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”
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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”
Bhutan Tiger Count Grows 27 Percent As Part Of Effort To Double The Number of Wild Tigers In The World
Tigers (panthera tigris) are one of the most iconic animals in the world and they are hanging on by the skin of their teeth in the wild. The good news is that the Bhutan tiger count was up 27 percent in time for International Tiger Day July 29. The Bhutan tiger count is now 127,Continue reading “Bhutan Tiger Count Grows 27 Percent As Part Of Effort To Double The Number of Wild Tigers In The World”
International Tiger Day Draws Attention To Uncertain Future Of The Biggest Of All Cats
Every July 29 is International Tiger Day day in which conservationists worldwide celebrate the regal cat and work to preserve its future. International Tiger Day was created in 2010 in St, Petersburg. Russia. International tiger conservationists set a goal of doubling the world’s wild tiger population by 2022. “TX2” has not met that goal. butContinue reading “International Tiger Day Draws Attention To Uncertain Future Of The Biggest Of All Cats”
Mating Mayhem: Researchers Think Out Of The Box To Keep Clouded Leopards From Killing Each Other Instead Of Mating
Efforts to save endangered species in part depend on inducing the animals to mate in captivity, which is not always easy. Mating mayhem – in which males kill females – has been a serious problem with efforts to save the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). According to NBC News zookeepers at the Smithsonian National Zoo hopeContinue reading “Mating Mayhem: Researchers Think Out Of The Box To Keep Clouded Leopards From Killing Each Other Instead Of Mating”
Asian Leopards “Functionally Extinct” In Cambodia; Conservation Groups Seek To Redouble Efforts In Rest Of Region
Any good news in conservation must be taken with a dose of sobering news. If India is recording record numbers of tigers, we must also recognize that Asian leopards are now thought to be “functionaly extinct” in Cambodia. Functionally extinct means researchers can find little or no trace of an animal. It means that theContinue reading “Asian Leopards “Functionally Extinct” In Cambodia; Conservation Groups Seek To Redouble Efforts In Rest Of Region”
Critically Endangered Vultures Are Released In Bengal As Indian Conservationists Try To Save Two Species
India is very active in conservation efforts. It is also home to many endangered species. The country is working to save the threatened animals. State conservation agencies are being given funds to save dozens of species. Among them are critically endangered vultures. According to NDTV 13 of the critically endangered vultures were recently released inContinue reading “Critically Endangered Vultures Are Released In Bengal As Indian Conservationists Try To Save Two Species”
People Centric Conservation In Action: Beekeping May Help Save The Snow Leopard
Wildlife conservation is difficult. In these posts we have shown that successes in one area can lead to challenges in another. India, for example, has had great success in increasing its tiger population. But that “tiger-centric” approach has come at the risk of harming other endangered species. People centric conservation is now attempting to redressContinue reading “People Centric Conservation In Action: Beekeping May Help Save The Snow Leopard”
Modified Fruit Flies Are Latest Advance In Control Of Damaging Pests
Some consider insects the most important of all life forms on the Earth. Life as we know it would certainly be nearly impossible without insects. But the costs some insects impose on human life are nearly intolerable. Science has been at war with those insects for many years. Modifed fruit flies are the latest salvoContinue reading “Modified Fruit Flies Are Latest Advance In Control Of Damaging Pests”
Anacondas Are Invading The U.S.; Another Species Of The Big Snake May Be Establishing Itself In American South
Invasive species are a problem world wide and several American states, including Florida and Texas, are especially hard hit. Anacondas are invading the U.S. At least one species is already established in Florida and a second may be developing a breeding population. If anacondas are invading the U.S. it may make Florida’s snake problems worseContinue reading “Anacondas Are Invading The U.S.; Another Species Of The Big Snake May Be Establishing Itself In American South”