Research on wild animals and their conservation. Covers marine mammals, elephant cognition, tree and habitat protection, and the illegal wildlife trade.
Increasing temperatures and mercury pollution shift female-to-male ratios in snapping turtles, favoring male offspring in agricultural habitats. Field experiments found that temperature profiles and soil moisture content influenced sex determination, while mercury levels correlated with the development of more male offspring.
A new WCS paper finds that global demographic and economic trends could create conditions for a possible renaissance of nature. The authors propose protecting threatened wildlife and wild places, creating sustainable cities, and inspiring consumer choices to conserve the natural world.
A study found that larger reserves and species similarity are key to effective conservation, but not all species receive equal protection. The research highlights the need for targeted attention for certain species in sagebrush country.
A study reveals that charismatic species are often misperceived as having healthy populations, leading to complacency and reduced conservation efforts. The researchers propose that companies contributing to the creation of these representations should support conservation initiatives.
A new study re-examines a 17th-century Scottish natural history book, revealing insights into the country's pre-industrial environmental change. The research, published in the Royal Society Journal of the History of Science, highlights Scotland's lost wildlife species and its ecosystem's preservation of ancient species.
A new study warns of the high risk of extinction for rare coastal martens in Oregon and northern California within the next 30 years. The researchers estimated that only 87 adults remain in two subpopulations, with an extinction risk ranging from 32% to 99%. Habitat loss and human-caused deaths are major threats to their survival.
Researchers developed a new approach to measure the impact of natural disasters on wildlife populations, finding that frequent intense events exert strong selection pressures on species. The study suggests that the 2011 tsunami had a relatively small impact on organisms living in Japan's intertidal zone, comparable to a Pacific storm.
A themed issue in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B gathers researchers exploring collective movement ecology, merging movement ecology and collective animal behavior. New technologies and data from wild groups are being integrated to inform conservation decision-making.
Research reveals that vampire bats in areas with high livestock abundance have different immune profiles, investing more in adaptive immunity to fight infections. The study's findings also suggest a higher risk of virus transmission to humans through cross-species contact, highlighting the importance of sustainable farming practices.
Researchers analyzed animal remains from Ceibal, Guatemala, and found that dogs, turkeys, and cats were raised for ceremonial purposes, with dogs being traded across the landscape. The study sheds light on the role of animals in Maya civilization and challenges previous assumptions about their management.
A study found that restoring Putah Creek in California increased the bird population by twice as much, with more common riparian birds visiting in increasing numbers. The restoration also improved the ecosystem's function and had benefits beyond the water's edge.
A recent study by Elephants Without Borders and the University of Massachusetts Amherst reports that Angola's elephant population has declined by 21% since 2015. The researchers highlight the need for active protection measures, such as anti-poaching laws and habitat conservation, to prevent further decline.
Human-provided food resources can alter animal migration patterns and increase disease transmission, as they allow some animals to forego migration and form resident populations. This can lead to a longer parasite transmission season and support more virulent parasites, posing risks to public health and conservation.
Researchers found that mountain lions avoid humans when they're full, but as hunger increases, they may use backyards to hunt for food. Female mountain lions also avoid houses more than males, likely due to energy expenditure on rearing kittens.
Researchers from the University of Helsinki are using artificial intelligence to monitor and combat illegal wildlife trade on social media. Machine learning algorithms can automatically identify species, classify sentiment, and process visual content to aid law enforcement and conservation efforts.
A new study predicts that climate change will severely impact the Albertine Rift, one of Africa's most biodiverse regions. Nearly 50% of endemic mammals, birds, plants, and other species found nowhere else on earth are expected to become threatened by 2080.
A study found that trappers in Madagascar do not perceive conservation as important to their work, and the income from wildlife trade is not enough to create incentives for species and habitat protection. The research suggests that local people's engagement in biodiversity conservation needs to be better incorporated into policies.
A new study reveals that collared peccaries, red brocket deer, paca, and agoutis are the most damaging crop-raiding animals in the Amazon. Crop raiding damages farmers' livelihoods by reducing crop yields and requiring costly protection.
A new ecotourism strategy has been tested in Lao PDR, reducing illegal hunting and increasing wildlife sightings. The direct payment approach incentivizes local communities to conserve wildlife, resulting in a three-fold increase in non-tourism sector hunting signs and an overall increase in wildlife sightings.
A new study has confirmed that Cambodia's last breeding population of leopards is at immediate risk of extinction due to increased poaching and habitat loss. The population has declined by 72% over the past five years, with only 20-30 reproductive individuals remaining in eastern Cambodia.
Intact forests are crucial for addressing climate change and protecting wildlife, critical watersheds, indigenous cultures, and human health. The study recommends prioritizing forest conservation based on their relative values, highlighting the need for global policy interventions to safeguard remaining intact forests.
A new study reveals that animal traffickers are smuggling pangolins out of Central Africa, primarily for their meat and scales, due to high international demand. The price of giant pangolin scales has risen over 45 times the rate of inflation between 2002 and 2014, driving up local costs.
A new study finds that Robusta beans can support higher densities of sensitive avian populations and harbor substantial biodiversity benefits. Arabica beans, on the other hand, are more species rich but may pose deleterious impacts for forest wildlife due to intensive full-sun agricultural systems.
A University of Adelaide study found that monitoring wildlife using drones is more accurate than traditional counting approaches. The #EpicDuckChallenge used fake bird colonies to test the technology, with citizen scientists tallying the number of birds in drone photos, resulting in a higher accuracy rate.
A NUS study has identified complex networks driving international wildlife trade, with large portions of markets remaining unknown. The findings suggest a nuanced approach to regulation is needed to address unsustainable harvesting and species extinction.
A study by Oregon State University found that hatchery-raised chinook salmon self-sort into surface- and bottom-oriented groups in their tanks, leading to differences in body shape and size. The researchers observed consistent variations from year to year, suggesting genetics plays a role in this behavior.
A novel research approach by Oregon State University has shed light on how midsize predators like fishers interact with each other. The study found that fishers are the dominant small carnivore when present, negatively affecting foxes directly and ringtails indirectly.
Researchers found 17% of working African elephants in Zimbabwe ecotourism facilities tested positive for tuberculosis antibodies, linking seropositive status to time in captivity. The study highlights the importance of managing elephant health for conservation and human safety.
Mercury is a toxic contaminant with significant health risks to humans and wildlife, primarily through methylmercury in fish consumption. The international treaty on mercury, the Minamata Convention, has been ratified by 84 nations, emphasizing the need for scientific understanding to inform policy decisions.
In a recent study, red foxes and coyotes were found to coexist in the urban environment of Madison, Wisconsin, due to abundant food resources. The animals' home ranges were classified into five categories based on human development, with coyotes preferring natural spaces and red foxes opting for developed areas.
Research by the University of Exeter and the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust has discovered that UK chalk-stream salmon are genetically unique. The study found distinct differences between chalk and non-chalk salmon, but little genetic differentiation within chalk-stream populations.
Nearly half of California's natural vegetation is at risk from climate stress, with a study finding that reducing greenhouse gas emissions could lower this number to 21-28 percent. The research also highlights areas that are more resilient to climate change, such as some coastal regions and parts of northwestern California.
Native carnivores like leopards, bats, and vultures provide critical services such as disease regulation, agricultural productivity, and waste-disposal.
A study by the University of Alberta found that reimbursing ranchers for livestock killed by predators supports conservation efforts. The compensation program helps maintain wildlife habitats on private lands, with a notable increase in claims due to rising wolf populations.
A two-year-old female Far Eastern leopard was found with severe neurological disease and euthanized due to poor health. The discovery confirms canine distemper virus in the species, which is already critically endangered.
A study led by Lounès Chikhi found that Bornean elephants are likely a natural colonization of the island, dating back around 11,400 to 18,300 years. The research team used genetic data analysis and computational modeling to shed light on the animals' past demographic history.
A new study from WCS, Duke University, and the Centre for Wildlife Studies in India found that communities near Rajasthan wildlife reserves show a high tolerance for wildlife. Despite experiencing losses, 85% of respondents believed protecting wildlife was important.
A study by UC Davis found seven of 10 Northern spotted owls tested positive for rat poison, while 40% of 84 barred owls also contaminated with the poison. The illegal marijuana farms are contaminating the food web and posing a significant threat to the survival of these owl species.
A new study reveals that birds have advanced their breeding time, laying eggs on fields still to be sown, increasing the risk of nest destruction. This mismatch is likely fatal for bird nests, highlighting the need for conservation efforts and effective schemes like Agri-environment schemes.
A recent study found that conflict in Africa's protected areas has led to a consistent decline in large mammal populations. Despite severe impacts, these populations rarely collapse and can recover with the right policies and resources. The research suggests that avoiding even low-level conflicts is crucial for conservation efforts.
A new DNA-based system is successfully linking seized rhino horns to specific crime scenes where rhinoceros carcasses were left behind. The Rhino DNA Index System (RhODIS) has been used in over 5,800 forensic cases and has led to convictions in more than 120 cases.
A recent study funded by the Morris Animal Foundation reveals that a decrease in wildlife populations leads to an increase in local tick populations, potentially threatening human and animal health. The research found that large mammals play a vital role in regulating tick numbers, with conservation efforts showing promise in reducing ...
The study found over 5,800 individual Zanzibar red colobus monkeys, three times more than previously thought, with a higher proportion living in protected areas. However, the population is declining due to low survivorship of young animals, deforestation, and hunting.
A team of scientists from NOAA Fisheries and California agencies recommend modernizing tracking technologies to improve Sacramento River winter-run Chinook management. The new approach aims to enhance water delivery system monitoring, genetic fingerprinting, and real-time tracking to promote fish recovery.
A new study found that fewer than 3,600 adult cheetahs remain in southern Africa, with most cats living within just two habitats. Conservation efforts are needed to protect the species, particularly those who live on or travel through livestock farms.
A recent study has made wilderness area maps freely available to aid researchers and conservationists in mitigating climate change. The majority of remaining wilderness areas are found in Central Australia, the Amazon rainforest, and boreal forests.
Niassa National Reserve in Mozambique has lost 108 square kilometers of forest due to agriculture and human settlement since 2001.
Despite losing some 108 square kilometers of forest between 2001-2014, Mozambique's Niassa National Reserve has the potential to support large elephant populations. The reserve supports tens of thousands of elephants and 1,000 lions, making it one of the few places remaining on the planet with large wildlife populations.
The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has awarded $2.5 million in new grants through its Climate Adaptation Fund to support innovative conservation projects addressing the impacts of climate change on wildlife and ecosystems. The grants aim to help species, ecosystems, and communities adapt to rapidly shifting environmental conditions.
The LAB-IN-A-BOX portable DNA barcoding kit enables rapid species identification, improving enforcement responses against wildlife trafficking and invasive species. This technology has the potential to greatly impact conservation efforts in developing countries.
Research found that large mammals are 146% more likely to use wildlife crossing structures than pass at random in surrounding habitat. White-tailed deer and mule deer were particularly frequent users of underpasses, while carnivorous species moved similarly through passages as they would naturally.
Researchers have developed a method to flag up potentially illegal wildlife trade by analyzing the growth rates of certain species. A study published in Biological Conservation has found that understanding these growth rates can help identify when an item is not yet legally available for sale, allowing authorities to act earlier.
A new study estimates that seals and birds consume about 100,000 tons of fish per year, primarily herring and cod. While their consumption has a significant impact on some fish stocks, such as eel, it is estimated to be lower than human fishing activities.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have identified 52 potential wildlife corridors in Tanzania, linking protected areas across the country. The study found that nearly a sixth of previously identified corridors may be separated by land conversion.
A cultural backlash from US populism limits opportunities for state fish and wildlife agencies to adapt to changing social values. Traditionalist values are associated with lower trust in wildlife agencies, while mutualist values support restrictions on humans.
A Baylor University professor and his team have developed a method to measure recreation disturbance across large landscapes, enabling better understanding of its impact on wildlife. The study aims to provide recreation managers with a tool to mitigate negative effects on wildlife while allowing for responsible recreation use.
A new study reveals that bat wing prints can be used to identify individual bats with high accuracy, similar to fingerprint identification. The technique involves analyzing the unique patterns of collagen-elastin bundles in wing tissue, which remain intact even when wings are damaged.
Researchers from Montana and Wyoming biologists projected routes for grizzly bears to pass through human-occupied territory around Helena, Butte, and Bozeman. The predicted routes matched well with verified sightings of grizzly bears outside their usual ranges, offering more continuous habitat.
The study found a significant increase in Sumatran tiger population density, from 1.6 tigers/100 km2 in 2002 to 2.8 tigers/100 km2. Conservation efforts have contributed to this trend, with successful ranger patrols and habitat protection helping to reduce threats such as poaching and human-tiger conflict.
Research by Melanie Flynn, a University of Huddersfield lecturer, has led to Malaysia setting up environmental courts to deal with wildlife crimes. In contrast, the UK has made slower progress in tackling the issue, with inconsistent sentencing and limited resources hindering efforts.