Here at Wild Animal News we have recently been reporting quite a bit on genetic science as it can be applied to wild animals. A few months ago we reported on a breakthrough in the war against ticks. Researchers have for the first time found a way to attack ticks by genetic modification. Previously, ticksContinue reading “Good News? Chinese Scientists Say They “Re-Created” A Mammal With “Fully-Reprogrammed” Genes; A Breakthrough In Fight Against Extinction? Or A Set Of Future Nightmares?”
Monthly Archives: August 2022
Chinese Dugong Declared “Functionally Extinct;” Their Florida Relatives Are Under Threat Too
Dugongs, a placid “gentle giant” marine mammal have been declared “functionally extinct” in China. Meanwhile, their freshwater cousins, Florida manatees, have been under siege as a record number have died in recent years. According to the New York Post it has been more than a decade since dugongs have been spotted in the wild offContinue reading “Chinese Dugong Declared “Functionally Extinct;” Their Florida Relatives Are Under Threat Too”
Isle Royale Wolf Population Rebounds After Near Disappearance; Reintroduction A Success
The gray wolves (canis lupus) of Isle Royale have seen their numbers rise and fall since their arrival on the Island in 1948. Wolf numbers have been as high as 50 and as low as two. They are currently rebounding after almost going extinct on the island. In fact, the most recent count shows aboutContinue reading “Isle Royale Wolf Population Rebounds After Near Disappearance; Reintroduction A Success”
Invasive Species Alert: Atlas Moth Found In United States For First Time
Readers of this blog will know we have spent a lot of time on invasive species worldwide. Invasive species come in all sizes and varieties and much of what they have in common is damage and displacement. Yesterday we once again discussed Florida Burmese pythons which are truly wreaking havoc in the Florida Everglades. InContinue reading “Invasive Species Alert: Atlas Moth Found In United States For First Time”
Florida Python Challenge 2022 Is Complete, May Not Be Making A Huge Impact, But Python Control Efforts Continue
Almost 1000 python hunters signed up for this year’s Florida Python Challenge which ended August 14. The final results are not in but it remains clear that however many were taken, many remain. Meanwhile, although the situation is grim there are signs of human and animal pushback against the invasive species which may have killedContinue reading “Florida Python Challenge 2022 Is Complete, May Not Be Making A Huge Impact, But Python Control Efforts Continue”
Wildlife Learning Center In Sylmar Expands Hours, Returns To Schools Receives Golf Fund Raiser
In a return to Post-Covid normalcy The Wildlife Learning Center (WLC) in Sylmar has made three important announcements. All three signal a possible end to a financial drought impacting wildlife rescue organizations world wide. Restrictions and mandated closures forced wildlife rescue institutions to try to find ways to survive with severely reduced funding. First, theContinue reading “Wildlife Learning Center In Sylmar Expands Hours, Returns To Schools Receives Golf Fund Raiser”
Jaguar Nicknamed “El Jefe” Spotted In Mexico After Disappearing From Arizona; Suggests Jaguars Finding Ways To Cross Border Despite Hazards
A well-known male jaguar first recorded in Arizona has been spotted in Mexico. “El Jefe” as the cat is known, had disappeared from Arizona in 2015 and was feared dead. He is estimated to be about 12 years old. which is toward the end of the life span of a wild jaguar. Jaguars in zoosContinue reading “Jaguar Nicknamed “El Jefe” Spotted In Mexico After Disappearing From Arizona; Suggests Jaguars Finding Ways To Cross Border Despite Hazards”
Scientists Seek To Reverse Extinction Of Tasmanian Tiger; But Hurdles Remain As New Animal Will Be A Hybrid Facing New Challenges
Extinction may not be forever anymore as scientists have announced a serious effort to reverse the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger. The tiger, or Thylacine, probably went extinct in 1936. In that year the last captive tiger died. He was named Benjamin and died in the Hobart Zoo. There is some doubt about whether BenjaminContinue reading “Scientists Seek To Reverse Extinction Of Tasmanian Tiger; But Hurdles Remain As New Animal Will Be A Hybrid Facing New Challenges”
Sacramento Wildlife Census Shows How Closely Urban Dwellers Live With Wild Animals
Sacramento and Los Angeles are very different cities, but one thing the two regions share is the fact that much wildlife has habituated itself to human presence. KTXL Fox 40 quoted City of Sacramento Animal Care Services as listing the following wildlife living even in the city center: raccoons, opossums, deer, skunks and coyotes. BecauseContinue reading “Sacramento Wildlife Census Shows How Closely Urban Dwellers Live With Wild Animals”
Decades Of Protection Pay Off As The Italian Wolf Population Rebounds And Grows After Near Extinction
Wolves are loved and hated all over the world. Recently we reported on trouble in the United States where persistent efforts to reintroduce wolves to their former range are met with mixed success and much hostility. We also reported on problems in Asia where wolves in Tibet appear to be expanding their range. That delightsContinue reading “Decades Of Protection Pay Off As The Italian Wolf Population Rebounds And Grows After Near Extinction”