A new study found that free-roaming domestic cats are the likely cause of toxoplasmosis in wildlife, with healthy ecosystems providing protection against these pathogens. The researchers suggest limiting cat roaming can reduce the impact of Toxoplasma on wildlife.
Zhisheng Yan and his collaborators propose a framework for collaborative local and networked storage to archive high-resolution video data for long-lived wildlife monitoring. They aim to develop the first research CI that collects 360-degree videos for wildlife monitoring, transforming scientific monitoring in field studies.
A new study found that householders' landscaping and management decisions can increase wild bird habitat and influence bird biodiversity in their yard and at the neighborhood and city scale. Yards certified as wildlife habitat support a wider variety of bird species compared to traditional yards.
The global illegal wildlife trade has a substantial impact on biodiversity loss, human health, and ecosystems. The trade results in estimated costs of $162.7 billion annually and contributes to the extinction of native species.
Wildlife exposed to low levels of radiation from the Fukushima nuclear accident showed no significant adverse health effects, according to a recent study. The research found that biomarkers of DNA damage and stress were not affected by chronic, low-dose environmental radiation exposure in wild boar and rat snakes.
Wildlife trade is a pervasive issue affecting ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. IUWT can drive biodiversity loss, invasive species, and zoonotic diseases, highlighting the need for cooperation and sustainable management.
Research found mixed effects of hunting regulations on sage grouse populations, with some areas experiencing increased growth rates after discontinuing harvest. State wildlife agencies have adjusted hunting seasons to conserve the species, but more work is needed to understand patterns and focus conservation efforts.
A recent meta-study found that the existing data on road networks' impact on wildlife is limited to high-income countries and only a few species groups. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the effect of roads on threatened species and population dynamics.
A new study found increased potential for large and recurrent blooms of toxic algae Alexandrium catenella in the Alaskan Arctic, threatening marine wildlife and human health. The rapid warming of the Arctic is setting the stage for dangerous bloom events.
A new study quantifies landscape changes on barrier islands, revealing that storms can create habitat for coastal species. The research found varying impacts from two hurricanes, Irene and Sandy, which reshaped Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.
A team of scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research found that three free-ranging cheetahs in the Namib Desert died after feeding on a mountain zebra infected with anthrax. The study highlights previously unknown risks to cheetah populations in the desert.
A new study by Michigan State University scientists reveals that giant pandas do not require perfect habitats to thrive, but rather a balance of suitable and unsuitable areas. The research suggests that conserving and restoring habitat to intermediate levels can effectively manage panda populations and promote genetic diversity.
Researchers found that boldness, aggressiveness, activity level, and sociability are key personality traits in golden-mantled ground squirrels. These traits impact their access to food, territory, and predators, highlighting the importance of understanding animal personalities in wildlife conservation.
A new study from Oregon State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Wildlife Research Center found that beavers in the Coast Range of western Oregon exhibit relatively strong genetic differentiation, shaped by watershed boundaries and past relocations. The researchers recommend relocating beavers within watershed...
A revised model of wildlife conservation, I-NAM, incorporates Indigenous histories, perspectives, and knowledge systems into the original NAM framework. The new approach emphasizes continuous learning, listening, and respecting diverse views to improve wildlife management.
A recent call for expanded research into climate change's impact on human-wildlife interactions aims to mitigate conflicts and alert policymakers, experts, and citizens. Climate-related changes in ecosystems and animal behaviors increase contact and competition between people and animals.
A new surveillance system has been developed using data from wildlife rehabilitation organizations across California, enabling the detection of unusual patterns of illness and death in near real-time. The system has identified several key events, including domoic acid poisoning in seabirds and canine distemper in raccoons.
A new study found that emotions and cultural importance of large carnivores are stronger predictors of local community acceptance than livestock depredation. The Maasai pastoralists in Tanzania favour no action towards the carnivores, rejecting relocation and lethal control.
A new study documents how Indigenous Warli people in India worship Waghoba, a leopard/tiger deity, to gain protection from leopards. The researchers identified over 150 shrines dedicated to the deity and found that such relationships facilitate coexistence between humans and leopards in their shared landscape.
Scientists have developed new methods to retrieve mammalian viruses from water and leech samples, providing a novel approach to pandemic prevention research. The techniques used environmental DNA and invertebrate-derived DNA, allowing for the identification of known and novel viruses in wildlife reservoirs.
Researchers surveyed 1,554 people to understand how message framing affects perceptions of zoonotic diseases. They found that liberals were more likely to accept evidence for the wildlife origin of COVID-19, while conservatives had mixed results with different frames.
Researchers analyzed nearly 40 years of research to find the point where outdoor recreation starts to harm wildlife. They found that certain species, like shorebirds and songbirds, require a distance of 100m or less from humans to feel comfortable.
Researchers found that landowners who have talked to a wildlife professional are more likely to secure attractants, emphasizing the importance of collective factors in improving wildlife-human coexistence. Effective communication and outreach could increase behaviors by highlighting social influence and neighborly norms.
Research analyzing camera trap data from across North America found that smaller, faster-reproducing mammals with generalist diets are best equipped to live alongside humans. Conversely, larger species like grizzly bears and lynx tend to avoid more developed areas and are less active when present.
A study suggests reintroducing jaguars into the US Southwest could be a viable alternative to recovery, as the region provides suitable habitat for 90-150 jaguars. Reintroduction could also enhance local economies and ecology.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Hong Kong and Lingnan University found that wealth inequality is the key driver of global wildlife trade. Wealthier countries are responsible for the majority of the world's demand, with top importers including the US, France, and Italy.
A nationwide survey found a diverse group of college students interested in trying hunting, unlike current active hunters. The study identified key motivators, such as getting ethically sourced meat and ecological conservation, to attract new hunters.
A new study classifies different types of wildlife traffickers and sellers in Brazzaville and Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo. The findings help conservation and law enforcement authorities prioritize efforts on professional criminals and identify patterns among repeat offenders.
A new study uses eBird data to identify areas of low Bald Eagle abundance, paving the way for citizen-science data to shape policy decisions. The research finds that eBird data is the most accurate and reliable source for assessing eagle populations, providing valuable insights for conservation efforts.
Recent wildlife documentaries have been found to create problems for public understanding of wider conservation by spreading significant misinformation through personification of animals. The researchers emphasize the importance of factually correct information in these documentaries.
International scientists agree that chemical pollutants can impact wildlife and human behavior, calling for improved methods to study contaminated-induced behavioral changes. The recommendations include developing standardized toxicity tests and integrating behavioral toxicology into environmental risk assessments.
A study examining deceased US eagles found that 82 percent had detectable levels of rat poison in their systems. The presence of these toxins was linked to mortality rates, suggesting a potential public health concern for bird populations.
New research from Trinity College Dublin suggests a correlation between increasing Sika deer populations and higher local bovine TB infections in Ireland. The study found that County Wicklow is a hotspot for both Sika deer and TB infections.
A new web application, SpillOver, evaluates wildlife viruses to estimate their zoonotic spillover and pandemic potential. The tool creates a watchlist of newly-discovered viruses, prioritizing them for further characterization, surveillance, and risk-reducing interventions.
A new interactive tool, SpillOver, prioritizes wildlife-origin viruses based on their risk of spreading to humans. The tool identifies 12 known human pathogens and several newly discovered viruses as being at high risk of spillover.
Researchers used trail cameras to study wildlife behavior during the pandemic, gathering data on animal populations and identifying unique research opportunities. The cameras allowed scientists to monitor individual animals passively over a large area without the need for manual trapping or processing.
A new study finds that restaurants in urban areas of Central Africa are key drivers in keeping protected wildlife on the menu. The study reveals that procurement of wild meat by restaurants is more targeted than opportunistic, with monkeys identified as hot products.
A new paper argues that healthy ecosystems are vital in reducing the risk of future pandemics by managing invasive alien plant species. The study recommends practices such as removing invasive plants to balance wildlife-pathogen interactions and fostering 'landscape immunity' in conserved areas.
Research reveals that legal wildlife trade averages $220 billion per year, but lacks adequate traceability, leading to unnoticed over-exploitation of common species. The study suggests refining the HS Code system to improve tracking of wildlife trade and protect biodiversity.
A new study by Oxford Brookes University warns that the legal wildlife trade poses a significant risk of spreading zoonotic diseases, with many diseases originating in animals. The researchers emphasize that monitoring the legal trade is crucial to prevent future pandemics.
A large-scale citizen science project in NC captured over 2.2 million wildlife photos, increasing verified mammal records by a factor of five. The project trained 580 volunteers to take candid animal photos and gathered data on wildlife abundance, reproduction, and behavior.
A new tool helps managers balance benefits and drawbacks of wildlife tourism, considering factors like conservation, animal welfare, and ecosystem impacts. The framework reveals the wholistic acceptability of white shark cage-diving and identifies areas for improvement.
PFAS substances are ubiquitous in the environment, found in soil, water, and wildlife. Research highlights the need for effective management strategies to mitigate potential toxicity to humans and wildlife, with data gaps identified for devising an approach.
Researchers at San Diego Zoo Global have successfully generated induced pluripotent stem cells from frozen fibroblast cell lines of northern and southern white rhinoceroses. This groundbreaking achievement marks the first step towards potentially bringing back this critically endangered species through gamete creation.
A study by Oregon State University found that converting electrical transmission tower bases into habitats can increase population density and diversity among wildlife, including arthropods and small mammals. The project, conducted in Spain's Andalusia region, showed significant increases in species diversity and bird populations after...
A study in India found that human fatalities from wildlife conflict result in much higher damages than crop and livestock losses, highlighting the need to focus on reducing negative interactions with high-risk species. The researchers estimated that farmers in conflict with elephants suffer up to 900 times higher damages.
A research team from Leibniz-IZW found that water can be a vector for spreading mammalian viruses, with equine herpesviruses (EHV) remaining stable and infectious in water. The study suggests that viral stability in restricted freshwater sources enables their spread among animals, particularly during times of stress and congregation.
A global study led by UCC researcher Samantha Ball found 'runway roadkill' increasing by up to 68% annually, costing aviation authorities millions per annum. The study identified 47 countries with reported mammal strikes, including bats, rabbits, and coyotes, highlighting the need for effective Wildlife Hazard Management Plans.
Researchers propose that human behavior, including psychological and socioeconomic factors like hunting and poaching, plays a significant role in shaping wildlife movement. The study highlights the importance of considering 'anthropogenic resistance' in connectivity-planning to ensure sustainable landscapes for both humans and wildlife.
A recent study published by the University of Cincinnati identified a shift in caribou movement patterns after the 1970s that coincided with changes in herd size, climate change, and human development. Researchers tracked the movements using antlers shed by female caribou, which contain an isotopic fingerprint of their summer range.
A new study found that fences in the Western US region pose a significant barrier to migratory wildlife, with mule deer and pronghorn antelope encountering over 200 fence encounters per year. The study highlights the need for more 'wildlife-friendly' fences and encourages prioritizing fence modifications or removals.
Researchers captured rare footage of a jaguar killing an ocelot at a waterhole in Guatemala, highlighting competition for scarce resources. Climate change and droughts are predicted to worsen, putting wildlife survival at risk.
Researchers from the University of Kent's Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology found that elephant ivory is still being sold on eBay, often disguised as bone. The study reveals that only a small percentage of these items were removed by eBay, highlighting the ongoing challenge of combating illegal wildlife trade.
Researchers analyzed 20,000 Facebook posts about wild pet trade and found thousands of ads for exotic pets, with only 0.44% mentioning COVID-19. The study urges stronger governance on social media to curb wildlife extinctions and pandemic risks.
Researchers found that toxic substances can affect wildlife mobility and population sizes, leading to increased risk of zoonotic spillover. In contrast, pristine habitats may act as a trap for pathogens, reducing infection prevalence in the overall population.
Entanglement in waste fishing gear poses a significant threat to Ganges River wildlife, including critically endangered species like the three-striped roofed turtle and Ganges river dolphin. The study highlights the need for recycling systems and awareness-raising initiatives to mitigate plastic pollution.
A new study reveals that up to 20% of the world's most connected cities are at risk of harboring spillovers from wildlife, potentially leading to global pandemics. The research identifies areas with poor health infrastructure and high human pressure on wildlife as hotspots for potential outbreaks.
A new study found that climate warming increases infectious disease risk in cooler-climate species, while reducing the risk for species from warmer climates. Small-bodied pathogens have a greater tolerance to temperature fluctuations than larger hosts.
A new study found that city-dwelling tree swallows bred more successfully due to warmer temperatures, but their blood contained higher levels of mercury from contaminated insects. Urbanization's impact on wildlife health is a growing concern as the climate continues to warm and land use changes threaten biodiversity.
A new study highlights the link between COVID-19 and wildlife trade, emphasizing the need for effective legislation to regulate the trade of wildlife and reduce consumer demand. The research suggests that addressing wildlife trade and habitat fragmentation can help prevent future zoonotic diseases.