A research team has successfully identified an unknown population of the endangered Yamato salamander in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Using a combined methodology of GIS and eDNA analysis, they discovered five new potential habitats for the species.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have discovered three new viruses in endangered Chinook and sockeye salmon populations. The viruses are related to those causing serious disease in other species and may play a role in population dynamics and aquaculture threats.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that a two-thirds increase in returning coho salmon to the Oregon coast would generate up to $518 million in annual non-market economic benefits. The study also found that people value conservation goals sooner rather than later, with up to $277 million in annual benefits.
A recent study found that more than half of the 504 primate species were left out of the research literature, with only 13% focused on chimpanzees. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered primate species and their habitats.
Camera trap surveys reveal 28 mammal species in protected forest and 21 in fragmented habitats, including critically endangered species like Sunda pangolin and Sumatran tiger. These findings suggest conservation value for small patches of remnant forest and the importance of further research.
Expert agencies play a critical role in assessing the impacts of proposed federal actions on threatened and endangered species. New research from Defenders of Wildlife shows that limiting or removing these services could have disastrous consequences, while suggesting areas where the consultation process can be made more efficient witho...
A recent survey of the Bornean orangutan population in Sabah, Malaysia shows that populations have remained stable within well-managed forests, but declined in areas with extensive oil palm plantations. The study, published in PLOS ONE, provides valuable insights into the conservation management of this endangered species.
Researchers predict blue whales' most likely foraging areas and times using satellite tracking data and environmental factors. The model improves understanding of the species-environment relationship, helping inform population management decisions amid climate change.
A new study published in Scientific Reports reveals that degraded rainforest habitats are having an unhealthy impact on at least one species of Madagascar's treasured lemurs. Despite moderate levels of habitat fragmentation and disturbance, some groups of sifakas showed substantial resilience to these changes.
A new model predicts blue whale locations based on daily oceanographic data and tagged whale movements. The app will help ship crews and managers avoid collisions with the endangered species along the US West Coast.
Researchers from Oxford University and the International Fund for Animal Welfare document a wild group of endangered Barbary macaques adopting an injured juvenile from a neighboring group. The unusual display of concern provides valuable information for rehabilitation and release strategies.
Small mammals use roadside vegetation foraging in Canada, contrary to assumptions that wildlife passages are only for crossing. The study suggests maintaining habitat between highways could attract animals to roads, increasing the risk of collisions.
A team of life scientists at UCLA discovered that sea otters have low genetic diversity, which could endanger their health. The researchers found evidence of potentially harmful genetic variation and mating between closely related ancestors in the sea otter genome, similar to other endangered species with small population sizes.
Researchers at Penn State are embarking on a four-year effort to restore the endangered Chesapeake logperch to its original habitat in the Susquehanna River. The group, led by Jay Stauffer, has secured $500,000 in funding and is using innovative techniques such as underwater drones and culturing to introduce the fish back into the wild.
Research by an international team including the University of Saskatchewan has found toxic metals in European eels' ovaries, potentially jeopardizing their reproductive success. The metals, including mercury and copper, are concentrated in the eels' bodies during their journey to spawning grounds.
Researchers suggest that large, slow-breeding animals require 'demographic safe spaces' to maintain non-negative population growth rates. Conservation efforts for Asian elephants and other species can focus on enhancing survival of females and calves to prevent extinction.
Researchers used ecological and evolutionary attributes to model extinction risk for data-deficient amphibians, finding over 1,000 species threatened with extinction. Half of these species are likely Endangered or Critically Endangered, primarily in the Neotropics and Southeast Asia.
A Yale-led study reveals that 1,012 additional amphibian species are at risk of extinction, with many found in South America and Southeast Asia. The study predicts that more than half of these species are 'Endangered' or 'Critically Endangered',
A new study finds large declines in traditionalist views on wildlife management, with a rise in mutualists believing animals have the same rights as humans. The study's findings have implications for wildlife managers to engage diverse state residents in conservation efforts.
A new study led by York University reveals the American Bumblebee is critically endangered due to a 70% reduction in its area of occurrence and an 89% decrease in relative abundance. Immediate conservation action may save the species from extinction, similar to the fate of the Rusty-patched Bumblebee.
Researchers discovered a potentially devastating foot disease in Chile's endangered huemul deer population, with severe pain and death caused by the condition. The study's findings highlight the need for improved monitoring and collaboration to help protect the critically endangered species.
A new study reveals that petting zoos can harbor highly virulent, drug-resistant bacteria that can be transmitted to visitors, mostly children. The study found that animals in petting zoos are a potential source of shedding these pathogens, which can cause serious illnesses.
Research scientists have uncovered hidden diversity within a type of frog found only in the Seychelles, showing that each island has its own distinct lineage. The study reveals four species of sooglossid frogs are threatened by climate change and disease, including a lethal fungus known as chytrid.
Researchers at Stanford University and India's National Centre for Biological Sciences have developed a new approach to extract genetic clues from degraded DNA samples. This method uses a sequencing technique that amplifies small bits of DNA with unique differences in each sample, allowing for the use of contaminated or mixed samples. ...
A collaboration between astrophysicists, conservationists, and ecologists is using drone technology with thermal-imaging cameras to count orangutans. The method has proven successful in detecting the great apes in the Bornean forest canopy, even at night or in fog.
Researchers have found that invasive round gobies in French Creek are consuming native freshwater mussels, posing a significant threat to their survival. The study's findings highlight the potential ecological disaster if gobies continue to spread in the watershed.
Researchers studied 250 mammals in zoos to investigate the connection between digestive systems and resting postures. They found that body size plays a significant role in determining the animals' resting posture, with larger animals more likely to lie on their sides and smaller ones on their chests.
Researchers at Oxford University have developed a method to produce eggs from ovarian tissue in labs, providing new hope for the critically endangered Northern White Rhino. The technique could enable conservationists to pull species back from extinction by utilizing ovarian tissue from old or injured animals.
Researchers found that soil treatments mimicking floods led to the highest woolly star survival rate, while no treatment favored invasive grasses. The study suggests that restoring natural flood pulses can help reestablish the plant species in degraded habitats.
Researchers found that a combination of wolf reduction and short-term caribou penning during calving season maximized population growth. Adaptive management is recommended for direct population restoration of endangered species.
Researchers used environmental DNA to track Japanese eel populations in 10 rivers, detecting 91.8% of confirmed locations and providing insights into abundance and biomass estimation. This non-lethal method is ideal for monitoring endangered species, including invasive foreign eels.
A new study finds that 28% of endangered species are unprotected by CITES, with 62% needing up to 24 years for protection. Experts recommend speeding up the policymaking process to prevent extinction.
Researchers monitored southern resident killer whale population and found that males dive deeper and are more successful hunters than females. The team tracked the animals' movements and diving patterns using archival tags to estimate how much fish they capture, revealing sex differences in foraging activity.
A NUS study reveals that crossbreeding between milky storks and their cousins is threatening the species' conservation. The research found that more than half of the stork population in Singapore is genetically influenced by Painted Storks, posing a major threat to the species' survival.
The San Diego Zoo's breeding program for endangered Hawaiian birds aims to strike a balance between animal welfare and conservation needs. Researchers studied the welfare of several species, including the 'alalā and 'akikiki, using guidelines from the 'Opportunity to Thrive' model.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have discovered endangered hammerhead and dogfish species being sold as food in UK chip shops, highlighting a need for more accurate labelling. The study also found that consumers may unknowingly purchase threatened shark species, posing health risks and contributing to declining shark populations.
Researchers found that certain endangered owl species continued to persist and even flourish after large forest fires, with stable occupancy rates observed. The study suggests that fire may enhance conditions for rodent populations, which are a crucial prey source for the owls, offsetting any negative effects on nesting habitat.
A study of Twitter activity reveals that viral videos of exotic animals can fuel demand for them as pets. Researchers analyzed nearly 14,000 tweets mentioning pet or captive lemurs and found a significant spike in searches for 'pet lemur' after a popular video went viral.
A study by Lancaster University tested six acoustic guitars with different back and side plate materials, finding similar sound quality ratings among all instruments. Despite this, experts suggest using sustainable woods as substitutes for expensive and endangered ones to minimize environmental impact.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that 78% of marine mammal populations and 75% of sea turtle populations increased significantly after being listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Conservation measures such as tailored species management and fishery regulations appear to have been successful in promoting species recovery.
A new analysis by UC Santa Cruz researchers found that fallowed farmland in the San Joaquin Desert has strong potential for habitat restoration. The study identified over 600 square kilometers of land suitable for conservation, offering a promising solution to protect endangered species like the blunt-nosed leopard lizard.
Three new species of groundwater salamanders discovered in Central Texas, including one critically endangered, have been identified as highly vulnerable to extinction. The discovery highlights the need to protect these keystone species, which maintain aquifer ecosystem health.
A new mathematical model developed by University of Southern Denmark researcher Fernando Colchero can help predict the population growth of endangered species. The model takes into account age-specific survival and reproduction rates, as well as trade-offs between these factors, resulting in more accurate predictions.
A new report reveals that only 41% of European MPAs are fished less intensely than non-protected waters, while trawling activity is 38% higher inside MPAs. The findings suggest that stronger regulations are needed for MPAs to effectively protect sensitive species and biodiversity.
A new study reveals that tourists in Morocco object to using barbary macaques as photo props, citing concerns about animal welfare and potential health risks. The practice is perceived as unacceptable by 88% of respondents, who also raise concerns about hygiene and the risk of infections.
A new test method using lung lavage has been developed to improve tuberculosis diagnosis in rhinoceros, with minimal stress for the animals. The study found that lung fluids revealed only harmless mycobacteria, reducing the risk of false positives and improving animal welfare.
Students from 28 schools and four countries contribute to a large-scale camera-trap study, collecting thousands of images of 83 native mammal species, including 12 threatened or endangered ones. The students' data is comparable to that of adult citizen scientists and professional researchers in nearby protected areas.
The study found that over half of the world's living languages are currently endangered, with around 600 nearly extinct. However, hundreds of languages have been documented sustainably archived audio and video collections, and there is ongoing engagement from indigenous researchers on their own languages.
A new machine learning-based approach predicts conservation status of over 150,000 plants, identifying 15,000 species at high risk. The method uses data analytics and machine learning to assess habitat features, weather patterns, and physical characteristics.
Researchers design robotic system inspired by jumping copepods and frogs, revealing the importance of body size and entrained water mass in achieving maximum jumping heights. The robot's limitations highlight the challenges of entering or exiting air-water interfaces.
A new study categorizes Australian land mammals by their susceptibility to predation by feral cats and red foxes, revealing 63 of the 100 surviving mammal species are highly susceptible. The most vulnerable species include potoroos, bandicoots, bettongs, native rodents, and several marsupial species.
Researchers successfully established an immortalized cell line derived from the critically endangered Okinawa rail. The use of the K4DT method, which involves co-expressing mutant CDK4, Cyclin D, and TERT genes, significantly extended cellular division and immortalization in avian cells. This breakthrough paves the way for further func...
University of Surrey academic Dr Mike Franjieh has been recognized for preserving two endangered languages on the South Pacific island of Ambrym in Vanuatu. His research has created usable spelling systems and recorded cultural practices, benefiting community members and future generations.
A recent study published by Kew scientists reveals that 36% of 'critically endangered' plant species produce recalcitrant seeds, making seed banking an ineffective conservation method. This means alternative techniques like cryopreservation are necessary to safeguard the world's most threatened species and iconic tree species.
A new framework proposes a logical and transparent approach to allocate limited resources for conservation and recovery efforts. This approach aims to identify the most important objectives and allocate funds efficiently, leading to greater confidence in funding agencies and partners.
A Cornell University study used eBird and survey data to model the Tricolored Blackbird population decline by over 33% in 10 years. The research provided crucial evidence for the State of California's Endangered Species Act protections, approved in April.
The Bureau of Reclamation is supporting a six-year study to assess the impact of its projects on endangered pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River. The study aims to preserve the species and potentially lead to its downlisting, with data gathering focused on reproduction conditions and habitat analysis.
A new study from the Monell Chemical Senses Center reveals that healthy animals' bodily odors change when they are near sick animals, potentially impacting social contacts and disease spread. The findings suggest that exposure to sickness-related odors can trigger protective responses in others.
The Morris Animal Foundation is providing $850,000 in grants to support critical health challenges facing wildlife, including lead poisoning and a newly discovered cancer. These studies will help ensure the survival of endangered species through improved veterinary care and disease prevention.
A species of seed-feeding fly is critically damaging orchid seeds, threatening their reproduction. The fly reduces seed production by over 95% in five species, putting already-endangered orchids at risk.