Sawfish are amongst the most threatened family of marine fishes. Overfishing and habitat destruction have resulted in many species disappearing from the coastlines of 46 countries. International conservation efforts and adequate fishing protections are required to prevent their complete extinction.
A bee in Australia has been discovered, after no sightings had been made of it for 100 years. However, it is extremely rare due to habitat loss and fragmentation, wildfires and climate change. It is also favours just one specific vegetation type, and with little known of its biology, time is running out to protect this native species.
A new surveying technique involving the use of satellite cameras has been used to count elephants. Automatic detection allows for vast areas to be surveyed much quicker, offering an alternative to human observers counting from low-flying planes.
Rising temperatures, decreasing snowpack and large wildfires have all contributed to a decline in numbers of Canada lynx in Washington State in the USA, even as steps are being taken to remove the species’ threatened status under the Endangered Species Act.
Bird species that live in their natural habitats can help zoos learn how to manage those in captivity. Likewise, birds living in captivity can inform conservation for wild birds, new research has shown. Both can help educate the public on threats facing bird species and encourage human behaviour change.
Mathematical modelling inspired by technology used by social media to document people’s social media interactions is identifying the significant impacts of warming seas, particularly in winter, on the world’s fisheries.
Biotelemetry has provided a unique glimpse into the ecology and habitat use of the ‘near threatened’ whitespotted eagle ray in Florida. It has revealed that this species shows an affinity for habitats that are also valued by humans for recreation and commercial purposes, which will therefore have implications for its conservation.
New research reveals that a shift from night-time to daytime activity will have an impact on the well-being of aardvarks in our warming and drying world. With drought resulting in a lack of ants and termites, the aardvarks are starving.
The vaquita is the world’s rarest marine mammal. Gillnet fisheries have caused them to become entangled in the nets, and has resulted in their numbers dropping to fewer than 20 individuals. However, there is still hope as one new study has proven that they exhibit few signs of inbreeding or other problems of small populations.
For the first time, DNA markers have been used to provide forensic evidence to tackle poaching of the Indian rhino. A database has now been created to hold a catalogue of rhino DNA, which will also aid conservation efforts.