World leaders must do more to prevent the destruction of nature, business leaders have warned before a summit in China that aims to draw up a draft UN agreement for biodiversity. In an open letter, the chief executives of Unilever, H&M and nine other companies have called on governments to take meaningful action on mass […]
Tag: invasive species
US to declare ivory-billed woodpecker and 22 more species extinct
The US Fish and Wildlife Service officially proposed taking 23 plants and animals off the endangered species list Wednesday, because they have not been spotted in the wild and are believed to be completely gone from an earth experiencing human population growth and a climate crisis. Only 11 species previously have been removed due to […]
From wild herbs to feral pigs: should Australia manage invasive species by eating them?
For three decades, Phil Mather has harvested olives from feral trees around South Australia. Mather, a landscape gardener, began hand-picking the fruit and pressing it into oil in his early 20s. It’s a seasonal pastime that has turned into a business in the past eight years. “This year I have produced over 1,500 litres, which […]
POLL: Should invasive animal species, which have cost UK economy more than £5bn over past 50 years, be culled?
Alien invaders in the shape of animals and plants have cost the UK more than £5billion over the past 50 years, researchers estimate. The grey squirrel, European rabbit and Japanese knotweed are among the newcomers placing a financial strain on the economy. And they warn that the cost ‑ one of the highest in Europe […]
POLL: Florida seeks solution to invasive reptile problem – Should Florida’s invasive reptiles be culled?
From Key West’s high-summer Hemingway Days, in which bearded hopefuls vie for the title of best Papa lookalike, to the annual hunt for the elusive (and imaginary) skunk ape, Florida is renowned for its calendar of curiosities. Now another bizarre date has been added to the list: tag your reptile day. Owners of tegus, a […]
Petition: 31 Species Declared Extinct in Latest IUCN Red List Update
The International for Conservation of Nature updated its red list this week and includes 31 newly extinct species. There was some good news in the released report as well, however. The European Bison is showing signs of recovering and is no longer listed as “Vulnerable.” The report highlights the success that conservation efforts have had […]
Can a 2,000ft fence save Hawaii’s rare native birds from destruction?
Before the first Polynesian settlers arrived roughly 1,500 years ago, the Hawaiian Islands were ruled from the sky. Not a single land-dwelling reptile or mammal called the archipelago home – just winged insects, one variety of bat, and a truly vast array of birds. While Hawaii is still flush with life today, many of those […]
Brumby population to be culled in Victoria after Federal Court dismisses heritage concerns
The culling of feral horses in Victoria’s Alpine National Park will go ahead after the Federal Court ruled that alpine brumbies should not be protected. The Australian Brumby Alliance Inc tried to stop Parks Victoria from actioning its plan to cull the feral horses, which it claimed would impact on the park’s heritage value. But […]