New research reveals that zoos and aquariums can prioritize evidence-based environmental enrichment to benefit a wider range of species. The study highlights the need for greater diversity in enrichment types and species researched, as well as more attention to social enrichment.
A study from North Carolina State University demonstrates the accuracy of a less invasive technique for monitoring wildlife health using dried blood spots. Researchers found that this method is comparable to traditional techniques, allowing for easier and less stressful data collection from wild populations.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that a mange outbreak in San Guillermo National Park, Argentina decimated the wild vicuña and guanaco populations, with nearly three-quarters of the animals lost between 2017-18. The authors suggest domestic llamas introduced to the site may have triggered the outbreak.
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
The English Channel prevents many rockpool species from reaching the UK due to unfavorable ocean currents. This could lead to a decrease in intertidal wildlife richness in the UK as warmer-water species fail to replace threatened ones. As climate change causes sea temperatures to rise, this barrier may prevent species from adapting.
A high protein diet may harm polar bears, with captive bears showing signs of kidney disease and shorter lifespans. Researchers propose adopting a diet with a fat-protein ratio similar to that found in the wild to improve bear health and longevity.
A recent study reveals that lead poisoning from eating contaminated carcasses has reduced bald eagle population growth by 4-6% annually in the Northeast. The researchers emphasize the need for hunters to choose copper-based ammunition to mitigate this issue, which could impact other species as well.
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
A new study reveals that the US has played a significant role in the trafficking of tiger parts, with San Francisco, Dallas, and Atlanta emerging as major entry points. The research suggests that the scale of trade may have been underestimated, with seizures of illegal tiger products totaling 292 during 2003-2012.
The study found that most USSE facilities were installed on grasslands, pastures, and agricultural lands, potentially impeding Florida panther dispersal. Restoration of dispersal corridors and gene flow is critical to the species' survival, benefiting biodiversity and resiliency at the landscape-scale.
A team of researchers found that animals with strong site fidelity, which is returning to the same places to eat, travel, and raise their young, may not survive or reproduce as well in changing landscapes. This can lead to population declines, especially in species like mule deer affected by human development.
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GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
A recent study reveals significant differences between the gut microbiomes of male and female American minks, suggesting a surprising sexual distinction in carnivores. The findings have implications for future wildlife research, as analyzing fecal samples may not provide accurate assessments of population sex.
A study published in Nature found that a type of MRSA called mecC-MRSA originated in hedgehogs over 200 years ago, long before the clinical use of antibiotics. The researchers believe that the bacteria evolved as an adaptation to living on the skin of hedgehogs with a fungus that produces its own antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Washington documented a mass mortality event among Magellanic penguins in Punta Tombo, Argentina, due to extreme heat. The January 2019 heat wave killed at least 354 adult penguins and 90 chicks, with nearly three-quarters of the deceased being adults primarily due to dehydration.
A recent study by North Carolina State University and Northern Michigan University found that eating human food reduces microbial diversity in black bears' guts. The researchers analyzed gut samples from 35 bears and found lower biodiversity in those with a diet rich in processed foods.
A study using wildlife cameras in Berlin gardens found that foxes, raccoons, and martens avoided domestic cats, while cats exerted dominance over local wildlife. Lockdowns allowed scientists to observe interactions between these species in urban environments, shedding light on their rules and behaviors.
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SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
Researchers have found COVID-19 infection in white-tailed deer in six northeast Ohio locations, suggesting the virus may be spreading among wildlife. The study's findings indicate that infected deer can potentially harbor new strains of SARS-CoV-2, complicating human mitigation and control plans.
Researchers analyzed the largest cross-species database to assess species-specific cancer mortality rates and found conclusive proof that cancer risk is largely independent of body mass and life expectancy. The study highlights potent mechanisms of cancer resistance in larger species, contradicting intuitive expectations.
Researchers identify previously unknown population of white-handed gibbons in Peninsular Malaysia, showing unusual mutations and potential local speciation. The discovery informs conservation efforts for translocation and reintroduction programs.
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new study investigates the impact of climate change on human-elephant conflict in Africa's Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. The research finds that households and communities have adaptive capacity to cope with these challenges, but institutions need to support effective risk mitigation strategies.
A recent study reveals that narwhals are highly affected by noise pollution from ships and seismic airgun pulses, triggering stress and altering their behavior. Researchers hope that better management of noise pollution will protect these unique Arctic animals.
Researchers discovered 70 new species, including beetles, sea slugs, ants, fish, scorpions, and flowering plants, from five continents and three oceans. The discoveries advance the Academy's mission to regenerate the natural world through science, learning, and collaboration.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new bat box design that provides more thermally appropriate roosting spaces for bats. The 'rocket box' style, with modifications to length and insulation, helps reduce the risk of overheating and provides space for bats to move and avoid extreme temperatures.
A University of Otago study finds caries in wild primates occur at low frequencies but vary among groups, with distinct tooth patterns compared to fossil humans. The research provides a new perspective on human evolution and living primate behaviour.
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Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Researchers discovered that forest mammals eavesdrop on monkey meals to access fruit dropped by messy eaters. This eavesdropping strategy is crucial for these animals' survival, particularly during periods when almond trees produce abundant food.
Researchers have discovered ancient DNA in soil samples from the Yukon, revealing that mammoths and North American horses persisted until as recently as 5,000 years ago. The findings provide new insights into the population dynamics of megafauna and challenge previous beliefs about their extinction.
A study predicts that 6,150 km of new Pacific salmon habitat will emerge in the Pacific mountains by 2100, with most occurring in Alaska and the transboundary region. This newly formed habitat can support rapid colonization by salmon populations, offering local opportunities for some species but posing challenges under climate change.
A study by University of Copenhagen researchers reveals that thousands of tigers are bred on farms and used to produce illegal traditional medicines. Buyers in Vietnam prefer wild tigers' bones over farmed ones due to perceived potency, while also seeking high tiger bone content.
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Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Wild pigs establish home ranges along preferred habitats of bottomland hardwood swamps and are influenced by air temperature and weather conditions. Researchers at UGA's Savannah River Ecology Lab tracked 49 wild pigs with radio collars to shed light on pig movements, which can inform management decisions.
Ocean predators survive on small, scattered areas of food rather than average concentrations found in the water. Acoustic tools reveal dynamic layered maps of ocean life by interpreting echoes from sound pulses, providing insights into how animals adapt to find and exploit resources.
A new study has shed light on the gut microbiome of gorillas, revealing significant diversity among individuals and institutions. The research found that even healthy gorillas can have unique microbial profiles, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual context for health assessment.
Research found that bats can adapt to diverse climates by finding similar roosting conditions, but those with high water loss are more heavily impacted by white-nose syndrome. This study highlights the importance of understanding bat hibernation patterns for conservation efforts.
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.
Researchers highlight the need for disease transmission assessments and mitigation measures to prevent pathogen spread from humans to wild animal populations. The study's recommendations include disease risk analysis to identify gaps in data and minimize the risk of disease transmission.
Researchers examined social media posts promoting live bird sales from West Africa, finding 83 species for sale, including endangered parrots. Social media platforms must work with wildlife experts to detect harmful content, as algorithms alone are not enough.
The study, published in Scientific Reports, used eDNA sequencing to investigate fish diversity in the Amazon River basin. Researchers found that only 26% of species identified with precision at the species level could be linked to traditional catch data.
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AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
A new study reveals that the Pantanal, a vast wetland in central South America, can reconcile healthy jaguar populations with economic activities. Ecotourism lodges have been found to be suitable habitats for jaguars, allowing for a landscape of tolerance where the species is no longer persecuted.
Research reveals that captive animals on soft food diets may experience weaker skulls and reduced bite effectiveness when released back into the wild. The study found that rats fed softer diets had weaker skulls, but those switched from hard to soft food as juveniles also showed signs of weakened bone growth.
A comprehensive survey conducted by the Wildlife Conservation Society and partners estimates that 95,000 forest elephants live in Gabon, confirming it as the principal stronghold for this species. The study provides hope for the future of the critically endangered African forest elephant population.
A new study used machine learning to predict the zoonotic capacity of 5,400 mammal species, identifying those at high risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2. The model, which combined data on biological traits with ACE2 receptor information, predicted 72% accuracy and identified numerous additional species with potential to transmit the virus.
A new study found that free-roaming domestic cats are the likely cause of toxoplasmosis in wildlife, with healthy ecosystems providing protection against these pathogens. The researchers suggest limiting cat roaming can reduce the impact of Toxoplasma on wildlife.
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
An updated vaccination strategy is credited with averting an outbreak of urban yellow fever in São Paulo State, according to research published in Scientific Reports. The study found that the virus spread rapidly, reaching cities never affected before, and that a high number of cases were reported in areas with low vaccination coverage.
A study quantifying Nigeria-linked seizures of pangolin products suggests levels of trafficking are far greater than previously thought. Researchers found 190,407 kilos of scales taken from at least 799,343 animals, with 77 seizures analysed revealing connections to ivory-smuggling networks.
Zhisheng Yan and his collaborators propose a framework for collaborative local and networked storage to archive high-resolution video data for long-lived wildlife monitoring. They aim to develop the first research CI that collects 360-degree videos for wildlife monitoring, transforming scientific monitoring in field studies.
Researchers found that in dry years, birds funnel into riparian environments due to increased greenness, leading to overcrowding and decreased bird populations. The study highlights the importance of understanding how birds respond to climate change for conservation purposes.
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Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Researchers tracked black-tailed deer before, during, and after the Mendocino Complex Fire, finding that all 18 deer survived. Despite burned areas with no vegetation, most deer returned home within hours, potentially due to their loyalty to habitat. However, some deer's body condition declined as they expanded their range.
Researchers monitored the temporal niche partitioning of 73 cameras over six years in Malaysia's Sabah state. The study found that some species, like wild cats and civets, segregate their activities by time of day to avoid competition.
A study explores how human activities on land can affect aquatic animals, specifically the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus gattii. The research found that terrestrial hotspots were likely where spores settled before infecting marine mammals in the Salish Sea.
A modelling study suggests that COVID-19 could lead to the collapse of a population of mountain gorillas living in Volcanoes National Park. The risk is higher due to lower availability of treatments for gorillas, but measures like mask-wearing and vaccination can limit transmission.
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
Researchers found fish, reptiles, and mammals made up the jaguar's diet, with aquatic prey providing energy to burn or play. The high density of jaguars was attributed to abundant aquatic subsidies in the region.
Researchers have confirmed cases of leprosy in two unconnected West African populations of chimpanzees, in Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast. The strains identified are different and rare among humans. Long-term health monitoring is needed to establish the scale and possible effects of leprosy on critically endangered western chimpanzees.
Wildlife trade is a pervasive issue affecting ecosystems, economies, and human well-being. IUWT can drive biodiversity loss, invasive species, and zoonotic diseases, highlighting the need for cooperation and sustainable management.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
A new study led by a University of Maine graduate student found that 50% fewer frogs died from vehicle collisions in spring 2020 compared to previous years. This decline was part of a broader reduction in animal road fatalities during the pandemic, similar to findings in other studies worldwide.
A new study shows that gorillas can distinguish between human voices, reacting with distress when hearing unfamiliar or negative voices. The apes' ability to gauge threats by familiarity of human voices has implications for their wild cousins.
A unique form of English rewilding is emerging as domesticated and scaled-down compared to global efforts. This approach requires human intervention to restore ecological function and increase biodiversity.
Research found mixed effects of hunting regulations on sage grouse populations, with some areas experiencing increased growth rates after discontinuing harvest. State wildlife agencies have adjusted hunting seasons to conserve the species, but more work is needed to understand patterns and focus conservation efforts.
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DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A new study found that consuming sustainably sourced wild meat instead of domesticated livestock reduces greenhouse gas emissions and retains precious tropical forest systems. This can lead to significant financial incentives for forest conservation through carbon credit revenues, totaling millions of dollars per year.
A new study found that Iberian wild goat populations exhibit very low genetic diversity due to drastic population reductions and habitat destruction. The research also identified the existence of rare hybrids between Iberian wild goats and domestic goats.
A new study found that beaver dams in Scottish streams increase the availability of suitable habitat and abundance of food for brown trout, benefiting their growth and abundance. The research showed that beaver-modified streams had larger trout populations with greater sanctuary from predators.
The WSU-led DEEP VZN project aims to detect and characterize unknown viruses that can spill over from wildlife to human populations. The project plans to collect over 800,000 samples and screen the genomes of novel viruses with high zoonotic potential.
A novel nairovirus, Yezo virus, has been identified in Japan causing a disease characterized by fever and reduced blood platelets and leucocytes. The virus is transmitted through tick bites and has been linked to at least seven human infections since 2014.
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Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
A new study by the University of Exeter reveals that domestic cats rely almost entirely on their owner-provided food for nutrition. Despite being prolific hunters, cats only consume a small percentage of the prey they catch.
A new study quantifies landscape changes on barrier islands, revealing that storms can create habitat for coastal species. The research found varying impacts from two hurricanes, Irene and Sandy, which reshaped Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.