Articles tagged with Wildlife
Researchers have developed predictive tools to tackle childhood diarrheal disease outbreaks in Botswana by analyzing atmospheric conditions and environmental variables. The study found a critical link between ENSO, El Niño-Southern Oscillation, and diarrhea rates, enabling the prediction of outbreak reoccurrence.
Researchers have found that wildlife populations are abundant in areas void of human life near the Fukushima nuclear accident zone. Over 20 species were documented, including wild boar and Japanese macaques, in zones with varying levels of radiation contamination.
Angola's rich biodiversity is under threat due to illegal hunting and bushmeat trade. The study found that despite existing legislation, there is no effective law enforcement mechanism to control the trade.
Researchers from Forschungsverbund Berlin isolated and cultured different cell types from domestic cat corpus lutea tissue, enabling detailed characterization of their function. This breakthrough can aid in understanding the causes and mechanisms behind the longevity of corpus luteum in lynxes.
A recent study found that conservation programs like China's Grain-to-Green Program can increase crop raiding by 64% on remaining cropland, resulting in significant economic losses. The hidden costs of conservation are being borne by poor farmers, who are also receiving lower yields and farming smaller areas.
A new study by Russian and American scientists reveals that female tigers face significant challenges balancing work and family life. After giving birth to their cubs, tiger mothers must reduce their home range size, spend less time moving, but move faster when needed to keep their young safe from predators.
Bears prefer small streams to catch salmon due to easy prey and early spawning times, which provide a crucial feeding opportunity after hibernation. This study highlights the importance of protecting smaller habitats in environmental impact assessments.
Researchers found domestic animals share viruses with many species, enabling pathways for future disease emergence. Ungulates play a central role in spreading both RNA and DNA viruses.
A new species of freshwater fish, Garra surinbinnani, has been discovered in Western Thailand's Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary. The unusual fish, which features a deep gash with blue spikes on its forehead, is named after conservationist Surin Binnan.
A recent study found that managed rivers in California are compromising the diversity of native Chinook salmon, making them more vulnerable to environmental changes. The researchers suggest that restoring natural flows and habitats could improve their survival rates, while also preserving a 'portfolio effect' that allows for adaptabili...
A ground-breaking new study has found that conservation charities face numerous hurdles, including funding issues, inadequate leadership, and a lack of strategy. The research suggests that a typology of barriers can help conservationists identify and manage risks to their projects.
A school-based citizen science project improved children's knowledge of UK mammals, increasing their ability to name species and distinguish between native and introduced species. The project also fostered a connection to nature, leading to increased outdoor learning in schools.
A new study reveals that forest fragmentation has a greater impact on wildlife in tropical regions, where species are less adapted to disturbances. The research suggests that conserving habitat and minimizing edge creation is crucial for preserving biodiversity in these areas.
New research highlights the urgent need to protect national parks from invasive animal species, which can cause loss of wildlife, decrease visitor enjoyment, introduce diseases, and have significant economic impacts. The National Park Service has taken steps to combat this issue, but more action is needed.
Researchers analyzed bushmeat samples from Tanzania's Serengeti National Park and found 27 different groups of bacteria, including those causing anthrax, brucellosis, and Q fever. The team identified a high prevalence of Clostridial species, which cause diseases like botulism and tetanus.
A new national analysis in Japan highlights the potential of entertainment-conservation partnerships to increase public interest in wildlife. The research found that animated shows with animal characters can boost donations to zoo conservation programs, with Kemono Friends being a notable example of its positive impact on public interest.
A study reveals that endangered monkey species in national parks make calculated decisions to balance risks and rewards of sharing space with humans. The research highlights the negative impact of human food consumption on their physical health and the need for sustainable conservation programmes to save declining species.
A growing digital connection to wildlife is crucial for securing broad public support for wildlife protection, according to a new study. Digital innovations such as fitness apps, live feeds, and virtual reality experiences are changing cultural relationships with wildlife.
Research by Colorado State University found the endangered Hawaiian duck, koloa, has high genetic diversity, which enabled conservation efforts on Kauai to be successful. The study's results offer hope for recovering this species and other endangered birds.
A recent study found high prevalence and diversity of antibiotic-resistant genes in wildlife enteric bacteria from Catalonia. The study highlights the risk of human exposure to these resistant traits through wildlife.
Conservationists have rediscovered the silver-backed chevrotain, a small deer-like mammal with a silver sheen, in southern Vietnam. Camera trap surveys revealed 275 photos and 1,881 photographs of the species over five months.
Researchers found that despite turtles using open roadside habitats, none attempted to cross the road. The highway acts as a complete barrier, potentially separating the local population and decreasing its ability to cope with threats. Corticosterone levels were not affected between Bypass and roadless sites.
Researchers have discovered that genetic changes caused by natural selection are contributing to an early shift in the birth dates of wild red deer on Scotland's Isle of Rum. The deer population has been adapting to a warming climate, giving birth three days earlier per decade since the 1980s.
A new chimeric ranavirus, RCV-Z2, discovered in North America has the potential to decimate tadpole populations quickly through multiple transmission pathways. The virus can spread efficiently through direct contact, necrophagy, and waterborne transmission.
A study reveals that bats can transmit filoviruses to humans during bat-hunting festivals in Nagaland. The team found antibodies against two distinct filoviruses in human and bat blood samples, suggesting bats are the source of viral spillover events.
Researchers suggest that trophy hunting undermines biodiversity conservation efforts and instead offer land-use and ownership reforms, diversified tourism, and environmental investments as more effective solutions. This approach aims to benefit and empower local communities, rather than just generating economic benefits.
A study found that local people in Nepal's Himalayan regions have mixed views on snow leopard conservation, with some valuing the species' cultural significance and others fearing its impact on livestock. Conservation efforts that benefit both humans and snow leopards are crucial for their coexistence.
Timothy Young, a professor at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, has been named a Fellow by the International Academy of Wood Science. This international honor recognizes his significant contributions to wood science and research globally.
A University of Montana undergraduate student's research published in Ecological Applications found that a double-observer method significantly reduces false-positive errors in wildlife surveys. The study also highlighted the importance of proper training and species-specific characteristics in minimizing misidentifications.
A new virus, BeHV, has been found in nearly a third of the US bald eagle population, causing seizures and liver damage. The virus is related to human hepatitis C and was found in eagles without symptoms of the fatal disease, Wisconsin River Eagle Syndrome.
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire found that climate change increases the risk of mercury contamination in Arctic areas. The study reveals that thawing permafrost releases mercury into surrounding waterways, soil, and air, leading to increased levels of methylmercury, a neurotoxin.
A new study investigates how wild pig invasions are dependent on the availability of crops and non-agricultural food sources. The researchers found that pigs eat and damage agriculture more when it is highly available, but this behavior lessens when non-agricultural food sources are also highly available.
The study found that at least 5,579 animals are currently being traded globally, with impacts tend to be higher among certain groups and in threatened species. The researchers predict that up to 8,775 species could soon be at risk of extinction due to future commodification.
Scientists have observed a rare instance of interspecific feeding among songbirds, where an adult male Eastern bluebird is caring for the young of another species, the tree swallow. The unusual behavior is thought to be caused by the bluebird's confusion and 'place-based decision' to care for the wrong chicks.
Research found that vehicles and aircraft are the main culprits masking iconic natural sounds in peaceful national parks. The study analyzed nearly 47,000 hours of audio clips from 66 national parks, revealing that anthropogenic noise causes a ten-fold increase in natural background sound levels in over a third of parks.
The Morris Animal Foundation has awarded over $1 million in wildlife health research grants to support studies on low fertility in elephants, rabies in bats and amphibian fungal disease. These studies aim to address critical health challenges in various species and promote conservation strategies.
Researchers are combining supply chain and conservation datasets to predict and respond to weaknesses in illegally trafficked wildlife supply chains. The team aims to develop tools to interfere with wildlife trafficking, potentially influencing other transnational crimes.
A new Mersey barrage concept proposes a holistic approach to tidal energy projects, incorporating benefits such as transport links, tourism, and habitat creation. The design aims to balance environmental concerns with economic opportunities.
The report examines wind energy impacts on sensitive wildlife, citing the need to balance wildlife conservation with rapid greenhouse gas emissions reductions. It highlights areas where further research is needed to minimize wind turbine effects on birds and bats.
A study by University of Michigan wildlife ecologist Nyeema Harris found that human pressures on mammals in West African protected areas are driven primarily by livestock grazing and forest product gathering, not poaching. The research highlights the need for conservation efforts to incorporate livestock husbandry into management plans.
Over 1,600 scientists endorse letter calling on Congress to fully fund conservation programs to stem biodiversity decline. Funding would accelerate species recovery and ensure a stable Earth.
A study on Soay sheep reveals that their immune responses to parasitic worms decline through adulthood, leading to increased mortality rates. The findings provide the first evidence linking declining immune function and survival in wild animals, highlighting a critical issue for human health as well.
A study found that nearly two-thirds of Danish hedgehogs carried mecC-MRSA, a type of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. However, there was no evidence of transmission from hedgehogs to humans or rehabilitators, dispelling fears about hedgehog visits in gardens.
The Pan-Borneo Highway will severely degrade Borneo's last expanses of intact forest, increasing pressures on loggers, poachers, and farmers. The network of highways would isolate Sabah's forests from the rest of Borneo, cutting off endangered species' habitats.
Researchers discovered cortisol in Egyptian mongoose hair, providing a long-term biomarker for stress. The study's results could help monitor the impact of habitat changes on mongoose populations and their competitors, such as the Iberian lynx.
Researchers discovered that providing native foods to captive rodents preserves their gut microbiome diversity, whereas artificial diets lead to significant changes. The study found that feeding woodrats with prickly pear cactus maintained around 90% of their original microbiome diversity.
A new study reveals that global change is triggering an identity switch in grasslands, with many species changing drastically without altering the overall number of species present. The research, published in PNAS, found that grasslands can resist the effects of global change for up to a decade, but eventually transform as conditions b...
A community-based wildlife mortality surveillance system has been implemented in Republic of Congo to detect Ebola outbreaks early. The program, developed by WCS and NIH, reaches over 6,600 people and covers an area of 50,000 km2.
A US land-use program has led to a rebound in white-tailed deer numbers and other wildlife in North Dakota. The Conservation Reserve Program provides permanent cover and high-quality forage, promoting fawn survival and increasing biodiversity.
Researchers relocated sage-grouse from Oregon, Idaho, and Nevada to Washington state to boost populations. However, it took about a year for the birds to settle in and reproduce effectively. The study shows that relocation can be a viable tool in conserving threatened species like sage-grouse.
A study from the University of California, Davis, identifies the specific strains of Toxoplasma gondii killing southern sea otters as connected to a bobcat and domestic cats from nearby watersheds. The researchers found that infectious agents can spread from cat feces on land to the sea, harming marine wildlife.
Observational fieldwork provides valuable insights into evolutionary function, conditions for cognitive skill employment, and brain plasticity. Janmaat's five-step guideline guides scholars in studying cognition in wild animals through a suite of behaviours and statistical models.
A new study from the University of Oxford suggests that blockbuster movies like Finding Nemo and Zootopia do not drive demand for live animals, but instead increase information-seeking behavior. The research found that exposure to these films can bring attention to lesser-known species and environmental threats.
Researchers found that female Tasmanian devils can be polyandrous, having multiple male partners, which could increase genetic diversity but also pose challenges for captive breeding programs. The study's findings offer a glimmer of hope in the fight against devil facial tumor disease, which has devastated wild populations.
A new study from Michigan State University found that transnational environmental crime drives social conflicts globally, threatening development and undermining peace and security. Researchers highlight potential solutions, including cooperation, engagement of local communities, and legislative reform.
A study has found high concentrations of lead in the livers of Amazonian wildlife, with 91% of analyzed samples exceeding suitable levels for human consumption. Lead contamination is linked to oil extraction and the use of lead-based ammunition, posing a significant health risk to local indigenous populations.
A new study reveals that road verges can provide essential food and habitat for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hoverflies. However, areas closer to busy roads and cut during the peak flowering season are less beneficial to these species.
Researchers capture first evidence of leopard seals sharing food, challenging their solitary reputation. The footage reveals two seals feeding on the same penguin carcass, raising questions about true cooperation vs. tolerance.
Expert agencies play a critical role in assessing the impacts of proposed federal actions on threatened and endangered species. New research from Defenders of Wildlife shows that limiting or removing these services could have disastrous consequences, while suggesting areas where the consultation process can be made more efficient witho...
Researchers found a positive correlation between economic growth and wildlife abundance, as well as more gender-equal societies and lower corruption levels. However, denser human populations reduced wildlife numbers, and some aspects of urbanization had negative impacts on certain species.