All articles tagged with #wildlife conservation
Rice’s whale, a rare Gulf of Mexico baleen whale with only dozens to a few hundred individuals, is at greater risk from President Trump’s plans to expand Gulf drilling. Scientists warn that increased offshore activity, noise, and habitat disruption could further imperil the endangered species, prompting calls for stronger protections and careful consideration of drilling projects.
Oregon State University researchers used remote cameras and hair snares across 150 square miles of Northern California forests and confirmed coastal martens are still present (46 individuals), but the species remains at risk due to habitat loss, climate-driven wildfires, and logging, with Indigenous groups like the Yurok Tribe actively restoring habitat to aid conservation.
In Assam, the endangered greater adjutant stork (hargila)—nicknamed the bone-swallower—has been saved from a bad omen reputation by biologist Purnima Devi Barman and a growing all-women conservation group called the Hargila Army. Beginning in 2007 after a kadamba tree was felled, tens of thousands of women across 47 villages organized to protect nesting sites, promote the birds at cultural events, and create livelihoods through sewing and selling hargila-themed goods. The stork population in Assam has risen to about 1,800 from roughly 450 in 2007, though habitat loss and private land ownership remain threats. Barman was named Time magazine's 2025 Woman of the Year for this grassroots conservation effort.
Paul Hollywood, the judge of The Great British Bake Off, praises a wild cat rescue group near his Kent home, comparing the sounds of lions from the sanctuary to the Serengeti, and discusses his involvement in wildlife conservation and upcoming Bake Off challenges.
Wildlife officials in Florida announced the successful completion of a controversial three-week black bear hunt, killing 52 bears, despite significant opposition from wildlife groups and public opinion that opposes hunting and the use of certain hunting methods. The state claims the hunt is based on scientific data to manage the bear population, which has rebounded to over 4,000, but critics argue it is driven by bloodlust and flawed science, raising concerns about animal welfare and conservation ethics.
Joan Lockley has been rescuing and caring for hedgehogs in her Staffordshire garden for 25 years, helping over 600 animals annually, and was awarded a British Empire Medal for her conservation efforts, emphasizing the importance of year-round care and support for hedgehogs.
Seven Asiatic elephants were killed and a calf injured after a passenger train collided with a herd crossing tracks in Assam, India. The train, traveling from Mizoram to New Delhi, derailed five coaches but no human injuries occurred. The incident highlights ongoing risks to wildlife from railway traffic in India, where efforts like reduced speed zones and surveillance systems are being implemented to prevent such accidents.
Seven wild Asiatic elephants were killed after being hit by a high-speed train in Assam, India, where they were attempting to cross railway tracks. The incident caused derailment of five train coaches but no injuries to passengers. Assam, home to a large elephant population, faces frequent human-elephant conflicts due to habitat fragmentation, with 81 elephants killed in train collisions between 2019 and 2024.
MDC Director Jason Sumners discusses the impact of chronic wasting disease (CWD) on Missouri's deer populations, highlighting ongoing management efforts, the importance of collaboration with hunters and landowners, and the need for sustainable strategies to protect the future of deer and hunting in the state.
The article discusses the rise of the illegal exotic pet trade, driven by online marketplaces and social media, which threatens wild populations of reptiles, birds, and amphibians. It highlights efforts at the CITES conference to implement stricter regulations and bans on certain species, such as Galápagos iguanas and African tortoises, amid concerns over illegal trafficking, permit abuse, and the impact on biodiversity. The article also notes opposition from pet trade advocates and emphasizes the need for stronger international cooperation to combat wildlife exploitation.
Research shows that shouting at seagulls is more effective than speaking softly or using bird songs to scare them away from food, suggesting that loud vocal deterrence can be a peaceful way to protect your picnic without harming the birds.
A wildlife photographer spent 10 years capturing an elusive brown hyena in Namibia's abandoned Kolmanskop ghost town, resulting in an award-winning photo that highlights the species' rarity and ecological importance, while also emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
32 Chunk, a dominant brown bear with a broken jaw, won Katmai National Park's Fat Bear Week, marking the biggest contest yet with over 1.5 million votes, highlighting the bears' survival strategies and ecosystem importance.
Chunk, a brown bear with a broken jaw, won the 2025 Fat Bear Week contest in Alaska's Katmai National Park, after a record salmon run that provided abundant food for the bears. The online competition, which attracts over 1.5 million votes, highlights the bears' impressive fattening process as they prepare for hibernation, with Chunk emerging as the winner despite previous near misses.
A tiger handler linked to 'Tiger King' Joe Exotic was killed in an attack by a big cat at the Growler Pines Tiger Preserve in Oklahoma, highlighting the dangers of working with wild animals and sparking calls from animal rights groups to end the use of wild animals in performances.