Conservation Frontlines

Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has approved an ethical cull of wild animals to combat hunger during the country’s worst drought in a century. With crops and cattle struggling to survive, 1.4 million people have been affected by food shortages. Leaders have decided to humanely cull 723 wild animals, in accordance with the national constitution, to address food insecurity. This move will not only help feed the population but also protect vegetation and channel funds from contracted hunts back into local communities. Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews

A protected California condor was recently shot and killed illegally by a poacher in southwestern Colorado. These large birds, reintroduced to the region after battling avian flu, habitat loss, and illegal shooting, are part of a carefully monitored population. With their numbers on the rise, conservationists are working hard to ensure their survival in the wild. The poacher responsible faces felony charges, potential prison time, and a hefty $5,000 fine under the Endangered Species Act for killing one of these rare and majestic creatures. Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Condor

Could a new vaccine spell the end of the UK’s controversial badger culls? Badgers, though small, are known to spread bovine tuberculosis to cattle, leading to years of widespread culling. Now, the Zoological Society of London is exploring vaccines as a humane alternative. However, farmers remain skeptical, believing culls are still the best way to protect their livestock. This winter, the UK government will conduct nationwide badger population surveys, potentially shaping the future of badger management across the country. Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Badgers

Who’s really eating at the deer feeders? 🦌 New research from Clemson University reveals that deer feeders are attracting some unexpected (and unwelcome) dinner guests like wild pigs, raccoons, and even coyotes! As more animals flock to the feeders, this communal feeding increases the risk of disease and gives predators an easy hunting ground. Researchers suggest using feeders sparingly to avoid turning them into an all-you-can-eat buffet for the wrong crowd. Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Deer

#Conservation101: Looking for a way to add some nature to your phone? 🌱 We’ve got you covered! Check out these apps that are completely free and can bring the outdoors right to your fingertips 📲 Read the rest of this month’s C101 here👉 https://bit.ly/3Yf4uWC

Once on the verge of extinction, the giant sable antelope—native to Angola—has made an incredible comeback. Hunted for their prized horns and devastated by war, their numbers dwindled to just a few hundred. In 2003, conservationists discovered only females remained in the wild. But thanks to their efforts, bulls were found in other reserves, and the population has now grown to five stable herds. With GPS collars tracking their every move, these majestic antelopes are now thriving and proving that dedicated conservation can turn the tide. Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Antelope

How much is an hour with a mountain gorilla worth? In Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, it’s $800—and every penny goes toward protecting these majestic creatures. Home to 500 mountain gorillas, who share 98% of their DNA with humans, this forest is a hotspot for sustainable tourism. The steep fee helps keep poachers and disease at bay while ensuring the forest and its inhabitants remain safe. Through collaboration, ethical engagement, and conservation, Uganda shows that sometimes, protecting wildlife comes at a price worth paying. Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Gorillas

Canada’s iconic boreal caribou are in trouble. With only about 2,000 left in Alberta, their numbers have been steadily dropping since 1970. And in 2023, wildfires destroyed 7% of the province’s forests—more than the last 11 fire seasons combined. The loss of habitat, along with human expansion, is putting intense pressure on these once-abundant animals. But there’s still hope! Conservationists are working tirelessly to track and protect caribou, giving them a chance to survive in the wild. Can they adapt in time? Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Caribou

In Michigan, farmers are in a race—not with other shoppers, but with white-tailed deer! As hunting declines and winters warm, deer populations are booming, and they’re feasting on crops across the state. This overpopulation is putting a serious dent in harvests, leaving farmers frustrated. However, there’s hope on the horizon with talks of hunter incentives and new wildlife policies. Will these changes help farmers reclaim their fields? Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Deer

Aoudads, a wild species related to sheep and goats, were introduced to parts of Texas and might be causing more problems than expected. Researchers at Texas A&M have found that these animals can carry diseases that also affect native bighorn sheep. This means diseases thought to only affect one species may be spreading across the habitat. Scientists are now exploring how many of these illnesses could threaten the bighorn sheep and possibly other animals too. Could this new discovery mean bigger health risks for wildlife? Read the full article in our Dispatch 👉 https://lnkd.in/d5UeNWyc #ConservationFirst #Wildlife #WildlifeNews #ConservationNews #Aoudads