Nostr notes by Focusing on Wildlife (RSS Feed)

Chinese court cases reveal most trafficked rhino horns come from ...

2026-04-30T17:00:53Z

Chinese court cases reveal most trafficked rhino horns come from Southern Africa

Rhinoceroses, one of the largest groups of animals on the planet, are fighting a battle for survival because of a prized body part: their horn, which they use to defend territories, assert dominance and protect their young. But people use this keratinous horn as medicine, adornment and decoration. In traditional Chinese medicine, it’s believed to […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/chinese-court-cases-reveal-most-trafficked-rhino-horns-come-from-southern-africa/

VOTE for the Best Photo of the Month April 2026 Welcome to the ...

2026-04-29T12:36:06Z

VOTE for the Best Photo of the Month April 2026

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-april-2026/

Giant otters, river sentinels, now listed as threatened migratory ...

2026-04-14T16:00:33Z

Giant otters, river sentinels, now listed as threatened migratory species

With evidence that the giant river otter is in an increasingly perilous state, delegates to the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) listed it as an animal requiring urgent conservation action at its March 2026 meeting in Campo Grande, Brazil. The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), endemic to tropical river systems in South America, […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/giant-otters-river-sentinels-now-listed-as-threatened-migratory-species/

Pretty Lady https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/pretty-lady/

2026-04-04T07:52:47Z

Pretty Lady

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/pretty-lady/

Peregrine falcons retain trade protections, despite downlisting ...

2026-02-22T17:00:00Z

Peregrine falcons retain trade protections, despite downlisting bid by Canada and US

The U.S. and Canada have failed in their bid to loosen restrictions on the international trade in peregrine falcons, with delegates to CITES, the global wildlife trade convention, voting against it at an summit underway in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The two countries had submitted a joint proposal to move peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) from CITES Appendix […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/peregrine-falcons-retain-trade-protections-despite-downlisting-bid-by-canada-and-us/

Why don’t birds have weapons, like many other animals? Apart ...

2026-01-26T05:00:32Z

Why don’t birds have weapons, like many other animals? Apart from lethal beaks and claws that is…

Birds lack arms in more ways than one. Avian equivalents of antlers, horns, tusks and canine teeth are few and far between. Only about two per cent of our feathered friends possess specialised weapons in the form of spurs on their legs and wings. If push comes to shove, claws and beaks are capable of […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/why-dont-birds-have-weapons-like-many-other-animals-apart-from-lethal-beaks-and-claws-that-is/

10 fastest swimmers in the ocean, including one animal that can ...

2025-12-31T05:00:33Z

10 fastest swimmers in the ocean, including one animal that can accelerate to nearly 80MPH quicker than a Porsche

Some species in the ocean live their lives at a breakneck pace – at least, when they need to. Whether it’s to catch their dinner or avoid becoming dinner, many animals can swim incredibly quickly. But which are the fastest? Of course, it’s almost impossible to know exactly how fast a fish can swim, as […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/10-fastest-swimmers-in-the-ocean-including-one-animal-that-can-accelerate-to-nearly-80mph-quicker-than-a-porsche/

Results of the Best Photo of the Month November 2025 We are ...

2025-12-05T12:12:45Z

Results of the Best Photo of the Month November 2025

We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Steve Wagner wins First Prize with his outstanding image ‘Mouth Full’. Donny Van Der Blom wins Second Prize with his inspirational image ‘Rudolf the Reindeer‘. Third Prize goes to Steve Wagner with ‘Crossing Necks‘. Please give kudos to the photographers by leaving comments […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/results-of-the-best-photo-of-the-month-november-2025/

VOTE for the Best Photo of the Month November 2025 Welcome to the ...

2025-11-30T08:19:22Z

VOTE for the Best Photo of the Month November 2025

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-november-2025/

Orcas Team Up to Hunt Great White Sharks in Astonishing New ...

2025-11-12T17:00:29Z

Orcas Team Up to Hunt Great White Sharks in Astonishing New Footage

Killer whales have once again shown the world why they’re among the ocean’s most intelligent and strategic hunters. According to PEOPLE, researchers captured rare footage in the Gulf of California showing orcas working together to hunt great white sharks and feast on their livers — a behavior previously only documented in South Africa. The study, […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/orcas-team-up-to-hunt-great-white-sharks-in-astonishing-new-footage/

Trump reportedly eyes $26m in funding cuts for US national parks ...

2025-05-12T17:00:34Z

Trump reportedly eyes $26m in funding cuts for US national parks

The Trump administration is reportedly eyeing dozens of grants across the National Park Service for termination, according to reporting from the New York Times, one of several moves destabilizing the US’s investment in public lands. According to the newspaper, staff members at Elon Musk’s unofficial “department of government efficiency” have created a spreadsheet of federal […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/trump-reportedly-eyes-26m-in-funding-cuts-for-us-national-parks/

Results of the Best Photo of the Month April 2025 We are ...

2025-05-04T08:47:27Z

Results of the Best Photo of the Month April 2025

We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Steve Wagner wins First Prize with his outstanding image ‘Hawaiian Axis Deer‘. ChrisB wins Second Prize with his inspirational image ‘Hawaiian Axis Deer‘ . Third Prize goes to Steve Wagner with ‘Bear on a Rock’. Please give kudos to the photographers by leaving […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/results-of-the-best-photo-of-the-month-april-2025/

The Hidden Costs of Oil Spills: Urgent Action Needed The ...

2025-03-12T17:00:48Z

The Hidden Costs of Oil Spills: Urgent Action Needed

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 remains one of the most catastrophic environmental disasters in history, releasing over 4.1 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Located just 50 miles off the coast of Louisiana, the spill had devastating effects on coastal ecosystems, impacting the shores of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida. […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/the-hidden-costs-of-oil-spills-urgent-action-needed/

Researchers Reveal Surprising Findings From Bird Droppings on ...

2025-03-09T17:00:48Z

Researchers Reveal Surprising Findings From Bird Droppings on Crops

Farmers and consumers alike have long worried that any trace of bird droppings on lettuce spells disaster for our salads. New research suggests that fear might be overblown. Tiny spots from small birds, it turns out, aren’t as hazardous as many believed, offering a bit of relief to growers who want to keep wildlife around […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/researchers-reveal-surprising-findings-from-bird-droppings-on-crops/

Results of the Best Photo of the Month February 2025 We are ...

2025-03-07T13:06:42Z

Results of the Best Photo of the Month February 2025

We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Jess Findlay wins First Prize with his outstanding image ‘Female Great Grey Owl (Strix Nebulosa) Comforts One of Her Three Chicks‘ . Steve Wagner wins Second Prize with his inspirational image ‘Leopard Eyes‘ . Third Prize goes to David Taylorr with ‘Torresian Kingfisher […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/results-of-the-best-photo-of-the-month-february-2025/

Cassowary Populations Sparks Concern in Australia’s Rainforests ...

2025-03-04T17:00:56Z

Cassowary Populations Sparks Concern in Australia’s Rainforests

Australia’s rugged reputation has met its match in the cassowary, a flightless bird often described as “the world’s most dangerous.” Standing as tall as a person and sporting a fierce claw on each foot, it’s no wonder these ancient-looking creatures can startle even the bravest adventurers. They roam the deep rainforests of northern Queensland, playing […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/cassowary-populations-sparks-concern-in-australias-rainforests/

Petition: Five Belugas Lost Their Lives at Marineland in 2024. ...

2025-02-04T17:00:02Z

Petition: Five Belugas Lost Their Lives at Marineland in 2024. Stop this NOW!

Marineland, a Canadian aquarium located in Niagara Falls, has become synonymous with animal neglect and heartbreaking losses. In the past year alone, five belugas under their care have died. Tragically, Kiska, known as “the world’s loneliest orca,” was the last of her kind at the park and passed away in 2023. With over 20 whale […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/petition-five-belugas-lost-their-lives-at-marineland-in-2024-stop-this-now/

Cockatiel Lets Rescuer Pet Him Before Passing Away Rescuing ...

2025-02-03T17:00:24Z

Cockatiel Lets Rescuer Pet Him Before Passing Away

Rescuing animals often comes with its own set of challenges, and Emily’s experience with her Cockatiel, Nippy, was no exception. Known for being standoffish, the 35-year-old bird had rarely shown affection in his long life. But in a poignant turn of events, Nippy allowed Emily to pet him for the first time—just before he passed […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/cockatiel-lets-rescuer-pet-him-before-passing-away/

Wildlife conservation will benefit from ad-free reading In the ...

2025-01-19T12:57:23Z

Wildlife conservation will benefit from ad-free reading

In the poll carries out last week. 15% of readers voted they would definitely donate to get ad-free reading. In addition 24% voted they would think about it. In conclusion almost 40% of readers could be candidates to subscribe for ad-free reading. This would be great because in doing so, wildlife conservation will benefit. Ad-free […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/wildlife-conservation-will-benefit-from-ad-free-reading/

Despite Biotech Efforts to Revive Species, Extinction Is Still ...

2025-01-18T17:00:24Z

Despite Biotech Efforts to Revive Species, Extinction Is Still Forever

Iwas crouched on the ground, 50 feet from an aurochs. At least it looked like one. Eight generations of back-breeding had resurrected an animal reminiscent of the giant bovine that crashed from Earth’s biota in 1627. The coal-black beast had the forward-facing horns of the long-extinct aurochs. It had the same muscular shoulders and neck. […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/despite-biotech-efforts-to-revive-species-extinction-is-still-forever/

Warming threatens flies more than bees, raising pollination ...

2025-01-17T11:00:14Z

Warming threatens flies more than bees, raising pollination concerns

Life can’t function without insects. At least, not for long. They pollinate, break down waste, cycle nutrients, and touch every node in the web of life, filling endless niches across the planet. As global temperatures continue to rise, some of Earth’s most important but overlooked pollinators, the flies, may be at greater risk than previously […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/warming-threatens-flies-more-than-bees-raising-pollination-concerns/

Two lynx caught after illegal release in Scotland – here’s ...

2025-01-15T05:00:12Z

Two lynx caught after illegal release in Scotland – here’s what happened

Two Eurasian lynx were spotted just after 4pm on Wednesday 8 January in the Drumguish area of the Highlands in Scotland. Wildlife conservationists from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) worked overnight with the police to capture the big cats, and condemned the illegal release “in the strongest possible terms”. “We set live trail […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/two-lynx-caught-after-illegal-release-in-scotland-heres-what-happened/

We need a North Pole Marine Reserve to secure a healthy future ...

2025-01-14T17:00:08Z

We need a North Pole Marine Reserve to secure a healthy future for Arctic waters (commentary)

In the 1990s, a single moratorium announcement wiped out an entire industry, leaving 37,000 people unemployed overnight. The ecological collapse of the Canadian Grand Banks Cod Fisheries is the most famous historical example of a collapse in fish stocks due to overfishing. Not only were cod stocks severely depleted, it was the largest layoff of […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/we-need-a-north-pole-marine-reserve-to-secure-a-healthy-future-for-arctic-waters-commentary/

Elk Attack in Arizona: A Tragic Incident Sparks Urgent Wildlife ...

2025-01-14T11:00:48Z

Elk Attack in Arizona: A Tragic Incident Sparks Urgent Wildlife Warnings

In a shocking and unprecedented event, an Arizona woman lost her life after being attacked by an elk she was suspected of feeding. This tragic incident, the first of its kind in the state’s history, occurred in Pine Lake, nestled in the scenic Hualapai Mountains. The repercussions of this unfortunate event have prompted local wildlife […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/elk-attack-in-arizona-a-tragic-incident-sparks-urgent-wildlife-warnings/

“Ad-Free” Reading – Does It Have a Value? If you are a ...

2025-01-14T08:02:33Z

“Ad-Free” Reading – Does It Have a Value?

If you are a regular reader of Focusing on Wildlife, you can’t help but have noticed that advertisements feature quite prominently throughout the pages. Most of the revenue from advertisements is donated to wildlife charities whilst the website running costs can also be covered. Bearing in mind that advertisements can sometimes be annoying, we’ve decided […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/ad-free-reading-does-it-have-a-value/

Grey seals, minke whales and bluefin tuna: is the North Sea ...

2025-01-14T05:00:49Z

Grey seals, minke whales and bluefin tuna: is the North Sea bouncing back to its glory days?

From the outside, the Tunny Club looks like any other seaside fish and chip shop. A short walk from Scarborough harbour, only the photos of John Wayne and Errol Flynn on the wall betray the shop’s fleeting history as a global centre for big-game fishing. In the 1930s, film stars and the ultra-wealthy flocked to […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/grey-seals-minke-whales-and-bluefin-tuna-is-the-north-sea-bouncing-back-to-its-glory-days/

Massive Alaskan Bird Die-Off Shocks Scientists Scientists have ...

2024-12-23T17:00:34Z

Massive Alaskan Bird Die-Off Shocks Scientists

Scientists have reported the most significant bird mortality event in modern history, with over 4 million common murres perishing in Alaska. This catastrophic loss, revealed in a recent study published in the journal Science, surpasses any previous known wildlife disaster, including the infamous Exxon Valdez oil spill. The roots of this calamity are traced back […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/massive-alaskan-bird-die-off-shocks-scientists/

Almost extinct Caribbean lizard makes a comeback after island ...

2024-12-23T11:00:21Z

Almost extinct Caribbean lizard makes a comeback after island restoration

A tiny lizard found only on one tiny Caribbean island has seen a dramatic 1,500% increase in its population, after just a few years of island restoration efforts. In 2018, researchers estimated there were fewer than 100 individuals of the critically endangered Sombrero ground lizard (Pholidoscelis corvinus) on the small hat-shaped Sombrero Island, part of […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/almost-extinct-caribbean-lizard-makes-a-comeback-after-island-restoration/

UK to ban bee-killing pesticides but highly toxic type could ...

2024-12-23T05:00:37Z

UK to ban bee-killing pesticides but highly toxic type could still be allowed

Bee-killing pesticides are to be banned by the UK government, as ministers set out plans to outlaw the use of neonicotinoids. However, the highly toxic neonicotinoid Cruiser SB could be allowed for use next year, as ministers are considering applications from the National Farmers’ Union and British Sugar. This powerful pesticide poisons bees by destroying […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/uk-to-ban-bee-killing-pesticides-but-highly-toxic-type-could-still-be-allowed/

Warming Winters Threaten Florida’s Unique Scrub Jay Florida’s ...

2024-12-22T17:00:45Z

Warming Winters Threaten Florida’s Unique Scrub Jay

Florida’s iconic scrub jay, the only bird species found exclusively in the state, is facing new challenges linked to global warming. A recent study published in Ornithological Advances highlights how rising temperatures are complicating efforts to conserve this already endangered species. For decades, Florida scrub jay populations have dwindled due to habitat destruction caused by […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/warming-winters-threaten-floridas-unique-scrub-jay/

Lessons from the past may improve the future for manatees While ...

2024-12-14T11:00:41Z

Lessons from the past may improve the future for manatees

While current manatee populations in Florida are threatened, their populations are higher than they ever historically were. Records show that manatee (Trichechus manatus) populations grew and began expanding across the Florida Peninsula during the same documented periods of human population increases, anthropogenic landscape changes, and social and policy changes. But with an increase in humans, […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/lessons-from-the-past-may-improve-the-future-for-manatees/

New Bill Aims to Protect Horseshoe Crabs Horseshoe crabs, a ...

2024-12-02T17:00:32Z

New Bill Aims to Protect Horseshoe Crabs

Horseshoe crabs, a species that predates the dinosaurs, play an essential role in ecosystems. Today, these ancient marine creatures face the threat of local extinction due to habitat loss and overharvesting for bait and biomedical uses. Efforts to protect their future have led to the proposed Horseshoe Crab Protection Bill in New York. If enacted, […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/new-bill-aims-to-protect-horseshoe-crabs/

Drivers Warned to Watch for Pronghorns on Colorado Roads Colorado ...

2024-12-01T17:00:49Z

Drivers Warned to Watch for Pronghorns on Colorado Roads

Colorado drivers are being urged to remain vigilant as snow-covered roads have become dangerous for both motorists and wildlife. Over 150 pronghorns have been killed in eastern Colorado in recent days after being struck by vehicles, including large trucks, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The pronghorns, North America’s fastest land animals, have been […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/drivers-warned-to-watch-for-pronghorns-on-colorado-roads/

Indigenous guardians embark on a sacred pact to protect the ...

2024-12-01T11:00:26Z

Indigenous guardians embark on a sacred pact to protect the lowland tapir in Colombia

In the forest’s fecund gloom, José Muchavisoy leads the guardians of the territory as they scan the undergrowth for trails left by their target. Strangely splayed paw prints, dung among the leaf litter and mud wallows where the creature cooled off during the hottest hours of the day are hints it was recently here. If […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/indigenous-guardians-embark-on-a-sacred-pact-to-protect-the-lowland-tapir-in-colombia/

Carcass of giant fin whale draws scores of onlookers to Alaska ...

2024-12-01T05:00:12Z

Carcass of giant fin whale draws scores of onlookers to Alaska beach

An endangered fin whale that washed up near a coastal trail in Alaska‘s largest city has attracted curious onlookers while biologists seek answers as to what caused the animal’s death. The carcass found over the weekend near Anchorage was 47ft (14.3 meters) long – comparable to the width of a college basketball court – and […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/carcass-of-giant-fin-whale-draws-scores-of-onlookers-to-alaska-beach/

Shorebird populations drop globally, some by a third: Report ...

2024-11-23T05:00:59Z

Shorebird populations drop globally, some by a third: Report

Sixteen shorebird species have been reclassified to higher threat categories as the global population of migratory shorebirds across the world saw a substantial decline, according to the latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Conservation partnership BirdLife International, which helps examine the status of the world’s birds for the IUCN Red List, […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/shorebird-populations-drop-globally-some-by-a-third-report/

South African tiger farms illegally smuggling body parts, says ...

2024-11-22T11:00:32Z

South African tiger farms illegally smuggling body parts, says charity

The largest tiger farms outside Asia are operating freely in South Africa, facilitating the illegal smuggling of tiger body parts, according to a report by an animal welfare charity. Research by Four Paws, which is campaigning to shut down South Africa’s big cat industry, found 103 places in the country where tigers were kept in […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/south-african-tiger-farms-illegally-smuggling-body-parts-says-charity/

Local groups drive creation of new Puerto Rico marine protected ...

2024-11-22T05:00:17Z

Local groups drive creation of new Puerto Rico marine protected area

The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico recently gained a new marine protected area off the island’s central north coast. The MPA, named Jardines Submarinos de Vega Baja y Manatí or the Vega Baja and Manatí Underwater Gardens, spans 202 square kilometers (77 square miles) and is the culmination of a 16-year effort by a coalition […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/local-groups-drive-creation-of-new-puerto-rico-marine-protected-area/

Freedom for Escaped Monkeys Sparks Debate on Animal Rights ...

2024-11-21T17:00:46Z

Freedom for Escaped Monkeys Sparks Debate on Animal Rights

Recently, 43 rhesus macaques managed to escape from the Alpha Genesis research facility in Yemassee, South Carolina, after an enclosure door was accidentally left open. Alpha Genesis, known for breeding and supplying monkeys for research, has faced similar incidents in the past. The facility was fined $12,600 by the USDA in 2018 for previous escapes. […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/freedom-for-escaped-monkeys-sparks-debate-on-animal-rights/

From local pond to outback dunny, Australia’s biggest frog ...

2024-11-12T05:00:03Z

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 ...

2024-11-09T17:00:22Z

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 ...

2024-11-09T05:00:27Z

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/

Hedgehogs ‘near threatened’ on red list after 30% decline ...

2024-11-08T05:00:06Z

Hedgehogs ‘near threatened’ on red list after 30% decline over past decade

Hedgehogs are now listed as “near threatened” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s red list after a decline in numbers of at least 30% over the past decade across much of their range. While hedgehogs were once common across Europe, and were until now listed as of “least concern” on the red list, […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/hedgehogs-near-threatened-on-red-list-after-30-decline-over-past-decade/

A Community’s Bond with India’s Endangered Hoolock Gibbons In ...

2024-11-07T17:00:24Z

A Community’s Bond with India’s Endangered Hoolock Gibbons

In the village of Barekuri, Assam, Mohit Chutia and his community share a unique connection with the endangered hoolock gibbons, the only ape species in India. Chutia, often called “bandar” (monkey) by locals, has formed a deep bond with the gibbons, treating them like family. The village is home to just 19 of these apes, […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/a-communitys-bond-with-indias-endangered-hoolock-gibbons/

Polar Bears at Higher Risk of Contracting Some Pathogens As the ...

2024-11-07T11:00:17Z

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/

Parrots missing from London zoo found behind Cambridgeshire ...

2024-11-07T05:00:59Z

Parrots missing from London zoo found behind Cambridgeshire garden

London zoo‘s “critically endangered” missing parrots have been found 60 miles away behind a family’s garden in Cambridgeshire. The escaped birds were tracked down after numerous sightings from local residents, and were eventually found in the back garden of a family in Buckden. They flew away once more before being traced to a field and […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/parrots-missing-from-london-zoo-found-behind-cambridgeshire-garden/

Jaguars Bid for Survival in Brazil’s Wetlands As fires rage ...

2024-11-06T17:00:24Z

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/

China’s plans to trace wildlife trade risks inflaming ...

2024-11-06T11:00:44Z

China’s plans to trace wildlife trade risks inflaming trafficking, critics warn

Chinese authorities are considering changes to wildlife trade regulations that govern the live trade in 18 parrot and reptile species, several of which are gravely threatened by poaching and illegal trade. The proposals involve the implementation of a “special marking system” of ID tags on bird leg rings or microchips inserted in reptiles to enable […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/chinas-plans-to-trace-wildlife-trade-risks-inflaming-trafficking-critics-warn/

Whales ‘relentlessly pestered’: tourism boom sparks new rules ...

2024-11-06T05:00:03Z

Whales ‘relentlessly pestered’: tourism boom sparks new rules in French Polynesia

Lisette Muratore swam with humpback whales for the first time off the coast of Mo’orea, an island in French Polynesia, as part of a guided tour. She describes the experience as “overwhelming.” “You have a sudden realisation of the immensity of these creatures … seeing their wild beauty, it’s almost like there’s something sacred about […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/whales-relentlessly-pestered-tourism-boom-sparks-new-rules-in-french-polynesia/

Petition: Tell the UK to List Elephant Riding Under Harmful ...

2024-11-05T17:00:59Z

Petition: Tell the UK to List Elephant Riding Under Harmful Animal Attractions Abroad

Last year, UK MPs championed the rights of animals by passing the groundbreaking Animals (Low-Welfare Activities Abroad) Act, designed to halt advertisements for harmful animal attractions abroad, including elephant rides. Despite this progressive step, the law remains unenforced. Advertisements are rampant and elephant rides abroad are rising. Sign the petition to demand the UKs Parliamentary […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/petition-tell-the-uk-to-list-elephant-riding-under-harmful-animal-attractions-abroad/

New brown bear ‘stronghold’ in Nepal redraws species’ range ...

2024-11-05T11:00:27Z

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 ...

2024-11-05T05:00:50Z

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/

Arctic Animals Face Growing Disease Threats as Climate Warms ...

2024-11-04T17:00:59Z

Arctic Animals Face Growing Disease Threats as Climate Warms

Karyn Rode, a seasoned research wildlife biologist at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Alaska Science Center, emphasizes the polar bear‘s role as a bellwether for broader ecological shifts. “Pathogens’ transmission pathways are changing, including in the Arctic,” Rode notes, highlighting the rapid environmental transformations underway. The region is warming at a pace four times the global […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/arctic-animals-face-growing-disease-threats-as-climate-warms/

With rare mammal tourism, observing means conserving (commentary) ...

2024-11-04T11:00:01Z

With rare mammal tourism, observing means conserving (commentary)

At the turn of this century, seeing a wild jaguar was exceptionally difficult. People driving through the Jaguar Ecological Reserve in the Pantanal in Brazil would very occasionally get a glimpse of one crossing the road, but photographing them in the wild was considered almost impossible. The same was true for other large iconic cat […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/with-rare-mammal-tourism-observing-means-conserving-commentary/

Polar bears are back in Britain. But should they really be living ...

2024-11-04T05:00:59Z

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 ...

2024-11-03T17:00:15Z

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 ...

2024-11-03T11:00:40Z

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 ...

2024-11-03T05:00:01Z

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 ...

2024-11-02T17:00:34Z

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/

Cambodia’s once-massive national park continues to lose its ...

2024-11-02T11:00:34Z

Cambodia’s once-massive national park continues to lose its forest

One of Cambodia’s largest protected areas, Botum Sakor National Park, continues to lose tree cover, recent satellite data show. Officially designated as a national park in 1993, Botum Sakor initially covered more than 182,000 hectares (450,000 acres) of evergreen, semi-evergreen and mangrove forests. Older surveys from the 1990s and 2000s show that the park was […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/cambodias-once-massive-national-park-continues-to-lose-its-forest/

‘It’s a monster task’: can culling ferrets and rats save ...

2024-11-02T05:00:43Z

‘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/

New Calf Sighting Brings Brief Hope for Endangered Orcas, But ...

2024-11-01T17:00:03Z

New Calf Sighting Brings Brief Hope for Endangered Orcas, But Challenges Remain

Hope surfaced for the endangered southern resident killer whales when a new calf named L128 was spotted swimming alongside their mother. This rare sighting briefly uplifted researchers who had seen only one other calf earlier in the year, which sadly died after a few months. However, by mid-October, L128 appeared to be struggling, as it […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/new-calf-sighting-brings-brief-hope-for-endangered-orcas-but-challenges-remain/

Langurs in Bangladesh face extinction as hybridization between ...

2024-11-01T11:00:37Z

Langurs in Bangladesh face extinction as hybridization between species escalates

A recent study revealed a troubling trend among the wild monkey population in Bangladesh’s northeastern forests. The study, conducted by the German Primate Centre, unveiled a concerning tendency of hybridization between Phayre’s langurs (Trachypithecus phayrei) and capped langurs (Trachypithecus pileatus), listed as critically endangered and endangered, respectively, within Bangladesh by IUCN. This hybridization of the […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/langurs-in-bangladesh-face-extinction-as-hybridization-between-species-escalates/

Results of the Best Photo of the Month October 2024 We are ...

2024-11-01T08:41:31Z

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 ...

2024-11-01T05:00:04Z

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/

Melioidosis Outbreak in Hong Kong Zoo Leaves 11 Monkeys Dead A ...

2024-10-31T17:00:57Z

Melioidosis Outbreak in Hong Kong Zoo Leaves 11 Monkeys Dead

A deadly bacterial infection, melioidosis, has claimed the lives of 11 monkeys at Hong Kong’s oldest zoo, causing significant concern for authorities. The bacterial disease, which is commonly found in moist clay soil, first killed nine monkeys earlier in the week, with two more succumbing over the weekend. This outbreak has prompted part of the […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/melioidosis-outbreak-in-hong-kong-zoo-leaves-11-monkeys-dead/

New Species of Bird Discovered in South America The ...

2024-10-31T11:00:01Z

New Species of Bird Discovered in South America

The newly-discovered species belongs to Trichothraupis, a genus that was established in 1851 and, until now, included only one species: the black-goggled tanager (Trichothraupis melanops). These forest-dwelling birds live in pairs or in small groups, and feed on fruit and arthropods, regularly feeding on army ant swarms. They are common in the Atlantic Forest, where […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/new-species-of-bird-discovered-in-south-america/

More hen harriers killed in UK during 2023 than in any other ...

2024-10-31T05:00:49Z

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/

Cockatoo Rescued After Four Weeks Inside Australian Supermarket A ...

2024-10-30T17:00:38Z

Cockatoo Rescued After Four Weeks Inside Australian Supermarket

A sulphur-crested cockatoo named Mickey, who had been living inside a Sydney supermarket for nearly a month, has finally been captured by wildlife services. Mickey had been surviving on a diet of brioche while stuck in the Coles supermarket at Macarthur Square, Campbelltown. New South Wales environment minister Penny Sharpe shared the news on Tuesday […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/cockatoo-rescued-after-four-weeks-inside-australian-supermarket/

Polish Zoo Celebrates ‘Globally unprecedented’ Birth of 4 ...

2024-10-30T11:00:14Z

Polish Zoo Celebrates ‘Globally unprecedented’ Birth of 4 Critically-Endangered Sumatran Tigers – (LOOK)

Now the news is out—one of the most endangered subspecies of tiger has four healthy new members, and you can go see them explore their world at the Wrocław Zoo. The Indonesian island of Sumatra is one of the most intact in terms of rainforest in the country. It has allowed the Sumatran tiger to […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/polish-zoo-celebrates-globally-unprecedented-birth-of-4-critically-endangered-sumatran-tigers-look/

The wild boars of the Costa del Sol: do these sun-loving pigs ...

2024-10-30T05:00:03Z

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/

New Elephant Arrives at Tennessee Sanctuary from Oakland Zoo The ...

2024-10-29T17:00:44Z

New Elephant Arrives at Tennessee Sanctuary from Oakland Zoo

The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee welcomed a new resident last week: a 30-year-old African elephant named Osh. After a 43-hour trip from the Oakland Zoo, Osh arrived on October 18 and settled into his new barn, ready to explore his surroundings. He is now one of 34 elephants at the sanctuary and the second African […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/new-elephant-arrives-at-tennessee-sanctuary-from-oakland-zoo/

Bear activity is rising in Yosemite National Park – here’s ...

2024-10-29T11:00:14Z

Bear activity is rising in Yosemite National Park – here’s how to stay safe on the trails

Bear activity is on the rise in Yosemite National Park. This year alone there have been 34 separate bear incidents, causing a whopping $3,034 in damage. That’s already 6% more incidents than last year’s tally and 55% more than Yosemite’s quietest bear year in 2019. With winter fast approaching, bears in the historic park are […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/bear-activity-is-rising-in-yosemite-national-park-heres-how-to-stay-safe-on-the-trails/

Polar bears are suffering paw injuries likely driven by the ...

2024-10-29T05:00:47Z

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 ...

2024-10-28T17:00:29Z

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/

Much-loved grizzly bear dies after being hit by vehicle in ...

2024-10-28T11:00:49Z

Much-loved grizzly bear dies after being hit by vehicle in national park – her cub is still missing

A popular grizzly bear known as Grizzly 399, resident of Grand Teton National Park near Yellowstone National Park, has sadly been fatally struck by a car south of Jackson, Wyoming. The accident happened on Highway 26/89 and 399 was later identified by her ear tags and microchip. The oldest-known reproducing female grizzly bear had a […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/much-loved-grizzly-bear-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle-in-national-park-her-cub-is-still-missing/

Safe sex for seagulls? Why bird contraception plan in Worcester ...

2024-10-28T05:00:53Z

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/

Woman Faces Prison for Attempting to Smuggle Turtles Across Lake ...

2024-10-27T17:00:07Z

Woman Faces Prison for Attempting to Smuggle Turtles Across Lake to Canada

A woman was caught attempting to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles from the United States to Canada, hiding the protected reptiles inside socks in a duffle bag. Wan Yee Ng, who was arrested in Vermont in June, was preparing to paddle across Lake Wallace in an inflatable kayak when authorities apprehended her. She has since […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/woman-faces-prison-for-attempting-to-smuggle-turtles-across-lake-to-canada/

Snakes in the city: Ten years of wildlife rescues reveal insights ...

2024-10-27T11:00:03Z

Snakes in the city: Ten years of wildlife rescues reveal insights into human-reptile interactions

A new analysis of a decade-long collection of wildlife rescue records in NSW has delivered new insights into how humans and reptiles interact in urban environments. Researchers from Macquarie University worked with scientists from Charles Darwin University, and the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water to analyze over 37,000 records of […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/snakes-in-the-city-ten-years-of-wildlife-rescues-reveal-insights-into-human-reptile-interactions/

NGOs urge banks and China to refuse support for Ugandan oil ...

2024-10-27T05:00:21Z

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 ...

2024-10-26T16:00:01Z

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 ...

2024-10-26T11:12:23Z

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 ...

2024-10-26T10:00:53Z

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 ...

2024-10-26T04:00:15Z

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, ...

2024-10-25T16:00:19Z

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 ...

2024-10-25T11:50:43Z

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 ...

2024-10-25T10:00:50Z

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 ...

2024-10-25T04:00:42Z

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/

Petition: Tell the International Whaling Commission to Reconsider ...

2024-10-24T16:00:55Z

Petition: Tell the International Whaling Commission to Reconsider Approving Whale Sanctuary

Whale advocates’ hopes were dashed at the recent International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in Lima, Peru, where a critical vote to establish a whale sanctuary was blocked. The proposed South Atlantic Whale Sanctuary would have made the South Atlantic permanently off limits to whaling, and has been considered at almost every IWC meeting since 1999. […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/petition-tell-the-international-whaling-commission-to-reconsider-approving-whale-sanctuary/

Overpass project to stop animals getting hit by cars in ...

2024-10-24T10:00:57Z

Overpass project to stop animals getting hit by cars in Yellowstone moves a step closer

Two proposed wildlife overpasses in Yellowstone National Park, designed to minimize animal collisions, are moving forward after receiving funding government funding. In the works for four years already, the overpasses would provide a safe way for animals to cross over a highway near Yellowstone’s Dome Mountain, an area of frequent animal collisions. Between 2012 and […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/overpass-project-to-stop-animals-getting-hit-by-cars-in-yellowstone-moves-a-step-closer/

Climate change and agrochemicals pose lethal combo for Amazonian ...

2024-10-24T04:00:27Z

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 ...

2024-10-23T16:00:12Z

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 ...

2024-10-23T10:00:39Z

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 ...

2024-10-23T04:00:11Z

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/

91-Year-Old Man Faces Fine After Killing Bald Eagle A man from ...

2024-10-22T16:00:56Z

91-Year-Old Man Faces Fine After Killing Bald Eagle

A man from Sparta, North Carolina, pleaded guilty on Friday to shooting and killing a bald eagle, a bird protected under federal law. Robert Garner Gambill admitted to fatally shooting the eagle on June 5, near the Farmers Fish Camp Road Bridge, which is located along the New River in Alleghany County, not far from […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/91-year-old-man-faces-fine-after-killing-bald-eagle/

Most countries miss biodiversity pledge deadline to protect 30% ...

2024-10-22T10:00:34Z

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 ...

2024-10-22T04:00:59Z

‘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/

Wild Caracal Captured in Chicago Suburb Residents of Hoffman ...

2024-10-21T16:00:47Z

Wild Caracal Captured in Chicago Suburb

Residents of Hoffman Estates, a suburb northwest of Chicago, were startled by the sight of a wild cat roaming their neighborhood. After being spotted multiple times, local authorities managed to capture the elusive animal on Tuesday. Using a pole with a cord, they were able to lasso the caracal from under a resident’s deck. The […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/wild-caracal-captured-in-chicago-suburb/

Researchers Detect Microplastics in Dolphin Breath For the first ...

2024-10-21T10:00:59Z

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/

Scientists discover new hammerhead shark species — and it’s ...

2024-10-21T04:00:20Z

Scientists discover new hammerhead shark species — and it’s already at risk

A new-to-science hammerhead species, the shovelhead shark, has been hiding in plain sight for three centuries due to its close resemblance to a long-lost relative, the bonnethead shark. After a decade of research, a breakthrough study published Sept. 24 found that these are two distinct species, challenging the widely accepted 1758 description by biologist Carl […]

https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/scientists-discover-new-hammerhead-shark-species-and-its-already-at-risk/