Rey L Agosto’s Post

Let's celebrate two iconic Australian species, the kangaroo and the emu, which have great significance to Aboriginal peoples. The kangaroo has always been a very important animal for Aboriginal Australians, often the subject of important Dreaming stories and ceremonies. Nine out of ten animal collisions in Australia involve kangaroos. Take care when driving through rural or semi-rural areas, be aware of "kangaroo crossing" road signs. If you come across an injured animal, call your local wildlife rescue service and if you find a deceased female check the pouch in case there is an orphaned joey, which will need rehabilitation with a wildlife sanctuary. The emu has a prominent place in Aboriginal culture, featuring in numerous Dreaming stories told across a number of Aboriginal groups. Many Aboriginal language groups have a tradition that the dark dust lanes in the Milky Way represents an emu in the sky. Emus were only granted formal protection in the 1970s. The isolated emu population of the New South Wales North Coast Bioregion and Port Stephens is currently listed as endangered. Threats faced by emus include loss of habitat, deliberate slaughter, entanglement, collisions with vehicles and predation of the eggs and young by invasive species. If you discover an injured or entangled emu, be cautious, emus have a strong kick, sharp claws and may be dangerous. Do not approach the emu or attempt to touch it. The emu may panic or try to escape as you approach and injure itself further. Emus caught in nets or otherwise entangled will be highly distressed and need to be carefully untangled by someone with experience. Try to throw a blanket, towel or other material over the emu to calm it down. Remember emus may feel stressed or threatened by your presence - stay calm, speak softly, move slowly. Call your local wildlife rescue service who can provide assistance and rehabilitation. Photo Credits: Emu by Matthias Appel Kangaroo by CazzJj #kangaroo #emu #AustralianWildlifeSociety #WildlifeConservation #AustralianWildlife #conservation #wildlife #Australia

Wade Crowfoot just curious when these structures are installed has thought gone into soil media to support vegetation growing on the installation? I ask because soil media can be amended with forest derived biochar. This would help to keep vegetation green longer, with less clay (weight) on the structure. Then there is the fact that using forest derived biochar can also reduce risk of ignition and spread of fire in the same habitat.

In wildlife rehabilitation, we normally focus solely on how such care benefits wildlife and our ecosystems. However, writer Margaret Renkl eloquently describes how wildlife rehabilitation can heal both the animals being cared for and the humans who, with their whole hearts invested, go above and beyond to care for and protect wildlife. "Rehabbers go to extraordinary lengths to save every injured animal. If they can’t save the animal, they can at least give it a merciful death. And they can take the opportunity to explain why it’s so important to walk the yard before mowing, giving wildlife of all kinds a chance to flee. Each animal in rescue represents a human being who has learned something important about living more gently in the world. Rehabilitating the human heart may be the most important work these organizations do." - Margaret Renkl https://lnkd.in/gn2atWWW

Over the past six weeks, Wildlife Victoria has recorded a staggering 312% increase in grey-headed flying fox cases when compared to the same period last year. Grey-headed flying foxes are listed as a vulnerable species under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act, but with the increased effects of climate change, ongoing habitat destruction and the loss of food sources they are under increased threat. To lose this species, is to lose one of our most important long-range pollinators. Flying foxes spread seeds and pollinate eucalypt forests across long distances, ensuring genetic diversity and the health of our ecosystems. How you can help: 📱 Call Wildlife Victoria if you see injured or deceased adult flying foxes, as a pup may be nestled under mum’s wings, and if you see pups on their own during the day. Please avoid touching, picking up or moving grey-headed flying foxes. This species requires specialised wildlife training. 🦇 Make a donation to Wildlife Victoria to support our efforts and to ensure our Emergency Response Service remains fully staffed to manage the increased demand for our services.

Recognizing the diverse skills and expertise within indigenous and local communities is essential for effective conservation. Beyond being rangers, these individuals often possess valuable scientific knowledge, technical skills, and cultural insights that can contribute significantly to conservation efforts. Empowering these communities involves ensuring that funding and resources trickle down to the grassroots level, allowing them to take ownership of conservation initiatives and implement solutions tailored to their needs and priorities. By supporting and empowering indigenous and local communities, we can enhance both the protection of nature and the well-being of people living alongside it.Ensuring that indigenous and local communities are empowered and recognized for their diverse skills and expertise is essential for effective conservation. Currently, this silent barrier in conservation not only impacts neglected communities but also undermines the protection of species and valuable forests, as their hearts become hardened against conservation efforts. Therefore, placing human well-being and empowerment at the center of conservation is not just ethically necessary but also crucial for achieving meaningful and lasting conservation outcomes that benefit both people and the planet.

The elephants exhibit a strong emotional connection with their caretaker, showcasing a deep bond formed over the years. 🐘❤️ The fact that the elephants recognize and remember their caretaker after years underscores the intelligence and memory capabilities of these majestic animals. 🧠🐘 It highlights the social nature of elephants, emphasizing their ability to form enduring relationships with humans, especially those who have cared for them. 🌍🤝 The elephants' immediate response suggests a level of trust and comfort in the presence of their caretaker, reflecting positive experiences in the past. 🤗🐘 The reunion showcases the ability of elephants to communicate and express emotions, demonstrating the complexity of their social interactions. 🐘💬 The elephants' enthusiastic reaction could indicate a positive impact on their psychological well-being due to the return of a familiar and trusted figure. 😊🐘 The event sheds light on the elephants' impressive long-term memory, enabling them to remember and respond to a person after an extended period. 🕰️🐘 Such heartwarming reunions underscore the importance of responsible and compassionate elephant care, contributing to broader conversations about wildlife conservation and humane treatment of animals. 🌿🐘 #ElephantBond #WildlifeConnection #CompassionateCare #MemoryInNature #ConservationMatters #HumanElephantRelationships #ElephantLove #WildlifeConservation #CompassionateCare

On this #𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅_𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒕_𝑫𝒂𝒚, I reflect on the incredible privilege I've had as a wildlife veterinarian working within the Kenyan wildlife ecosystem. My close interactions with elephants have offered me a unique perspective on their complex behaviors, profound family bonds, strengths, and vulnerabilities. I have been fortunate to attend to these majestic creatures, both sick and injured, and each encounter deepens my admiration for them. Elephants rank second among my favorite wild animals (𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧) , largely due to their unwavering family bonds—always standing by each other—and their remarkable memory, enabling them to recall paths and water sources even after 40 years. Their resilience is truly inspiring, as demonstrated by a recent encounter with a male elephant I treated in Meru National Park, in partnership with the Born Free Foundation's Saving Meru Giants team with field support from Francis Kago. Despite being sedated, this bull's determed fight to stay on his feet as the drugs took effect was a powerful reminder of the strength needed to face our own struggles. (at one point he went down and rose up again something so rare to see) Elephants face significant challenges, including 𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒔, 𝒑𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒏-𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒑𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒕, all of which have hindered their population growth. As we celebrate World Elephant Day, let us commit to protecting and conserving these magnificent giants for the immense benefits they bring to our wild ecosystems. #WorldElephantDay #WildlifeConservation #PartnershipsinConservation #WildlifeMedicine

350km northeast of Perth, at the Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Mount Gibson Wildlife Sanctuary, reintroduced native species such as the Chuditch, Woylie and Numbat are protected from introduced predators such as feral cats and foxes. Last year we committed A$2.94 million to support the Sanctuary and AWC’s efforts to re-establish, monitor and protect significant populations of threatened mammal species in Western Australia. Our support is now having an impact, and recently South32 representatives joined AWC team members to translocate 18 Chuditch to the Sanctuary, adding to the previously introduced population. The Chuditch is the largest marsupial carnivore in Western Australia and the tenth species to be reintroduced to the Sanctuary. The AWC predicts that the reintroduced Mount Gibson Chuditch population will grow to 1000 over time – a significant increase in the global count. #wildlife #conservation #westernaustralia

#CaptureCoexistence Contributor Sheryl Hester is a true friend to wildlife! She knows her coyote neighbors by sight and even stops traffic to ensure their safety as they navigate city streets. 🚦🐺 Coyotes are worth protecting. They play a crucial role in urban ecosystems by controlling rodent populations, which helps reduce the spread of disease. Their presence also promotes biodiversity by balancing the local wildlife community. Want to enjoy the benefits of having #coyote neighbors while proactively reducing the chance of conflict to keep them, your companion animals pets, and people safe? Here are some simple #Coexistence tips! 🗑️ Secure Food Sources: Keep pet food and garbage indoors or in secure containers to prevent attracting and habituating coyotes and other wildlife. 🏠 Fence Your Yard: Ensure your yard is secure with tall, sturdy fencing to deter coyotes from entering. 🗣️ Humanely Haze When Necessary: Coyotes naturally prefer to keep their distance, but if you see a too-close-coyote, make yourself BIG and LOUD to encourage them to keep a safe distance from people. 🐶 Practice Responsible Animal Guardianship: Keep cats indoors and dogs on a leash and under good recall. Supervise companion animals pets when they are outside, especially during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active. 🐾 Educate Your Neighbors: Share tips and information about coexistence to foster a community that supports wildlife. You can find sharable resources at ProjectCoyote.org Through #CompassionateCoexistence, we can foster a safe environment for all residents—wild and human alike! 📷 Sheryl Hester, #CaptureCoexistence Contributor

Big cats are beautiful. Majestic. Powerful. Over the past few year headlines were made by entertainers using their pet cats in shows and Canada is no excepting. According to a survey in 2019 there were 2383 tigers as pets in Canada. That did not include cats living in private entertainment sites like roadside zoos or menageries. Like apex predators in other ecosystems, these animals play a significant role in the overall health of that system. When they disappear, the local ecosystem becomes unhealthy, wobbling, becoming destabilized or even collapsing. It's a reaction chain referred to as the "Tropic Cascade". In Canada, not only are foreign exotics banned but our native mountain lions (aka cougars, pumas) are also prohibited as pets. While keeping some exotic pets may vary from Province to Province, when it comes to cats in Canada, only the common domestic cat is allowed as a pet. Check the local Humane Society or your local Wildlife Management department for more information. * David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation: https://ow.ly/1F6t50SLNPM * World Wildlife Fund: https://ow.ly/uZtU50SLNPN * World Animal Protection: https://ow.ly/Xm0Z50SLNPO. #InternationalTigerDay #Tigers #AllInThisTogether #Earth #Biodiversity #Water #AquaticBiosphere