Colossal Biosciences’ Post

The world’s rarest marine mammal is closer to extinction than ever before. This year’s Vaquita survey has been released - scientists spotted between 6-8 individuals, the lowest number ever reported. Collaboration between local communities and conservationists must be scaled up to ensure fishing practices can sustain locals without harming Vaquitas. Re:wild is committed to helping protect this species on the brink by aiming for a full Vaquita recovery, supporting Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and Vaquita-safe fishing gear and markets with Cetáceos, Acción y Transformación, Pesca ABC and Pronatura Noroeste. Positive steps ahead to save the Vaquita include: using improved acoustic detection devices, measuring Vaquita environmental DNA (eDNA) in the water column to detect and locate other individuals, expanding habitat protection, and training local youth to help monitor the last remaining Vaquitas. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dw4DwfxR Credit : CONANP, SSCS, NMMF, Fabian Rodriguez

In the United States, there may be no greater avian icon — or impressive wildlife comeback story — than the Bald Eagle. Their population increase (noticeable within many of our own lifetimes) is one of the most evident successes of the Endangered Species Act. Once thriving, Bald Eagle populations in the lower 48 states had been decimated by DDT, habitat loss, and other human disturbances. There were only an estimated 417 breeding pairs of Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states by 1963, leading to their protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1978. ESA listing meant that action would be taken for Eagles beyond the elimination of DDT. Eagles' nests and habitat were now strictly protected from human disturbance of all sorts. And it worked! By 1997, Bald Eagle numbers had increased to over 5,000. In 2007, it became official: the Bald Eagle was no longer endangered or even threatened. Our national emblem was back. It's impossible to see an adult Bald Eagle soaring overhead without feeling something — a flash of recognition or maybe even a surge of hope. Thanks to a patchwork of environmental laws and the efforts of scientists, conservationists, and government agencies, more of us have the chance to experience that today than at any time in the past half-century. When it feels like it’s too late, that we don’t have the power to make a difference, Bald Eagles remind us that there is hope for bird conservation if we take action. You can take action for birds today by visiting (and bookmarking!) ABC's Action Center at https://lnkd.in/eWU8Ygc. Read more at https://lnkd.in/e5BYFeKv. Photo by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service #BaldEagle #EndangeredSpeciesAct #ESA

Badger Tummy-Scratcher Veon ecologists captured this very cute badger in a family setting scratching his tummy in Co. Westmeath recently. Secretive and principally nocturnal, badgers are seldom encountered in the wild. Unlike their mustelid cousins (otters, stoats and pine martens), the badger is a highly social animal, living in small groups (in burrow systems known as setts). Badgers and their setts are protected under the provisions of the Wildlife Act, 1976, and the Wildlife Amendment Act, 2000. #nocturnalanimals #naturaimpactstatement #badger #veonecology #nis #trailcamera #wildlifeamendmentact2000 #wildlifeact1976 #habitatsurvey #veon #westmeath #ecologicalimpactassessment #ecia #biodiversitymanagementplans #veon #windfarm #solarfarm #stoats #ecia #bmp #breedingbirdsurveys #ecology #biodiversity  

Pacific Whale Foundation is pleased to announce our recent publication 'Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata attenuata) abundance estimates in Maui Nui, Hawaiʻi reveal small population in need of monitoring' published in Frontiers in Mammal Science. Recent minimum population estimates are critical for effective marine mammal conservation, yet such estimates are often lacking at the stock or management level. Throughout the Main Hawaiian Islands, island-associated stocks of pantropical spotted dolphins (PSD) face multiple anthropogenic and natural threats including: - vessel impacts  - fisheries interactions  - marine debris  - climate change  - disease     Prior to this study, no abundance estimates of the 4-Islands (i.e., the Maui Nui region) PSD stock existed that were suitable for management use. This publication features Pacific Whale Foundation’s use of long-term dolphin photo-ID data to generate abundance estimates of PSD in Maui Nui. Our benchmark results revealed a small population in need of monitoring given the numerous threats facing this stock, the uncertainty of their impacts, and the decreased resiliency and recovery potential of small populations to negative demographic and environmental stochastic events. Our findings, including documenting long-term site fidelity and year-round presence of PSD in Maui Nui, further signify this area as one of future research and conservation importance.     Please find our open access article here: https://bit.ly/3W7rTIn   Research activities conducted under appropriate state and federal permits and following animal ethics approval. #MarineConservation #OceanConservation #PantropicalSpottedDolphin #maui #mauihawaii #PacificWhaleFoundation

Over approximately 3.7 billion years, evolution by natural selection has shaped the diversity of life on Earth. Yet, in a mere 50 years, human activity has driven another species to the brink of extinction. The Vaquita, the most endangered marine mammal on the planet, now numbers between just 6 and 8 individuals, although some may exist outside surveyed areas. At this critical juncture, zoos and aquariums are often called in as the last line of defence, attempting to rescue and establish an ark population to prevent extinction. While we are prepared to undertake this challenge, it is an exceptionally difficult time to do so. With such low population numbers, genetic diversity is compromised, increasing the risk of inbreeding depression and making the species more vulnerable to random events that take species ever closer to extinction. Additionally, a smaller population leaves no margin for error through our endeavour of trying to better understand the species. Animal care and reproduction are complex processes. Successfully maintaining and consistently reproducing a species requires significant time and resources to ensure the animals are comfortable, happy, behaviourally competent, genetically viable and cared for in environments that promote natural reproduction. It is far more cost-effective to prevent species from becoming threatened than to reverse a predicted extinction outcome. We must initiate efforts to support and preserve species much earlier, when extinction risks are low and there is time to learn and adapt. A proactive approach allows room for inevitable mistakes and ensures that the species has a better chance of success. Support early learning in conservation efforts, and fund compliance & enforcement. By investing in preventive measures and education now, we can safeguard the future of endangered species like the Vaquita. #conservation #wildlife #vaquita #totoaba #CITES #UNBiodiversity #ThriveNotJustSurvive

"Scientists studying migrations, endangered species, and global change are placing tracking devices on thousands of animals that will be monitored by a satellite-based system set to launch next year. If successful, the project could help illuminate the planet’s nonhuman worlds. ..." Would be great to use this technology in a study of wild horses in North America. With the millions of dollars our government is spending to capture and hold horses off range, blaming them for range degradation, perhaps implementing the latest science would offer a more sustainable solution to supporting healthy ecosystems and rangeland. Perhaps they could tag all the players affecting public land, including private livestock and mining facilities, and network of fencing prohibiting natural migration of native wildlife, including horses. #wildhorse #rewilding #grazing #biodiversity

New #openaccess paper on global #marinemammal #rehabilitation practices. If our goal is robust, healthy rehabilitation programs with strong impact for animals treated and their populations, we need common metrics to assess. Read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/dpKtGdkD Sea Change Health collaborated with researchers from Wildlife Conservation Insights and Sea World Foundation and found: -Rehabilitation efforts are strongest for pinnipeds, and North America was the most represented region, although marine mammal rehabilitation happens around the globe; -Data are scarce for both short- and long-term survival across species; -Reports about species threatened with extinction were significantly more likely to include data about conservation parameters than those about species of least concern; -Rehab programs are already collecting a lot of important data to be able to evaluate their success, and a focused effort to coordinate and streamline will benefit many programs. Estelle Rousselet Mélodie De Trez Margot Delemotte Shawn Johnson Claire Simeone Cath Atkins 🎉

Despite its harsh environment, Antarctica supports a variety of animal species, primarily along its coastal regions. From penguins and seals to whales and seabirds, these creatures have adapted to the cold and rely on the rich marine ecosystem. Learn more about the incredible biodiversity of this frozen continent. #Wildlife #Antarctica #Biodiversity

🛣️ During a trip, you might have already spotted dead animals or carcasses lying by the side of the road. Researchers commonly refer to these deaths as “roadkill,” an issue that negatively affects wildlife populations globally. 📝 In a recent study titled “Demographic Effects of Road Mortality on Mammalian Populations: A Systematic Review”, a group of UK researchers gathered published data on 150 mammal populations from 69 species around the world. Then, they compared mammal deaths on roads to key biological parameters, including population size, to determine the effect of roadkill on different animal species. 🦌📊 Among other things, they found that roadkill was the most common cause of death in almost a third (28%) of the populations studied – ahead of causes like disease and hunting. In some animal populations, up to 80% of all deaths were due to collisions with vehicles. 📗 The book “Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet”, by environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb, chronicles the enormous ecological damage caused by roadbuilding and makes a case for highways that are less lethal to animals. 🗣️ More research, initiatives, and projects are needed to reduce the impacts of roads on the wildlife, including but not limited to: - Animal detection systems - Wildlife crossings - Chicanes - Slower traffic speeds - Reconfiguring roads to prevent accidents with animals and humans - Fostering knowledge creation/sharing and scaling up action on road ecology #csls #myklu #factfriday #road #animal Sources: https://lnkd.in/en_PJfRQ https://lnkd.in/ecNG5FgX https://lnkd.in/eRHTij4F

Did you know that Hawaii is the extinction capital of the world?       This extremely isolated group of islands is home to many species that have struggled to adapt to rapid environmental changes, including false killer whales (FKW). It has been estimated that fewer than 200 individuals remain within this population. A primary study subject of PWF researchers, the main Hawaiian Islands insular population of false killer whales was listed as endangered in 2012. Our 20 years of FKW research, in conjunction with other studies, has found FKW sighting rates near the Main Hawaii Islands have significantly declined over the past two decades.     In 2010, a biological review team identified 20-plus threats negatively impacting Hawai‘i’s false killer whale population. Of the 29 listed, interaction with fisheries, or bycatch, was determined a substantial threat to population health.     PWF's Research data is used to influence public policy and mobilize community members in support of marine mammal conservation. False killer whales are elusive animals, which makes data collection challenging. As such, PWF relies heavily on community scientists and ocean users who are encouraged to alert authorities upon any sighting in Hawaiian waters by calling the FKW Hotline at 888-256-9840.    Learn more about our Research initiatives here https://bit.ly/3TKSziP    #FalseKillerWhales #EndangeredSpecies #MarineResearch #MarineBiology #CetaceanResearch