Relocation of Endangered Species Might Accidentally Spread Pathogens

Medicine & Technology Apr 14, 2021

Relocating endangered species is one way of species conservation. But experts believe that conservationists might unknowingly be spreading pathogens between threatened animal populations.

Low Genetic Diversity Is 'Cry for Help' to Conserve California Cougars

Sep 12, 2020

Biologists from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area discovered cougars with physical distortions due to low genetic diversity in the region. Conservationalists and organizations have started a campaign to protect the wildlife species.

[Graphic Video] Elephant Searching for Food Dies After Electrocuted by a Fence of a Mango Farm in Thailand

Jun 08, 2020

Freely roaming around on the search for food on a mango farm, an elephant in Thailand dies from electrocution. Landowners, however, remain uncertain if the elephant died on their fence as there are other elephants in the area that have not been electrocuted.

Thousands of Endangered Antelope Deaths Have Scientists Investigating a Serious Concern

May 30, 2015

In central Kazakhstan entire herds of saiga antelope lay dead-more than 120,000, or nearly half of the species worldwide. These animals died off within two or three weeks, a shocking pace. This is an unprecedented mass mortality events for saiga antelopes relative to the total population size, and the last case in 2010 saw only 12,000 dead saiga.

Hunter Pays $350,000 for the Opportunity to Kill Endangered Black Rhino, And He's A Conservationist

May 21, 2015

Armed with a high-powered 500 Nitro Express rifle and a CNN camera crew, Texan Corey Knowlton ended his three-day trek through the dusty plains of Namibia by doing what he had travelled over 8,000 miles to do: shoot and kill a black rhino.

The Energy for a New Crawl—Galápagos Tortoises Feast on Invasive Plants for a New Foraging Technique

Apr 07, 2015

When it comes to invasive flora, most conservation ecologists know that the ramifications that come with these primary producers often appear much higher in the food chain. Some animals are unequipped to utilize the plants for food, while others simply find the energy spent foraging for it is far too much for the energy gained. And it’s a dynamic that often leads some species to coevolve. But looking into one of the first Darwinian subjects, Galápagos Giant Tortoises, some researchers have found that the unique species may be getting far more out of the invasive flora than they once thought—enough to even change their foraging behavior altogether.

Project Aimed at Restoring the Everglades Far Behind Schedule

Mar 16, 2015

The Everglades have taken a beating over the years. So much so that 15 years ago the state of Florida in partnership with federal officials from Washington issued a statement declaring their partnership in the goal of re-establishing the Everglades by 2030.

Giant Sea Animals Are Not So Giant After All

Jan 15, 2015

The oceans largest creatures aren't quite as large as we often image, according to a new study. According to a report published in the journal Peer J, humans are not very good at visualizing the size of creatures like the giant squid or whales, and media reports usually exaggerate their size too. The team of researchers from the U.S. and Canada compared popular reports and scientific reports for 25 different species of marine creatures, including whales, sharks, squids and other giant ocean dwellers, and found that most of the animals were actually smaller than what was reported.

Endangered Subspecies of Giraffe Born in Chester Zoo, Raising Hope For The Future of The Species

Dec 31, 2014

The tallest terrestrial animal on the planet, giraffes, occupy the scorching plains of Sub-Saharan Africa. And, despite popular knowledge, "giraffe" is what scientists like to call an umbrella common name, consisting of, at least 9 different subspecies. And while some subspecies are more abundant than the rest, one particular subspecies that is quite endangered has new hope on the horizon. On December 29th, a Rothschild's giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti) calf, named Zahra, was born at the Chester Zoo in England, added some new genetic variation into the small population left in captivity of Rothschild's giraffes.

Yellowstone's Thermal Springs - Pollution and Their Unique Coloration

Dec 22, 2014

Yellowstone's thermal springs are one of the park's largest attractions. But they weren't always the rainbow of colors you see now.