Articles tagged with Wildlife
New research on gray wolves in Yellowstone National Park reveals that social group living can offset mange's effects, increasing survival rates. Living in packs also provides a net survival benefit, even when infected individuals are present.
Market-driven 'zero deforestation agreements' have significantly influenced the behavior of ranchers and slaughterhouses, leading to lower deforestation rates among supplying ranches. However, challenges remain to achieve zero-deforestation for beef production, with many ranchers able to bypass the agreements.
The presence of conservation research projects limits chimpanzee and gorilla poaching, while community involvement boosts the value of apes and forests to local people. This study highlights the effectiveness of small-scale conservation efforts in protecting wildlife.
A new study suggests that fencing in dryland ecosystems may disrupt migration pathways and reduce wildlife populations. Conservationists are calling for policies to evaluate the effectiveness of fences in protecting wildlife and balancing human interests.
A study led by Princeton University researchers found that bird species with increasing prices and decreasing availability exhibited plummeting populations in the wild. Market monitoring can be done more quickly and cheaply than field-based monitoring, making it an effective tool for conservation.
A US Forest Service-led study found that 195 out of 201 bird and mammal species in northwest Alaska could face habitat loss or gain due to climate change. The research projects up to 52% of species may experience habitat expansion, while 45% will see contractions.
A study by University of Georgia ecologists found that supplemental feeding can affect the spread of infectious diseases in wildlife, with some pathogens increasing transmission and others reducing it. The study provides practical suggestions for wildlife disease management and a roadmap for future research.
A 10-year study on tiger DNA has provided new insights into the genetics of tigers, allowing for more effective conservation strategies. The research found that extinct subspecies are nearly identical to surviving ones, providing powerful tools for forensic identification and management.
High-ranking spotted hyenas have longer telomeres and better overall health compared to subordinates, according to a new study. The research suggests that social rank plays a significant role in aging and stress in wild mammals.
A Gombe Stream National Park study reveals that people are likely exposing endangered primates to Cryptosporidium, a parasite that may be contributing to their decline. The researchers found that some chimpanzees are infected with a species of Cryptosporidium associated with pigs, suggesting cross-species contamination.
A new study by Clemson University and Cornell University found that birdwatchers are about five times as likely to engage in wildlife and habitat conservation as non-recreationists. Hunters were also found to be four times more likely to participate in conservation efforts. These findings suggest a strong connection between wildlife re...
A UCSB ecologist examines how human disturbance affects landscape and wildlife, revealing links between conservation and human health. She finds that land-use change increases plague transmission by moving rodents closer to human habitats, while environmental conditions affect flea infestations.
A University of Kent study reveals supplemental feeding improves Mauritius parakeet brood productivity, but increases disease susceptibility. Long-term monitoring highlights the importance of evidence-based conservation strategies.
A new study reveals that climate change is affecting male and female yaks differently, with females shifting to steeper terrain in search of snow for milk production. The research team analyzed historical data and recent observations to find that females are 20 times more likely to be found near snow patches than males.
A study published in Journal of Applied Ecology found that fully protected 'no-take zones' would have greater benefits for wildlife and fisheries than limited-take zones. Researchers propose a compromise between no-take and limited-take zones to balance ecological and economic objectives.
A new study found that hormone-disrupting chemicals, such as clotrimazole, can skew sex-ratios in zebrafish towards males, increasing the risk of extinction for endangered species. Climate change amplifies these effects, particularly in warmer water temperatures.
Researchers found that Reduced-Impact Logging (RIL) has little effect on bird, bat, and large mammal populations in Central Guyanese rainforests. RIL is a cost-effective option for timber companies to ensure long-term sustainability of biodiversity-rich tropical forests.
A new study reveals that media portrayals of monkeys in human settings increase their desirability as pets and alter public perception. The research, published in PLOS ONE, suggests that such images change the way people perceive these species from wild animals needing conservation help to those suitable as household pets.
A study by University of Oxford researchers exposes shortcomings in the 'index-calibration' method used in tiger and rare wildlife surveys. The team found that this approach can produce inaccurate results, especially with high uncertainty in detection rates. They suggest alternative methods to improve conservation efforts.
The Arizona State University-SoilCarbon Nation team is examining the adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing management technique to compare its effectiveness with conventional, continuous grazing methods. This approach aims to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide while improving ranch ecosystems and wildlife habitat.
Researchers have gathered rare photographs of the critically endangered Saharan cheetah, shedding light on its elusive behavior and habitat requirements. The study's findings suggest that these large cats are more nocturnal, wide-ranging, and occur at lower densities than other cheetahs in Africa.
Researchers identified 32% of parasites found in rats also infecting humans, highlighting the importance of habitat overlap and species relationships. The study developed a new modeling approach to forecast parasitic infections and disease emergence globally.
Researchers found that reclaimed oil and gas well pads in Colorado lack the patchy soil patterns that support sagebrush recovery. This uniformity can make it harder to reestablish big sagebrush, a critical component for diverse wildlife species.
The study reveals that dam-induced changes in riverine sediment transport lead to reduced oxygen levels, causing hatched pallid sturgeon embryos to die. The research provides vital information for pallid sturgeon conservation and is a significant breakthrough in understanding the species' decline.
A recent study by MSU-led researchers found that oxygen-depleted dead zones between dams in the upper Missouri River are directly linked to the failure of endangered pallid sturgeon hatched embryos to survive to adulthood. This is a major breakthrough in understanding the decline of this species, which can live up to 100 years.
A recent survey in Beijing shows public inclination towards banning tiger products and supporting conservation breeding over farming. The study highlights the need to maintain suitable population sizes and handle dead individuals during breeding.
The study found that millions of dollars are spent annually on animal translocations to mitigate human interference, but outcomes are often poor and rarely monitored. Successful science-based translocations provide a model for improving mitigation efforts and achieving legislative goals for species conservation.
Researchers developed a model explaining how white-nose syndrome (WNS) kills millions of bats in North America. Bats infected with WNS use more fat and energy, leading to physiologic imbalances that can inhibit normal heart function.
A study published in EMBO Molecular Medicine suggests that contact between humans and virus-infected bats may have originated the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The researchers found no evidence of larger wildlife being the source of infection, expanding the range of possible Ebola virus sources to insectivorous free-tailed bats.
A study published in Food and Nutrition Sciences found that neurological disorders among captive felids in the UAE are correlated with copper and Vitamin A deficiencies due to inadequate diets. Thirty percent of animals without supplements developed clinical signs such as ataxia and hind limb weakness.
A novel orthomyxovirus, Wellfleet Bay virus (WFBV), has been linked to cyclic mass mortality events in eider ducks on Cape Cod. The study found that WFBV is likely tick-borne and contributes to the deaths, but other factors such as parasitic worms and stress may also play a role.
Researchers at San Diego Zoo Global found that volunteers can accurately identify individual Andean bears after learning their unique markings. The study's success allows for citizen scientist engagement in species conservation, supporting the zoo's mission to bring endangered species back from extinction.
A new study reveals that citizen science projects increase environmental awareness, knowledge, and skills among participants, who often become advocates for conservation efforts.
Researchers found that killing wolves increases livestock depredations, with a 4% increase in sheep deaths and 5-6% in cattle deaths after one wolf is killed. The trend continues until 25% of the wolves are killed, leading to unsustainable livestock losses.
A study from Michigan State University found that concerns about wolf hunting are split more by social geography than physical geography, revealing the importance of social identity theory in understanding the divisive debate.
Research highlights the surge of infectious disease in northern latitudes, driven by climate change and close contact between species. The study also explores the use of accelerometers to track an animal's internal state, including emotions and diseases.
A new study shows that citizen science projects contribute to direct impacts on conservation, including shift in formal professions, initiation of new organizations, and influencing social circles towards the cause. Volunteer participation has also been found to increase knowledge and concern for wildlife rooted in science.
A new study published by Point Blue Conservation Science found that aggressive removal of conifers can restore aspen stands in the Sierra Nevada, increasing groundwater, enriching soils, and supporting biodiversity. The study's authors used bird species to measure the effectiveness of the restoration approach.
Researchers used high-tech solutions to identify and relocate problem tigers in India, reducing human-wildlife conflict near protected areas. The stripe-matching software and individual histories helped make informed decisions on handling conflict-prone big cats.
Researchers found that businesses with more natural land cover, such as tall grass and trees, are more welcoming to raptors. Minor landscape changes can attract this wildlife, making areas more suitable for raptor presence.
The study highlights the top 10 ways remote sensing can be used in conservation, including species distribution, ecosystem processes, and climate change. The authors hope to jumpstart a new collaborative initiative that provides guidance for space agencies and partners on advancing wildlife protection and protected area management.
Allocating $45-76 billion to protected areas annually could help manage them effectively, ensuring their contribution to the planet's well-being is met. Many threatened species and plants rely on well-managed protected areas for survival.
A study published in Bioscience explores the paradox of ecologists not sharing data, despite sharing findings. The researchers argue that increased data sharing will allow more diverse people to participate in research, leading to greater impact on science.
A legal trade in rhino horn could generate funding for conservation efforts, allowing communities to harvest horns from deceased animals with minimal risk. This could help reduce poaching demand in Asia and support local income generation, while also improving rhino population protection.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that climate change is causing smaller, southerly distributed bird species to move northwards, altering the composition of winter bird communities in eastern North America. This shift is likely driven by warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns.
Researchers have found that emerging viruses are causing severe disease and mass deaths in many amphibian species, including frogs and salamanders. The viruses, part of the Ranavirus group, are being spread through human activities and are having a devastating impact on entire host communities.
Prescribed burns in Western Australia help reduce flammable fuel loads, protect lives and property, and maintain biodiversity. The practice is also used to rehabilitate vegetation after disturbance and undertake research on fire's interaction with the environment.
A survey of 577 people in southern Ghana reveals that hunters and consumers perceive the risk of infection from eating bat meat as low, despite handling live bats and coming into contact with bat blood. The study finds that regulations alone are not effective solutions to reduce the practice.
A recent study by UC Davis found that mountain lions in southern California are experiencing severe genetic diversity loss, with the Santa Ana Mountains displaying lower genetic diversity than other regions. The study highlights the urgent need to maintain connectivity for coastal mountain lions across I-15.
Researchers found that hunters reduced small animal hunting and switched to cheaper ammunition, but large animals remained threatened. Taxing gunshots is an effective conservation measure for small animals, but higher taxes are needed for large ones.
A new study suggests that electrofishing can effectively remove non-native Brook Trout from small Rocky Mountain streams, preserving native Westslope Cutthroat Trout populations. The method involves using electrical shock to target and remove specific unwanted species, reducing impacts on native fish and macro-invertebrates.
The study found that mountain lions use a 'stalk and pounce' strategy due to its high energy efficiency, with costs varying depending on prey size. The new SMART collar technology enabled researchers to track and quantify the energetic costs of these behaviors.
A study identifies dense natural gas field developments, highways, and fencing as threats to the pronghorn's migration in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The research found that migrating pronghorn avoid high-quality forage on both sides of highways with bottlenecks, highlighting the need for wildlife-friendly infrastructure.
Researchers create a new tool to study Ebola virus in wildlife using fecal samples, providing insights into the virus' distribution and potentially changing disease understanding. The method detects antibodies against Ebola virus in ape feces, suggesting some apes survive exposure.
A study comparing the Wolong Nature Reserve in China and Chitwan National Park in Nepal highlights the importance of considering human dynamics in conservation efforts. By understanding how people and wildlife interact, scientists can develop more effective policies for protecting endangered species like tigers and pandas.
A new report confirms the American peregrine falcons' recovery trajectory is within predicted trends, with volunteer-generated data supporting population viability analysis. The study highlights the importance of considering geographic group health and behavior for threatened species, such as sea turtles and grizzlies.
A new study found that in India's human-dominated landscapes, leopards primarily feed on domestic dogs (39%) and domestic cats (15%), rather than livestock. This is due to the relative accessibility of dogs, which are often allowed to roam freely.
Researchers studied genetic variation in wild and domesticated rabbits to understand the domestication process. The study found that genes controlling brain development and nervous system were key to transforming wild rabbits into tame ones.
Researchers have identified key genetic changes responsible for rabbit domestication, including modifications to brain and nervous system development. The study shows that small changes in many genes led to the inhibition of the strong flight response in domestic rabbits.
Compromise solutions are needed when building roads through sensitive tropical and subtropical areas, say experts. The authors propose four measures to mitigate tensions between roads and protected areas, including early involvement of infrastructure engineers and natural resource managers.