Extinction

Tag: Extinction

The Loss of the San Cristóbal Vermilion Flycatcher Marks the First Recorded Galápagos Endemic Bird Extinction. How Can We Prevent the Next One?

The San Cristóbal Vermilion Flycatcher, a bird species endemic to the Galápagos Islands, has gone extinct.  The Galápagos Islands are famous for their incredibly high biodiversity. Are they at risk of becoming famous for high extinction rates? The San Cristóbal Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus dubius) used to fly, sing, forage, and build nests on San Cristóbal Island of the Galápagos […]

Written by on October 27, 2016

Can this Rare, Venomous, Impossibly Resilient Island Mammal Survive the Anthropocene?

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 […]

Written by on October 13, 2016

New Zealand Wētā: Endemic, Diverse, Endangered

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 […]

Written by on October 3, 2016

Bernie Tershy: In the Midst of an Extinction Crisis, There is Hope

Island Conservation’s co-founder Bernie Tershy reflects on how island restoration programs serve to protect biodiversity and prevent extinctions. An uninterrupted stream of bad news about the environment reminds us that we are in the midst of an extinction crisis, which can leave us overwhelmed with hopelessness. But, hope is not as scarce as you might […]

Written by on September 28, 2016

Birds at the Edge: The Plight of the Hawaiian Honeycreepers

Hawai’i’s iconic Honeycreepers face a number of threats. To avoid extinction, these beautiful native birds are in need of immediate conservation intervention.  Bright red wings streak across a grey sky. Yellow feathers flash amid quivering green leaves. Soft songs punctuated by raspy cheeps rise up from trees swathed in the dawn’s faint light. Long, narrow bills plunge […]

Written by on September 21, 2016

Prolific Giant Tortoise “Diego” Saves his Species from Extinction

Research discovers that Diego the Giant Tortoise has helped to save his species from extinction by fathering hundreds of baby tortoises.  All was well with Espanola Giant Tortoises (Chelonoidis hoodensis) in the Galápagos–until invasive rats were introduced by pirates and infiltrated the island ecosystem. The presence of rats made reproduction extremely difficult and often unsuccessful […]

Written by on September 20, 2016

A Perfect Storm for Island Restoration?

A Perfect Storm for Island Restoration? Unprecedented convergence of climate and conservation events herald a tipping point for island conservation  31 August 2016 – Somewhere Over the Pacific May I tell you a story? I’m in seat 8C. Seatbelt buckled. Going 500 miles per hour. Yet, I’m sitting still for what seems like the first time […]

Written by on September 2, 2016

Groundbreaking Framework aims to Prevent Plant Extinctions

Native plant extinctions caused by invasive plants occur over a long period of time and are difficult to detect. Research indicates a need for tracking plant decline and instating measures to prevent extinctions. A new research paper by Paul O. Downey and David M. Richardson, published by Oxford University Press, tackles the problem of measuring threats that invasive plants pose […]

Written by on August 29, 2016

Most Island Species Facing Extinction Can Be Saved

Most island vertebrate extinctions could be averted, concludes new study Control and eradication of invasive species could prevent as much as 75 percent of all island-level extinctions predicted for globally threatened vertebrates. Eight of every ten species extinctions have occurred on islands, and invasive mammals are the leading reason for those losses. Currently, forty percent […]

Written by on August 17, 2016

Pacific Island Birds Saved From Extinction. What’s Next?

Report finds that mainland and island birds benefit from the Endangered Species Act and captive breeding programs, but many are still in need of protection. A report has found that 61% of Pacific Island bird populations protected by the Endangered Species Act have demonstrated recovery about 20% less than mainland bird populations. The report states that the Guam Rail […]

Written by on July 26, 2016