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Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lynx rescued from Highlands given names at their new home
A trio of lynx who were illegally released into the Scottish Highlands earlier this year have been named, following a competition involving school children and charity donors. Caledonia, Cardrona and Bluebell have settled in at the Highland Wildlife Park, a few miles from where they were first discovered in the Cairngorms National Park. The wild cats were rescued in freezing overnight temperatures by experts from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) in January. A fourth juvenile lynx was found abandoned but died after being rescued. The unplanned release of the animals was condemned by welfare groups and prompted a police investigation, though so far no arrests have been made. Schools in Scotland were invited to take part in the competition, submitting projects on the value of nature, with the winners being Kinlochleven Primary School's P3-4 class – who chose the name Bluebell. Caledonia was named by the winner of a prize draw which raised more than £7,600 for RZSS, while Cardrona was named by the Weir Charitable Trust, who made a generous donation. Judith Bowman, carnivore team leader at Highland Wildlife Park, said: 'It has been wonderful to care for the three girls here at the park over the past month. We are already seeing their playful and curious personalities flourish. 'Thank you to Kinlochleven Primary P3-4, who chose Bluebell's name, and submitted an amazing competition entry on their commitment to protecting nature. 'Caledonia was named by our prize draw winner and Cardrona by the Weir Charitable Trust. Without support from kind people like this our wildlife conservation charity wouldn't be able to continue its vital work.'
Forbes
11 hours ago
- Forbes
CITES Proposals Aim To Stop Shark Extinction Spiral
A view of oceanic whitetip reef shark, who faces danger of extinction due to climate change and ... More human pollution. Over 70 species of sharks and rays may soon receive their strongest lifeline yet. One June 30, 2025, governments around the world formally proposed urgent protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora for some of the most threatened marine animals on the planet, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, manta rays and wedgefish. These CITES proposals reflect what scientists have warned for years: for certain sharks and rays, sustainable trade simply isn't possible due to their slow reproduction, long lifespans and vulnerability to overfishing. The only viable path forward is to stop international commercial trade entirely and shift focus to protecting these species in the wild, where they offer far more value to local economies alive than they do as just merely a sum of their parts (i.e. fins, gills or meat). The proposed listings, which will be debated at CITES' 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) in Uzbekistan this upcoming November, recommend moving species like the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), manta and devil rays, and oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus) to Appendix I. This category provides the highest level of protection under international law, effectively banning commercial international trade. Other species, like the Critically Endangered wedgefish and guitarfish rays, would receive temporary commercial bans through a 'zero quota' listing, an approach that acts similarly to Appendix I by closing off legal trade routes. Sharks and rays play vital roles in ocean ecosystems, but they're increasingly being pushed to the edge. More than 37% of all shark and ray species are threatened with extinction. That number jumps to over 70% for species commonly involved in international trade. Oceanic whitetips, for example, were once among the most abundant open-ocean sharks. Now, their populations have crashed by over 90%, with an equally staggering percentage of their fins in trade likely coming from illegal sources. Whale sharks, despite some national protections, still face ship strikes, habitat loss, and illegal harvest, with their global numbers cut in half. For wedgefish and giant guitarfish, the situation is even more severe, with their fins fetching the highest prices in shark fin markets; their families are considered the most threatened among all sharks and rays. Even manta and devil rays, rightfully dubbed the 'gentle giants of the sea,' are not safe. With females birthing just one pup every two to three years, these rays cannot keep pace with commercial demand. Some populations have declined by over 90%, and illegal trade continues despite existing protections. Listing them under Appendix I is seen as the most effective way to ensure all of them survive. But it's not just about fins and gills for these individuals. Two additional proposals seek to list species on Appendix II, which regulates trade rather than bans it, to make sure it's sustainable. One focuses on gulper sharks, a deepwater species now being fished for their liver oil, used in high-end cosmetics. Like other shark species, gulpers grow slowly and reproduce even slower, making them highly vulnerable to overexploitation. A second proposal targets smoothound sharks, small coastal species prized for their meat in dishes like fish and chips in Australia and ceviche across Latin America. These sharks are increasingly overfished, and several species in this group are already classified as Endangered. Regulation under CITES Appendix II would require documentation proving that international trade is legal and not detrimental to wild populations. Even manta and devil rays, often seen as gentle giants of the sea, are not safe. With females ... More birthing just one pup every two to three years, these rays cannot keep pace with commercial demand. Altogether, there are seven proposals representing over 70 species that have been submitted, backed by more than 50 governments (including Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Senegal, Benin, the European Union and the United Kingdom). Could this be a sign that the world is finally recognizing that the unchecked trade in sharks and rays cannot continue without severe ecological consequences? Conservationists hope so. CITES has long served as a critical backstop for wildlife, from elephants and tigers to sea turtles and whales. The case for sharks and rays is no different. Their slow life histories and key ecological roles make them just as deserving of the highest level of international protection. And unlike extractive industries that rely on killing these animals, tourism based on live sharks and rays — like whale shark diving — offers sustainable, long-term economic benefits to coastal communities. 'We must act now to prevent irreversible losses. Recent studies in the world's shark and ray trade hubs reveal that CITES-listed sharks and rays are still entering trade in alarming numbers – stronger action is clearly justified,' said Luke Warwick, Director of Shark and Ray Conservation for the Wildlife Conservation Society. 'These scientifically justified proposals meet all CITES criteria. They offer a chance to act before it's too late; before we lose these species and the benefits they can bring to coastal communities globally.' The stakes are clear. If these proposals are adopted in November, they could represent a major turning point for marine conservation. If not, we risk watching these species vanish within our lifetimes, taking with them not just the balance of our oceans… but also the livelihoods, traditions and futures of countless communities around the globe.
CBS News
17 hours ago
- CBS News
North Texas Wildlife Center faces eviction, pleads for help to stay open
A Plano-based wildlife rescue center is fighting to stay open after receiving a 60-day eviction notice from the city. The North Texas Wildlife Center, a nonprofit that has long served as a rehabilitation haven for injured, sick, orphaned and displaced animals, now faces an uncertain future — and time is running out. Animals arrive daily for care Every day, the center receives animals in need from across the region. From baby opossums and skunks to turtles and birds, the home-based facility in East Plano has been a lifeline for wildlife. "We're rooting for the underdogs," said Rebecca Hamlin, president of the nonprofit. "People tend to forget about wildlife." Last year, the center took in more than 2,400 animals. This year, they've already surpassed that number, treating 2,600 animals in just six months. Hamlin said she believes more people are becoming compassionate about saving wildlife. CBS News Texas Neighborhood site overwhelmed by growth That compassion has translated into more foot traffic. "In just six months, we've had 1,200 people knock on the door saying, 'I have a baby animal. I need help,'" Hamlin said. But the current facility, located in a residential neighborhood, was never intended to handle such volume. On Friday, the city of Plano issued a 60-day notice to vacate. "Last Friday was chaos," Hamlin said. "Hopefully, we don't have to shut down. That would come to a hard stop, and that's really emotionally difficult. We're glad the city is working with us to give us at least 60 days, but we really need our community to help." Fundraising to secure new space The organization is now trying to raise $250,000 to secure a new commercial facility that would allow them to continue operations. So far, they've raised $100,000 and need about $150,000 more. Without a new location, North Texas could lose one of the only licensed wildlife centers in the region that accepts high-volume, multi-species intakes. Other centers are often more specialized or located hours away. "Places are expensive. Things are expensive," Hamlin said. "But this is something we have to do." Closure would strain other rehabbers If the center is forced to close, Hamlin said many injured or orphaned animals across the metroplex would be left to individual at-home rehabbers, who would likely be overwhelmed. "I would humbly like to ask North Texas to help make this happen," she said. "Not for me, not for the center, but for the sick and injured animals that come to us." To donate, visit:
