Latest news with #Mongabay
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Trail cameras capture first-of-its-kind image of predator making meal of small creature in national park: 'Extremely significant'
A trail camera captured a unique image of a rare big cat, which has conservationists purring with excitement about its implications. As Mongabay reported, a camera set up in Dehing Patkai National Park in Assam, northeast India, captured footage of a clouded leopard carrying a Bengal slow loris by the nape of its neck. Given their nocturnal habits and elusive nature, it's rare to ever see either creature in the wild. Ranjith Ram, one of the park's officials, told the outlet that "only one or two people in my patrol party have reported seeing clouded leopards. So, the fact that a single camera trap image captures both these animals is extremely significant." With just around 10,000 cats remaining in the wild in Southeast Asia, the clouded leopard is one of the smaller big cats, tipping the scales at a little over 50 pounds. Unlike other big cats, they cannot roar, and unlike small cats, they don't purr. This quiet feline still leaves a big impression as it can punch well above its modest weight thanks to powerful legs and exceptionally large canine teeth. The clouded leopard's lengthy gnashers are equivalent to a tiger's, a feline ten times larger, per Global Conservation. Like other big cats in the area, clouded leopards are threatened by habitat destruction and poaching. As the World Wildlife Fund notes, their pelts are widely sold by unscrupulous traders attempting to pass them off as tiger pelts, and they are believed to have already become extinct in China and Taiwan. The images underline the vital importance of trail cameras in forming effective conservation strategies. They aid researchers in keeping tabs on some of the rarest species on Earth without intruding on their habitats. The cameras are also helpful in generating public interest in climate issues, as it's a lot more productive to center conversations around positive developments. As a paper on the images noted, the pictures captured by the trail camera have helped fill in the scholarly gaps in the leopard's dietary habits: "This photographic record fills in the information gap on the prey preference of the clouded leopard in its Indian distribution range." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make alarming discovery while studying world's largest wild goat: 'Serious concerns'
A new study has uncovered a troubling reality in the Himalayas: the world's largest wild goat is losing its home. As livestock grazing spreads deeper into the alpine zones of the Kashmir region, the already-threatened Kashmir markhor is running out of space and options, according to recent reporting. Scientists say the species may be getting pushed into lower, less nutritious habitats at a critical time in their life cycle. As detailed by Mongabay, markhor usually migrate to higher elevations in May and June to give birth and graze on nutritious alpine plants. But this timing now overlaps with a major influx of livestock — mostly sheep and goats — brought in by local herders. Researchers found that livestock outnumber markhor by more than 30 to 1 during this critical period, pushing them into lower, less suitable areas. That shift may be hurting young markhors. In one heavily grazed valley, researchers found far fewer yearlings compared with adult females — a sign that fewer kids are surviving their first year. "This research raises serious concerns for markhor conservation in the region," said Tawqir Bashir, an assistant professor at Sher-e-Kashmir University, per Mongabay. "The severe competition with livestock for space and resources in summer, combined with the disturbance by herders and herding dogs, will affect their migration patterns as well." According to Mongabay, there are only two viable markhor populations in India, in the Pir Panjal and Kazinag ranges. The subspecies is legally protected and classified as "near threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Forced into less than optimal habitats — especially after giving birth — females may struggle to recover body weight and provide for their young, increasing their vulnerability heading into harsh winters. Markhor aren't the only hooved wildlife impacted, either, according to Mongabay. This may indicate a collapse of biodiversity, which could create ripple effects that impact the livelihoods of locals by resulting in habitat degradation and lost tourism income. While the study raises red flags, it also points toward solutions. The researchers recommend protecting fawning sites and regulating livestock access in key areas during summer months. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "The study provides a sustainable and ecologically sound solution to address this issue by recommending regulation of livestock," Mongabay wrote when paraphrasing Bashir. Programs like the Kashmir Markhor Recovery Project, launched in 2004, have helped stabilize populations before. Rotational grazing — adopted in parts of India and Kenya — shows how people and wildlife can share the land more sustainably. Saving the markhor isn't just about one species. These mountain grazers help keep fragile ecosystems in balance — ecosystems that millions depend on for water, food, and clean air. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts raise red flags over alarming new threat that could devastate the Amazon: 'The ecosystem as a whole loses resilience'
Amazonian fish are facing an alarming new threat. A series of extreme droughts is drying up the region's rivers and wetlands — and scientists say the consequences could be devastating for both wildlife and local communities. According to a recent report from Mongabay, the Amazon is experiencing some of the lowest water levels in recorded history. In Brazil's Lake Tefé, water temperatures soared above 102 degrees Fahrenheit in late 2023, killing thousands of fish. In the same area, over 150 Amazon river dolphins also died, likely due to the same extreme conditions. Fish species like tambaqui, aracu, and piramutaba — many of which are vital to local fisheries — are especially vulnerable to warming waters, low oxygen, and disrupted migration patterns. "However, if many species are lost, the remaining populations become more vulnerable and the ecosystem as a whole loses resilience," researcher Priit Zingel told Mongabay. Experts link this crisis to a combination of rising global temperatures, prolonged drought, and widespread deforestation — all of which are disrupting the water cycle across the Amazon Basin. More than 30 million people live in the Amazon region, many of whom depend on rivers for food and income. When fish populations crash, so do local economies and food security. This isn't just about one region. Similar challenges are unfolding globally. Italy's Adriatic Sea shows how warming waters are harming coastal communities, and scientists in Florida are sounding alarms about ancient sturgeon species in decline due to shifting river conditions. If extreme droughts in the Amazon continue, both biodiversity and human livelihoods could face long-term harm — setting back progress toward a safer, more sustainable future. Local leaders and researchers are advocating for better water and forest management, stronger environmental protections, and coordinated global efforts to reduce the pollution fueling these extremes. Tools like NASA's sea-level tracking platform and expanded conservation funding are helping scientists better understand and respond to these challenges. Individuals can support change by staying informed, talking with family and friends, and taking local action. Understanding how this crisis connects to global trends — including threats to fish in the Mekong River and the broader Amazon drought — is key to building the momentum needed for real solutions. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Researchers horrified by disturbing discovery captured in trendy cafes: 'There's a lot more … than we previously thought'
Asian small-clawed otters have a cult following on the internet, particularly in Japan. However, researchers recently found evidence of extensive, behind-the-scenes poaching driven by their popularity. Mongabay looked at new research published in Conservation Science and Practice, focused on Asian small-clawed otters in Japan's controversial otter cafes. Concerns about the species aren't new — in 2019, published an exhaustive piece questioning the ethics of Japan's otter cafes, documenting unsuitable conditions and visibly distressed otters. Researchers from France, Thailand, and Japan suspected poaching played a role in the bustling otter trade. They obtained DNA samples from 81 Asian small-clawed otters in Japan, 43 of which were from zoos, 33 from animal cafes, and five from otters intercepted at the border. Using genetic markers, the team contrasted the samples with those of otters from "the southern region of Thailand, which is a suspected poaching hotspot." Their suspicions were validated, and their findings were striking. "Based on the identical haplotypes, most otters (94%) kept at cafes originated from Thailand, compared to around 60% from those kept at zoos and aquariums," researchers determined, per Conservation Science and Practice. "Actually, there's a lot more Thai otters in Japan than we previously thought," said conservation biologist and study co-author Worata Klinsawat, per Mongabay. "Poaching and illegal wildlife trade are among the key drivers of biodiversity loss and biosecurity crises worldwide," the team said, per Conservation Science and Practice. The practice of poaching — defined by National Geographic as "the illegal trafficking and killing of wildlife" — is a global problem with far-reaching consequences in terms of conservation and habitat, both human and animal. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Researchers said in Conservation Science and Practice that poaching "threatens the species' survival and population viability of otters." The Asian small-clawed otter was designated "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and the Japanese river otter was officially deemed "extinct" in 2012. Dwindling populations of native flora and fauna wreak havoc on local ecosystems, creating a domino effect on habitats and disrupting the food chain. Donating to conservation and wildlife protection organizations is one way to directly mitigate harmful behaviors like animal poaching. However, the most effective approach is a simple one, according to one researcher. "It's natural to feel affectionate toward otters, but we need to leave them in the wild so that they can fulfill their ecological role, for them and for us," Klinsawat said, per Mongabay. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers raise alarm after disturbing behavioral shift among Amazon birds: 'It's very sad'
Recent research is indicating that a mere 1° C (or 1.8° F) increase in average dry season temperatures locally could mean a 63% drop in some Amazonian bird populations, according to a mid-May report from Mongabay. The study, published in the journal Science Advances in January, examined 27 years of data for the populations of 29 Amazon bird species. In that timeframe, 24 of the species showed reductions in population size. Researchers suggest that shrinking insect populations — potentially a result of higher temperatures — mean less food for birds. The heat itself may also act as a direct stressor for the animals. While some might expect seemingly tucked-away portions of the Amazon to be sheltered from the worst of the climate crisis, this study is showing that its effects are reaching even the most remote areas of the planet. "These birds obviously experienced temperature changes of 1° C (1.8° F) or 2° C (3.6 °F) over these millions of years, but they occurred slowly over time, allowing the species time to adapt," study co-author Jared Wolfe told Mongabay. "Right now, we are talking about rapid changes over 10 or 20 years, and these birds don't have the [ability] to keep up with them. And it's very sad," he said. The Amazon rainforest is a hotbed for biodiversity, home to many species that science has yet to fully understand. The delicate balance between the species there provides ecosystem services not only to the region, but the world. Hits to local bird and insect numbers are likely to have a range of ripple effects. But they may also serve as indicators of disasters yet to come, being perhaps simply a more tropical canary in the coal mine. The co-authors highlight in their paper the importance of learning more about conditions that could be protective of vulnerable species. "Identifying the landscape characteristics that confer resilience to tropical forests and formulating policies to safeguard these resilient forests are essential steps toward ensuring the persistence of vulnerable tropical bird communities into the 22nd century," they write. Researchers intend to follow up with a study that zeroes in on isolated bird populations and another observing the effects of irrigation on populations during the dry season. The results could inform best practices for sustaining bird populations and potentially other life forms as global temperatures rise due to human-caused pollution. Still, this study delivers a strong message on its own. "This article unequivocally links climate changes with the birds' survival," Wolfe told Mongabay. "It was just a hypothesis until now, but this analysis confirms that they are playing a significant role in bird deaths in central Amazonia." Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
