Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group’s Post

🧬🗺️ Wildlife trafficking is a multibillion-dollar industry, with negative implications for ecosystems and human health. Most illicit wildlife trafficking is also connected to other crime networks, as it provides a lucrative add-on to other nefarious activities. Tracking trade and addressing wildlife trafficking is challenging, but new spatial genetics research highlights a promising approach to getting to the source of the issue. 🗺️🧬 Researchers at UCLA created a genetic source-to-destination map that traced the genomes from confiscated pangolin samples back to their source populations in West and Central Africa. This approach helps pinpoint where the animals are killed, to focus resources on stopping poaching at the source. https://ow.ly/mbos50QHjlt

Colorado’s Small Mammals, Part II: Lagomorphs https://lnkd.in/grUnj_Aa Colorado has an amazing array of wildlife – birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians, and mammals large and small. If you live in urban areas, small mammals are some of the most common wildlife you will encounter. Even more species of small mammals can be found in mountainous areas, on the grasslands, or near rivers and streams. Some species are quite common; others are threatened or endangered. Here’s the second in a series taking a look at some of the different varieties of small mammals that can be found in Colorado, and resources from our library and the State of Colorado […]

🐈⬛ DNA Confirms Big Cat Presence in the British Countryside 🧬 A groundbreaking discovery was made last week when DNA from a 'Panthera genus' big cat (most likely a Leopard 🐾), was identified on a swab taken from a dead sheep in the Lake District. This is the first ever confirmed instance of big cat DNA found on a carcass in the UK. 🔬 The analysis, conducted at the University of Warwick's laboratory under the direction of Prof Robin Allaby, shifted his perspective dramatically. "It makes me a convert to the existence of non-native big cats in the UK," Allaby stated, lending credibility to over 2,000 reported big cat sightings across the UK in the last decade. Implications of the Discovery: 🐺 Supporting Predator Reintroduction: The confirmation of big cat DNA boosts efforts to reintroduce apex predators like Lynxes and Wolves in the UK, suggesting that local ecosystems could once again sustain these species. ⚖️ Restoring Ecological Harmony: Reintroducing apex predators is key to maintaining ecological balance by naturally regulating herbivore populations. This is particularly critical in areas like Scotland, where Deer overpopulation has led to degraded landscapes. 🌍 Amplifying Biodiversity: Apex predators such as Leopards can play a vital role in preventing overgrazing and sustaining diverse ecosystems. Their predatory habits support the health and resilience of plant and animal communities. Prof Allaby's venture into wildlife DNA analysis began 12 years ago following the discovery of a scavenged roe deer carcass near Stroud, Gloucestershire, which revealed only fox DNA, highlighting the underestimated predatory impact of foxes. His lab has since become a critical hub in uncovering the mystery of big cats in the UK, with evidence like a claw sent anonymously from northern England confirming the presence of a Panthera genus cat. (📷 Credit: Documentary ‘Panthera Britannia Declassified’, Dragonfly Films / SWNS) #BigCat #ApexPredator #Leopard

I found this on NewsBreak: Texas Parks & Wildlife warns of invasive species. "They might not look like much, but marbled crayfish, which have become popular pets, are spreading quickly in environments where they have been introduced, posing a threat to local ecosystems. They are all female, and reproduce by cloning, which means a single crayfish can easily become the first of an entire invasive population." - Fox #news #journalism #astacology #marinescience #marinebiology #marineecology #marinechemistry #marinepharmacology #freshwaterecology #invasiveecology #insectecology #entomology #foxnews #newsbreak

Exciting discovery: rattlesnakes on Catalina Island challenge the "island tameness" phenomenon. A study led by Dr. William Hayes from the School of Medicine reveals that southern Pacific rattlesnakes on Santa Catalina Island are more defensive, bite more frequently, and deliver more venom. This behavior contrasts with the expected "island tameness" and is likely due to the presence of non-native predators introduced by humans. The research underscores the importance of understanding wildlife behavior for conservation and public safety. Learn more about this fascinating study and Hayes' findings through the attached news article. #LLULife #SchoolOfMedicine #Rattlesnake #Snakes #Research #CatalinaIsland #Wildlife #WildlifeConservation

The lovely woods in the Cairngorms are home to two 'iconic' species, the capercaillie and wildcat. For over a decade I have been pointing out that the Scottish caper must have low genetic diversity, and now science has proved it. In the November BBC Wildlife, Helen Senn of the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland says " This reduces their ability to adapt and survive in ever-changing environmental conditions. Reinforcing this population with birds from mainland Europe could benefit the species by increasing genetic diversity". Without such recruitment, caper in Scotland will hang on like the original Welsh red kites, with good and bad years, but remaining marginal....... I understand that such projects within Europe have often failed, because of the effect of 'meso-predators', like the fox, wildcat and marten.....which is why some people are discussing 'translocating' some pine martens. But our wildcats are also considered at risk, and nineteen captive-bred cats were released in the Cairngorms this year, with similar numbers to follow over the next two. Potentially, this must mean more possible predation on caper, which indicates that the new blood from Europe is crucial. All this is complicated enough, and entails some crossing of fingers among those involved. But two things are clear to me: we need TIME to see how the cat/caper relationship works out....... And we do NOT need the added complication of lynx, which could, whatever anyone protests, impact the populations both of wildcat and capercaillie. This must NOT be rushed, for the sake of the two iconic species we still..just...have.

An estimated 9 million dead mammals every year in Brazil alone. “Roadkill is having a greater impact on wildlife survival than previously thought.” Dr Fernando Pinto and team reviewed 62 scientific papers with a total of nearly 12,000 individuals reported. The IUCN does not consider roadkill a threat to most mammals. However, Dr Pinto and team estimated mammal mortality from vehicle collisions could reach 9 million animals per year - in Brazil alone. Mitigation structures such as wildlife crossings are sorely needed in Brazil, a country with high wildlife richness and an extensive road network. https://lnkd.in/gJMbE5i6 Read this research summary and more at TransportEcology.info, an open-access platform sharing research and experience in ecologically-friendly transport planning and management. Study authors: Fernando Pinto, Douglas William Cirino, Rafaela Cobucci Cerqueira, Clarissa Rosa, Simone Freitas. Instituto Nacional da Mata Atlântica - Inma, Universidade Federal do ABC, University of São Paulo, USP - Universidade de São Paulo, Universidade Federal de Lavras, INPA - National Institute for Amazonian Research, Diversity (MDPI). #TransportEcology #Roadkill #WildlifeCrossing #LinearTransport #Biodiversity #ResearchSummary

Smarter than the average bear? 🐻 Research has discovered that bears might be smarter than we realised. Studies carried out by the University of Oxford's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit and Oakland University's Psychology Department have found that some bear species use tools, "a trait usually only associated with the upper echelons of intelligent animals". Read the full article from Newsweek. #bears #intelligence #animals #wildlife #conservation #research #psychology #studies #zoology

Very rarely, a Blanding’s turtle will hatch with a recessive genetic trait that makes it blonde 👱♀️ in color. Out of thousands of hatched turtles, we’ve only seen it about a dozen times over the course of the whole head-start program. These turtles don’t get released for a couple of reasons. First, we don’t want to amplify this genetic trait in the population. We want Blanding’s turtles to have the best traits for survival, which includes coloration that camouflages into their environment. Second, believe it or not there are poachers who would try to collect these rare beauties. We never release them into the preserves, so don’t try looking for them. Instead, they are given to local conservation agencies where they serve a role as ambassador animals educating the public on the plight of endangered species. #conservation #endangeredspecies #ecology #localgov #wildlife

🔍 Our wildlife biologist has made an exciting discovery in northern NSW! They found a three-clawed worm skink (Anomalopus verreauxii) during a recent pitfall trap survey. At first glance, it might resemble a snake, but closer inspection reveals four vestigial limbs. Vestigial limbs are fascinating biological structures that have lost their ancestral function and are typically reduced in size. Several skink species possess vestigial limbs, providing evidence of the evolutionary relationship between snakes and lizards. How cool is that? Take a closer look at the front legs of this skink, and you'll spot three little claws that inspired its name. Our wildlife services encompass human-wildlife conflict mitigation and co-existence; fauna ecology, surveys, population studies and threatened species management; construction-related services such as fauna spotter catching, nest box installation and monitoring; and pest animal management (both on-ground and strategic planning). To learn more about Ecosure visit https://bit.ly/3tJGvDf 📸 Image credit: Tegan Dinsdale, Fauna Ecologist #ecosureau #ThrivingGlobalEcosystems #wildlifeservices #improvingecosystems #naturalbrilliance #passion #optimism #fieldwork #threeclawedskink