservation Society's new book, State of the Wild, explores pressing conservation issues including wildlife disease, climate change, and conservation as diplomacy. The book features expert essays from top scientists and thought leaders, providing a comprehensive look at the current trends affecting wildlife worldwide.
Researchers found over 10,500 dead animals along 11 miles of roads in Indiana, with nearly 95% being frogs and other amphibians. The study suggests that road-related death contributes to their decline, highlighting the need for mitigation structures like underpasses and fences.
A massive study of Madagascar's wildlife provides a blueprint for conservation, highlighting key areas to protect and prioritizing endangered species. The research uses data from thousands of species and advanced techniques to identify the most important areas for saving fauna and flora.
A recent study found a narrow corridor of habitat in Mongolia threatened by herders and increased traffic, posing a migration bottleneck for the endangered saiga antelope. The species, known for its distinctive nose, has seen its numbers plummet by 95% due to poaching and competition with livestock.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that healthy wolf packs can keep coyote numbers in check, leading to higher survival rates for pronghorn fawns. In areas with abundant wolves, only 10% of fawns survived without them, whereas in wolf-free areas, 34% did.
A new study maps emerging disease hotspots worldwide, revealing that human-wildlife conflict and drug-resistant pathogens are major contributors. The research, which analyzed 335 diseases from 1940 to 2004, shows that disease emergence has roughly quadrupled over the past 50 years.
Protected forest strips need to be at least 400m wide to conserve bird and mammal species in the Amazon rainforest. The current width of 60m is deemed insufficient, according to a new study by University of East Anglia researchers.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that white-tailed jack rabbits were once abundant in Greater Yellowstone but have disappeared since 1991. The disappearance may be causing elevated predation by coyotes on juvenile elk and other ungulates, highlighting the need for reintroduction.
Research team finds PCBs and DDE in Chicago night-heron eggs, but no negative effects on reproduction. Populations remain stable amidst ongoing contamination from Lake Michigan.
A new study suggests that Thailand's Western Forest Complex can potentially support around 2,000 tigers, with an estimated 720 tigers currently inhabiting the area. Improved enforcement and safeguarding measures are crucial for making these numbers a reality and ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic species.
The current surveillance strategy for avian influenza viruses is piecemeal, risking the detection of important virus sources or subtypes. A UC Davis expert emphasizes the need to strengthen global surveillance to prevent future pandemics.
Cross River gorillas are restricted to Nigeria and Cameroon, with only around 300 individuals remaining due to habitat loss. The Wildlife Conservation Society announces new field surveys to catalogue potential gorilla habitat and protect this endangered subspecies.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that coral reefs in sites with varying seasonal temperatures are more likely to survive rising ocean temperatures. This 'tough love' approach allows corals to adapt to environmental variation, increasing their chances of survival.
The Wildlife Conservation Society's study found that 21 reserves have the potential to support between 58% and 95% of South Asia's tiger capacity, estimated at 3,500-6,500 tigers. Improvements in protected area management, including better funding and enforcement activities, could lead to a doubling of tiger numbers.
In a study by the Wildlife Conservation Society, pregnant moose have shifted their movements to closer roads and infrastructure to avoid predation of their calves. Moose mothers use humans as a shield from grizzly bears and other predators due to human behavior.