Articles tagged with Wildlife
The World Parks Congress has established a new reserve in Brazil that supports local communities and balances conservation with development. The Piagaçu-Purus Sustainable Development Reserve is part of six new reserves totaling 10.4 million acres, doubling the Amazonas State protected area system size.
The UC Berkeley Museum of Vertebrate Zoology is conducting a new wildlife survey in Yosemite National Park, following the same transect as Joseph Grinnell and Tracey Storer's landmark survey between 1914 and 1920. The team aims to gather baseline data for comparison with historic species abundance and distribution.
Researchers have developed a DNA-based test to accurately distinguish great white sharks from other species, even when only dried fins or meat are available. This new test will help conservationists and fisheries managers better regulate and protect great whites, a species that has declined by up to 79% in the northwestern Atlantic.
The Wildlife Conservation Society reports a substantial increase in Tibetan antelope, wild yaks, and other species due to enhanced protection. The increased numbers are attributed to better enforcement and education, but challenges persist in managing human-wildlife conflicts.
A study by Wildlife Conservation Society argues that India's tiger counting method using pugmarks is flawed and leads to poor conservation. The authors suggest adopting simpler, statistically sound monitoring methods such as sample surveys and encounter-rate surveys.
The Chamorro people's consumption of cycad-fed flying foxes may have led to high incidence of ALS-PDC, a neurodegenerative disease. Studies show that eating wild animals with unknown health risks can be particularly hazardous.
A new UC Davis analysis reveals that adult sea otters in California are dying at an alarming rate due to diseases and parasites. The study found that nearly two-thirds of the otters died from disease, with parasitic infections being a major cause, including thorny-headed worms and protozoa.
Researchers tracking wolverines in Yellowstone's Greater Ecosystem discovered a rare killing of a wolverine by a black bear. The incident supports the species' fierce and fearless nature.
A 22-page technical review explores the relationship between economic growth and wildlife conservation, revealing a high correlation between the two. The review aims to increase awareness about the fundamental conflict and identify potential solutions.
A year-long study on Texas A&M University campus found that male urban squirrels are more likely to die on roads, with males darting about through streets more frequently. In contrast, female squirrel death was mostly attributable to predation, highlighting the need for effective wildlife management strategies in urban landscapes.
A study by the Wildlife Conservation Society reveals that increased robusta coffee production has led to widespread deforestation in Indonesia's lowland forests. As a leading consumer of robusta coffee, the US can play a key role in halting this wave of deforestation by reasserting itself as a strong member of the International Coffee ...
A study published in Nature reveals that wild chimpanzee and gorilla populations have declined by over 50% in the past few decades, with an estimated 80% decline expected within 30 years. The researchers attribute this to illegal hunting and Ebola outbreaks, highlighting the need for improved anti-poaching laws and Ebola research.
A recent study warns of a dramatic decline in western equatorial Africa's great ape populations, with gorillas and chimpanzees facing nearly 60% decline since 1983. The research highlights the urgent need for aggressive investments in Ebola prevention, law enforcement, and protected area management to ensure their survival.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have made significant contributions to understanding bear behavior, including the impact of radio-collars on survival rates and the role of dispersal distance in helping bears evade hunters. Their findings also led to the development of a morphometric-based dichotomous key for age identification.
The proposed 'Millennium Highway' would disrupt the migrations and destroy calving grounds for Mongolian gazelles. The Eastern Steppe is home to Asia's last great spectacle of migrating hoofed animals, a ecosystem worth preserving.
A study analyzing 143 scientific papers and personal backyard recordings reveals that animals and plants are shifting their behaviors and seasonal timing due to a 0.6°C global temperature increase. In the temperate zone, species are shifting about five days earlier every ten years in response to warming temperatures.
Marcella Kelly uses infrared remotely triggered cameras to photograph jaguars in Belize's Chiquibul Forest Reserve. Her research estimates the presence of at least eight jaguars per 100 square miles, highlighting the species' endangered status due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting.
A new map shows that 83 percent of the land's surface is under human influence, but still, wild areas remain, offering opportunities for conservation. The study also found that even in heavily influenced areas, wildlife can thrive, such as in India where tigers coexist with one billion people.
Incorporating mate choice into breeding programs can increase the survival of young whitefish and other species by selecting for genetically superior males. However, this approach may also reduce genetic variation, requiring a balance between the two goals.
Using a unique land-based population research technique, Dr. Vaughan improved the accuracy of bighorn sheep counts in the Grand Canyon by analyzing lamb-to-ewe ratios and survival rates. The innovative method allows for helicopter counts while minimizing disruptions to wildlife habitats.
A University of Florida-led study examines the effects of wildlife corridors on plant pollination and seed dispersal. The findings suggest that corridors encourage the movement of plants and animals, improving ecosystem health. The large-scale experiment provides valuable insights into the benefits of wildlife corridors.
Bushmeat consumption has been linked to chemical poisoning, with 30% of samples containing organochlorines, carbamates, and organophosphorus. The Ghana government aims to reverse the extinction of wildlife through sustainable alternatives like wildlife farming and education campaigns.
Research by University of Georgia wildlife scientists found that clover strip-cropping and conservation tillage systems in cotton provide critical habitat for threatened songbirds. Clover offers cover from predators, insects for food, and time to nest and fledge young between field operations.
The U.S.-Peru debt-for-nature swap aims to conserve ten tropical rain forest areas covering over 27.5 million acres, home to rare biodiversity and threatened species. The agreement generates funds for local Peruvian conservation groups and provides critical income streams for front-line conservation efforts.
Wild meat harvesting is a major threat to threatened species, with big mammals and conspicuous birds being most at risk. Conservation biologists and organizations must work together to address poverty and unmanaged wildlife use to mitigate overhunting.
A new program helps protect Asian elephants from crop-raiding by implementing a coordinated effort to deter them, reducing farmer risk and protecting the environment. The initiative uses trip wires, sirens, spotlights, and firecrackers to scare off aggressive elephants, promoting coexistence between humans and wildlife.
A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found a significant increase in wildlife vehicle collisions across Canada. The research highlights the growing concern of these accidents, which can result in serious injuries and fatalities.
Researchers have developed a method to save endangered freshwater mussels by collecting and depositing parasitic larvae onto suitable fish hosts. This process allows for the mass production of juvenile mussels, which can then be released into the wild to improve water quality.
A recent study assesses the jaguar's long-term survival prospects and identifies priority areas for conservation. The researchers found that the big cats are likely to survive in 70% of their current range, with the Amazon Basin being a key region for protection.
A new report identifies knowledge gaps in Central American flora, particularly among fungi and mosses. The Mesoamerican and Caribbean Herbarium Network, which holds over one million plant specimens, is a key resource for future discovery.
A study has discovered an HIV-like virus in a wild chimpanzee, providing evidence that the virus originated from this species. The virus, SIVcpz, was found in one animal from the Gombe National Park, revealing a different strain than previously known viruses.
Researchers have discovered that male orangutans engage in homosexual behavior in the wild, a phenomenon previously only observed among captive animals. This finding highlights the complexity of primate social behavior and challenges existing assumptions about great ape sexuality.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to manage and protect key areas with intact ecosystems, such as the Ndoki-Likouala rain forest in the Republic of Congo and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. WCS's Living Landscapes approach aims to balance human needs with wildlife conservation.
A team of scientists from Texas A&M University has developed a mathematical model to better understand wildlife habitats and interactions. The model uses equations to describe how animals and plants live, grow, and interact with each other in different environments.
The Southern Highlands region of Tanzania is facing significant biodiversity loss due to widespread harvesting of African orchids. The Wildlife Conservation Society is working to establish a national park in the region to protect the area's floral significance and prevent further depletion of the species.
Biologists from UCLA and Swedish universities have uncovered the history of how wild horses were domesticated, revealing widespread interbreeding across multiple regions. The study found that genetic diversity was much higher than previously thought, suggesting a more complex process of domestication.
In mice lacking b7 integrins, B cell-mediated secretion of antiviral IgA is lacking, and CD8+ T cells reach the intestinal epithelium in smaller numbers. Despite this, these cells are sufficient to clear rotavirus efficiently from the gut.
Researchers found that hamsters use day length information to anticipate winter, and this memory is retained for a season. The study suggests that the hamsters' brain processes seasonal changes in daylight to adjust reproductive cycles.
The Isle Royale wolf population has rebounded after years of decline, with five new pups added to the total count. The Middle Pack now controls most of the island's area, increasing access to moose for food. Meanwhile, the East Pack maintains control over the eastern end of the island.
The program aims to control the raccoon rabies epidemic by delivering oral vaccines through baits. The goal is to protect citizens and companion animals from exposure to the deadly virus.
A study found that male mangabeys in secondary forests weigh less and are more likely to leave their groups, making them vulnerable to predators. The research suggests that logging may impact the health and behavior of primates in African forests.
The Chinese alligator is critically endangered with fewer than 150 remaining in the wild. Conservationists believe that restoring populations through habitat improvements and captive breeding can help stage a comeback for this culturally significant species.
A Colorado State University professor believes that groundhogs emerge from hibernation based on their linoleic and linolenic acid levels. He suggests that these fatty acids affect the animal's activity levels during hibernation, rather than traditional shadow tricks.
A new species of deer, the leaf deer, has been identified in remote mountain regions of Southeast Asia. The species was confirmed through DNA sequencing and represents a significant discovery in conservation biology.
Logging in tropical forests has sparked a 'deadly second harvest' of wildlife, including gorillas and elephants, with increased access providing markets for bushmeat. The Wildlife Conservation Society estimates that annual bushmeat harvest exceeds one million metric tons.
The caiman harvesting program in Venezuela, which began in 1983, has harvested over a million spectacled caimans, generating $115 million in export value. However, the program's direct link to conservation is threatened by changes to funding allocations and market instability.
A study published in the journal Science warns that regional populations of large predators are at risk of collapse due to high mortality rates outside national parks. The researchers recommend expanding 'no-kill' zones, improving hunter education, and increasing park size to protect roaming wildlife.
A Virginia Tech researcher is studying the life cycles of black bears, including their mating habits and hibernation patterns. The study has revealed that bears implant embryos before denning, but the exact timing may vary from year to year.
A recent survey found that over half of the island's wolves have died, likely due to a sharp drop in food supply after a major moose die-off in 1996. The remaining wolves are now less than five years old, with reproductive performance being a key area of interest.
A new study reveals that chimpanzees can determine whether their partners are aware of danger, indicating a shared ability to perceive knowledge states and intentions. This suggests a stronger cognitive connection between chimps than previously thought.
A recent study and court ruling have led to the listing of jaguar as an endangered species in the US. The decision is based on evidence of rare sightings and potential population dispersal from Mexico.
A 16-month study will assess genetic diversity in beaver and spruce grouse populations in Acadia National Park, aiming to understand how habitat fragmentation affects their long-term viability. The project aims to develop conservation strategies based on the findings.
The Duke Primate Center aims to capture three diademed sifakas for breeding in captivity, addressing the animals' critically endangered status due to habitat destruction and poaching. The expedition, set for October 2-18, will help build a captive breeding stock to replenish wild populations.