News Feature Channel: Wildlife

WCS Welcomes the Scientific Opinion 'One Health Governance in the European Union' by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors

Wildlife Conservation Society — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 11:30:38 EST

WCS welcomes this scientific opinion by the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA), which provides recommendations to support the successful implementation of European Union (EU) policies deriving from a One Health approach.

New Research Could Pave Way for Vaccine Against Deadly Wildlife Disease

Michigan State University — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 15:35:18 EST

Sean Crosson, a Professor Rudolph Hugh Endowed Chair in Michigan State University's Department of Microbiology, Genetics and Immunology, has been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study the cause of that very disease, Brucella abortus.

Curious by Nature: Dr. Michelle LaRue - Watching Penguins from Outer Space

News — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 07:35:12 EST

Dr. Michelle LaRue, an associate professor at the University of Canterbury, is revolutionizing wildlife ecology by using high-resolution satellite imagery to study emperor penguins from space.

Rio Tinto invests $16m in Makira Natural Park REDD+ Project in Madagascar

Wildlife Conservation Society — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 07:15:26 EST

Rio Tinto has committed $16 million to the Makira Natural Park REDD+[1] Project in northern Madagascar, through a new partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Everland. This commitment complements Rio Tinto's investment in nature-based solutions in the south-east of the country.

MSU Expert: Diseases Threaten Deer Populations

Michigan State University — Thu, 14 Nov 2024 09:50:32 EST

With the firearm deer hunting season kicking off this week, many Michigan hunters have their minds set on bringing home a winning whitetail deer. But for Sonja Christensen, an assistant professor in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife in Michigan State University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the focus -- now and all year long -- is on protecting deer from disease.

Binghamton University Expands Efforts to Protect Birds From Deadly Collisions

Binghamton University, State University of New York — Wed, 13 Nov 2024 11:35:56 EST

Glass windows are an invisible killer, resulting in billions of bird deaths in the U.S. each year. To prevent collisions on campus. Binghamton University, State University of New York has installed bird-safe windows.

African Elephants Face Severe Decline Over Past Half-Century

Wildlife Conservation Society — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:00:24 EST

A groundbreaking study released today reveals the alarming state of African elephant populations over the last 50 years. Both forest and savanna elephant species have experienced widespread declines due to overexploitation and habitat loss, mirroring the global trend affecting large-bodied animals.

Idina Menzel to Celebrate the Debut of the Bronx Zoo at the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(r) with a Special Performance From Her New Broadway Musical "Redwood"

Wildlife Conservation Society — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 08:40:41 EST

Today, the Bronx Zoo announced that Idina Menzel, Tony Award-winner, actress, philanthropist and multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter, will perform in the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(r) on the zoo's new "Wondrous World of Wildlife" float.

A New Wrinkle in Turtles: Their Genomes Fold in a Unique Way, Iowa State Researchers Find

Iowa State University — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 16:10:16 EST

A new study led by an Iowa State University evolutionary biologist described for the first time the three-dimensional architecture of turtle genomes, which fold in a configuration unlike any other animal observed so far.

Elephant Seal Colony Declines One Year After Avian Flu Outbreak

Wildlife Conservation Society — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 09:15:58 EST

The sounds of barking elephant seals are again in the air along the breeding grounds of Peninsula Valdes, Argentina--but it's quieter. Almost exactly a year after a massive outbreak of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza killed more than 17,000 elephant seals, including about 97% of their pups, scientists estimate that only about a third of the elephant seals normally expected here returned.

Tourist Photos Can Help Gauge Ecological Changes in Antarctica

Stony Brook University — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 10:10:44 EST

A Stony Brook University-led research team has created a computerized method in which photos of penguins in Antarctica taken by tourists can be analyzed by the technique to decipher the location of the photo, thereby indicating the location of penguins over time and providing a clue as to what is causing changes in their abundance and distribution.

Research Finds Coyotes Thriving Despite Human and Predator Pressures

University of New Hampshire — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 15:05:14 EST

DURHAM, N.H.--(November 6, 2024)--Research led by the University of New Hampshire sheds light on how coyotes, North America's most successful predators, are responding to various environmental pressures, including human development, hunting and competition with larger carnivores. Surprisingly, the study's findings suggest that human hunting practices may actually contribute to increasing the number of coyotes.

UN Biodiversity Conference Suspended, Adopting Some Wins, But With Much More To Be Done

Wildlife Conservation Society — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 06:50:21 EST

More than 190 Countries at CBD COP16 adopted a Global Action Plan for Biodiversity and Health; took steps to align climate and biodiversity agendas; and ensured ecological integrity is included in their plans to protect nature.

Fossil of Huge Terror Bird Offers New Information About Wildlife in South America 12 Million Years Ago

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 01:00:00 EST

Researchers including a Johns Hopkins University evolutionary biologist report they have analyzed a fossil of an extinct giant meat-eating bird -- which they say could be the largest known member of its kind -- providing new information about animal life in northern South America millions of years ago.

WCS Brazil and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Launch Protocol of Intent for Biodiversity Conservation at COP16

Wildlife Conservation Society — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:35:53 EST

On October 31, the penultimate day of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), WCS Brazil and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MMA) officially launched a Protocol of Intent to strengthen biodiversity conservation in Brazil. The document was signed by the National Secretary of Biodiversity, Forests, and Animal Rights, Rita Mesquita, and the Executive Director of WCS Brazil, Marcos Amend. This significant protocol reflects the parties' commitment to join forces in implementing effective conservation measures, establishing innovative environmental financing mechanisms, strengthening protected area management, and combating wildlife trafficking. COP16 is taking place from October 21 to November 1 in Cali, Colombia.

WHOI and Brazil-Based NGO Partner to Save West Indian Manatee

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:05:38 EST

A new study shines light on the role of currents in marine mammal conservation

Grassroots Movement Protects 200 km² of Puerto Rico's Ocean Ecosystems

Wildlife Conservation Society — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 08:40:48 EST

After 16 years of grassroots efforts, local communities in northern Puerto Rico are celebrating the creation of a new marine protected area (MPA) - Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manati.

Weddell Seals in the Antarctic Strategically Time Their Most Extreme Dives to Maximize Foraging

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 07:10:37 EST

New research from WHOI and partners sheds light on a novel dive foraging strategy.

Governments at UN Biodiversity Meeting Are Poised to Take Important Step to Prevent the Next Deadly Pandemic

Wildlife Conservation Society — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:30:57 EST

Governments at the United Nations biodiversity meeting are poised to take an important step to integrate health and conservation and lessen the chances of future deadly pandemics of zoonotic origin, with the adoption of the Global Action Plan for Biodiversity and Health at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16).

H5N1 Virus Isolated From Infected Dairy Worker Is 100% Lethal in Ferrets, but Does Not Appear to Be Circulating in Nature Anymore

University of Wisconsin-Madison — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 11:35:01 EST

A strain of H5N1 avian influenza virus found in a Texas dairy worker who was infected this spring was able to spread among ferrets through the air, although inefficiently, and killed 100% of infected animals in studies University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers performed with the strain earlier this year.