Island Conservation
Engaging Juan Fernández Archipelago communities to support responsible domestic animal ownership. Of all island clusters, the Juan Fernández Archipelago, 700 KM off the coast of mainland Chile, has one of the highest densities of endemic plants and animals. This high endemism led to its declaration as a Chilean National Park in 1935 and a UNESCO Biosphere […]
Sightings of Endangered Night Parrot suggest the species is doing better than previously thought. The Endangered Australian native Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) was believed to be extinct for over 100 years until 2013. Now, more and more sightings suggest that this nocturnal bird species is doing better than previously thought. However, the Night Parrot is still very […]
Feral cats are already known for threatening small native wildlife. Now, new evidence is emerging that indicates that by transmitting parasites, feral cats are also harming larger animals. Evidence is mounting that the small predators are responsible for an outsize number of wildlife deaths around the globe. Feral cats are known to cause ecological damage by […]
Island-dwelling Solenodon survived the asteroid that extinguished the dinosaurs–can it survive the Anthropocene? If you have never heard of the Solenodon until now, you’re not alone. The Solenodon (pronounced so-leen-o-don) lives only on two islands in the world–Cuba and Hispaniola. The nocturnal, insect-eating Solenodon is elusive and eccentric. It’s one of the only mammals in […]
This conservation program aims to increase the Dibbler population and set the stage for future population building on the mainland. A Dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) is a small, carnivorous marsupial found in Western Australia and some of its offshore islands. Principle research scientist leading the Western Shield, Department of Parks and Wildlife conservation program, Tony Friend, said: […]
Habitat set aside for the Critically Endangered Rock Iguana came under threat by plans for development. Thanks to incredible efforts, the region has been saved and will support the iguanas. Once common in Jamaica, this iguana is now among the most endangered species in the world. And without the hard work of many conservationists, it […]
The Goat Islands, home to many threatened and endemic species including the Jamaican Rock Iguana, have been saved! Last week when I opened my email I received one of the greatest messages ever: protection for Jamaican Rock Iguana habitat on the Goat Islands had been assured! The Goat Islands are part of the Portland Bight […]
Wētā are giant insects that live in New Zealand and nowhere else in the world. There are many subspecies of Wētā; these can be found in trees, lowlands, caves, sand dunes, and soil. They look similar to grasshoppers, except for the obvious difference in size. New Zealand’s indigenous people, Maori, call Wētā “punga,” meaning the “spirit of […]
New Zealand’s Critically Endangered Kakapo, threatened by invasive species, sees a baby boom and high survival rate this year. A bird that can live to be 120 years old, doesn’t fly, forages at night, and charms the world never had a problem–until invasive species pushed it almost past the threshold of extinction. Now, thanks to intensive […]
NZ resolves to protect its native species by eradicating 100% of its invasive rats, weasels, and possums by 2050. New Zealand is renowned for its striking and iconic wildlife, including the endangered Kiwi and Kakapo. Unfortunately, many of NZ’s native species must run the gauntlet of survival amidst a sea of invasive predators that have run amok across […]