Bringing you the latest articles, opinion and analysis in the conservation world
Elephants, one of our few remaining megaherbivores, have a huge impact on their environment. A new study has shown that they also help protect against climate change by encouraging the growth of slow growing trees that sequester more carbon from the atmosphere.
Analysis of conservation efforts in the Amazon and Orinoco basins has revealed that a total of 85 past or present projects has helped to conserve 147,000 female South American River Turtles.
Tiger geckos in Asia are small in numbers but extremely vulnerable to extinction. Not enough research has been conducted on these species, but what scientists do know is that they are at serious risk of becoming extinct due to the exotic pet trade and need urgent protection.
Entomologists are calling for greater research and science-based community actions to save insects. They say specific legislation is required to preserve the incredible diversity of insects, as well as addressing the huge gaps in our knowledge.
A lack of data on many amphibian species has meant that their extinction risk was unknown. A team of scientists have now used known ecological, geographical, and evolutionary attributes to model the risk…and results show that at least another 1,000 species are under threat.
Predictions about the impact of climate change on species may be inaccurate if behaviour is not taken into account. This was highlighted by new research which shows that some species may be able to mitigate the effects of higher temperatures by seeking out shade.
Scientists have reported that elephant poaching in Africa has declined, from 10% in 2011 to 4% in 2017. However, even at current poaching rates, elephants remain in serious danger of going extinct.
Research shows that chimpanzees react to changes to their habitats by adapting to human development, such as learning to cross roads safely and knowing when to avoid people. However, further development could seriously harm their abundance and distribution.
A new study suggests that short-term trends in population size and distribution may not be the best way to judge a species extinction risk, if that species is a large, slow-breeding animal. Conservation decisions based on these trends may fail to protect them.
New insights into certain cattle ranching practices have been given by a Kenyan scientist. These will benefit lions as well as one of the animals they prey on, the endangered Jackson’s hartebeest.