A comprehensive assessment of jaguar connectivity across the Americas has identified key habitats and movement corridors that could guide conservation efforts. The study found a vast connected landscape spanning across 11 countries, with major connectivity gaps in parts of Mexico, Central America, and the Atlantic Forest.
A study led by UCalgary researchers found that both recreation and roads impact wolverine populations in western Alberta and eastern British Columbia. The study shows that recreation is linked to lower population density in a carnivore, and road density affects females the most.
A seven-year study of Barred Owls in California shows a significant decline in exposure to the most lethal class of rodenticides, attributed to the state's policy restrictions. The study also detects a new contaminant, cholecalciferol, in nearly one in five owls, suggesting product substitution as older compounds become harder to access.
Researchers used satellite-observed chlorophyll fluorescence to detect subtle physiological changes in evergreen trees, revealing forest stress two years before bark beetle mortality appears. The technology could provide early warning for forest managers to prepare before mortality becomes widespread, helping to mitigate climate change...
A study found that bats, not bird numbers, contribute to pest control in macadamia nut production. Higher bat activity reduces insect damage and increases yields, with natural habitats playing a crucial role in supporting beneficial organisms.
Researchers aim to create generative cameras that can reconstruct detailed images from sparse measurements using generative AI, reducing bandwidth, computing requirements and energy consumption.
A new study found that the presence of peregrine falcons in the Bay Area dropped by 65% after an outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza. The decline is synchronous with the outbreak, which has affected millions of birds globally.
A new study highlights the urgent need for concerted strategies to combat online illegal wildlife trade, which is magnified by the anonymity of online platforms. The review identifies critical gaps in data and emphasizes the need for cooperation across sectors and comprehensive policy frameworks to address this growing threat.
Northern spotted owl populations are approaching functional extinction across the Pacific Northwest, with AI-powered monitoring identifying critical habitats and ecological threats. The study highlights the need for targeted conservation strategies, including barred owl removal and habitat conservation, to prevent further decline.
Researchers have developed an interactive platform to identify future trafficking hotspots, revealing where criminal networks are most likely to strike next. The tool combines landscape ecology with criminology to identify high-risk corridors, particularly across southeastern Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula.
A new study by Bournemouth University found that 'pioneering pairs' of ospreys, which nest away from others, are key to driving population recovery. These birds create separate subpopulations and increase the speed of recovery for the species through long-distance dispersal.
A major review of bird and bat collision mitigation strategies concludes that future wind energy production must balance biodiversity protection. Smarter, combined approaches are needed to maximize wildlife protection at wind farms.
A new study by UC Santa Cruz researchers uses paleogenomics to create a genetic roadmap for the restoration of the continent's largest land mammal. The findings reveal that North American bison differ in their overall size, body shape, and coat due to adaptations to distinct regional habitats.
Scientists are helping to safeguard UK's rarest orchard wildlife through a three-year conservation initiative focusing on four threatened species. Innovative techniques like pheromones and DNA will be used to improve monitoring of noble chafer and red-horned cardinal click beetle populations.
A study found that coating developing raven eggs with non-toxic mineral oil helps protect sensitive prey populations. Raven nests treated with egg oil showed more than doubled sage-grouse nest survival and a 44% increase in relative abundances of sage-grouse.
A new study documents how an Indonesian Indigenous community adapted their sacred Cidaku initiation ceremony to protect the endangered salmon-crested cockatoo. The ceremony now uses naturally moulted feathers collected from wildlife rescue centres, preserving spiritual integrity and ensuring species survival.
A recent study on orphaned grizzly bears found a high mortality rate of 83%, largely due to human-bear conflicts, illegal killings, and intraspecific killing. The study also highlights the risk of habituation to humans, which can lead to serious conflicts, particularly when combined with oversized size from excessive growth during reha...
Researchers are studying foul-smelling substances to understand what attracts the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, to its favorite meal - open wounds. The goal is to develop better lures for trapping this serious threat to the livestock industry.
A University of Utah-led survey found that 69% of Salt Lake County residents are concerned about the Great Salt Lake's decline, with habitat loss and risks to human health ranking as top issues. Concern varies by social group, birthplace, and personal experiences.
New research reveals that evidence of animal deaths after prescribed burns can disappear in under two weeks, significantly underestimating the true toll of fire on wildlife. Conducting wildlife surveys immediately after fires is essential to accurately assess the impact of prescribed burning on biodiversity and animal welfare.
Researchers argue that EU and UK wildlife protection frameworks are fragmented, selective, and exception-based, threatening biodiversity. The authors propose strengthening laws to recognize animal sentience and introducing 'ethical continuity' into the legal framework.
A recent study found that protecting primates in China's Yunnan province can also protect other animals and plants, highlighting the importance of umbrella species conservation. The research showed that large-bodied vertebrates need vast areas to support populations, which are habitats for many other species.
Researchers analyzed over 3,500 incidents to find that low-impact activities and species like elk, grizzly bears, and mule deer are more likely to lead to aggressive encounters. Visitors can take simple precautions such as announcing themselves, keeping leashes short, and checking park information to minimize risks.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Conservation Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 2, 2026
Researchers found that long-term improvements in water quality, as well as increased occurrence of certain aquatic species, are associated with broad environmental regulations. Conservation policies have helped restore freshwater ecosystems and prevent extreme species loss, indicating the importance of protecting biodiversity and human...
A global study of over 5,100 species reveals that climate change is transforming ecosystems and threatening species across the globe. Temperate species are experiencing more local extinctions than tropical species due to faster warming rates, with temperate regions losing up to 49% of their species.
A pair of grants aims to simplify wildlife management by integrating multiple species into a single plan, reducing redundancies and expanding effectiveness. The research focuses on managing entire ecosystems rather than individual species, using technologies like monitoring tools and multi-objective optimization.
Researchers found over 5 million amphibians and reptiles relocated in BC between 2019-2022, primarily for development projects. The lack of post-relocation monitoring raises concerns about the effectiveness of these efforts in supporting population persistence.
The Laboratory in Northern Kenya (LiNK) improves conservation-led veterinary medicine by providing accessible diagnostic infrastructure. The lab, established through a collaborative partnership, serves the northern Kenya landscape and enhances the country's national wildlife health infrastructure.
A new automatic detection algorithm uses AI to spot commonly-smuggled sea creatures like shark fins, seahorses, and sea cucumbers with 92% accuracy. The system integrates into 3D scanners to help identify potential shipments for investigation.
A University of Bristol team has developed an AI system that can automatically find, name, and follow individual animals in footage, saving thousands of hours for researchers. The system, part of the SA-FARI project, uses a foundational Vision-Language Model to precisely identify objects in images or videos.
Researchers developed a machine learning framework to detect and classify shell-crushing sounds, enabling the quantification of predator impacts on mollusk populations. The system uses multi-step approaches and demonstrates strong performance in controlled tank conditions and field settings.
Researchers have identified Prionus imbricornis, a longhorn beetle species, as the culprit behind attacks on North Carolina blueberry fields. The larvae of this emerging pest can grow up to five inches long and destroy roots, potentially killing trees.
A renowned conservation program, launched in 1996, has failed to maintain its success in promoting wolverine population growth. Despite initial promising results, documented numbers have fallen significantly in northern strongholds, with government funds frozen for two decades.
A long-term study found that invasive Burmese pythons led to a dramatic decline in woodrat populations, while cotton mouse populations surged following Hurricane Irma's landfall. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of invasive predators on endemic ecosystem engineers and underscores the need for targeted conservation efforts.
A new study found that certain snake species, like pygmy rattlesnakes, are at risk for serious illness and death due to multiple pathogens. Snakes can carry pathogens without showing symptoms, but co-infections increase disease prevalence.
Researchers surveyed 7 pathogens in wild native snakes, finding Ophidiomyces and Raillietiella orientalis as most important infectious agents. Rattlesnakes are most likely to host these pathogens, with increased risks of ophidiomycosis and parasitic lung infection.
Researchers found significant increases in invertebrate abundance following rodent eradication, particularly among larger-bodied species vulnerable to predation. The study highlights the crucial role of invertebrates in ecosystem function and recovery.
A new study led by the University of Michigan found that drought conditions in the Southwest have reduced the suitable habitat for herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores by at least 10%. The analysis of 12 years of data from GPS collars on mule deer, black bears, and cougars showed that drought is negatively impacting life across Utah a...
New research reveals a recent increase in sightings of blue and fin whales in the southeastern Atlantic, suggesting resilience after decades of commercial whaling. However, both species remain vulnerable to human pressures such as climate change and pollution, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts.
An observational study published in Frontiers in Marine Science revealed that Guadalupe fur seals are experiencing significant hair loss due to an alopecia syndrome. The study highlights the need for urgent action to address early mortality and human impact on these vulnerable marine mammals
A new study proposes a comprehensive framework identifying distinct biophysical stewardship practices across three ecological levels. The authors argue that underrepresentation of Indigenous knowledge in conservation research and policy is detrimental to effective governance, and their framework aims to address this imbalance.
A new study by Colorado State University reveals that Latin America and southern Europe favor 'mutualism' while the US and Canada prioritize 'domination'. This divergence in views is linked to European colonization centuries ago. The research emphasizes the importance of considering cultural differences in wildlife management policies.
Research explores airplane-bird collisions, fungal pathogen's impact on leaf decomposition & plant diversity in sacred forests. A new model predicts bird-aircraft collisions & suggests using onboard signal lights to reduce risk.
New research reveals that complex terrain is vital to brush-tailed rock-wallaby habitat choice, essential for conservation and reintroduction programs. The study suggests shelter from predators and environmental extremes is the key factor influencing den site selection.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals that small samples of trafficked pangolin DNA can track illegal trade routes and hotspots, including southwest Cameroon, Myanmar, and Africa. The research highlights the interconnectedness of domestic and international markets, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to disrupt traffick...
A study found that megafires force prairie grouse into sub-optimal habitats, including smaller patches near cropland. This can lead to reduced persistence and habitat quality for the species.
A new study uses local news to assess wildlife poaching in Romania, revealing the roe deer as the most frequently poached mammal. The research highlights a darker side of human-wildlife conflict and underscores the need for community mindset shift and policy reform.
A study in Nature reveals a sharp increase in wild meat consumption across Central Africa, driven by urban populations. The total annual biomass of wild meat consumed has increased from 0.73 million tonnes in 2000 to 1.10 million tonnes in 2022.
A study found that policies reducing deforestation in Brazil have failed to stop forest degradation, a slower and more dangerous form of destruction. Forests are becoming increasingly fragile due to fires, logging, and other human activities.
A study found that leaf-cutter ants can provide ecological services to cocoa agroforests, reducing damage caused by the insects. By using simple methods like planting papayas as a 'distraction' and preserving surrounding forests, farmers can produce good cocoa while maintaining biodiversity
African elephants' genetic history shows they once moved across large distances, exchanging genes throughout the continent. However, current patchy habitats and human activities have led to genetic consequences of isolation, affecting conservation approaches.
Researchers discovered highly antibiotic-resistant bacteria in wildlife samples, including foxes and birds, indicating potential early warning system for AMR spread. The study highlights the need for environmental interventions to prevent resistance from reaching clinical settings.
A new study reveals that birds in Hawaiian forests engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing materials from neighboring nests. The behavior, common among the scarlet I'iwi and crimson Apapane, could threaten species already under stress due to habitat loss and climate change.
A new study reveals that risk-prone animals tend to stay near human activity, while more cautious individuals avoid humans and survive longer. This finding highlights the importance of individual behavior in adapting to human-driven environmental change.
A new study from the University of East Anglia found that living with friends may alter your gut bacteria, with social closeness driving the exchange of anaerobic microbes. The research suggests that daily interactions at home, such as hugging and sharing food prep spaces, may encourage the transfer of beneficial gut bacteria.
A new study by University of Maryland researcher Meredith Gore and colleagues found that traded wild mammals are 1.5 times more likely to share infectious agents with humans than species not involved in trade. The risk is higher for animals traded illegally or sold live, which fuels the demand for exotic pets.
A study analyzing dragonfly larvae found moderate to high-risk mercury sites across 30 US National Wildlife Refuges, posing threats to fish, wildlife, and human health. The research provides baseline measurements for tracking change and informs future management actions to reduce mercury bioaccumulation.
A new study reveals that protecting polar bear habitat naturally safeguards the resources they rely on to survive, providing critical benefits to the ecosystem. By analyzing tracking data from 355 bears, researchers identified a high-use area near Cape Churchill, Manitoba, highlighting it as a prime location for a Marine Protected Area.
A new study reveals that Australia's national park expansion has not effectively protected threatened species and ecosystems. Despite doubling the size of protected areas since 2010, critical conservation priorities are being overlooked.
Despite good rainfall improving soils and vegetation, marine ecosystems and wildlife continue to bear the cost of a warming climate. The report found 2,175 species listed as threatened under federal law, with heat stress exceeding thresholds at 79% of reef locations.