EcoLocalizer

Officials from 13 nations are meeting to discuss conservation efforts to save the endangered tiger.   Officials from countries where tigers still roam - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam -  are taking part in the Asia Ministerial Conference (AMC) on Tiger Conservation. The conference runs from January 27 to January 30, 2010,  in Thailand. Read the rest of this entry »

Male Tasmanian Devil

A relatively rare form of transmissible cancer–known as Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD)–has been decimating Tasmanian Devil (Sarcophilus harisii) populations in Northeast Tasmania over the past thirteen or more years. First identified in 1996, the cancer has become so pervasive that the animal–the world’s largest carnivorous marsupial–has now become one of the world’s most endangered species.

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It’s a long-standing debate; just how much of a role should humans be playing when it comes to the environment and their influence on the natural order of things with regards to ecosystems and the animal kingdom. There is even more controversy when humans choose to be involved to rectify species decline that have occurred as part of nature and not as a direct result of human impact. A new situation in the UK brings this debate to light. Read the rest of this entry »

In an effort to prevent animal abuse, China is taking steps to end a centuries-old tradition.  Recently proposed legislation would outlaw the human consumption or sale of cat and dog meat, often called “fragrant meat,” which is still considered a delicacy in some parts of China.  Read the rest of this entry »

Many bird species, like swans, are known for mating for life. They form partnerships, much like a marriage and unlike humans, tend to really stick to the notion of “’til death do us part”; which is why experts have been shocked by new swan relationships that have formed at a UK sanctuary.

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The Blue whale–the largest animal ever to inhabit our planet–has been tracked by researchers since its numbers were perilously close to extinction in the 1960’s. Much of this tracking has been accomplished through underwater monitoring of whale “songs”, which are sung exclusively by male whales. These long, and fairly complex, sonic compositions are believed to be the means by which these whales attract mates. Over the past several years, the world’s blue whales have begun singing a different tune, of sorts; the frequency range of their songs has gotten significantly lower. And, this is happening, “in concert” all over the world–where ever these massive Cetacea migrate, feed, congregate and mate.

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The large-billed reed Warbler is a bird species that is thought to thrive in significant numbers, but it’s also one that’s very rarely spotted, with it’s last known recorded sighting taking place in 2006. Some researchers have indicated that perhaps the reed Warbler is spotted more often than some realize, because it’s often mistaken for other birds, but nonetheless, it does manage to allude scientists and bird-watchers alike.

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The Clodius Parnassian butterfly is more common at the top of its elevation range in the California mountains than in the past.

Climate change is making things rough for many vertebrate and invertebrate species. But add to this a steady loss of habitat, and many species just can’t adapt successfully to the combined stresses.

From the coastal lowlands to the coniferous tree lines of Northern California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, scores of species of butterfly are in an existential fight for their evolutionary futures. The survival challenge seems to be most impacting those species whose preferred habitats lay in the lower elevations, but the effects are being felt further up as well, as more butterfly species are moving into higher-elevated habitats. This evolutionary struggle might have gone unnoticed but for the diligent work of one research team, lead by butterfly expert Arthur Shapiro of the University of California at Davis. Read the rest of this entry »

Lily, a wild three-year-old black bear, began labor on Thursday.  People around the world anxiously waited and watched for the arrival, which was shown live on the Internet.  While most first-time litters include one or two cubs, after nearly 22 hours of labor, Lily gave birth to a single cub on January 22, 2010.  Read the rest of this entry »

As people around the world watch the unimaginable images being streamed out of Haiti, humanitarian aid is finally reaching the people that have been devastated by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010.   Food, water, medical provisions, shelter and supplies are slowly reaching those affected by the catastrophe.  Read the rest of this entry »