Researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society and Zoological Society of London capture images of golden eagle attacking a young sika deer on camera trap. The event, which occurred six years ago, is extremely rare and has no impact on deer populations.
Scientists have created a vulnerability map to help governments and organizations invest in protected area establishment and restoration efforts in the most vulnerable regions. The map assesses ecosystems' intactness and stability under future climate change predictions, identifying southern Asia, Europe, and Australia as high-risk areas.
A new study finds that climate change affects poor fishing communities differently based on social and environmental characteristics, requiring tailored management approaches. Communities with diverse livelihoods and strong social networks are more resilient to climate-related pressures.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that 13 species of crocodilians consume fruit, including berries and legumes. The researchers suggest that these animals may function as significant seed dispersal agents in freshwater ecosystems, contributing to forest regeneration.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Minnesota reveals that the world's largest owl relies on old-growth forests for breeding and prey. Large trees provide critical habitats for salmon, supporting the owls' survival.
Scientists from Wildlife Conservation Society examine implications of economic development and climate change on conserving Myanmar's biodiversity. Recommendations include strengthening protected area systems and ecosystem-based adaptation strategies to protect unique biodiversity.
A new study by WCS and Snow Leopard Trust reveals the link between cashmere trade and ecosystem decay in remote Central Asia. The cashmere industry's expansion leads to conflicts with pastoralists, wildlife displacement and even retaliatory killing of iconic species like snow leopards and wild yaks.
The study warns that current hunting trends in Central African forests could lead to complete ecological collapse. The authors emphasize the need for sustainable hunting management plans to avoid an environmental catastrophe. Protecting megafauna like elephants and apex predators is crucial to maintaining intact ecosystems.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society establishes a conservation roadmap for Tanzania's 27 primate species, identifying priority areas for protection. The most vulnerable species, including the kipunji and Zanzibar red colobus, require adequate protection to prevent extinction.
Increased precipitation and changes in forest structure in Argentina's forests are leading to higher rates of parasitic fly infection in young birds. This study found that slight changes in precipitation and vegetation structure, coupled with crowding of nests, result in large increases in the number of parasites per chick.
A new study by WCS-India reveals leopards inhabit landscapes with high human populations and no wilderness, defying conventional conservation strategies. Camera traps captured five adult large carnivores per 100 square kilometers, showcasing adaptability of humans and wildlife to each other's presence.
A new study reveals that Nevada's black bear population is increasing and expanding its former range due to conservation efforts. The study analyzed historic records and found that the bears were once widespread but vanished by 1931, only to rebound in recent years.
Conservationists and representatives from Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda have joined forces to highlight the plight of threatened wild cheetahs due to the illegal pet trade. The CITES Conference of the Parties has accepted a proposal for a study on the cheetah trade, which could impact the survival of cheetah populations in Africa.
A new study reveals the presence of chytrid fungus in amphibians sampled in Singapore, with the American bullfrog identified as a potential carrier. The study also finds widespread disease among frogs in Vietnam's commercial farms, raising concerns about the spread of infectious diseases through trade.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers found that homes in neighborhoods with protected open space have sales prices 20-29% higher than those without such features. The 'conservation development' approach protects natural resources while providing social and economic benefits to people.
Conservationists confirm a staggering 62% loss of African forest elephants over the past decade due to poaching. The species' survival is threatened by human density, infrastructure development, and poor governance.
Researchers developed an Adaptation for Conservation Targets (ACT) framework to assess climate change impacts on natural resources. The framework enables scientists and managers to work together to adjust management actions and address the 'What do we do about it?' question.
A genetic analysis reveals that North Atlantic humpback whales once existed in numbers of over 100,000 individuals, with an estimated range of 45,000 to 235,000. The study's findings provide a more accurate estimate than previous catch data and have significant implications for determining the recovery threshold of the species.
Fishing communities in Indonesian Coral Triangle's Karimunjawa National Park have improved their social well-being while reducing reliance on marine biodiversity. The co-management approach has stabilized reef fish biomass and empowered participant communities, ensuring sustainable development.
Lowland tapirs, the largest terrestrial mammal in South America, have been found thriving in a protected area spanning five national parks. Camera trap data reveals higher abundance under protection than outside, and estimates at least 14,500 individuals exist, making it one of the continent's most important strongholds for conservation.
Scientists have conducted the first range-wide genetic analysis of bowhead whales using ancient DNA samples from archaeological sites and modern populations. The study reveals differences in population diversity between ancient and modern times, suggesting recent disappearance of unique maternal lineages due to habitat loss and whaling.
A new study identifies 27 countries most vulnerable to declining coral reef fisheries, with low-income nations lacking adaptation capacity and middle-income nations sensitive to climate change. The top two countries at risk are Indonesia and Liberia, while Malaysia and Sri Lanka are the least vulnerable.
A new study reveals that Indonesia's coral reefs in Aceh are benefiting from the 'Panglima Laot' customary system, which has resulted in higher fish biomass and hard-coral cover due to mutually agreed gear restrictions. The system's success lies in its design principles promoting social harmony and sustainable resource management.
A new study found that mountain lions are dispersing from Nevada to California, rather than the expected influx of animals from California into Nevada. The research used DNA analysis to track the movement of 739 mountain lions over seven years, revealing distinct genetic populations and habitat preferences.
The IUCN World Conservation Congress has adopted a motion to create a Green List for Species, which will include species identified as 'fully conserved', thriving in ecologically significant numbers. The list aims to emphasize that conservation is about more than just preventing extinction and highlight successful species conservation.
Oscar Loayza, a conservationist with the Wildlife Conservation Society's Madidi Program, has been recognized for his work on strengthening indigenous participation in protected area management. His initiatives led to improved governance and consolidated indigenous territorial rights in Bolivia's Madidi National Park.
Madidi National Park has been documented to have an incredible array of species, including 1,088 bird species and over 200 mammal species. Despite this wealth of biodiversity, much remains unknown about the park's tropical montane forests.
A free high-tech tool called SMART has been launched to combat wildlife poaching. The Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool uses GPS data to identify poaching hotspots and enable rapid responses, ultimately maximizing the impact of anti-poaching efforts.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has released a list of Asian species at the conservation crossroads, calling for governments to take immediate action. These species face daunting challenges from habitat loss, hunting, and trade, but WCS believes they can be saved using the 'three R's approach: recognition, responsibility, and recovery.
The Wildlife Conservation Society and partners are calling on governments to take urgent action to save shark and ray species from over-fishing for international trade. Currently, only a handful of species are listed under CITES, but numerous others qualify for protection.
Coral scientists have developed a simplified method for measuring coral reef resilience, prioritizing heat-resistant coral species and background temperature variability. The new model offers a cost-effective tool for conservation planning, but further research is needed to evaluate its priority and types of corals required.
Maternal presence is crucial for juvenile moose survival, with orphaned calves facing up to 47 times more aggression. The study's findings suggest policy changes are needed to protect young moose, highlighting the importance of conservation planning and non-invasive data collection methods.
Locally managed marine protected areas in Fiji will effectively protect between 12-18 percent of all coastal and inshore marine habitats by 2020. This 'people power' approach is on track to meet the national government's goal to protect at least 30 percent of Fiji's inshore habitats.
A recent study by Wildlife Conservation Society and University of the Azores identifies additional risks to coral reefs from pollution and overfishing. The proliferation of microbes, sponges, and worms further degrades corals, highlighting the complexity of reefs and possible solutions.
Climate change threatens wolverine survival; researchers find refrigerated caches key to adaptation. Wolverines use snow and crevices to store food, protecting it from scavengers and bacteria.
Conservationists hope that Cambodia's vultures can come back from the brink as a study reveals critical steps towards saving these scavengers. The creation of new feeding stations and restoration of wildlife populations represent next important steps in vulture conservation.
A recent study recommends focusing on collecting animal samples from carcasses during Ebola outbreaks, with a 50% success rate compared to less than 6% when sampling live animals. This approach is crucial for early detection and learning more about the virus.
A groundbreaking study on manta ray migration patterns reveals feeding habitats and threats to the world's largest ray. The research found that manta rays spend most of their time in coastal areas with abundant zooplankton and fish eggs, but only 11.5% of locations occurred within marine protected areas.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that intense gas development is driving away wildlife from their traditional wintering grounds. In Wyoming's Jonah and PAPA gas fields, researchers discovered an 82% decline of high-quality habitat for pronghorn, a sharp increase in infrastructure, and behavioral shifts among the animals.
A recent study found that bigger male gorillas are more successful at attracting mates and raising offspring. The research, conducted over 12 years in Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, revealed positive correlations between physical traits such as head-crest size and gluteal muscles with an adult male's average number of mates.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society finds that co-management is a successful solution to global overfishing, with more than half of surveyed fishermen feeling it improved their livelihoods. The approach has also been shown to protect fish stocks and improve ecosystem health.
A new study by the University of California, Berkeley, and Wildlife Conservation Society uses a scientific methodology to establish marine protected areas in Madagascar. The approach identifies conservation priorities across the country's west coast, highlighting areas with high biodiversity value.
A recent study found humpback whales on opposite sides of the southern Indian Ocean singing unique songs, with only one shared theme. The results suggest limited exchange between regions and shed light on how whale culture spreads.
A satellite study has identified suitable habitat and corridors for the Cross River gorilla, a subspecies of gorilla numbering fewer than 300 individuals. The study found that the area known to be occupied by gorillas is more than 50% larger than previously documented.
A recent study published by Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that livestock, not Mongolian gazelles, are the primary drivers of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks in Mongolia. The research found that FMDV antibody prevalence in gazelle populations mirrored the dynamics of FMD in livestock across the Eastern Steppe.
A new global study found that humans have consumed at least 87 different marine mammal species since 1990, with many being caught accidentally as bycatch in fishing nets. The study highlights the urgent need for better monitoring and conservation efforts to protect these iconic species.
A new snake species, Matilda's horned viper, has been discovered in a remote area of Tanzania with unique horn-like scales above its eyes. The species is estimated to have only a few square miles of habitat and is expected to be classified as critically endangered due to severe degradation from logging and charcoal manufacture.
A recent study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that a pneumonia outbreak among endangered markhors in Tajikistan reduced their numbers by as much as 20 percent. The disease is believed to have been transmitted from domestic goats, highlighting the need for continuous disease surveillance.
Researchers discovered a powerful connection between loss of wildlife access and micronutrient deficiencies in children. Losing access to wildlife induces a 30% relative increase in anemia prevalence among pre-adolescent children. Conservation efforts are crucial to prevent severe health consequences.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society identified 8 changes that occur on coral reefs before they collapse due to overfishing. Researchers found a 'window' of maximum sustainable yield between 300-600 kilograms per hectare, but when fish stocks drop below this threshold, reef degradation accelerates.