Research on wild animals and their conservation. Covers marine mammals, elephant cognition, tree and habitat protection, and the illegal wildlife trade.
The San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Alliance has found that lead poisoning is the primary cause of death in wild California condor populations. This finding highlights the need for conservation efforts to address widespread lead contamination in the environment.
Fencing can disrupt predator-prey dynamics and limit access for migratory herbivores. The Zoological Society of London argues that fencing should be reconsidered as a conservation tool, prioritizing connected environments over physical barriers.
Fencing for wildlife conservation has costs, including the loss of predators and other species, which can lead to further local extinctions. Alternative approaches, such as improved animal husbandry and community-based crop-guarding, can be more effective in mitigating human-wildlife conflict.
Researchers at Monell Chemical Senses Center and USDA found that immunization alters urine odor in similar ways, while immune-activated responses produce qualitatively different odors. This discovery suggests a pathway between immune activation and changes in body odor compounds, potentially enabling non-invasive disease detection.
Researchers found biting flies, including horseflies and tsetse flies, drive zebra's black and white stripes. The study ruled out other hypotheses such as camouflage and social function.
The Jamaican iguana population has grown to over 200 individuals due to conservation efforts. However, a recent proposal to develop the Hellshire Hills area poses a significant threat to the species' survival.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that newborn male deer with high testosterone levels are less likely to survive their first year compared to peers. The study also showed that testosterone levels in offspring are linked to their mother's condition, suggesting a potential survival advantage for younger calves.
A data-driven approach has been developed to maximize the effectiveness of limited enforcement resources in protecting Africa's threatened wildlife. The method uses spatial planning software to identify weaknesses in current efforts and redirect patrols to increase deterrence, with a potential cost reduction of up to 63%.
African wildlife faces devastating effects from pesticide use, with a new study uncovering widespread killing of species. The research calls for regional centers to identify hotspots and promote chemical testing, education, and public engagement to combat poisoning.
Research shows that temperate ecosystems consisted of a mosaic of closed and semi-closed forests and parkland created by large grazers. The study also found that woodland beetles were less dominant in the previous interglacial period than in the early Holocene, indicating a shift towards more forested landscapes after human arrival.
A study reveals that US military helicopters are vulnerable to bird strikes, with 2,511 recorded incidents across the services. The majority of strikes involved birds, with a high number of incidents reported in Florida, New Mexico, and Georgia.
A recent study found that Burmese pythons present a low risk to people in Everglades National Park, with all reported incidents involving biologists being minor and non-fatal. The study suggests that pythons may abort strikes upon realizing the size of their potential prey, indicating they can assess size mid-strike.
A new paper proposes banning lead shot in Olympic shooting events to prevent wildlife poisoning and health threats to surface and groundwater. Non-toxic substitutes like steel shot have been available for two decades.
New data shows a continued decline of African forest elephants, with 65% lost between 2002 and 2013. The poaching rate is alarming, with 9% per year, resulting in over 96 elephants killed daily.
The 2014 AAAS/Subaru Science Books & Film competition recognized four engaging science books exploring school gardens, fossil discovery, backyard bird watching, and biotechnology. Winners received $1500 and a plaque for their outstanding contributions to science writing and illustration.
A recent study in Nature finds that the Arctic tundra during the last ice age was teeming with colorful wildflowers, providing sustenance for giant grazing animals like woolly mammoths. The research, led by Kansas State University's Joseph Craine, challenges conventional views of the region's vegetation history.
Researchers at Arizona State University discovered a direct link between urbanization and increased parasitic infections in wild house finches. The study found that birds from more urbanized areas were heavier and more infected by internal parasites, which disrupt the animal's ability to get nutrients.
The new field of macrosystems ecology is being touted as a solution to tackle environmental problems such as climate change and invasive species. By integrating biology with other fields and using vast amounts of data, ecologists can study complex systems at broad scales.
A new wireless surveillance system, TernCam, reduces battery life without compromising image quality. The system enables real-time visual data collection and has successfully transmitted signals in severe weather conditions.
Researchers found numerous bird nests and a greater diversity of species in no-till soybean fields compared to tilled fields. The study highlights the importance of agricultural practices in supporting bird abundance and diversity.
A new paper provides recommendations for conserving migratory wildlife that inhabit U.S. national parks, leveraging diverse scientific expertise. Key findings highlight the importance of protected areas and public engagement in safeguarding long-distance species movements.
Researchers argue that record-level funding is not enough to protect endangered species, highlighting the need for alternative approaches such as community-based conservation and sustainable trade. The study calls for a shift in focus from enforcement alone to more comprehensive solutions to combat poaching.
The study highlights the ecological benefits of large carnivores, including controlling herbivores, mitigating global warming, and enhancing biodiversity. Without these species, ecosystems may collapse, leading to reduced plant diversity, biomass, and productivity, as well as increased greenhouse gas emissions.
Research reveals steep declines in global large carnivore populations, with 77% of studied species decreasing in number. Habitat losses have serious environmental consequences, affecting ecosystems and human societies.
A study found that African vultures focus on areas with high prey mortality, rather than abundance, to locate food sources. Vultures travel vast distances throughout the year in search of food, covering regions larger than New Jersey and New York State combined.
Researchers warn that US government's plan to end wolf protection could harm other endangered species due to habitat suitability rules. The proposed rule contradicts existing research and law, putting human intolerance as a reason for land being unsuitable.
Researchers at Imperial College London have devised a simple and reliable method to set sustainable hunting quotas for lions. The new algorithm estimates the number of adult males that can be hunted while allowing lion populations to grow, benefiting both conservation efforts and hunters.
Caribou populations in climatically stable areas have the greatest genetic diversity, but climate change is expected to reduce viable habitat and lead to population isolation and fragmentation. As a result, caribou will lose the ability to adapt to change and become more vulnerable to extinction.
Conflicts between humans and wildlife in Serengeti National Park increase despite efforts to protect the environment and local communities. Research suggests that education and support are crucial for preventing attacks on livestock and crops.
Two Canadian teens, Adamo Young and Kiri Daust, published their research on wasps and leaf disease, revealing an efficient killer of an agricultural pest and a little-known fungus hurting Highbush Cranberries. Their studies help farmers combat the moth pest without pesticides.
The lab, a joint initiative between EcoHealth Alliance and Sabah Wildlife Department, will analyze wildlife health and genetic research, as well as assist in combating the spread of diseases. The facility is part of the USAID-PREDICT Project, aiming to strengthen public health work and protect the region's economic health.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society and Zoological Society of London reveals that the Sahara has suffered a catastrophic collapse of its wildlife populations. Over 14 desert species have declined, with many becoming regionally extinct or confined to small areas of their historical range.
A new study found that only 28% of the bonobo's range is suitable for the great ape, and most areas with high human activity are avoided. The research team identified distance from agricultural areas as the most important predictor of bonobo presence.
A 10-year study on national wildlife refuges found frog abnormalities at less than 2% overall rate, but higher rates in specific 'hotspots'. The study suggests that these hotspots have local causes and can recover over time.
Researchers found that female mice who competed socially for mates produce more urinary pheromones, making their sons more attractive to females. However, this increased attractiveness comes at a cost, as the sons have shorter lifespans due to the energy-intensive production of pheromones.
Scientists from ZSL and Imperial College London capture images of five wild cat species, including the elusive bay cat, in a logged area of forest. The study reveals that large carnivores can survive in commercially logged forests, challenging conservation assumptions.
Researchers at University of British Columbia studied the energy cost of satellite tags on aquatic animals, finding significant drag increases on smaller or juvenile animals. The study provides a universal formula to calculate drag for various marine species, promoting accurate data collection and conservation strategies.
Scientists have isolated a live SARS-like virus from Chinese horseshoe bats, providing evidence for direct transmission. The discovery highlights the importance of surveillance and research programs targeting high-risk wildlife groups to predict and prevent pandemics.
A team of researchers has identified a new species of humpback dolphin swimming in the waters off northern Australia. The study, published in Molecular Ecology, analyzed physical features and genetic data to determine that the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin includes at least four member species, one of which is completely new to science.
Research suggests that moonlight affects prey species differently depending on their sensory systems, with some using vision as a backup defense. Moonlight benefits visually oriented prey, while negatively impacting predators' hunting success.
A study of wild mice found they prefer to sleep and eat near used nesting material and droppings, outweighing risk of disease. This contrasts with clean-living domesticated animals, which tend to avoid dirt due to plentiful food and reduced predator risks.
Researchers used GPS sensors to track fishers' movements and discovered they chose routes that deviated from predicted models, highlighting the importance of considering animal behavior in landscape planning. This approach could lead to more accurate corridor predictions and improved species conservation.
Scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center and USDA have discovered that avian influenza virus can be detected based on odor changes in infected birds. The study identified specific chemical compounds associated with the odor changes, which may also serve as potential biomarkers for diagnosing gastrointestinal diseases in humans.
Researchers found high concentrations of PCBs, dieldrin, and DDE in river otters, indicating potential risks to human health. The study highlights the need for further research on factors contributing to wildlife exposure to these chemicals.
A team of researchers found that a single gene controls the shift between repulsion and attraction in strawberry fruit, influencing ripening and pest defense. The enzyme anthocyanin reductase plays a crucial role in this process.
A study spanning two decades reveals that species in forest fragments are more likely to disappear than previously thought. Habitat fragmentation and invasive species like the Malayan field rat contribute to the rapid decline of native wildlife populations.
EcoHealth Alliance has been awarded a three-year, $2 million grant by the US Agency for International Development to address land use alteration as a significant driver of disease emergence and climate change in Asia. The project aims to capture the value of ecosystems in mitigating disease emergence and enhance carbon storage.
Researchers from Wildlife Conservation Society and Zoological Society of London capture images of golden eagle attacking a young sika deer on camera trap. The event, which occurred six years ago, is extremely rare and has no impact on deer populations.
Scientists have created a vulnerability map to help governments and organizations invest in protected area establishment and restoration efforts in the most vulnerable regions. The map assesses ecosystems' intactness and stability under future climate change predictions, identifying southern Asia, Europe, and Australia as high-risk areas.
Wild male orangutans demonstrate remarkable planning skills by facing their intended travel direction and emitting specific vocalizations before embarking on journeys. Females within earshot often follow these planned paths, while subordinate males tend to avoid similar routes.
Scientists estimate a minimum of 320,000 unknown viral agents in mammals alone, potentially causing emerging diseases like SARS and Ebola. The study provides a new strategy to identify total viral diversity and estimate costs of discovery.
A new study by the Wildlife Conservation Society found that 13 species of crocodilians consume fruit, including berries and legumes. The researchers suggest that these animals may function as significant seed dispersal agents in freshwater ecosystems, contributing to forest regeneration.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society and University of Minnesota reveals that the world's largest owl relies on old-growth forests for breeding and prey. Large trees provide critical habitats for salmon, supporting the owls' survival.
A study by Montana State University researchers found that the 25 wildlife crossings on the Trans-Canada Highway in Banff allow grizzly bears to access a prime patch of buffalo berries habitat safely. The crossings also enable bears to move between food, shelter and dispersal areas on both sides of the highway.
Climate change is affecting infectious diseases worldwide, causing human health and biodiversity conservation impacts. The study proposes modeling disease systems to predict and mitigate the spread of lethal diseases.
A recent study has discovered an unexpected density of six tigers per 100km2 in Tambling, a privately managed concession in Sumatra. This estimate is nearly double the highest recorded for the island to date, making it a critical site for tiger conservation.
Researchers identified non-disease causing fungal relatives of WNS-causing fungus, which live in bat hibernation sites and on bats. This discovery may aid in understanding the molecular toolbox used by the deadly fungus to kill bats.
A new study by WCS and Snow Leopard Trust reveals the link between cashmere trade and ecosystem decay in remote Central Asia. The cashmere industry's expansion leads to conflicts with pastoralists, wildlife displacement and even retaliatory killing of iconic species like snow leopards and wild yaks.
The Ecological Society of America examines ways to improve soil, water, and nutrient retention, pollinator support, and pest suppression. Sessions focus on land sharing, global-to-local connections, and resilient future interdependencies between conservation and agriculture.
The study warns that current hunting trends in Central African forests could lead to complete ecological collapse. The authors emphasize the need for sustainable hunting management plans to avoid an environmental catastrophe. Protecting megafauna like elephants and apex predators is crucial to maintaining intact ecosystems.