Island Conservation
Four Fairy Tern chicks (classified Vulnerable) just hatched on beaches from Waipu to Mangawhai, New Zealand. The Fairy Tern is a beautiful seabird species classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as Vulnerable. This seabird nests on mainland coastlines as well as on offshore islands. The species faces a number of threats, including […]
Long-term study of Azores arthropods proves rich for research and practical for conservation. The Azores make up an archipelago about 800 miles off the coast of Portugal in the Atlantic Ocean. Of all the things you might notice about the Azores, the presence of arthropods is probably not the first. But, for researchers conducting a […]
For the Critically Endangered Kākāpō, 2016 was a good year. Thanks to the efforts of the Kākāpō Recovery Program rangers these birds seem to be recovering. As a Kākāpō Ranger with the Kākāpō Recovery Program the work never ends. The Kākāpō is a beautiful Critically Endangered species endemic to New Zealand. For the past 25 years, the […]
Researchers discover that the Red-Bellied Pitta; once believed a single species of bird is actually thirteen unique species. Question: What do thirteen brightly colored bird species have in common? Answer: Not much beyond their vibrant feathers. This is a big surprise to researchers who have long believed that the Red-bellied Pitta was a single species that […]
Hawaiian Micromoth depends on threatened native plants for survival. Conservation efforts are underway. The Hawaiian Micromoth, more commonly referred to as a Leaf Miner, is approximately the size of a human eyelash. They belong to the genus Philodoria of which there are 40 known species that live inside the leaves of a plant. The micromoths […]
The Bronx Zoo in New York will soon open a Blue Iguana exhibit to celebrate the slow but steady recovery of the Endangered Species. There were once fewer than 20 Blue Iguanas (Cyclura lewisi) in the world, but the Bronx Zoo in conjunction with National Trust for the Cayman Islands Blue Iguana Recovery Programme, the […]
When an invasive iguana begins to take over the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean, solve the problem by serving them up for lunch. Imagine — two iguana species living on Grand Cayman Island. One is the invasive Green Iguana and one is the Endangered Blue Iguana, which is native to the island. The Green Iguana […]
After 14 years of conservation, five Hawaiian Crow males are released back into the wild. The Hawaiian Crow, or Alalā, has been Extinct-in-the-wild since 2002, but after years of conservation and captive breeding, five male crows have been released in the Pu‘u Maka‘ala Natural Area Reserve on the Big Island last Wednesday. These five birds […]
National Parks in Australia are working hard to combat invasive species that threaten endemic plants. Australia’s native species face a number of threats–including fires, habitat loss, and invasive species. These have led to dramatic declines in populations of both flora and fauna. Celmatis dubia and Acacia equisetifolia, for example, are both at risk of extinction. […]
Research explores just how strong a Coconut Crabs pinch can be, but there is so much more to understand about these vibrant animals. The Coconut Crab is a unique and beautiful creature found on islands throughout the Indo-Pacific. This vibrant species is the largest hermit crab in the world–measuring up to 18 inches long and […]