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 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.
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.
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.
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 long-term study has found mercury levels impacting common loons' health, reproductive success, and behavior. Loons with high mercury levels spend less time at nests and produce fewer young, while also experiencing sluggishness and flight issues.
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 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.
Western lowland gorillas have been observed mating in a unique face-to-face position for the first time in the wild. This behavior is rare among primates, with only bonobos frequently employing ventro-ventral copulation.
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.
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.
A study found coyote densities are significantly lower in areas with wolves, indicating competition for resources. However, coyotes can survive by living in packs, reducing their vulnerability to wolves.
A new method helps track individual male Asian elephants by analyzing their tusks, ears, and other features, aiding in poaching rate monitoring and conservation success. The study's results show 134 unique males out of a population of 991, with an adult male/female ratio of 1 to 4.33.
Wildlife experts from WCS and FAO argue that keeping wild animals separate in wildlife markets can prevent disease outbreaks. Closing these trade hubs could significantly reduce the threat of emerging diseases like avian flu.
Researchers found that commercially important species take a quarter of a century to recover fully, while ecological equilibrium takes even longer to achieve. Fish recovery rates vary among species due to competition for resources.
A study by Dr. Joel Berger found that prey animals like moose and elk only fear predators they regularly encounter. The research demonstrated that the loss of wolves led to a decrease in vigilance and fear responses in these species.
The Wildlife Conservation Society's 'Warm Waters for Cool Bears' project uses satellite imagery and meteorological data to predict where sea ice will persist, enabling conservation efforts. The study aims to inform management activities such as designating protected areas for polar bears and their prey species.
Researchers used fingerprints to count fisher populations, identifying individual animals and tracking their numbers in the wild. This method is simpler and less expensive than DNA fingerprinting, offering a promising tool for conservation.
A new study reveals that forest elephants are being pushed into remote depths of national parks due to heavy poaching for ivory near roadways. Protected areas, however, are critical to elephant survival, with some areas experiencing increased abundance despite road access.
The Tibetan antelope population may be increasing due to a combination of better enforcement and growing conservation ethic in local communities, according to WCS biologist George Schaller. He witnessed no direct evidence of widespread poaching during an eight-week expedition across Tibet's remote Chang Tang region.
A new species of cichlid, Ptychochromis loisellei, has been named in honor of Dr. Paul Loiselle, an ichthyologist who has dedicated his career to safeguarding Madagascar's freshwater fishes. The newly described black and gold cichlid is about five inches long and found in several river systems in the northeastern part of the country.
Researchers from WCS discover Jackson's mongoose, a rare and poorly-known carnivore, in Matundu Forest, Udzungwa Mountains National Park. The discovery highlights the importance of protecting nearby forests to conserve this unique species.
A new study by WCS and USGS found that wild tigers in India's Nagarahole National Park lose nearly a quarter of their population each year, but total numbers remain stable due to high reproductive rates and abundant prey. The study highlights the need for protected areas with high prey densities and anti-poaching efforts.
The Wildlife Conservation Society proposes a simpler, four-tiered system to measure conservation success for wildlife populations. The system aims to move beyond demographic sustainability and focus on ecological functionality, where species serve their role in ecosystems.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has fitted GPS collars on eight saiga antelopes in the Mongolian Gobi Desert, aiming to better understand their movements and develop a comprehensive conservation strategy. The saiga numbers have plummeted by 95% due to poaching for Chinese medicines and competition with livestock.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that small, traditionally managed marine protected areas were more effective at protecting fish and wildlife than larger national parks or co-managed reserves. These community-led systems were often managed to meet local needs rather than strict conservation goals.
A 6,000-year-old migration route of the pronghorn antelope in Yellowstone National Park is under threat from continued development and human disturbance. The study's findings highlight the need for immediate recognition and protection to safeguard this unique population.
The Wildlife Conservation Society has launched the 'Tigers Forever' initiative, aiming to increase tiger populations in key areas by 50% over a decade. The program involves working with local governments and partners to track tigers and boost anti-poaching activities.
The most recent census found that efforts to protect the park's wildlife are reversing the trend of decline, with elephant populations increasing to 340 individuals. The park's large mammal populations have also increased, including buffalo and Uganda kob.
A five-year study by WCS and partners investigates how natural gas development affects pronghorn antelope in Wyoming's Upper Green River Valley Basin. Preliminary findings show that pronghorn can adapt to human presence but tend to avoid fragmented areas, and proximity to development has no effect on their health.
The US government has approved a multi-million dollar surveillance network to track the avian flu virus overseas. The Global Avian Influenza Network for Surveillance (GAINS) will provide valuable forecasts on viral storms, enabling the prevention of avian flu spread and preparation for outbreaks.
The newly discovered Rungwecebus monkey is a distinct genus, marking the first new species since 1923. The critically endangered monkey's habitat faces severe logging threats, prompting calls for global protection.
A recent study documents six new frog species found in Laos over a two-year period, showcasing the country's remarkable biodiversity. Conservationists are concerned about the combined loss of forest cover and over-exploitation of species threatening much of Laos' wildlife.
Researchers discovered that rats and mongooses rarely penetrate forest interior due to poorer habitats for reproduction, making natural forests ideal refuges for threatened island species. Conservation efforts should prioritize protecting remaining large blocks of natural forests on Pacific islands.
A study finds that US sheep industry decline is linked to market trends, not predation losses, contradicting decades of federally subsidized predator control efforts. The study's findings suggest re-evaluation of federal funding for predator control in the sheep industry.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to upgrade its software infrastructure, improving collaboration and communication among agencies. The donation is part of a $41 million Microsoft grant to support non-profit organizations globally.
Wildlife Conservation Society's field vets collected samples from hundreds of wild birds affected by H5N1 strain, helping to develop a human pandemic influenza vaccine. The collaboration highlights the importance of protecting wildlife diversity and monitoring their health for potential benefits to humankind.
A recent study found that green turtles in Nicaragua have a mere 50% chance of survival due to heavy fishing. WCS researchers urge drastic reductions in fishing levels to prevent the turtles' extinction.
Millions of wild animals pass through markets each year, increasing the risk of disease transmission. The study highlights the need to regulate and eliminate the global wildlife trade to prevent the spread of diseases among humans, domestic animals, and ecosystems.
Emerging diseases can move between species, mutating into more virulent forms; WCS proposes 'One World, One Health' concept to prevent outbreaks. The global trade in wildlife poses a significant challenge, with estimated $100 billion losses due to livestock pathogens and pandemic diseases.
A new long-haired forest primate, named Highland Mangabey, has been discovered in Tanzania's Southern Highlands. The critically endangered species is characterized by a distinctive call and adaptation to the cold climate, with an estimated population of between 500-1,000 animals.
A new rodent species, Kha-Nyou, has been discovered in Central Laos with distinct characteristics. The species is estimated to have diverged from other rodents millions of years ago and is found to be a nocturnal vegetarian, giving birth to one offspring at a time.
A new study in Gabon reveals that poverty alleviation efforts may inadvertently increase bushmeat consumption and threaten local wildlife populations. The research found that growth in poor families' income led to increased consumption of bushmeat, highlighting the need for holistic strategies that balance conservation with development.
Research reveals that Ebola viruses can spread from wild animals to humans through handling or consuming animal carcasses. This finding emphasizes the need for improved awareness and monitoring of wildlife in Central Africa to prevent future outbreaks.