A team of experts aims to use cutting-edge techniques like induced pluripotent stem cells and gene editing to bring back the critically endangered species. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is leading the effort, which also involves collaborations with international partners.
A study found polar bears are swimming more due to reduced summer sea ice, with adult females covering distances of up to 249 miles in search of food. Climate change is linked to the increased swimming behavior, which may have serious implications for polar bear populations.
A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation reveals that giant pandas can detect sound into the ultrasonic range, potentially disrupting their reproductive success due to noise from human activities. The San Diego Zoo's contribution to this research has provided crucial insights into panda hearing sensitivity.
The San Diego Zoo Global has fully sequenced the 'Alalā, or Hawaiian crow's genome, which will help track genetic challenges in a species reduced to 20 birds. The sequencing is crucial for understanding how to reintroduce the species into prepared habitat on the island of Hawaii.
The study found that millions of dollars are spent annually on animal translocations to mitigate human interference, but outcomes are often poor and rarely monitored. Successful science-based translocations provide a model for improving mitigation efforts and achieving legislative goals for species conservation.
Researchers at San Diego Zoo Global found that volunteers can accurately identify individual Andean bears after learning their unique markings. The study's success allows for citizen scientist engagement in species conservation, supporting the zoo's mission to bring endangered species back from extinction.
A recent survey in Honduras found that residents prefer to hunt and consume female Valle de Aguán spiny-tailed iguanas carrying eggs. This unsustainable practice is threatening the species' extinction. The study recommends educating residents on sustainable harvesting methods to mitigate the impact.
Scientists investigated how scent communication affects polar bears, which is vital for reproduction and social behavior. The study suggests that climate change may disrupt this communication, threatening the species' survival.
A recent study published in Oryx, a conservation journal, indicates that lowland tapir populations in French Guiana are at risk despite recent hunting restrictions. The research highlights the need for additional restrictions to ensure the long-term survival of this vulnerable species.
A study reveals that over half of meat sold as bushmeat in Africa is from birds, with large raptors like eagles and vultures being disproportionately consumed. The findings highlight the significant impact of bushmeat trade on endangered species and human health globally.
Researchers used 3-D technology to track and visualize the movements of California condors, giant pandas, and dugongs. The study provided highly detailed data on their range and habitat use, informing conservation efforts to restore populations.
The San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Alliance has found that lead poisoning is the primary cause of death in wild California condor populations. This finding highlights the need for conservation efforts to address widespread lead contamination in the environment.
The Jamaican iguana population has grown to over 200 individuals due to conservation efforts. However, a recent proposal to develop the Hellshire Hills area poses a significant threat to the species' survival.
A recent study outlines the intricate social hierarchy of California condors, highlighting the importance of dominance within the group. The research, conducted with the use of new technologies, reveals that individual birds must successfully integrate into the structure to ensure survivability.
The drill population has been reduced to critical habitat areas in Cameroon, with only four habitats receiving high scores for sustainable populations. Conservation efforts are now focused on these key areas, including the proposed Ebo National Park.
Ekwoge Abwe, a Cameroon conservationist, has won the prestigious Whitley award for his work preserving Ebo Forest and its wildlife. The award recognizes his community-led gorilla conservation initiative, which aims to secure a safe future for endangered species.
The study reveals a severe decline in African forest elephant populations due to poaching and habitat loss. The findings highlight the urgent need for a coordinated global effort to protect this critically endangered species.
A recent study by San Diego Zoo Global researchers found that giant pandas make specific choices when selecting trees for scent marking. The choice of tree is influenced by factors such as bark roughness, presence of moss on the trunk, tree diameter, and distance to trails.
The Genome 10K project has released the medium ground finch genome, allowing for investigation of trait evolution and potential conservation efforts. The genome provides a unique model for studying evolutionary changes and has been linked to dialectic patterns in bird songs.
Researchers at San Diego Zoo find phytoestrogens in rhino diet linked to reproductive failure. The study compares captive populations with varying diets, revealing a key difference between successful and struggling reproduction.
Recent study in Molecular Ecology reveals spotted hyenas exhibit strong kinship relationships, affected by resource reduction. The San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy's conservation efforts focus on understanding and conserving these social systems.
The gorilla genome sequence provides a unique perspective on human origins, revealing that 15% of the human genome is closer to the gorilla genome than it is to the chimpanzee. The study also illuminates genetic differences between gorilla species and highlights the importance of conservation efforts for these endangered populations.
A recent study reveals that lead poisoning is the leading cause of death for California condors, accounting for 70% of mortalities. Human activities such as deer hunting and power-line collisions also contribute to the species' decline.
Conservation researchers at San Diego Zoo Global's Institute of Conservation Research have developed a low-cost, molecular tool for identifying two-toed sloth species. The technique uses a mitochondrial marker and restriction enzyme assay to distinguish between closely related species.
A collaborative effort analyzed the genomes of great apes, revealing DNA duplications that may contribute to genomic diseases such as autism and mental retardation. The study highlights the shared areas of DNA among different great ape species, including bonobos and chimpanzees.
A new study proposes four proactive management options for conservation of island bird species, including captive propagation and vaccination against diseases enhanced by climate change. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance highlights the importance of acting now to prevent long-term survival challenges faced by the island scrub-jay.
Scientists found that the Nile crocodile is not a single species but rather two distinct species living side-by-side. The discovery highlights the need for separate conservation strategies for each species due to their unique characteristics and declining populations.
Researchers successfully established cell cultures from frozen biopsy specimens of the critically endangered Mississippi gopher frog, marking a breakthrough in banking viable amphibian cells. The technique expands conservation efforts to combat diseases and advance reproductive studies.
A recent aerial survey of northern Botswana shows a significant decline in wildlife populations, with wildebeest populations plummeting by almost 90% over the past 15 years. Habitat fragmentation, drought effects, human encroachment, and poaching are major contributing factors to this decline.
San Diego Zoo Global takes management responsibility for Cocha Cashu Biological Station in Peru's Manu Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The station is home to over 1,000 bird species, rare mammals, and indigenous communities.
A recent study published in Biology Letters indicates that giant pandas are associated with old-growth forests more than any other ecological variable besides bamboo. This finding suggests that conserving both bamboo and old-growth forests is crucial to protect this critically endangered bear species.