Articles tagged with Wildlife
Researchers have successfully replaced fishmeal and fish oil in farm-raised Kampachi diets with algae oil, a cost-effective alternative that maintains growth rates and fillet yield. The study's findings have significant implications for ocean sustainability and the growing demand for seafood worldwide.
Researchers have discovered hundreds of massive stone structures in northwest Saudi Arabia, dated to 7,000 years ago, suggesting they were used for rituals and social bonding exercises. The structures, called mustatils, consist of two large platforms connected by long walls and lack obvious openings.
The study found that Laotians rely heavily on wildlife for food and income, driving the illegal trade of terrestrial vertebrates. Approximately 90% of respondents confirmed using wildlife products, highlighting the need for conservation measures to protect native species.
A University of Utah study found that genetic variations in brown howlers may have helped them survive the devastating yellow fever virus outbreak in Argentina's El Piñalito park. The researchers discovered three mutations in the immune genes of surviving brown howlers, which could affect their response to the disease.
A study by WCS and partners pinpointed the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea as crucial countries for safeguarding biodiversity and intact forests. The analysis combines datasets to highlight regions with high conservation value, guiding national development plans towards sustainabl...
A new oral anthrax vaccine is being developed by Texas A&M researchers to protect livestock and wildlife from the deadly disease. The vaccine, which uses a gel-like suspension of live bacteria, could potentially be distributed through bait to reach animals more easily.
A recent study found that air pollution in Bangalore City leads to lower flower visitation rates and altered physiological responses in Giant Asian honey bees. The research suggests widespread negative impacts on these critical pollinators, threatening India's food security and ecosystems.
A study published in PLOS ONE detected coronaviruses in bats and rodents, with increased detection rates found along the wildlife supply chain. The study highlights the importance of improving coronavirus surveillance and implementing targeted wildlife trade reform to minimize public health risks.
A new analysis found that microorganisms causing human diseases can be present in vultures, including multi-resistant bacteria. However, there is no clear evidence that vultures spread pathogens to humans and other species, but they may help prevent disease transmission by consuming carcasses.
A new study found that animals carrying diseases known to infect humans are more common in landscapes intensively used by people. The research suggests altering land use to reduce the risk of future spillovers of infectious diseases.
Researchers estimate that reducing transmission of new diseases from tropical forests would cost between $22.2 and $30.7 billion annually, compared to the COVID-19 pandemic's estimated $8.1 to $15.8 trillion cost. Investing in prevention measures could save lives and reduce economic losses.
Research shows a correlation between epidemics in humans and local biodiversity loss, with the number of epidemics increasing as endangered species disappear. Livestock expansion worldwide exacerbates this risk, facilitating the transmission of pathogens.
A team of researchers argues that investing $30 billion annually could pay for itself quickly by preventing the emergence of new viral pathogens. The proposed strategy focuses on monitoring and regulating the wildlife trade and reducing tropical deforestation, which are linked to two-thirds of emerging diseases in the past 50 years.
Researchers use cameras, drones, geolocators, and sensors to track wildlife and greenhouse gas emissions. Computing advances help analyze terabytes of data, enabling ecologists to scale up ecological research and address environmental challenges.
A study in Côte d'Ivoire found that preferences for bushmeat vary widely among hunters, traders, and consumers, driven by factors such as nutritional needs, cultural practices, and economic incentives. The researchers urge policymakers to prioritize targeted conservation strategies that account for individual motivations and user groups.
A study by University of Alberta ecologists reveals that industry-created borrow pits provide homes for beavers, supporting the survival of wolverines. The research, funded by various organizations, highlights the unexpected benefits of industrial development on local wildlife habitats.
Researchers recommend a decentralized disease surveillance system to monitor pathogens in wildlife and humans, expanding beyond human disease outbreaks to encompass broader understanding of pathogens. The network aims to provide early warnings of spillover potential and assist in containment and development of therapeutic treatments.
A decentralized global system could screen wild animals and their products for disease-causing viruses, allowing for early detection of potential pandemics. The proposed system would use rapid genetic sequencing on site and upload to a central database for analysis.
A global system is proposed to monitor wildlife pathogens and prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks. Decentralized surveillance using portable molecular diagnostic technology could identify emerging diseases before they become global health crises.
Researchers used ATLAS to track Egyptian fruit bats and found they use a cognitive map to navigate their environment, remembering locations of food sources and roosting caves. This study provides the most comprehensive evidence for a cognitive map in any wild animal.
A study found that conservation messaging is lacking in mainstream wildlife-based tourism operations, failing to provide information on wildlife conservation and opportunities for tourist action. The researchers propose a toolbox of ideas to improve conservation messaging using five principles: promote positive messaging, provide actio...
A new study found widespread use of products made from vulnerable species like sun bears, Asiatic bears, and serows in northern Laos. The demand for these products poses a significant threat to their populations, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to reduce unsustainable harvests.
A recent study found that protected areas in Finland do not harbor higher densities of large carnivores than unprotected lands, with wolverine populations declining within some areas. However, the study also suggests that protected areas can support seasonal habitats and prey for these mobile species.
A team of scientists from the University of Portsmouth has developed a new forensic fingerprinting technique to lift finger-marks from pangolin scales, enabling wildlife crime officers to identify poachers and bring them to justice. The method uses gelatine lifters and has been successful in producing clear finger-mark detail on 74% of...
A global initiative is investigating how animals are responding to reduced levels of human activity during the Covid-19 pandemic, revealing insights into human-wildlife interactions. The study aims to improve understanding of space sharing on a crowded planet with benefits for both wildlife and humans.
Researchers found that watching positive videos about wolves increased participants' tolerance and willingness to act for wolf conservation. The largest changes in tolerance were seen among older age groups, regardless of political affiliation.
The study finds that rampant human population growth is causing massive reductions in global mammal populations, including iconic species like Tibetan wild yaks and African zebras. The researchers warn that future ecosystems will be drastically different without drastic changes in human behavior.
A study analyzing trends in muskrat mortality found associations with viruses, fungal infections, and toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides. The research provides a baseline for understanding potential role of pathogens and contaminants in declining muskrat populations across North America.
The discovery of well-preserved ancient skeletons in Belize has provided new insights into the introduction of maize as a key part of people's diets in Central America. The study shows that maize became a major food source around 4,700 years ago, with its consumption increasing over time and eventually becoming a staple crop.
New research reveals ancient human skeletons show transition from pre-maize hunter-gatherer diets to increasing reliance on corn. Maize made up less than 30% of people's diets by 4,700 years ago, rising to 70% 700 years later.
The extinction rate is likely much higher than previously thought, with nearly 1,000 species at risk of extinction in the next two decades. Human pressures such as population growth, habitat destruction, and climate change are driving this accelerated loss of biodiversity.
A new study suggests that northern pintails are caught in an ecological trap, favoring cropland over scarce alternative nesting habitat, leading to nest failures and population decline. Climate change and drainage practices also contribute to their vulnerability.
The global wildlife trade encompasses all major branches of life, from fungi to plants and animals, but more attention is given to charismatic species. Research found that even small organisms like sea cucumbers and anemones are traded, with extensive data needed on the trade's consequences.
Migratory shorebird species in the Asia-Pacific region are under threat from widespread and unsustainable hunting. The study found that hundreds of thousands of birds are killed annually, with several species on the brink of extinction.
The study reveals the coincidence of biological and social factors, including the Chinese New Year celebrations and increased international mobility, which amplified the outbreak. The authors also emphasize the importance of addressing environmental alterations and human activities related to wild animals to prevent future pandemics.
A recent study found that reptile poaching in Balochistan has decreased since 2013, but the trade continues to pose a significant threat to biodiversity. The research team interviewed 73 illegal collectors and recorded 5,369 specimens of 19 species, all of which are protected under the Balochistan Provincial Wildlife Act.
Research suggests pangolins may be natural carriers of Betacoronaviruses, increasing risk of animal-to-human transmission. The study does not support the idea that pangolins are an intermediate host for SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers found that pingers significantly reduced harbour porpoise detection, with a 37% decrease near active devices, while having no impact on long-term use or feeding grounds. The study suggests an effective solution to reduce bycatch in gill-net fisheries.
A new study by Washington State University researchers found that stressed wood frogs are more susceptible to lethal ranavirus infections in salinity-rich environments. The findings suggest a link between environmental stress and increased disease vulnerability, with implications for wildlife conservation and mass die-offs.
Researchers found that salmon use microscopic crystals of magnetite in their tissue as both a map and compass to navigate the Earth's magnetic field. The study suggests that chains of magnetite may play a role in the navigation system of salmon.
A new study finds that mountain-dwelling species may move to higher elevations to escape human pressure, which could reduce their extinction risk. The research suggests that these high-elevation areas tend to have more intact land for species due to reduced human activity.
Scientists at Forschungsverbund Berlin found that anti-oxidative enzymes, particularly SOD2, contribute to the unusual longevity of the corpus luteum in lynxes. This discovery provides important insights into lynx reproduction and may support conservation breeding programs.
A new study reveals a direct link between virus spillover and environmental change, which threatens wildlife populations. The research highlights how human activities such as hunting, trade, and urbanization increase the risk of virus transmission to humans.
Researchers attach backpacks with sensors to tiny animals like vampire bats, enabling precise mapping of their social networks and flight trajectories. The system conserves energy and provides robust results for studying animal behavior and conservation.
A new study found that Vermont has conserved 33% of its highest priority targeted lands, with 87% of those acres also considered critical for wildlife habitats and corridors. However, lower elevation targets and riparian areas remain underprotected, highlighting the need for continued conservation efforts to achieve a sustainable future.
Researchers, led by Professor Edward Holmes, have identified a similar coronavirus in pangolins that may hold the key to understanding SARS-CoV-2's emergence. The study suggests that pangolins could be intermediate hosts for the novel virus and highlights the importance of banning 'wet markets' to prevent zoonotic transmission.
A new Stanford study found that diversified farms in Costa Rica provide a more secure habitat for birds and shield against the impacts of climate change. Diversified farms are more stable in supporting bird populations and offer refuge to threatened species.
A new framework understanding how light and noise pollution impacts wildlife has been developed by worldwide experts in ecology and physiology. Sensory danger zones have been identified as areas where sensory pollutants influence animal activity, posing a threat to imperiled species and urban wildlife.
Researchers found that commonly used hormone analysis method in animal hair can overestimate cortisol levels by up to ten times. A more comprehensive mass spectrometry analysis revealed significant discrepancies and suggested the need for careful validation of each enzyme immunoassay before using it on hormone analysis from hair samples.
A new study reveals that house cats have a two- to 10-time larger impact on wildlife than wild predators. The research found that most pet cats hunt in disturbed habitats and kill an average of 3.5 prey items per month, leading to an estimated ecological impact per cat of 14.2-38.9 prey ha-1 yr-1.
Researchers observed that male macaques were more likely to interact with humans for food rewards, disrupting normal social behaviors and reducing opportunities for positive interactions such as grooming. This disruption can have detrimental effects on the monkeys' health, life span, reproductive success, and infant survival.
Research shows that people approach and interact with dominant monkeys despite perceiving them as more threatening. In reality, dominant primates often get closer to humans due to increased human interaction.
Researchers found that captive wild boars developed greater muscle force than their natural counterparts, transforming them into 'bodybuilders'. This study provides a new methodology for archaeologists to analyze domestication processes and could aid in reintroducing captive-bred animals into the wild.
Researchers at North Carolina State University attempted to measure how much pet cats supplement their diets with wild prey using isotopic analysis. However, they found that cat food manufacturers regularly change ingredient composition within the same flavors, preventing accurate identification of a cat's diet.
A new study from UBC Okanagan campus suggests that monitoring and protecting multiple species habitats offers better conservation outcomes than relying on a single representative species. The research found that a mixture of five to 10 game and non-game species serves as the best surrogates for biodiversity conservation.
A new analysis of 92 studies from 27 countries highlights common pitfalls in multi-species wildlife monitoring, including under-reporting and reporting bias. The study recommends best practices for future research, focusing on the use of appropriate methods and tools to ensure accuracy and precision in inferences made.
The Himalayan wolf has been found to be a genetically distinct species adapted to harsh high-altitude environments, posing key threats from human activities such as livestock herding and illegal wildlife trade. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect these ecosystems and the wolves' populations.
To create more corridors for wildlife movement, researchers apply a new mapping system to areas next to streams in Okanogan County. The system uses weighted scales to rate naturalness and legal authority, helping organizations prioritize conservation projects and reveal potential areas of coordination.
The University of Guam has received a $856,000 grant for innovative coral restoration work on the island, with an additional $596,000 match from the university. The project aims to develop best practices and genetically diverse populations of staghorn corals.
A pilot study by the University of South Australia has successfully recorded heart and breathing signals from nine species of Adelaide Zoo's animals using high-resolution digital cameras. The technique allows for remote monitoring of wild animals, potentially leading to earlier detection of illness and reduced vet visits.