Articles tagged with Wildlife
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that animals' responses to climate change are insufficient to cope with rising temperatures. The analysis of over 10,000 studies suggests that even common and abundant species struggle to adjust their traits in time.
Researchers analyzed 25,000 tourist photographs to estimate population densities of five top predators in northern Botswana. The study found that tourist-contributed data can accomplish similar goals as traditional surveying approaches at a lower cost.
A Louisiana State University biologist conducted a groundbreaking study using PET scans on wild songbirds to understand the role of dopamine in stress resilience. The research found that dopamine receptors decrease over time during captivity, leading to anxiety-related behaviors.
A new study documents the impacts of selective logging on Congo's intact forest landscapes, highlighting the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem health. Researchers found that logged habitats have lower tree densities and reduced ape resources, while IFLs retain higher tree densities and more abundant ape populations.
Scientists at the University of Sheffield discovered how climate change and deforestation interact to disconnection natural habitats, leaving wildlife with limited escape routes from rising temperatures. The study highlights the urgent need to fund reforestation efforts and stop tropical forest loss.
A new study found that people in the US are wary of using CRISPR-based genetic engineering to achieve wildlife conservation goals. The research, conducted by a University of Central Florida researcher, suggests that the public perceives the risks of gene editing as outweighing the benefits.
A new hypothesis, the Coevolution Effect, proposes that habitat loss facilitates the emergence of infectious diseases in humans by increasing diversity of disease-causing microbes. This research could provide a new perspective on the association between habitat fragmentation and disease spillover.
Scientists found high levels of clinically relevant AMR bacteria in urban wildlife in Nairobi, carrying a significant risk to human health. The study highlights the importance of taking an ecological approach to addressing antimicrobial resistance by improving urban planning and waste management practices.
The world's protected areas are failing to conserve biodiversity due to inadequate resources, with only 4-9% of species represented within adequately resourced PAs. The study recommends using simple indicators to measure PA effectiveness and prioritizing conservation actions to address the growing biodiversity crisis.
Research from the University of California, Davis suggests that working with landowners to conserve or restore forests on working landscapes can help protect wildlife. Focusing on reforesting private lands in regions that are wetter and already forested yields the greatest gains for bird communities.
Researchers found a significant amount of overlap between their data and citizen sightings, with roughly 65% for red foxes and 56% for coyotes. The study highlights the potential of citizen science to inform urban canid management and monitor human-carnivore interactions.
Research reveals that pop-up parks (PUPs) can significantly boost insect and spider diversity, providing habitat refuges for threatened species. PUPs also offer social benefits, including opportunities for physical and psychological restoration, and increased time spent outdoors.
A new study by Macquarie University reveals that more protected areas are needed in New South Wales' west to safeguard native species from climate change. The researchers identified suitable habitats for vulnerable species like the spotted-tailed quoll and squirrel glider but found inadequate protection in central-western NSW.
Subsistence hunters face threats from fragmented habitats, modern hunting methods, mining, and tourism, impacting local food security and species persistence. WCS suggests banning large species, shifting to smaller ones, strengthening protected areas, and diversifying income sources.
Researchers developed a syndromic surveillance system to detect respiratory disease outbreaks in wild chimpanzees. The system identified 14 outbreaks from 2005 to 2012, including eight previously unrecorded cases, allowing for early interventions and potential disease transmission understanding worldwide.
Researchers studied bushmeat markets in Lao PDR to understand the risks of disease transmission. High contact rates between consumers and bushmeat were found, highlighting the need for integrative approaches to conservation, public health, and rural development.
Researchers have identified a new strain of canine distemper virus in wild animals in New Hampshire and Vermont, which is highly contagious to domesticated dogs. The virus has been found in eight infected mammals, including gray foxes, raccoons, and skunks, and is significantly distinct from vaccine strains.
Scientists studied Namibian pastoralist attitudes towards human-wildlife conflicts, finding they proposed solutions that suggest tolerance for predators. The findings highlight the complexities of managing human/wildlife coexistence in agricultural areas.
A new scat study provides insights into the diets of Humboldt martens, revealing a diverse range of prey species including voles, birds, and berries. The research suggests that vegetation in coastal forests offers an ideal environment for these martens, with less competition from predators.
A new study suggests that vaccination could reduce the impact of white-nose syndrome in bats by providing immunity against the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Bats immunized against Pd were less likely to develop WNS or die from the disease in two initial scientific trials.
A new study has found cocaine, pharmaceuticals and pesticides in UK river wildlife, highlighting the presence of 'invisible' chemical pollution that poses a risk to wildlife health. The study detected illicit drugs and banned pesticides in freshwater shrimp, revealing a surprising occurrence in smaller rural catchments.
A team of scientists has identified five priority measures for Madagascar's new government to prevent species and habitats being lost forever. Investing in protected areas and local community tenure over natural resources are key strategies to address the country's biodiversity crisis.
A new study finds large declines in traditionalist views on wildlife management, with a rise in mutualists believing animals have the same rights as humans. The study's findings have implications for wildlife managers to engage diverse state residents in conservation efforts.
A La Trobe University study has found that wildlife restores itself after bushfires, but the surrounding habitat determines which species survive. The research highlights the importance of considering landscape context when planning strategic burns to protect native wildlife.
Researchers discovered a potentially devastating foot disease in Chile's endangered huemul deer population, with severe pain and death caused by the condition. The study's findings highlight the need for improved monitoring and collaboration to help protect the critically endangered species.
A study found that carnivores interact with each other more frequently when sharing green spaces in suburbs, contrary to previous theories. Preserving green space is crucial for wildlife species, providing cover, food, and navigation without human danger.
A study published in Biological Conservation highlights the importance of tree dens for pandas raising infants in native habitats. Tree dens provide a more stable microclimate than cave dens, facilitating offspring survival. This research emphasizes the need to preserve large old trees for giant panda conservation.
A study of 400,000 camera-trap records from 36 mammal species on three continents found that tropical mammals respond to changing local temperatures and other species nearby. Temperatures did not increase drastically overall during the study period, but micro habitat use changed over time due to temperature fluctuations.
A new international protected area target is necessary to effectively conserve biodiversity, according to a study published in Science. The current target has led to perverse outcomes, with nations unable to account for real progress.
The study identifies four major problems with the United Nation's Aichi Target 11, including perverse outcomes and ineffective conservation efforts. The authors argue that outcome-based targets for protected areas are needed to achieve biodiversity goals.
Researchers at Stanford University and India's National Centre for Biological Sciences have developed a new approach to extract genetic clues from degraded DNA samples. This method uses a sequencing technique that amplifies small bits of DNA with unique differences in each sample, allowing for the use of contaminated or mixed samples. ...
Living near protected areas designated by IUCN can have a positive impact on children's wealth levels, reducing poverty by 17% compared to those far away. Children also experience improved growth outcomes, with higher height-for-age scores and lower risk of stunted growth.
Researchers developed a behavior recognition model using biomechanical principles to accurately determine an animal's activity, such as resting or searching for food. The model uses wearable accelerometer signals to provide detailed information about specific behaviors, which can inform conservation efforts.
A study by Syracuse University professor Mark Ritchie observed a 400% spike in human population and a 75% drop in larger wildlife species populations near the iconic ecosystem. The research highlights the need for alternative strategies to sustain coexistence between local people and wildlife.
Researchers found that cities like Chicago, Houston, and Dallas have the highest levels of exposure to artificial lights, disrupting nocturnal bird migration patterns. A study also showed that humans' connection to nature decreases with age, particularly in teenagers and males. Meanwhile, a network for tracking urban wildlife and using...
A new census using the IUCN A.P.E.S. database estimates that 52,800 western chimpanzees live in western Africa, primarily outside protected areas. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts to reduce habitat loss and connectivity due to development corridors.
A new study has found that increased human activity along the boundaries of the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem is having a detrimental impact on plants, animals, and soils. The study reveals how population growth and livestock in buffer zones are reducing available migration routes for wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles.