All articles tagged with #endangeredspecies
Originally Published 5 days ago — by Yahoo
A video of a Scottish Wildcat playing tug-of-war with a human showcases its intense focus and adorable appearance, highlighting the wildcat's ferocity and charm despite its wild nature and endangered status.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Phys.org
Six endangered Mekong giant catfish were discovered and released back into the river in Cambodia, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts in the Mekong River Basin. The discovery underscores the challenges posed by illegal fishing, habitat loss, and pollution, as well as the impact of upstream dams and climate change on the river's ecosystem. Conservationists view this as a hopeful sign for the species' survival, despite a significant population decline over the past 13 years.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian
The discovery and release of six critically endangered Mekong giant catfish in Cambodia have sparked hope for the species' survival. These rare fish, which can grow up to 3 meters long and weigh 300kg, have seen their population decline by 80% due to overfishing and habitat disruption. The recent catches, part of a conservation effort by the Wonders of the Mekong project, highlight the importance of local community involvement in conservation and suggest that the species may not be at immediate risk of extinction.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to list monarch butterflies as a threatened species by the end of next year, following a public comment period. This decision comes after years of declining populations due to climate change, agricultural expansion, and herbicide use affecting milkweed, the butterflies' primary food source. The listing will provide protections under the Endangered Species Act, although some exceptions will apply. Conservationists have long advocated for this move, highlighting the monarch's role as a symbol of the broader environmental crisis.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Literary Hub
The Greenland shark, the planet's oldest vertebrate, can live for centuries, with some possibly over 500 years old. These slow-moving, deep-sea creatures are nearly blind and have a unique metabolism that allows them to survive on minimal food. Despite their longevity, little is known about their reproduction and population status, raising concerns about their conservation. Historically overfished for their oil, Greenland sharks are now considered "near threatened." Their enduring presence offers a hopeful perspective on the resilience of life amidst environmental changes.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
A pygmy hippo named Baby Haggis was born at Edinburgh Zoo to parents Otto and Gloria on October 30. The zoo is keeping the newborn and her mother out of public view for the first 30 days to ensure her development. Pygmy hippos are endangered, with only about 2,000 left in the wild, primarily in West Africa. The birth of Haggis highlights the importance of conservation efforts for this rare species.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by BBC.com
A rare pygmy hippo calf named Haggis has been born at Edinburgh Zoo, marking a significant event for the endangered species, which has only about 2,500 individuals left in the wild. The zoo's pygmy hippo house will be closed for a month to ensure the calf's critical early development. This birth highlights the importance of conservation efforts and raising awareness about the challenges faced by pygmy hippos in the wild.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by TODAY
Edinburgh Zoo has announced the birth of a baby pygmy hippo named Haggis, born to parents Gloria and Otto. Haggis, like the viral sensation Moo Deng from Thailand, is drawing attention to the endangered status of pygmy hippos, with only about 2,500 left in the wild. The zoo is keeping the pygmy hippo house closed to monitor Haggis's critical early development. The announcement playfully referenced Moo Deng, but later clarified there was no rivalry intended between the two hippos.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Forbes
Haggis, a baby pygmy hippo born at Edinburgh Zoo, is drawing attention to the endangered species, following the viral fame of Moo Deng, another baby pygmy hippo in Thailand. Born to parents Otto and Gloria, Haggis is not yet on public display as the zoo monitors her early development. Pygmy hippos, native to West Africa, face threats like habitat loss and hunting, with only about 2,500 left in the wild. The birth of Haggis highlights the importance of conservation efforts for these rare animals.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by New York Post
Dozens of endangered smalltooth sawfish have been found dead in the Lower Florida Keys, exhibiting bizarre behavior of "whirling and spinning" onto beaches, leaving experts puzzled. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has launched an unprecedented "emergency response" to investigate the cause, with at least 109 sawfish affected and 28 killed. Despite necropsies showing no signs of infection or contamination, the cause of this erratic behavior remains a mystery. Efforts are underway to rescue and rehabilitate affected sawfish, while officials urge the public to report any similar behavior.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by New York Post
A Brazilian woman was arrested at an airport in Colombia for attempting to smuggle 130 endangered poisonous frogs worth $130,000 in her luggage. The frogs, known as poison-dart frogs, were found dehydrated and stressed inside film canisters. The suspect claimed they were gifted to her, but the frogs are highly sought-after by private collectors and can fetch up to $1,000 each on the black market. The frogs' skin glands produce highly toxic secretions, and the woman has been charged with wildlife trafficking and could face a fine of up to $14,300.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by USA TODAY
An endangered juvenile right whale was found dead off Martha's Vineyard, entangled in a rope, marking the second tragedy for the critically endangered species this month. With only 356 estimated right whales remaining, human-related deaths from fishing gear entanglements and boat strikes pose significant threats to their survival. Efforts to protect the whales, including on-demand fishing gear and speed limits, have faced controversy and delays, while advocacy groups emphasize the urgent need for stronger protection to prevent the species from plunging toward extinction.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Guardian
Scientists have successfully performed the first embryo transfer in white rhinos, raising hopes for the critically endangered northern white rhino species. The embryos were transferred into southern white rhino surrogates, resulting in a successful pregnancy, although the father and pregnant mother later died from a bacterial infection. The next step is to implant the first northern white rhino embryo into a southern white rhino surrogate in Kenya, with the goal of saving the species from extinction. If successful, this breakthrough could also benefit the conservation of other endangered rhino species.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by NPR
In Pakistan, the endangered Indus River dolphin is experiencing a revival in numbers, thanks to the efforts of local fisherfolk who have become citizen-scientists. Despite being unable to read or write, these fisherfolk report dolphin sightings and participate in rescues, contributing to the growth of the dolphin population from 150 in 1974 to nearly 2,000 today. The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) has developed a notebook with icons to help the fisherfolk record sightings and conditions of the dolphins. However, the fisherfolk face challenges as they compete with the dolphins for fish, their primary source of income, and there are concerns about the river's pollution and the dolphins' vulnerability due to their limited habitat.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by CBS News
A recent study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution has revealed a significant decline in the populations of African birds of prey, with nearly 90% of the 42 species studied showing decreases over the past 40 years. Habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, along with other human-induced threats, are cited as major causes of this decline. Iconic species like the secretarybird are on the brink of extinction, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to address the "deaths from a thousand cuts" that these raptors face. This alarming trend is part of a broader global decline in bird populations, emphasizing the critical state of wildlife conservation.