A new study by Concordia researchers suggests that carefully habituating wild gorillas to non-threatening humans can help them overcome long-term aversions to people. Over an eight-year study in Cameroon, the animals' responses to human presence slowly changed from aggression and avoidance to curiosity and indifference.
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 new neural network developed by Naveen Dhar can filter out false positives in gunshot detectors, providing accurate alerts for on-the-ground intervention. The system uses a web of autonomous recording units and a central hub to analyze audio data and pinpoint the location of gunshots.
Researchers find that farmed totoaba could alleviate poaching pressures by establishing a regulated trade. The study suggests that a market-based solution may be more effective than a regulatory approach in curbing poaching. A $6 million subsidy program could make farming cheaper and prevent further decline of the wild population.
A study analyzing online seizure records found over 300 seizures of dried seahorses in 62 countries, with most occurring in transit or destination countries. The illicit trade is estimated to be worth CAD$29 million over 10 years, and emerging routes involve Europe and Latin America.
A study using social media to assess illegal hunting activities in Lebanon identified 212 bird species, 94% of which are protected. The scale of illegal hunting is alarming, with many species experiencing population declines.
The studies, published in various journals, found that prey depletion has a significant impact on population dynamics of large African carnivores. In protected areas, lion populations have shown growth due to increased prey availability, while African wild dogs face challenges with low prey density and high competition from lions.
Large-scale declines in African elephant populations have been confirmed over 53 years of survey data. Forest elephant populations decreased by 90%, while savanna elephant populations fell by 70%. The study, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, provides a comprehensive assessment of African elephants and highli...
A new study uses insect evidence from illegally killed rhinos to determine the post-mortem interval. This technique has been used to construct cases against poachers and has led to a rebound in rhino populations over the past 30 years.
Research shows that poverty and inadequate food supply drive poaching in East African national parks. The study found that alleviating food insecurity and poverty are key to building cooperation between parks and local villages. By addressing these needs, conservation efforts can be more effective.
A study by University of California - Santa Barbara researchers found that NGO park management improves measures for wildlife, including reducing elephant poaching and increasing tourism. However, it also increases the risk of armed groups targeting civilians in protected areas, particularly in conflict zones.
A record-breaking swim by two lion brothers across a predator-infested African river has been documented. The study, led by Griffith University and Northern Arizona University, highlights the incredible journey of Jacob, a 10-year-old local icon known for surviving multiple life-threatening incidents.
Intensive wire snare removal efforts reduced snaring by almost 40% in protected areas of Viet Nam, according to an 11-year study. The effectiveness of snare removal was mainly achieved within the first 6 years, but its impact alone is unlikely to protect wildlife due to ongoing snaring threats.
Researchers emphasize that field stations studying primates contribute to biodiversity conservation by deterring poaching, deforestation, and natural resource extraction. The authors call for increased funding and support for red colobus conservation efforts.
A new laser-based approach using Raman spectroscopy can quickly and non-destructively identify elephant ivory from legal mammoth tusk. The technology has been shown to provide accurate species identification, offering a valuable tool for customs enforcement and combating the illegal ivory trade.
Rising temperatures caused by climate change will impact southern Africa's remaining black and white rhinoceros populations, scientists report. The region's diverse national parks will struggle to adapt to increasing heat, with some species facing extinction due to rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
A new study published in Science Advances suggests that protected areas for elephants are most effective when connected to allow populations to stabilize naturally. This approach, known as 'connecting parks,' enables herds to move freely and absorb immigrants, reducing the need for human intervention.
A recent study found that half of commercial caviar products in Europe are illegal, and some don't contain any trace of sturgeon. The research analyzed DNA and isotope patterns on 149 samples of caviar and sturgeon meat, revealing widespread poaching and violation of trade laws.
A new conservation tool, Lion Localizer, helps authorities track the origin of illegally traded lion parts by analyzing mitochondrial DNA. The tool provides critical information on population impact and resource allocation, supporting efforts to protect tiny West African lion populations.
A study in sustainable-use reserves found local game species abundance decreases about 5 kilometers from nearest human community. Human impact on biodiversity is mitigated by management strategies, supporting community-based wildlife management for food security and conservation.
The illegal wildlife trade is a significant financial portfolio that creates state-level security and development risks. Implementing AML laws and sharing intelligence with banks can boost IWT law enforcement. Countries like Singapore, UK, and Australia are making progress in combating money laundering and IWT.
A Texas A&M research team found that a population of endangered red-crowned parrots is thriving in urban areas, with four main roosts in the Rio Grande Valley. The parrots' adaptability to human environments and lack of competition for food sources make them an unusual example of a species doing well in urban areas.
A new study by WCS found that overhunting of fruit-eating mammals and birds can lead to a shift in forest composition, resulting in lower carbon storage. The loss of these species changes the ecosystem, making it more challenging for forests to sequester and store carbon.
A study analyzed news reports on Brazilian deer species between 2011 and 2021, finding that news coverage gave different weights to threats compared to the IUCN Red List. News items properly identified main threats like poaching and habitat loss but underestimated livestock diseases and overestimated road kill.
Private landowners in southern and East African countries conserve hundreds of rhinos by generating revenues from wildlife tourism and trophy hunting. However, rising security costs due to accelerating poaching threaten the long-term viability of private rhino conservation.
A recent study found that human-caused mortality triggers instability in wolf packs in national parks, decreasing the chance of pack persistence and reproduction. Wolves living outside park boundaries are at a higher risk of being killed by humans, with poaching being the most common cause of death.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports found that raising the minimum age threshold for trophy hunted male lions to eight years could increase hunting sustainability. This approach limits the impact of poaching and conflict with livestock owners on lion populations.
A novel technique using stable isotopes can accurately determine whether wood turtles are wild-caught or captive-bred, helping combat the illegal pet trade. The method was tested on 71 turtles and achieved a success rate of over 97%, providing conservation law enforcement officials with a valuable forensic tool.
Researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells and cerebral organoids from the last male Malaysian Sumatran rhino, enabling study of brain development and potentially aiding in breeding program. The technology holds promise for fighting extinction of critically endangered species.
Researchers found four species – tigers, elephants, wild boars, and clouded leopards – showing increased populations in areas with human infrastructure. However, deforestation still impacted some species, particularly clouded leopards.
A study by University of Utah professor Thure Cerling and colleagues used carbon isotope science to analyze four seizures of ivory in Angola, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Uganda. The results show that the ivory dates back to the 1980s, similar in age to ivory in Burundi's national stockpile, strengthening suspicions of ivory stockpile theft.
A study by the University of Bristol and Namibian Ministry found no statistically significant differences in population growth factors between dehorned and horned black rhinos. The research suggests that dehorning is not a hindrance to black rhino reproduction or survival, reassuring its use as an anti-poaching deterrent.
New research from The University of Manchester found that poaching combined with individual rhino's reproductive variance significantly increases the risk to black rhino survival. Reproductive skew, or variation in breeding success between females, can exacerbate extinction risk by up to 70% in small populations.
A study has decoded the DNA of the Arabian Oryx, a vulnerable species that was on the brink of extinction. The researchers analyzed the genetic data to inform breeding programs and found moderate diversity in the population's gene pool.
A team of scientists used genetic testing to uncover the tactics of international criminal networks behind ivory trafficking out of Africa. The analysis linked most large ivory shipments to a handful of interconnected smuggling networks, expanding efforts to track and seize illicit shipments.
A UCLA study reveals that lions and leopards in Zambia's conservation areas are injured at rates much higher than previously thought. The research found that over 37% of the lions and 22% of the leopards had snare scars and tooth notches, indicating a significant problem with poaching.
A DNA catalogue of Indian greater one-horned rhinoceroses has been created using dung samples, allowing researchers to identify unique individuals and track their populations. This forensic tool helps pinpoint poaching hotspots and trade routes, aiding conservation efforts.
The global price of ivory has increased tenfold since the 1989 CITES ban, leading to higher poaching incentives and greater numbers of elephants being killed. This study provides new insights into the factors driving increases in ivory prices, shedding light on how conservation efforts can be improved.
Elephant poaching rates in Africa have declined by over 50% since 2011, but the continent's elephant population remains threatened without addressing poverty, corruption, and ivory demand. The research found that elephants are in danger of being wiped out if current poaching rates continue.
African elephant populations are stabilizing in some regions, with poaching rates falling from 10% to 4% between 2011 and 2017. Corruption and poverty drive poaching, suggesting efforts to reduce ivory demand may be more effective than law enforcement alone.
Researchers linked 11 large ivory shipments to the same networks using DNA testing, revealing connections between isolated seizures and identifying key trafficking hubs. This breakthrough helps officials track and build evidence against those responsible for the bulk of illegal ivory trade.
A new study suggests that orphaned female elephants receive more aggression from other elephants than non-orphans, making their social lives tougher. Orphans rebuild their relationships but have reduced interaction with adult females, affecting access to resources and long-term survival.
Young orphaned elephants alter their home ranges due to poaching risks and need for food, shifting towards novel areas with easier access to green pasture. This inter-generational response has significant implications for elephant populations as habitats are increasingly squeezed by human activity.
A new Danish-Vietnamese study has found that Vietnamese consumers buy rhino horn for symbolic gestures to console terminally ill family members, rather than traditional medical reasons. The study suggests that a legal trade of farmed rhino horn is unlikely to reduce poaching, and that other strategies are needed to address the problem.
An international study examines the impact of the world's largest ivory burn in Kenya, finding 81% of online media coverage was produced in the US, with lesser coverage in China and other ivory-consuming countries. Experts suggest sustained media pressure and monitoring are needed to change attitudes and reduce ivory demand.
A team of researchers has developed a DNA database to match confiscated rhinoceros horns to crime scenes and aid in prosecution. The RhODIS system uses genetic analysis to identify individual rhinos and prevent further poaching.
The article discusses ways to reconcile differing views on elephant conservation policy between two groups with conflicting opinions. Stakeholder trust and agreement can be achieved through structured discussions and the evaluation of policy consequences in a way that minimizes bias.
Research at Colorado State University found that orphaned female elephants have limited access to mature, dominant individuals, affecting their social integration. Social bonds with surviving adults may not compensate for lost relationships during early years following disruption.
Research suggests that inferior synthetic horns can drive out wild horn suppliers through adverse selection, reducing poaching and driving down prices. Nonprofits could play a key role in producing these synthetic horns, promoting competition and increasing market supply.
A new study led by Duke University finds that over 25,000 elephants were killed for their ivory between 2004 and 2014 in Gabon's protected area. The loss of forest elephants has significant implications for the preservation of the species.
A new study by the University of Utah uses radiocarbon dating and genetic analysis to track the origin of seized ivory, revealing that nearly all shipments come from elephants killed in the past three years. This intelligence can help combat illegal animal product trade and inform strategies for protecting elephant populations.
A new study reveals that investing in elephant conservation is economically favorable across most of Africa, with returns exceeding $1.78 for every dollar invested. This assessment highlights the importance of protecting elephant populations and their habitats to maintain nature-based tourism economies.
A recent study confirms forest elephants as one of the world's slowest reproducing mammals, with females taking up to 23 years to breed and giving birth only once every five to six years. This low birth rate means that forest elephant populations will take nearly a century to recover from poaching since 2002.
Kenya's ivory burn has increased by over 600% since 2011, with a recent record-breaking burn valued at up to $220 million. The scientists argue that tracking the impact of these burns is crucial to reduce poaching and illegal ivory trade.
Researchers used GIS tools to identify high-risk poaching areas and proposed drone surveillance for more efficient conservation efforts. The study found that open savannah areas with roads and water features are hotspots for poaching.
The loss of oldest female elephants guides their families to resources and holds decades of social knowledge. This could cause cascading effects on ecosystem function, as these females play a crucial role in seed dispersal and maintaining habitats.
The study reveals that Grey Parrot populations have declined by 90-99% since 1992, threatening their survival. Habitat loss and poaching are major drivers of this catastrophic decline, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts.
The Sumatran rhinoceros is considered extinct in the wild in Malaysia due to lack of sightings since 2007. The remaining individuals are estimated to be fewer than 100 in Indonesia, with nine in captivity; conservation experts urge increased efforts to save the species.
Researchers used genetic tools to trace illegal ivory back to its source, identifying two primary poaching hotspots in Africa since 2006. The study found that most savanna and forest elephant tusks originated from Tanzania, Mozambique, Gabon, and the Central African Republic.
A study using DNA from ivory samples identifies two major areas of elephant poaching in Africa, with over 85% of seized ivory tracing back to these regions. This research could help combat ivory trafficking at its source and inform law enforcement efforts.