From local pond to outback dunny, Australia’s biggest frog count is here – and researchers need your help
They moan, hum, whistle and click, and can be found almost everywhere, from the neighbourhood pond to the most remote outback dunny. From Friday to 17 November, people across the country are encouraged to take part in FrogID week, Australia‘s biggest frog count. The annual event, now in its seventh year, aims to collect thousands […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/from-local-pond-to-outback-dunny-australias-biggest-frog-count-is-here-and-researchers-need-your-help/
Georgia Man Arrested for Alleged Exotic Animal Trading Ring
A Georgia man known for his social media presence with exotic pets was arrested on October 17 after authorities uncovered an alleged illegal animal trading ring. JaeQuan Smith Devers, who went by “PetzonWheelz” on Instagram, was taken into custody following a raid on his home that revealed a collection of dangerous and tropical animals, including […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/georgia-man-arrested-for-alleged-exotic-animal-trading-ring/
High-flying life of Australia’s birds revealed in new detail – thanks to weather radars
The yearly travel plans of birds up and down Australia‘s east coast have been revealed for the first time, using the same tool that tracks the weather – a development experts say could have “profound” implications for conservation as more windfarms are built. Scientists have used weather radars to show that bird migration across eastern […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/high-flying-life-of-australias-birds-revealed-in-new-detail-thanks-to-weather-radars/
Polar Bears at Higher Risk of Contracting Some Pathogens
As the environment warms, polar bears are more likely to contract several pathogens than they were three decades ago. In a study published in PLOS ONE, researchers looked for antibodies for six pathogens in blood samples taken from polar bears in the Chukchi Sea from 1987-1994 and from 2008-2017. They found that five of the […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/polar-bears-at-higher-risk-of-contracting-some-pathogens/
Jaguars Bid for Survival in Brazil’s Wetlands
As fires rage across the Pantanal in central-western Brazil, the world’s largest tropical wetland, jaguars are showcasing a remarkable ability to adapt to the intensifying threats of their environment. While countless species suffer from the impacts of these fires, jaguars survive by using riverside refuges and sustaining themselves on prey like caimans and capybaras, which […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/jaguars-bid-for-survival-in-brazils-wetlands/
New brown bear ‘stronghold’ in Nepal redraws species’ range map
KATHMANDU — Researchers have discovered brown bears in a part of Nepal not previously known to host the species, prompting a call to protect this area as a bear “stronghold.” The finding, based on camera-trap images, also expands the known range of the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Asia. It could also mark out the […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/new-brown-bear-stronghold-in-nepal-redraws-species-range-map/
US man who killed eagles as part of wildlife trafficking ring faces sentencing
A Washington state man who pleaded guilty to killing at least 118 eagles as part of a wildlife trafficking ring that operated on a Native American reservation in Montana faces sentencing on Thursday before a federal judge. The trafficking ring sold eagle feathers and parts on a black market that exploits high demand among tribal […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/us-man-who-killed-eagles-as-part-of-wildlife-trafficking-ring-faces-sentencing/
Polar bears are back in Britain. But should they really be living here?
A small boy calls out the sights as the train speeds through the Suffolk countryside from London Liverpool Street. “Tractor. Church. Pigs. Polar bear! Dad! A polar bear!” The dad doesn’t glance up. “We don’t have polar bears in this country.” But the boy isn’t dreaming. There they are: four polar bears lumbering across a […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/polar-bears-are-back-in-britain-but-should-they-really-be-living-here/
8 of the Most Successful Elephant Conservation Projects
Elephants face severe threats from poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict. These gentle giants play a critical role in maintaining ecosystems, making their Conservation essential for biodiversity and environmental health. Fortunately, numerous Conservation initiatives worldwide have achieved remarkable success in protecting elephant populations. 1. The Elephant Crisis Fund (ECF) – Global Source: Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation/Youtube […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/8-of-the-most-successful-elephant-conservation-projects/
Near-extinct North Atlantic right whales get a small population boost
The population of the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale increased by five individuals, bringing the estimated total to 372 in 2023, according to an Oct. 22 report. The North Atlantic right whale (Eubalaena glacialis) population has declined since 2011. However, the slight rise in recent years may signal some stability for these ocean giants, […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/near-extinct-north-atlantic-right-whales-get-a-small-population-boost/
At Mexico’s school for jaguars, big cats learn skills to return to the wild
In the grasslands of Yagul, in the central valleys of southern Mexico’s Oaxaca state, a jaguar makes its way through the bushes. It stops suddenly, lowering its head and sharpening its gaze, stalking. With its eyes on its target, it stealthily pounces on it. Just a short run and a jump before the jaguar’s prey […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/at-mexicos-school-for-jaguars-big-cats-learn-skills-to-return-to-the-wild/
Rodents May Use Sound to Enhance Their Sense of Smell
Recent research suggests that rats and mice might be fine-tuning their already impressive sense of smell through sounds that humans can’t detect. Scientists believe that these rodents could be using ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) to influence their olfactory abilities in ways previously unknown. Eduardo Mercado III, one of the researchers behind the study published in Neuroscience […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/rodents-may-use-sound-to-enhance-their-sense-of-smell/
‘It’s a monster task’: can culling ferrets and rats save one of the UK’s largest seabird colonies?
The dramatic sea cliffs, crags and stacks of Rathlin Island, county Antrim, rise more than 200 metres above the Atlantic Ocean and host one of the UK’s largest seabird colonies, including hundreds of endangered puffins, attracting up to 20,000 birders and tourists a year. On a spectacularly sunny day in September, the cliff faces are […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/its-a-monster-task-can-culling-ferrets-and-rats-save-one-of-the-uks-largest-seabird-colonies/
Results of the Best Photo of the Month October 2024
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Jess Findlay wins First and Second Prizes with his outstanding images ‘Coyote ‘ and ‘Turtle Tears‘ respectively. Third Prize goes to Alan Murphy with ‘Acorn Woodpecker on Cholla‘. Please give kudos to the photographers by leaving comments at the bottom of this page. […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/results-of-the-best-photo-of-the-month-october-2024/
Cotswold wildlife park successfully breeds endangered Madagascan lemur
Cotswold wildlife park has successfully bred one of Madagascar’s most endangered lemurs. The as yet unnamed youngster was born to a breeding male, Raphael, and female, Bijou, at the wildlife park. Births of the greater bamboo lemur in captivity are extremely rare, and the park is the only zoological collection in the UK – and […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/cotswold-wildlife-park-successfully-breeds-endangered-madagascan-lemur/
More hen harriers killed in UK during 2023 than in any other year, RSPB says
More hen harriers were killed in 2023 than in any other year on record, a report has found. The RSPB’s Birdcrime report also found that at least 1,344 individual birds of prey were persecuted in the UK between 2009 and 2023, and that 75% of people convicted of offences related to the persecution of birds […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/more-hen-harriers-killed-in-uk-during-2023-than-in-any-other-year-rspb-says/
The wild boars of the Costa del Sol: do these sun-loving pigs really need to be culled?
Name: Sus scrofa. Appearance: Stocky, hairy and causing a nuisance on the Costa del Sol. Ah, this is about British tourists I suppose – I saw Málaga council has been telling them to put their clothes back on and stop singing late at night. Actually, it’s about boars. Boars – you mean the things Astérix […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/the-wild-boars-of-the-costa-del-sol-do-these-sun-loving-pigs-really-need-to-be-culled/
Polar bears are suffering paw injuries likely driven by the warming Arctic: Study
At least two populations of polar bears in the high Arctic are developing paw injuries, possibly because of shifting sea ice conditions in a warming environment, according to a new study. Such injuries have not been reported in these areas previously, the study’s authors write. What the study says Between 2012 and 2022, researchers studied […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/polar-bears-are-suffering-paw-injuries-likely-driven-by-the-warming-arctic-study/
Wisconsin Authorities Investigating Deer Poaching Ring Involving Teenagers and Adult Woman
Three teenage boys and a 36-year-old woman are suspected of shooting and killing more than 100 deer over a wide area in eastern Wisconsin. According to the Fond du Lac County sheriff’s office, the illegal activity took place from spring 2023 through July, spanning Fond du Lac, Dodge, and Washington counties. The suspects allegedly used […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/wisconsin-authorities-investigating-deer-poaching-ring-involving-teenagers-and-adult-woman/
Safe sex for seagulls? Why bird contraception plan in Worcester may not fly
Their brazen chip-snatching, swooping and aggressive squawking has earned seagulls a reputation as the scourge of seaside towns, terrorising unsuspecting tourists and enraging residents alike. And as the marauding birds have ventured inland and established urban colonies, towns have deployed spikes, netting and even birds of prey as deterrents. Now Worcester city councillors appear to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/safe-sex-for-seagulls-why-bird-contraception-plan-in-worcester-may-not-fly/
NGOs urge banks and China to refuse support for Ugandan oil projects
A group of 28 NGOs have written to 34 banks, insurance companies and the Chinese government, urging them to deny financing and other support for oil and gas projects in Uganda. The letters, written by U.S.-based Climate Rights International (CRI) and 27 Africa-based NGOs, follow a report detailing numerous human rights violations and environmental harms […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/ngos-urge-banks-and-china-to-refuse-support-for-ugandan-oil-projects/
Bear Hunting Season Opens in New Jersey Despite Controversy
New Jersey’s annual black bear hunting season has begun, sparking debate over the state’s wildlife management practices. Officials say the hunt is necessary to control the rising bear population, which has led to increased human-bear encounters. However, Conservation groups argue that hunting is not the solution to the issue. The first phase of the hunting […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/bear-hunting-season-opens-in-new-jersey-despite-controversy/
Are Canadian Geese Federally Protected?
As spring approaches and Canadian geese begin their annual migration, many people wonder about the legal status of these majestic birds. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a property owner, or simply curious about wildlife regulations, it’s important to understand the protections in place for Canadian geese. Are Canadian geese federally protected? Canadian geese are federally […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/are-canadian-geese-federally-protected/
Wild Cam: Jaguar Predation on Livestock Limited in NE Mexico
Adrián Caballero and his colleagues released tracking dogs late one February morning in the hilly jungle terrain of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and from there, the chase was on. “Machete en mano,” they sometimes ran along thin game trails, sometimes sliced their way through thick foliage, following the sound of the dogs’ barking as best […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/wild-cam-jaguar-predation-on-livestock-limited-in-ne-mexico/
Shooters to target feral cats in NSW national parks amid boom in population
A five-person team of expert shooters will soon target feral cats in New South Wales national parks as the state steps up efforts to control the pest animals. The intensive ground operation is being deployed in response to increased cat numbers, according to National Parks and Wildlife Service deputy secretary, Atticus Fleming. “Intensive, well-targeted ground […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/shooters-to-target-feral-cats-in-nsw-national-parks-amid-boom-in-population/
High-Rise Buildings in Chicago Threaten Birds
Each year, thousands of migratory birds face significant risks as they pass through urban areas like Chicago. The city’s tall buildings and illuminated structures, especially at night, create hazardous conditions for birds traveling along major migratory paths. These birds, often confused by artificial lighting, crash into windows and structures, leading to injury or death. Organizations […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/high-rise-buildings-in-chicago-threaten-birds/
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Month October 2024
Welcome to the “Best Photo of the Month” competition showcasing and celebrating the biodiversity of Planet Earth. Voting is easy and lots of fun. By popular request the number of images to be selected has been increased to six. First click an image and the slideshow will start automatically. Select the SIX images you like best […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/vote-for-the-best-photo-of-the-month-october-2024/
Drier Winter Habitat Impacts Songbirds’ Ability To Survive Migration
A new study from researchers at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) shows environmental conditions in migratory birds’ winter homes carry over to affect their ability to survive spring migration and the breeding season. While scientists have long known that the quality of winter, or non-breeding, habitat influences migratory birds’ migration timing […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/drier-winter-habitat-impacts-songbirds-ability-to-survive-migration/
Scientists map the genome of Australian ‘punk’ fish that prefers to walk instead of swim
They’re Australia’s own underwater punks in leopard print. Spotted handfish are an endangered species of fish that prefer to “walk” instead of swim, thanks to their unusual pectoral and pelvic fins; have a fluffy dorsal fin on their head that looks almost like a mohawk; and live in the waters off south-east Tasmania. Now CSIRO […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/scientists-map-the-genome-of-australian-punk-fish-that-prefers-to-walk-instead-of-swim/
Climate change and agrochemicals pose lethal combo for Amazonian fish
Among the labs of Brazil’s National Institute of Amazonian Research, or INPA, is what’s known as the “room of the future.” Here, an extreme climate change scenario is being simulated according to projections by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The temperature is around 5° Celsius (9° Fahrenheit) hotter than the average […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/climate-change-and-agrochemicals-pose-lethal-combo-for-amazonian-fish/
Poaching Investigation Leads to Charges for Pennsylvania Family
A Pennsylvania family is facing serious legal consequences after being charged with multiple wildlife violations. Carl and Carroll Nelson have both been charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, which carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of $10,000. Mark Nelson faces even more severe charges, including a third-degree felony, […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/poaching-investigation-leads-to-charges-for-pennsylvania-family/
The hunt for Europe’s great white shark – video
American research group Ocearch has more than 15 years’ experience in catching, tagging and tracking great white sharks all over the world. This contributes to filling in the many gaps in knowledge about the ocean predator. Ocearch came to Europe for the first time in the summer, hoping to study the elusive Mediterranean great white […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/the-hunt-for-europes-great-white-shark-video/
Romance, rivalry, & resilience: Jaguars clash and thrive in the Pantanal’s wild wetlands
Third-biggest cat on Earth, muscular and low-slung, boasting one heck of a chomp, the jaguar reigns supreme atop the wild Neotropical food web. And while catching a glimpse of this burly beast across much of its forested range is no easy feat, the Pantanal –the “Kingdom of Waters,” world’s biggest freshwater tropical wetland and a […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/romance-rivalry-resilience-jaguars-clash-and-thrive-in-the-pantanals-wild-wetlands/
Most countries miss biodiversity pledge deadline to protect 30% of Earth
Twelve of the world’s 17 most biodiverse nations, home to 70% of the planet’s species, are likely to miss the United Nations’ Oct. 20 deadline to submit plans for reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, a joint analysis by The Guardian and Carbon Brief found. At the U.N.’s 2022 conference on the Convention on Biological Diversity, […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/most-countries-miss-biodiversity-pledge-deadline-to-protect-30-of-earth/
‘Access to food is not the problem’: new orca study deepens mystery behind endangerment
Last month, the ailing southern resident killer whales of the Pacific gave researchers a rare moment of hope: a new calf was spotted swimming alongside her mother. Until that point, only one calf had appeared this year, only to die a few months later. But by mid-October, this new calf, named L128, also appeared to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/access-to-food-is-not-the-problem-new-orca-study-deepens-mystery-behind-endangerment/
Researchers Detect Microplastics in Dolphin Breath
For the first time, researchers have found microplastics in dolphin breath, raising concerns over the amount of microplastics the animals are drawing when they come up for air. The team collected samples of air released by five bottlenose dolphins in Sarasota Bay, Florida and six dolphins in Barataria Bay, Louisiana in May and June of […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/researchers-detect-microplastics-in-dolphin-breath/
Veterinarian’s Home Found Overrun with Over 200 Birds
A veterinarian’s home in Long Island became the site of one of the worst animal hoarding situations ever encountered, with over 200 birds and other creatures found living in squalor. The Nassau County SPCA was alerted to the home in Woodbury after a service worker discovered deceased cats in the yard on Wednesday, prompting officials […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/veterinarians-home-found-overrun-with-over-200-birds/
Sperm Whales Vanish from Gulf of California as Ecosystem Shifts
A new study highlights the concerning departure of sperm whales from Mexico’s Gulf of California, suggesting broader signs of ecosystem instability. The study, published in PeerJ Life and Environment, details how these apex predators have vanished from the region in response to dramatic drops in the jumbo squid population, their primary food source. Sperm whales […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/sperm-whales-vanish-from-gulf-of-california-as-ecosystem-shifts/
Petition: Demand Disney Retire Dolphins to a Sanctuary Instead of Another Amusement Park
While Disney announced plans to retire three beloved dolphins from an EPCOT attraction, the seemingly good news hides the dark reality. Rainier, Calvin, and Malabar are being sent to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, where they will continue to be forced to work in entertainment and shows. While Disney wanted us to think this was a […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/petition-demand-disney-retire-dolphins-to-a-sanctuary-instead-of-another-amusement-park/
Avian enthusiasts try to counter the deadly risk of Chicago high-rises for migrating birds
With a neon-green net in hand, Annette Prince briskly walks a downtown Chicago plaza at dawn, looking left and right as she goes. It’s not long before she spots a tiny yellow bird sitting on the concrete. It doesn’t fly away, and she quickly nets the bird, gently places it inside a paper bag and […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/avian-enthusiasts-try-to-counter-the-deadly-risk-of-chicago-high-rises-for-migrating-birds/
Beaver restoration program brings furry species back to habitats, tribal land across California
California has strengthened a new Beaver Restoration Program which is dedicated to supporting the species and their habitats. With the passing of Assembly Bill 2196, the program has partnered with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The initiative works with California tribal nations, private landowners and non-government organizations on implementing coexistence and beaver-assisted restoration […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/beaver-restoration-program-brings-furry-species-back-to-habitats-tribal-land-across-california/
Two Safari Parks Complete Rhino Swap to Unite Sisters for the First Time
Two UK safari parks have completed a rhino swap, trading a captive-born male ready to breed for a feisty female who’s off to where her sister lives. The male is believed to have the necessary genetics to sire many healthy rhinos, which zookeepers said should go a long way towards helping keep the species intact. […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/two-safari-parks-complete-rhino-swap-to-unite-sisters-for-the-first-time/
Drones Prove Useful for Marsh Deer Counts
Drones provide a cost-effective, minimally invasive way for researchers to study threatened marsh deer populations and their habitat. Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) are the largest cervid species in the Neotropics and occupy wetlands, savannas and grasslands in South America. In the Pantanal wetland in Brazil, these deer face a number of issues, including habitat reduction […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/drones-prove-useful-for-marsh-deer-counts/
A ‘scent fence’ that targets elephants’ sensitive nostrils could stop herds from trashing crops and trees
Elephant numbers are surging in southern Africa, with fewer natural predators, reduced hunting pressure and feeding by farmers and tourist operators. While this is good for elephants, it’s making life harder for humans who live near them. These huge herbivores can raid crops and destroy large trees in national parks with impunity, causing problems for […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/a-scent-fence-that-targets-elephants-sensitive-nostrils-could-stop-herds-from-trashing-crops-and-trees/
‘We Are Reaching Points of No Return’: WWF Report Finds Wildlife Has Declined 73% in Half a Century
According to the Living Planet 2024 report — compiled by WWF and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) — Earth’s wildlife populations have plummeted by 73 percent on average in half a century. The highest declines — 95 percent — were seen in the Caribbean and Latin America, the report said. A 76 percent decline […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/we-are-reaching-points-of-no-return-wwf-report-finds-wildlife-has-declined-73-in-half-a-century/
Raccoon Takeover Shocks Washington Woman and Authorities
A woman near Poulsbo, Washington, recently faced an unusual and overwhelming problem—her home was overrun by raccoons. She called authorities after being unable to enter her property due to nearly 100 raccoons gathering outside, all “demanding food.” Kevin McCarty, a spokesperson for the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, explained that the woman had been feeding the […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/raccoon-takeover-shocks-washington-woman-and-authorities/
Herd of tauros to be released into Highlands to recreate aurochs effect
A herd of beefy, long-horned tauros are to be released into a Highlands rewilding project to replicate the ecological role of the aurochs, an extinct, huge herbivore that is the wild ancestor of cattle. The tauros have been bred in the Netherlands in recent years to fill the niche vacated by the aurochs, which once […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/herd-of-tauros-to-be-released-into-highlands-to-recreate-aurochs-effect/
Legal Battle Over Molly the Magpie Sparks Debate on Wildlife Protection
The ongoing saga of Molly the Magpie has taken a significant turn as a prominent legal team prepares to challenge the bird’s return to a Gold Coast couple in Australia’s Supreme Court. The case raises concerns about the country’s approach to wildlife protection, with parallels drawn to the United States, where wild animals like big […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/legal-battle-over-molly-the-magpie-sparks-debate-on-wildlife-protection/
Bears have learned to open doors in California town
Owning a home in Southern California isn’t just a dream for humans. Apparently, the bears want in on the market too. Just ask residents and city officials in Sierra Madre, who in the last few years have seen their furry, four-legged neighbors amble out of the forest and barge into their cars, kitchens and living […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/bears-have-learned-to-open-doors-in-california-town/
New York City to Tackle Rat Population with Birth Control
New York City is taking a new approach to control its rat population. On Thursday, the City Council voted to implement a pilot program that will use birth control to reduce the number of rats in a specific area of the city. This initiative will begin 180 days after the bill’s passage and is set […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/new-york-city-to-tackle-rat-population-with-birth-control/
Pine martens return to Dartmoor after 150-year absence
Fifteen pine martens are darting through the woods of Dartmoor for the first time in 150 years after the rare but recovering species was reintroduced into south-west England. The nimble, tree-climbing mustelids were released last month at secret locations in the steep, tree-lined valleys of Devon in what conservationists are hailing as a historic step […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/pine-martens-return-to-dartmoor-after-150-year-absence/
Alpine dingoes at risk of extinction after Victorian government extends right to cull
Traditional owners and dingo advocates say a Victorian government decision extending the right to kill dingoes on private and public land until 2028 could threaten local populations with extinction. A government order, which took effect on Tuesday, declared dingoes were “unprotected wildlife” under the state’s Wildlife Act. The ruling means dingoes can be killed by […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/alpine-dingoes-at-risk-of-extinction-after-victorian-government-extends-right-to-cull/
Study tracks traveling population wave in Canada lynx
A new study by researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks’s Institute of Arctic Biology provides compelling evidence that Canada lynx populations in Interior Alaska experience a “traveling population wave” affecting their reproduction, movement and survival. The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. This discovery could help wildlife […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/study-tracks-traveling-population-wave-in-canada-lynx/
New Species of Hammerhead Shark Discovered
Named for the unusual and distinctive form of their heads, hammerhead sharks belong to the family Sphyrnidae. They are found worldwide, preferring life in warmer waters along coastlines and continental shelves. “Hammerhead sharks are a monophyletic lineage of carcharhiniform sharks first appearing in the Miocene epoch,” said Florida International University researcher Cindy Gonzalez and her […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/new-species-of-hammerhead-shark-discovered/
Rare smelly penguin wins New Zealand bird of the year contest
One of the world’s rarest penguins has been crowned New Zealand’s bird of the year, in an unusually sedate year for the competition, free from the foreign interference and voting scandals of previous events. The endangered yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho, is the largest of New Zealand’s mainland penguin species and is distinctive for the pale […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/rare-smelly-penguin-wins-new-zealand-bird-of-the-year-contest/
Are white patches on whale shark skin cause for concern?
Marine scientists have been taking samples from whale shark skin to try and determine the effect of pollutants on whale health. Researchers from The University of Western Australia and Flinders University examined the condition and health of whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Lead researcher Dr. Mark Meekan, from UWA’s Ocean Institute, said […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/are-white-patches-on-whale-shark-skin-cause-for-concern/
Hooded vultures in Ghana and South Africa on the brink, study says
High rates of inbreeding among hooded vultures in Ghana and South Africa spell trouble for their future, according to a newly published study. The study found that despite wide differences in the population size of the birds in the two countries, both face similar risks associated with low genetic diversity. It underlined the need to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/hooded-vultures-in-ghana-and-south-africa-on-the-brink-study-says/
Photos of Grumpy Owls Will Make You Smile
Wildlife photography can inspire people or make them think, and it can also make them feel something. In some cases, it can make people feel sad. In others, it can make them smile—or even make them laugh. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently shared a post on Instagram compiling several photos of grumpy owls by different […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/photos-of-grumpy-owls-will-make-you-smile/
Orca baby born to Washington’s L pod
An orca has been born to the southern residents: L128, calf of a first-time, 31-year-old mom, L90. The baby is tiny, with clear fetal folds, making it probably about three days old. It was seen for the first time on Sunday, said Michael Weiss, research director for the Center for Whale Research, which confirmed the […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/orca-baby-born-to-washingtons-l-pod/
Technicians counting salmon expect to see grizzlies
In the middle of the fast-flowing Chilkoot River, an Alaska state employee sits on a small perch over a narrow, fence-like structure and stares down into the rush of water. Eagles look on from the trees overhead as the river thunders around boulders nearby. The worker’s back is turned to a female grizzly bear creeping […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/technicians-counting-salmon-expect-to-see-grizzlies/
The Wolves Within Voyageurs National Park
Unlike those at Yellowstone or Isle Royale, the wolves of Voyageurs National Park have always been there. There was no need for a recovery operation for the predators like those at Yellowstone or Isle Royale, where humans in the first case and a warming climate in the second left those two parks in need of […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/the-wolves-within-voyageurs-national-park/
The power of one: Study finds solitary carnivores outkill group hunters
Earth’s majestic “apex predators” are some of the most prolific hunters in the world. But which ones kill the most? Our new research, published in Biological Reviews, showed solitary hunters such as bears, tigers and Eurasian lynx have higher individual kill rates than social predators such as wolves and lions. And smaller species, such as […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/the-power-of-one-study-finds-solitary-carnivores-outkill-group-hunters/
Push to Replace Bearskin Caps Worn by King’s Guards
An ongoing campaign by an animal rights group is targeting the use of real bear fur in the iconic bearskin caps worn by the King’s Guards at Buckingham Palace. On Thursday, the group highlighted the rising costs of these ceremonial hats, with prices soaring by 30% in just one year. The Ministry of Defense revealed […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/push-to-replace-bearskin-caps-worn-by-kings-guards/
‘All it takes is a predator to learn that children are easier prey’: Why India’s ‘wolf’ attacks may not be what they seem
Indian authorities are trying to capture the last member of a wolf pack they believe is responsible for killing children in northern India. But there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the attacks — and some experts are waiting for definitive evidence that the wolves are to blame. Nine children and one adult have reportedly […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/all-it-takes-is-a-predator-to-learn-that-children-are-easier-prey-why-indias-wolf-attacks-may-not-be-what-they-seem/
Report exposes meatpackers’ role in recent chemical deforestation in Brazil
A recent investigation has uncovered new significant links between Brazil’s top meatpackers — JBS, Marfrig and Minerva — and widespread environmental destruction in the Pantanal wetlands, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Cerrado savanna. The investigation, part of Mighty Earth’s Rapid Response deforestation monitoring program in partnership with Brazilian news outlet Repórter Brasil and sustainability NGO […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/report-exposes-meatpackers-role-in-recent-chemical-deforestation-in-brazil/
Fishing in a fog: Ship noise hampers orcas’ hunting success
Underwater noise from ships is making it tough for killer whales, or orcas, to find and catch their favorite fish, a recent study has found. Orcas (Orcinus orca) rely heavily on sound to hunt. They emit ultrasonic echolocation clicks that bounce off objects. By listening for the echoes of these clicks, the orcas can identify […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/fishing-in-a-fog-ship-noise-hampers-orcas-hunting-success/
Marmosets Can Call Each Other Names!
Recent research has unveiled a fascinating aspect of marmoset behavior: these small primates appear to use specific vocalizations to address each other, similar to how humans use names. This discovery could shed light on the evolution of language. In a study published in Science, researchers observed that marmosets use distinctive calls known as “phee-calls” to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/marmosets-can-call-each-other-names/
Poached condor defied death elsewhere, only to be shot and killed on Colorado visit
Condor #1061 had already beaten the stiff odds. Long one of the world’s most endangered species, there are fewer than 400 California condors in the wild of North America. And when avian flu hit the U.S. in 2023, only about 116 of the giant vultures were alive in their southwestern release territory. Avian flu killed […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/poached-condor-defied-death-elsewhere-only-to-be-shot-and-killed-on-colorado-visit/
We know how many okapi live in zoos. In the wild? It’s complicated
Revered by the Indigenous Mbuti and Efe tribes as a spiritual symbol and uplifted by the Democratic Republic of Congo as a national one, the okapi is deserving of a nickname as mystical as “forest unicorn.” The dark-colored ungulates are docile, elusive, and characterized by the zebra-like stripes on their legs and rump, though they’re […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/we-know-how-many-okapi-live-in-zoos-in-the-wild-its-complicated/
Marmot hitch-hiker rumbled after great escape from Yosemite national park
A marmot who hitched a ride out of Yosemite National Park in the engine of a car, has been rumbled and returned to his natural habitat with the help of local firefighters. Usually found at altitudes of more than 6,500ft, this yellow-bellied marmot was discovered in Pollock Pines, California – hiding some 135 miles from […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/marmot-hitch-hiker-rumbled-after-great-escape-from-yosemite-national-park/
Just 0.7% of land hosts one-third of unique, endangered species, study
Just 0.7% of the world’s land surface is home to one-third of the world’s most threatened and unique four-legged animals, a recent study has found. In the vast evolutionary tree of life, some animals, like rats, have many closely related species that are at no immediate risk of extinction. But others, like the red panda […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/just-0-7-of-land-hosts-one-third-of-unique-endangered-species-study/
4 Best Lake Trails in Picos de Europa National Park
Are you dreaming of a peaceful retreat in Spain? This country is a paradise for hikers – every corner deserves to be explored. However, the Picos de Europa National Park, located in the northern region of Spain, remains a special place that is visited by millions of nature enthusiasts every year. This area is known […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/4-best-lake-trails-in-picos-de-europa-national-park/
‘Australia’s next rabbit plague’: calls for feral deer in Victoria to be considered a pest instead of wildlife
Land holders and managers along with landcare and environment groups want Victoria to remove protections for feral deer, as booming populations wreak havoc on agriculture and the local environment. Jordan Crook, from the Victorian National Parks Association, said recognising deer as pests – alongside foxes, rabbits and pigs – would bring Victoria in line with […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/australias-next-rabbit-plague-calls-for-feral-deer-in-victoria-to-be-considered-a-pest-instead-of-wildlife/
Can captive tigers be part of the effort to save wild populations?
Captive tigers in the United States outnumber those living in the wild. The World Wildlife Federation estimates around 5,000 of the big cats reside in the U.S., mostly owned by private citizens. The health of this population is a genetic mystery for conservation groups and researchers interested in how the captive tigers could help stabilize […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/can-captive-tigers-be-part-of-the-effort-to-save-wild-populations/
Greylag geese with similar personalities have higher hatching success, study suggests
Birds of a feather flock together but strong pairing in geese has been shown to produce better breeding results, according to a new study. Focusing on a group of captive greylag geese, bird behavior experts from the University of Vienna and Flinders University have looked into the parental benefits of ‘made in heaven’ matches between […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/greylag-geese-with-similar-personalities-have-higher-hatching-success-study-suggests/
Elephants Take Over NYC’s Meatpacking District
This fall, New York City’s Meatpacking District will come alive with a spectacular display of art and Conservation. From September 6 through October 20, 2024, 100 life-sized Indian elephant sculptures will be showcased as part of The Great Elephant Migration, a unique initiative created in partnership with the Meatpacking District Management Association and Elephant Family […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/elephants-take-over-nycs-meatpacking-district/
Logging has a ‘lasting legacy’ on Gabonese forest soundscapes
Noncertified logging concessions in Gabon have much quieter soundscapes, a proxy for vocalizing wildlife, than either national parks or sustainably logged concessions, according to a recent study. However, forests that have never been logged are home to the highest diversity of vocalizing wildlife, researchers found. “Therefore, conserving these increasingly rare never logged forests, in combination […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/logging-has-a-lasting-legacy-on-gabonese-forest-soundscapes/
Old Growth Logging Challenged in Bitterroot National Forest
The Gold Butterfly logging and burning project, east of Corvallis, Montana, is in wolverine and grizzly bear habitat and bull trout critical habitat in the Sapphire Mountains on the Bitterroot National Forest. The Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Native Ecosystems Council filed a lawsuit on September 9th against the Bitterroot National Forest seeking to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/old-growth-logging-challenged-in-bitterroot-national-forest/
6 Fascinating Facts About the Misunderstood Magpie
Magpies are often maligned as pests, but they’re actually quite interesting birds that are usually overlooked for both their beauty and their intelligence. Here are six interesting facts about magpies. 1. Magpies Don’t Like Shiny Things — They’re Scared of Them Magpies have a reputation as thieves out to steal your shiny jewelry or take […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/6-fascinating-facts-about-the-misunderstood-magpie/
Why are sharks coming to Boston Harbor? Researchers believe it’s a nursery ground
Once unthinkable when the harbor was nasty and polluted, today’s cleaner waters have actually become a desirable shark habitat as young sharks migrate here yearly. Shark researchers at the New England Aquarium report that they’ve been coming across the rebounding sand tiger shark population in Boston Harbor. The scientists are tagging, tracking and counting the […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/why-are-sharks-coming-to-boston-harbor-researchers-believe-its-a-nursery-ground/
Marsupial of the year heats up as koala and glider take on animal that mates itself to death
Tense competition is brewing between the greater glider and the koala in Australia’s marsupial of the year vote but there are hopes a silky tailed species that “mates themselves to death” could win over voters and maybe even save it from heading towards extinction. Network Ten’s The Project launched the competition in collaboration with organisations […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/marsupial-of-the-year-heats-up-as-koala-and-glider-take-on-animal-that-mates-itself-to-death/
The Itombwe owl: Two birds and an identity crisis
Everything we know for certain about the Itombwe owl comes from just two individuals: one dead for more than 70 years, and the other also most likely dead by now. The second, a small, chestnut-colored owl, was netted by Tom Butynski’s team in 1996; a wild owl can expect to live 10 years. Butynski tells […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/the-itombwe-owl-two-birds-and-an-identity-crisis/
Mountain lion snatches 5-year-old boy during Labor Day picnic as horrified parents watch on
A family’s Labor Day celebration turned tragic on Sunday Aug. 31 their 5-year-old son was attacked by a mountain lion in Malibu park outside of Los Angeles. The attack happened at around 4:21 p.m. on Sunday in the Malibu Creek State Park about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. The mountain lion attempted to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/mountain-lion-snatches-5-year-old-boy-during-labor-day-picnic-as-horrified-parents-watch-on/
Kakapo Parrot is True Ancient Species of New Zealand, Paleontologists Say
“Our research had prompted a rethink of our native fauna,” said Canterbury Museum’s Dr. Paul Scofield. “Many of the species that we thought of as iconic New Zealand natives — a classic example would be the takahē — we now know are relatively recent blow-ins from Australia, arriving only a few million years ago.” In […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/kakapo-parrot-is-true-ancient-species-of-new-zealand-paleontologists-say/
Extremely rare California condor killed in southwest Colorado. Wildlife officials offer reward
Someone shot and killed an extremely rare California condor near McPhee Reservoir in southwestern Colorado this spring, and wildlife officials are now asking for the public’s help in tracking down a poacher who eliminated one of the big birds that have been coaxed for decades into rewilding. After avian flu in 2023 hit the complex […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/extremely-rare-california-condor-killed-in-southwest-colorado-wildlife-officials-offer-reward/
Rare twin elephants take first steps in Myanmar
Baby elephant twins born last week on a timber camp in Myanmar are thriving after a wobbly first few days in the world, officials told AFP on Thursday. Pearl Sint was born a few minutes before her brother Kyaw Pearl last week at the 60-acre Wingabaw elephant camp in the Bago region operated by state-run […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/rare-twin-elephants-take-first-steps-in-myanmar/
“We’re surrounded!” A traffic jam like no other – bikers road-blocked by Yellowstone bison
Bison-created traffic jams are nothing new in Yellowstone, but this great little vid adds an extra dimension of entertainment. Because in this case it’s a gang of bikers who’re being held up by herd of the slow moving beasts, and made even better by a slightly nervous-sounding commentary: “We’re now in the middle of this […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/were-surrounded-a-traffic-jam-like-no-other-bikers-road-blocked-by-yellowstone-bison/
Guardians of the reef: How parrotfish promote coral health
Neighbors can be annoying. They may be loud or intrude on your space. But is it worth fighting with them? Parrotfish choose not to. In a new study published Aug. 28 in the journal Ecology, a CU Boulder researcher and his collaborator revealed that the spotlight parrotfish, a brightly colored species found in the shallow […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/guardians-of-the-reef-how-parrotfish-promote-coral-health/
These ‘Lost’ Bird Species Haven’t Been Seen in at Least a Decade – and Scientists Want Help Finding Them
Nearly 12,000 species of birds exist in the wild, and every day, humans document their sightings of the animals. But a handful of avian species haven’t been spotted in years—or, in some cases, in more than a century. Now, scientists have compiled an up-to-date list of “lost” birds—and they’re asking members of the public to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/these-lost-bird-species-havent-been-seen-in-at-least-a-decade-and-scientists-want-help-finding-them/
Tiny Fossil Illuminates Penguin’s Surprisingly Useful Wings and How They Evolved
Sometimes, certain aspects of an animal’s biology can seem completely redundant, such as the tiny arms of a T. rex, or wings on a flightless bird. But thanks to a recent study of fossilized penguin wings, researchers were able to pinpoint when these birds had turned their seemingly pointless wings into powerful diving aides. A […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/tiny-fossil-illuminates-penguins-surprisingly-useful-wings-and-how-they-evolved/
Scientists find unexpected biodiversity in an African river, thanks to eDNA
When Manuel Lopes-Lima set out to survey aquatic biodiversity on the Corubal River in 2022, he’d set his expectations very low. The river that straddles the West African nations of Guinea and Guinea-Bissau was, after all, very remote and grossly understudied. Two expeditions later, the story has turned on its heels. With the help of […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/scientists-find-unexpected-biodiversity-in-an-african-river-thanks-to-edna/
Badger culling to end in England by 2029, government says
Badger culling will end in England by 2029, the government has said. Some culls under existing licences will continue until 2026, according to sources at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), but it is highly unlikely any new ones will be granted. The National Farmers’ Union has been lobbying government to keep […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/badger-culling-to-end-in-england-by-2029-government-says/
Humpback Whale Freed After Rescue at Sydney Harbour in Australia
A young humpback whale has been successfully freed after becoming entangled in ropes at Sydney Harbour in Australia. The rescue operation, confirmed by Jessica Fox, the second vice president of the volunteer organization Orrca, took place over two days. The whale, estimated to be between 10 to 15 meters long, was first spotted by a […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/humpback-whale-freed-after-rescue-at-sydney-harbour-in-australia/
Wolf pack that attacked Colorado livestock to be relocated as reintroduction program stumbles
Wildlife agencies are trying to capture and relocate the first pack of wolves that formed under Colorado’s ambitious wolf reintroduction program after the animals repeatedly attacked livestock, marking an early stumble in the voter-driven initiative. The move comes only a week after state officials touted three pups born to the Copper Creek pack, which formed […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/wolf-pack-that-attacked-colorado-livestock-to-be-relocated-as-reintroduction-program-stumbles/
CITES suspends Bangladesh as illegal wild bird trade continues
Bangladesh, a signatory nation of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), has failed to control illegal bird trade and has recently been suspended from the convention. Data shows that Bangladesh has been importing several species of endangered birds from the international market to sell locally as pets. […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/cites-suspends-bangladesh-as-illegal-wild-bird-trade-continues/
Monterey, California Beach Closed to Protect Hundreds of Sea Lions
Local officials have closed the area around Monterey, California’s San Carlos Beach to people following the takeover of hundreds of sea lions. Caution tape was placed along the beach, but crowds continued to gather and take photos of the sea lions resting and frolicking, reported Reuters. The social and playful marine mammals frequently gather on […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/monterey-california-beach-closed-to-protect-hundreds-of-sea-lions/
Nepal’s first community-based red panda conservation area sparks hope
KATHMANDU — A hilly town close to Nepal’s eastern border with India has declared an area under its jurisdiction as the country’s first community-based red panda (Ailurus fulgens) conservation area, fueling hope for the endangered species’ long-term survival. The Puwamajhuwa area, spread over 116.21 hectares (287.16 acres) of lush-green temperate broad-leaved trees, incorporates two community-managed […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/nepals-first-community-based-red-panda-conservation-area-sparks-hope/
Petition: Help Kenya Protect Rhinos from Poachers
In the face of escalating rhino poaching in South Africa, new conservation strategies have thankfully shown promise in reducing poaching incidents. This year alone, South Africa saw a decrease in poaching thanks to proactive measures like these. It’s time for Kenya to adopt similar strategies to protect its own vulnerable rhino populations. Sign this petition […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/petition-help-kenya-protect-rhinos-from-poachers/
Does anything eat porcupines? Surely its spiky quills protects it from predators?
Can any animals eat porcupines? Surely not as porcupine quills present an impenetrable thicket to most predators. But these backward-pointing defences are only effective if the rodent can keep its assailant to its rear. What animals can eat porcupines? In North America, pumas and fishers (marten-like mammals) are skilled porcupine predators, outmanoeuvring their quarry to […]
https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/does-anything-eat-porcupines-surely-its-spiky-quills-protects-it-from-predators/
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