Thailand will begin giving birth control to a small number of wild female elephants this year, as the country struggles with the growing problem of human-elephant conflict. Asian elephants have been classified as endangered since 1986. But Thai authorities say that conservation efforts mean the country’s population is growing at a rate of 8% each […]
Avian flu likely killed dozens of geese found in Otisco Lake and Seneca River
On cold winter mornings, Paul Pacelli enjoys walking along the Seneca River in the village of Baldwinsville to watch bald eagles snatch fish from the open water near the dam. On Jan. 20, he noticed something unusual and disturbing: a handful of sick and dying Canada geese laying limp on the ice, unable to lift […]
How to tell if mangrove restoration is working? Listen to the birds
The soundscape in mangrove forests can be wonderfully complex. If you prime your ears, you might chance to hear mudskippers sloshing their bellies across silky mud, or fiddler crabs pattering between their burrows. If you’re lucky, a rustling overhead might indicate monkeys creeping along branches, intently curious, or it could be a Brahminy kite taking […]
Amazon Rainforest Birds Suffer Mysterious Declines in Pristine Habitats
Populations of Amazonian birds have been quietly plummeting for years, even in forests untouched by human activity. According to research highlighted by Tess McClure in The Guardian, scientists working at remote sites in Ecuador, Brazil, and Panama have found that bird numbers are falling generation by generation. These spots, such as the Tiputini Biodiversity Research […]
Man who used knife to slaughter deer his dog had savaged is fined – as he becomes first person in Scotland convicted under new hunt laws
A man has become the first person in Scotland to be convicted under new hunting laws after he slaughtered a deer that had been attacked by his dog. Nickolas Chenier admitted using his golden lurcher for hare coursing near a cemetery in Wick, Caithness. The dog chased and savaged the deer before horrified witnesses intervened […]
Vietnam faces scrutiny for not sharing enough data on rhino horn trade
Vietnam, a major hub for rhino horn trafficking, is in the spotlight at an international meeting this week for not adequately combating the illegal trade of the iconic animal. The annual meeting of the Standing Committee of CITES, the global wildlife trade convention, is being held in Geneva from Feb. 3-8. As a source country, […]
Wind Farms or Oil Drilling, Which is Truly Better for Wildlife?
Energy production’s toll on wildlife has sparked a heated debate, especially in light of US plans to scale back wind power and ramp up oil drilling. Originally reported by BBC Future Planet writer Sophie Hardach, scientists warn that while wind turbines do come with risks—like bird collisions and temporary noise during construction—fossil fuels pose far […]
With Fewer Than 10 of These Animals Left, Can the Species Be Saved?
Swimming off the coast of Mexico in the Gulf of California live the few remaining vaquitas on earth. This endangered cetacean is not only the smallest porpoise species, but the most rare. Where there were once thousands of vaquitas swimming in the sea, today there may only be about 10 individuals remaining. The vaquita wasn’t […]