Articles tagged with Wildlife
A new study found that a deadly frog disease, Perkinsea, is more widespread in Central Florida than expected, infecting over a third of sampled frogs. The disease is linked to cooler temperatures and higher precipitation, posing a concern for threatened species like the gopher frog.
Accelerometer sensors can detect sickness behavior in wild boar, allowing for early detection of African Swine Fever. The study found that infected boars were 10-20% less active daily than healthy ones, making this technology a potential tool for disease control and prevention.
Researchers found that wild jackdaws strategically switch friends to get mealworm rewards, but stick with offspring, siblings, and mating partners. The study provides new insights into how animals manage social relationships and how societies emerge from individual decisions.
African lion populations are declining due to various threats including habitat loss, prey depletion, and human-wildlife conflict. A new study reveals the importance of considering both ecological and socio-political factors in conservation strategies.
A new method enables efficient isolation of raccoon-borne Escherichia albertii from fecal samples, providing insights into its epidemiology and facilitating improved control of food poisoning. The developed culture medium selectively promotes the growth of E. albertii at a rate of up to 48%.
A new study by Lund University reveals that disease affects blackbirds for three weeks, rather than just a day or two. The simulated bacterial infection stimulates the birds' immune system, causing them to stop their activities earlier in the evenings and have reduced daily activity periods.
Researchers used drones to track Przewalski's horses and found a complex, multilevel social structure similar to human societies. The herd's movements revealed kinship-based relationships and familiarity between animals, with mare-mare bonds playing a significant role in harem formation.
A study by Dartmouth researchers reveals that human shoulders and elbows evolved to facilitate 'downclimbing' - the process of descending from trees without dying. This adaptation allowed early humans to navigate their environment safely, gathering food and deploying tools for hunting and defense.
A new study shows that large herbivores can protect local nature by eating and trampling on invasive plant species. Native plants have evolved to withstand the treatment of these herbivores, while invasive plants usually cannot.
A new study from the University of Washington and Polar Bears International reveals a direct link between cumulative greenhouse gas emissions and polar bear demographic changes. The study shows that reducing greenhouse gas emissions can help protect polar bears, with implications beyond just this species.
Researchers found that nuclear weapon fallout from 60 to 80 years ago also contributes to the persistent radioactivity in German wild boars. The team measured cesium-137 levels and compared them to cesium-135 using a mass spectrometer, finding that nuclear weapons testing supplied between 10 and 68% of the contamination.
A new study by WCS found that overhunting of fruit-eating mammals and birds can lead to a shift in forest composition, resulting in lower carbon storage. The loss of these species changes the ecosystem, making it more challenging for forests to sequester and store carbon.
Researchers found that white-tailed deer are virus reservoirs, promoting ongoing mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. At least 30 infections were introduced by humans, and an estimated 23.5% of deer had been infected at one time or another.
Researchers analyzed data from 31 studies and found that cattle face a higher risk of getting tuberculosis from wildlife through indirect interactions. Indirect interaction rates were 154 times higher than direct interaction rates.
Researchers found that birds allowed people to get much closer than expected, with an average distance of just 39 inches, suggesting a significant decrease in fear response. The study's findings challenge existing theories on bird behavior and may offer hope for North American bird populations threatened by human disturbances.
City-living male song sparrows exhibit increased parental care and reduced nest predation rates, contradicting the notion that urbanization leads to decreased parental investment. Urban males also begin feeding nestlings earlier in the day, indicating a more attentive parenting style.
The invasive orange pore fungus has won the third BMC Ecology and Evolution image competition, highlighting its potential threats to Australian ecosystems. The winning image depicts bright orange fruiting bodies growing on deadwood in the Australian rainforest.
A study by Ohio State University found that urban coyote cortisol levels are higher than those in suburban or natural areas. Chronic stress is also linked to poor physical condition, such as mange infection, and the responsibility of running a pack, with alpha individuals experiencing high stress levels.
The recovery of gray wolf populations in the United States has been broadly successful over the past 30 years, with many regions now sporting robust populations. However, these growing populations face significant threats, including fragmented habitats, barriers to dispersal, and increased encounters with humans, pets, and livestock.
A study found that urban great tits have paler plumage than their forest-living counterparts due to inadequate carotenoid intake from city diets. Researchers suggest planting native trees and plants can help provide a healthy diet for these birds.
A team of international researchers have successfully conditioned red foxes to avoid native prey by associating it with nauseous chemicals. The study, published in Conservation Science and Practice, used levamisole to induce nausea and vomiting in the predators. By hiding the taste and smell of the chemical, the researchers were able t...
A study led by Max-Planck-Gesellschaft researchers uncovered the conditions that trigger curiosity in wild orangutans, including social and environmental factors. Young orangutans were more likely to observe and approach novel objects, while the presence of association partners increased their curiosity.
A new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research found that two colonies of white-rumped vultures in Nepal demonstrated stable reproductive rates over an 11-year period. The number of occupied nests and productivity appeared to be stable, indicating a potential turning point for the critically endangered species.
QUT researchers have created a booster vaccine using implant technology to protect wild koalas from Chlamydia disease. The new device allows for in-the-field vaccination without recapturing the animals, reducing human interference and increasing vaccination efficiency.
A new study reveals that trumpetfish can conceal themselves by swimming closely behind another fish while hunting, reducing the likelihood of detection. This unique strategy, known as 'shadowing', uses a non-threatening species of fish as camouflage to approach prey.
Scientists successfully removed invasive spectacled caimans from specific areas of the Everglades, reducing competition with native alligators and crocodiles. The efforts demonstrate early detection, rapid response, and persistent removal can effectively control invasive species, with implications for other invasive species management.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen used a new method to collect airborne DNA particles and found evidence of 64 different animal species in a single football field-sized area. The findings suggest that this technique could be a valuable tool for monitoring biodiversity and tracking the spread of diseases.
A genetic study has found that a captive-bred population of the Orinoco crocodile, one of the world's most endangered species, possesses sufficient genetic diversity and is suitable for reintroduction efforts. The Colombian government can use this research to initiate new populations in areas where the species has been depleted.
In a study published in Animal Behaviour, researchers found that male field crickets adjust their song patterns based on the proximity of rivals. When another cricket is within one meter, males are less likely to sing, suggesting they prioritize territorial defense over courtship displays.
Research shows bat activity decreases when farms switch to organic agriculture, with a potential time-lag before benefits for the environment emerge. The findings suggest that organic farming can have detrimental effects during the transition period, highlighting the need for careful management.
A recent study analyzing camera trap images found six wildlife species, including coyote and gray fox, to be remarkably resistant to the Mendocino Complex Fire's impacts. Small patches of tree cover spared by the fire provided a refuge for these animals, allowing them to recover and even spread back into burned areas.
Researchers tracked eastern wild turkey nesting in five southern U.S. states over eight years, finding slight changes in nest timing linked to temperature and rainfall. However, these shifts were minimal and less than three hours, suggesting turkeys may be inflexible in their reproductive activities.
Researchers found osteochondrosis dissecans in fossil bones of Ice Age predators, with an incidence as high as 7% in shoulder and knee joints. The study suggests dwindling populations may have contributed to the disease's prevalence in these ancient species.
A new study identifies hundreds of at-risk animal and plant species without corresponding protection from international trade. The list includes Endangered and Critically Endangered animals and plants, such as shark and ray species, palm species, and songbird species.
A recent study by Tufts Wildlife Clinic found that approximately 30% of hawks and owls were positive for exposure to neurotoxic rodenticide bromethalin. This discovery expands upon the previous research on anticoagulant rodenticides, which showed that all red-tailed hawks tested were positive for ARs.
The Ngoc Linh Crocodile Newt is a newly discovered species of crocodile newt found in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The species is considered Endangered due to its small population size and limited geographic range.
Rutgers researchers argue that animal welfare is often ignored in policymaking, despite its relevance across various domains. New tools aim to integrate animal welfare into decision-making, enabling policymakers to assess the impacts of policies on both humans and animals.
A mathematical approach using statistical methods can estimate when whales like narwhals and bowhead whales will return to their natural behaviour after being tagged. This method allows researchers to avoid discarding too much or too little data, reducing the risk of interfering with research results or animal welfare.
The AOS released its 64th Supplement to the Check-list of North American Birds, including species lumps for the Western Flycatcher and Caribbean birds, as well as a species split for the Northern Goshawk. Five additional bird species were recognized in the Caribbean due to revised classification.
Researchers have discovered that rattlesnakes can modulate each other's stress responses when in the presence of a companion, similar to human behavior. This phenomenon, known as social buffering, was observed in wild-caught snakes in Southern California and persisted even after hibernation or mating.
A new study published in Wildlife Society Bulletin reveals that lead exposure from hunting ammunition is sickening and killing bald eagles, making them more susceptible to other dangers. The research, funded by Morris Animal Foundation, used innovative modeling tools to demonstrate the impact of lead poisoning on eagle populations.
A study by Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior found that American mink can regain almost full ancestral brain size within 50 generations after escaping captivity. This reverses the long-held assumption that domestication causes permanent brain size loss in animals.
UK schoolchildren aged 7-11 drew mammals and birds most commonly, with reptiles and amphibians appearing less frequently. The study suggests children's perceptions of local wildlife are skewed towards mammals and birds, hinting at a wider problem of nature disconnect.
A new study reveals that elephants' dietary habits are more varied than previously thought, with individual preferences playing a significant role. The research used DNA metabarcoding to analyze fecal and hair samples from two groups of elephants in Kenya, finding that even family members may eat different plants on the same day.
Research from University of California San Diego scientists found that honey bee pollination results in inferior quality plant offspring compared to native bees. The study revealed that honey bees visit twice as many flowers per plant before moving to the next, leading to higher levels of self-pollination and lower-quality offspring.
Researchers uncovered a deadly trade where Bolivian prisoners sell jaguar skins and body parts to produce wallets and other fashion items. The illegal market poses significant threats to jaguar conservation despite international protection since 1975 and national protection in Bolivia since 1986.
Researchers observed a steady increase in skin disease among southern resident killer whales from 2004 to 2016. The study suggests that the most plausible explanation is an infectious agent, potentially reflecting a decrease in immune system ability to combat disease. This could pose a significant threat to the health of the population.
Researchers have identified four species of coronaviruses in UK bats, including two novel ones, which are related to COVID-19 and MERS viruses. Regular monitoring of wildlife viruses is crucial for public health preparedness and biodiversity conservation.
A large-scale camera-trap survey reveals that tropical mammals living inside protected areas are not spared the effects of human activity, with specialist species thriving near low-density habitats and generalist species benefiting from diverse environments. The study informs biodiversity policy and highlights the importance of conside...
A Virginia Tech study found that hellbender fathers are more likely to eat their eggs in deforested areas, leading to a drastic increase in filial cannibalism. The research suggests that protecting and re-establishing forest cover around streams is crucial for the species' survival.
A study found that every member of a hyena clan, except the highest-ranking queen, suffers downward mobility across their lifetime due to demographic processes. Hyenas can move up and down in the hierarchy over time, but they slide down more often than jumping up.
A new study highlights the immense potential of living cell banks in contributing to global conservation priorities. By analyzing genetic samples from the Frozen Zoo, researchers identified opportunities to increase representation of threatened species and provide access to critical genetic diversity.
Scientists tracked activity levels of southern African antelope species to understand their response to higher heat, finding that small springbok are most affected. The study highlights the importance of managing land sustainably to mitigate ecosystem changes.
Researchers have developed a battery-free GPS tracker that harnesses kinetic energy from an animal's movements, allowing for longer-term tracking. The 'KineFox' device has been tested on several species, including horses and dogs, and shows promise for monitoring endangered species.
During severe COVID-19 lockdowns, wild mammals in 43 species traveled up to 73% longer distances in a 10-day period compared to the previous year. This shift was likely due to reduced human presence allowing animals to explore new areas.
A study by Durham University and the Jane Goodall Institute has found that gradual release of mandrills into the wild with post-release support improves their stress response and overall well-being. The research tested this assumption for the first time, providing evidence for a carefully planned release.
A new study emphasizes the importance of letting bats live undisturbed to prevent zoonotic diseases. Bats are natural reservoirs for a range of viruses that can infect humans, including COVID-19. By preserving their habitats and reducing human-bat interactions, we can lower the risk of another pandemic.
Researchers discovered that air quality monitoring stations worldwide are collecting eDNA, providing a treasure trove of biodiversity data. This could solve the global problem of tracking biodiversity at massive scales, with thousands of locations and decades of historic data.
A recent study found significant differences in the gut microbiome of female southern white rhinos that reproduced successfully versus those that did not. The researchers identified a particular genus of microbes that may be limiting reproductive success in captive breeding programs.
A study by Princeton University finds that strengthening protection for existing parks is vital for safeguarding biodiversity. Enhancing existing park networks can protect essential habitats of 1191 animal species, highlighting the importance of preserving already protected areas.