Bringing you the latest articles, opinion and analysis in the conservation world
White-tailed sea eagles in Germany were tested for the stress hormone corticosterone, levels of which were particularly high in birds nesting close to roads and paths. This has implications for tourist use in areas of high eagle density.
It may seem obvious but it has now been scientifically proven that green turtles eat plastic that closely resembles sea grass, their preferred food. This research is important, as it shows what kind of plastic pollution is a particular problem.
Over the past 300 years, 79 plants have been confirmed extinct from three of the world’s biodiversity hotspots located in South Africa – the Cape Floristic Region, the Succulent Karoo, and the Maputuland-Pondoland-Albany corridor.
A study of large freshwater animals between 1970 to 2012 has revealed that populations throughout the globe have fallen by 88%, with large fish species being particularly affected. Conservation action for freshwater biodiversity is urgently required.
A groundbreaking procedure has been successfully conducted with a view to saving the northern white rhino from extinction. Eggs have been harvested from the last two individuals left, and artificially inseminated.
New research has found that habitat loss is a major concern for hundreds of Australian bird species, threatened as well as non-threatened, and south-eastern Australia has been the worst affected.
A study of research articles published in recent years has found that they have focused heavily on a few charismatic primates and nationally protected parks and forests, leaving lesser known species and habitats at risk.
Analyses of microbiomes in the guts of koalas has led tot he discovery that faecal transplants could help them to eat a wider range of food. This may help them to survive habitat loss and could benefit other endangered species with very specific diets.
Sharks being killed for there meat and fins has resulted in them becoming much rarer in areas near to large human populations and fish markets. The body size of them and other marine predators has also fallen dramatically in these areas.
New Zealand has a long history of bird extinctions caused by human activity. Scientists have estimated that it would take 50 million years to recover lost bird species, and if birds currently under threat are allowed to go extinct, it would take 10 million years to recover them.