If you go by the national media Florida must be an “exciting” place to live. Hurricanes, out-of-control-pythons, invasive eels, abundant poisonous snakes and now raucous manatee sex parties. Not too long ago we were reporting on excess manatee deaths in Florida. Now, however the problem is different. Raucous manatee sex is disturbing the neighbors (so-to-speak).Continue reading “Raucous Manatee Sex Prompts Calls To Sheriff’s Deputies; Officers Ask Public To Stop Tattling On Wild Manatee Parties”
Monthly Archives: August 2023
Pallas’s Cat Genome Completed, Will Help In Conservation Of Cat With The “Grumpy” Face
The Pallas Cat (Otocolubus) manul) is certainly an unusual looking cat with its wide face, low slung ears and grumpy expression. The cat, also known as a manul, was not well-understood either. But understanding took a giant step forward recently with the first full mapping of the Pallas’s cat genome. DNA is the information moleculeContinue reading “Pallas’s Cat Genome Completed, Will Help In Conservation Of Cat With The “Grumpy” Face”
Montana Wolf Kill lowered; About 100 Fewer Wolves Will Be Culled This Year
Authorities in Montana have decided to lower the number of wolves culled this year. The Montana wolf kill will be 313 rather than 450. Tags will be issued to hunters up to that number. Although the news is cheered by conservationists there is a somber note. The reason Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks reduced theContinue reading “Montana Wolf Kill lowered; About 100 Fewer Wolves Will Be Culled This Year”
Red Wolf Killed: Death Of Very Rare Wolf Brings Wild Population Down To 13; Cash Reward Offered In Slaying
Red wolves are the rarest of North American wolves. They were so close to extinction that the US Government captured all the known wild animals and put them into a captive breeding program. Efforts to return the red wolf to the wild have not been very successful. The wild population is down to a handfulContinue reading “Red Wolf Killed: Death Of Very Rare Wolf Brings Wild Population Down To 13; Cash Reward Offered In Slaying”
Humpback Chub In Colorado To Be Protected By Chemical Warfare Against Small Mouth Bass
The humpback chub is an endangered species of fish in Colorado. The National Park Service (NPS) intends to deploy a chemical agent to kill two of its enemies. Invasive small mouth bass and green sunfish. The targeted kill is designed to keep the predators out of the humpback chub’s region. To protect the humpback chubContinue reading “Humpback Chub In Colorado To Be Protected By Chemical Warfare Against Small Mouth Bass”
“Convivial Rewilding” Is Goal For Ireland Suggested By Researcher Interested In Returning Wild Life To Eire
Rewilding is the concept of bringing often locally extinct animals back to former habitats. We have discussed it here many times. But the Irish Times says a researcher is advocating a new twist. “Convivial Rewilding” would be a way to balance the interests of the wild animals being returned to Ireland and the people livingContinue reading ““Convivial Rewilding” Is Goal For Ireland Suggested By Researcher Interested In Returning Wild Life To Eire”
Liberty Canyon Overcrossing For Wildlife Impeded By Heavy Winter Rains, But Is Still Expected To Be On Schedule
Construction of an ambitious 175 foot wide animal pathway over the 101 Freeway in has been impeded by winter rains. But the Liberty Canyon Overcrossing is still on schedule to open at the end of 2025. That’s the headline from the Daily News at any rate. The builders of the Liberty Canyon Overcrossing had toContinue reading “Liberty Canyon Overcrossing For Wildlife Impeded By Heavy Winter Rains, But Is Still Expected To Be On Schedule”
Python Challenge 2023: Florida Calls On Hunters To Catch, Humanely Kill, Invasive Burmese Pythons
Florida is having serious trouble with a number of invasive species. Perhaps foremost (at the moment) is the Burmese Python (Python bivittatus). The snake has found Florida extremely convivial. The nearly 20 foot long reptiles eat nearly everything in sight. The state is fighting back. One of the methods is the “Python Challenge.” Python ChallengeContinue reading “Python Challenge 2023: Florida Calls On Hunters To Catch, Humanely Kill, Invasive Burmese Pythons”
International Cat Day Celebrates Positive Side Of Often Thorny Relationship Between Humans and What Are Domesticated Wildcats
International Cat Day 2023 has just passed. The day gives cat lovers (and haters) the opportunity to reflect on the good (and very bad) side of the cat-human relationship. International Cat Day was first dedicated as August 8 about 20 years ago. It is a celebration of the special bond between humans and cats. ItContinue reading “International Cat Day Celebrates Positive Side Of Often Thorny Relationship Between Humans and What Are Domesticated Wildcats”
Saber-Toothed Cats And Dire Wolves May Have Been Heavily Inbred, New Study Of La Brea Tar Pits Fossils Shows
Saber-toothed cats and dire Wolves are among the most famous apex predators of the Ice Age. But both went extinct about 10,000 years ago. Now, new research shows saber toothed cats and dire wolves had something unfortunate in common. The two animals appear to have had genetic bone defects possibly due to inbreeding. Smithsonian MagazineContinue reading “Saber-Toothed Cats And Dire Wolves May Have Been Heavily Inbred, New Study Of La Brea Tar Pits Fossils Shows”