Memphis Zoo’s Post

Have you heard about the Peregrine Falcon and the conservation efforts that went into saving the species? Read our blog to learn more! #blog #animalhealthrecruiters https://lnkd.in/gaeipuug

I am so proud to have published this article in The Conversation showing that taking wildlife selfies, even when we mean no harm, can be counterproductive to conservation efforts. https://lnkd.in/e3ZKzDFW If you'd rather read the journal article, that's Open Source in Conservation Biology and is available here: https://lnkd.in/ejwuV7GA

Conservation Without Conflict Key to Saving Endangered Species Authors - Lowell E. Baier and Christopher E. Segal When we think of Conservation Without Conflict, threatened and endangered species may not spring to mind. Whether the gray wolf or the delta smelt, federally-protected species are often sources of conflict. But in truth, both the history of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) and its application today show that the Conservation Without Conflict model is the best way to approach endangered species conservation.... Read full article below!

We could save almost everything if we strengthened and implemented our laws while substantially increasing investment in threatened species recovery and threat abatement (including climate change) - www.tsx.org.au but most governments have done neither

The pangolin, often described as a "walking pinecone," is the most trafficked animal in the world. Its unique keratin scales and specialized diet of ants and termites make it an extraordinary creature. However, all eight pangolin species are listed as endangered, with three classified as Critically Endangered, due to illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. Pangolins play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem health by controlling insect populations and improving soil health through their burrowing activities. But their scales are highly valued in traditional medicine, despite having no proven medicinal properties, and their meat is considered a delicacy in some cultures. Recent research also suggests pangolins may be intermediate hosts for coronaviruses. Conservation efforts, including international trade bans and rehabilitation programs, are underway. You can help by spreading awareness, supporting conservation organizations, avoiding products containing pangolin derivatives, and reporting suspected illegal wildlife trade. Let's act now to protect these incredible creatures and preserve ecosystem health. Read more about pangolin conservation: https://lnkd.in/du-wGT3y #Pangolin #EndangeredSpecies #WildlifeProtection #PangolinProtection #WildlifeTrade #Conservation #Biodiversity #EcosystemEngineers #PangolinFacts #WildlifeCrime #ExtinctionPrevention #SustainablePractices #WildlifePreservation #EnvironmentalProtection #AnimalWelfare

Today 31 Jan-2024, International Zebra Day@ people around the world celebrate International Zebra Day. The purpose of the day is to spread knowledge about how you can support the conservation of this animal. One of the most recognizable species, Zebras are primarily grazers and can subsist on lower-quality vegetation. They are preyed on mainly by lions, and typically flee when threatened but also bite. International Zebra Day 2024: History Zebras are mostly found on the African continent, in the semi-desert areas of Kenya and Ethiopia, and the hilly areas of Namibia, Angola, and South Africa. Presently, three types of zebra can be found in the wild, Grévy’s zebra, the plains zebra, and the mountain zebra. The Grevy’s zebra is considered endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species. Their population has gone down by about 54% over the past three decades, according to the African Wildlife Foundation. International Zebra Day was most likely founded by a consortium of conservation organizations such as the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and the Conservation Biology Institute. International Zebra Day aims to help raise awareness about the living conditions of zebras and how their numbers can be protected from further decline. Along with the dangers of poaching, these zebras are also in danger from locals who might hunt them for meat when the going gets tough. Zebras have been battling many concerns regarding preserving their population.

A record number of species (144) were added to our national threatened list in 2023. This is 5 times more than the yearly average and double the previous record year set in 2009. An up-to-date list is essential to guide action and provide protection to at risk species. Biodiversity Council member Professor of ecology Sarah Legge from The Australian National University said a lot of this assessment has happened in record time since the Black Summer bushfires. “The whole assessment is rigorous and robust, but you wouldn’t want to speed it up so much that you’re losing faith in its integrity. But I think there are ways of speeding it up a little bit. It’s more important to make sure the list is current and up to date: you don’t want groups of species that aren’t assessed properly.” She added that, historically, invertebrates and fish had been poorly counted which could account for more additions of these species than before. Great article by Laura Chung at The Sydney Morning Herald. It is so valuable for the rapid increase in species becoming threatened to be visible to the community. https://lnkd.in/eheYRfv8

I always think species IUCN listed as "Extinct in the Wild" have some of the most inspiring stories - their existence almost totally wiped out, save for people seeing the storm clouds on the horizon and taking emergency action to prevent their total loss from the planet. It can be a difficult knowing how much effort/resource to put into ex-situ (captive breeding etc) vs. in-situ (habitat creation etc) measures for species, and it's a debate that also happens at the UK scale when trying to recover some of our most threatened wildlife. If possible, I always advocate for a dual "plan for the best but prepare for the worst" approach. For extinction critical species focus on addressing the issues acting on the species in-situ as much as possible, but have the "safety net" of captive breeding programmes or ark sites, just in case in-situ measures fail and the worst happens. Who knows, 40 years down the line they may be our only way of bringing a species back to the wild...

The media is celebrating the 50th anniversary of The Endangered Species Act, but not telling the whole story. It isn't as successful as touted. Less than 3% of the species have ever successfully recovered or been taken off the list. This is a dismal record of achieving the goal of conserving species to the point that protections under the law are no longer needed. The law makes a rare species a liability instead of an asset if you are a land owner. Most endangered species are on private property. This regulation first and punitive approach is making land owning conservationist enemies instead of helpful partners. There are more than 1,600 species listed as threatened or endangered from mussels to grizzlies, putting lots of landowners at risk. If one is listed near your property, land values can drop well over 50% instantly. It also increases the risk of law suit by environmentalist groups, five figure fines or prison if you come in conflict with the act. This causes would be partners to turn into enemies. Fear of being penalized is causing landowners to do things that deter habitat for these animals thus the failure for them to recover. If we want more species to not just cling to existence and fail to recover then we need to change the law's approach. The Act is far too inflexible with the wrong incentives. Partnering with land owners and offering carrots instead of punishment could improve the record going forward. #nature #wildlife #conservation https://lnkd.in/g57Fs6YH

A valuable review with practical steps.