Conservation setback may doom Christmas Island pipistrelle bat to extinction

When last we wrote about the Christmas Island pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus murrayi), things didn’t look good for this rare species that is both tiny in size and in population. Just 20 or so of the microbats remain in the world, and conservationists hoped to capture the remaining wild population and start a captive-breeding program, a last-gasp chance to save the species for extinction.

Species spillover: Broadening benefits of habitat corridors

Animals are born to roam. So when they find themselves living on small patches of land surrounded by housing developments or cornfields, their movement is unnaturally confined. They may never find that other patch a mile down the road that is full of food, nesting grounds, even mates with differing genes (a very good thing for the health of a species.) What’s more, the plant seeds and pollen that naturally hitchhike with them are also stuck.

Damaged Ecosystems Not Lost Forever

Most polluted or damaged ecosystems worldwide could recover within a single lifetime if societies commit to their cleanup or restoration, according to researchers at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.

Peru recognizes private conservation areas on community lands in high Andes

The government of Peru has recognized two Private Conservation Areas on community lands in the Cordillera Vilcanota, near Machu Picchu, that protect threatened forests composed of trees known as Polylepis, for the benefit of local communities and endangered wildlife. The project, sponsored by the American Bird Conservancy in conjunction with its Peruvian partner group Asociación Ecosistemas Andinos (ECOAN), has been working with local communities towards the creation of a number of planned forest reserves, which are being made possible by sustainable development projects benefitting local citizens.

WWF Calls for Full Protection of Polar Bears Under the ESA

WWF applauded the Obama administration and Secretary Salazar for their strong statements today and commitments to date on the need for “…comprehensive energy and climate strategy that curbs climate change and its impacts – including the loss of sea ice.”

200 near-extinct tadpole shrimps hatch out at WWT Caerlaverock

WWT has taken an important step in the conservation of the UK’s near-extinct tadpole shrimp population, hatching an amazing 200 tank bred triops at its reserve at Caerlaverock , Scotland, at the first attempt.

Hippies, Hollywood and the Flush Factor

Cameron Diaz, an actress who is also known for her eco-friendly lifestyle, had bloggers buzzing after an appearance earlier this week on the Tonight Show, where she described her water-conscious toilet-flushing mantra to host Jay Leno.

Amazon land giveaway outrages conservationists

A law expected to be approved by Brazil’s Congress granting 1.2 million people and numerous companies titles to a huge chunk of the Amazon rain forest could provoke a new wave of land-grabbing and deforestation, conservationists warn.

Eagle vs. cormorant: What to do when one rare species starts eating another?

Bald eagle vs. great cormorant. It sounds like the title of a bad SciFi Channel movie, but it’s actually a serious situation that has Maine conservation officials in a quandary.

Researchers find largest leatherback turtle nesting area

Researchers have discovered in West Africa the world’s largest nesting population of endangered leatherback sea turtles.

Scientists identify world’s largest leatherback turtle population

An international team of scientists has identified a nesting population of leatherback sea turtles in Gabon, West Africa as the world’s largest. The research, published in the May issue of Biological Conservation, involved country-wide land and aerial surveys that estimated a population of between 15,730 and 41,373 female turtles using the nesting beaches. The study highlights the importance of conservation work to manage key sites and protected areas in Gabon.

Scientists identify world's largest leatherback turtle population

An international team of scientists has identified a nesting population of leatherback sea turtles in Gabon, West Africa as the world’s largest. The research, published in the May issue of Biological Conservation, involved country-wide land and aerial surveys that estimated a population of between 15,730 and 41,373 female turtles using the nesting beaches. The study highlights the importance of conservation work to manage key sites and protected areas in Gabon.