Save Pdf (0.16

Briefly

SPOTLIGHT ON REPTILES To protect snake and lizard habitats, Size of amphibians determines AND AMPHIBIANS German court halts factory plan extinction risk Electric car manufacturer Tesla has been The size of animal species such as frogs and ordered again to suspend preparations for toads may determine how likely they are to Discoveries: a new female of the rarest a car factory in Germany. The company become extinct. A study conducted by a turtle... has been clearing forest land near Berlin team of researchers at the Australian Nation- The Ha Noi Department of Agriculture and for its first European car and battery al University has found smaller amphibians Rural Development, in collaboration with the plant. But opponents argued this will en- have a higher risk of dying out compared Asian Turtle Program of Indo-Myanmar Con- danger the habitats of lizards and snakes. to larger ones. This is in contrast to other servation and the Wildlife Conservation Society, A court in Frankfurt an der Oder ordered typesofanimalssuchasmammalsorreptiles, have made dramatic progress to possibly pre- forest clearing to be halted, pending further where larger species are more vulnerable to vent the extinction of Swinhoe’s softshell turtle examinations. A similar court order was extinction. The researchers used computer Rafetus swinhoei,theworld’smostthreatened made earlier in  about Tesla’s plans modelling to determine the levels of risk fac- turtle. Until late  it was thought that only for what it calls the Gigafactory in Grün- tors involved in extinction for amphibians one individual remained, a male kept at heide, in the eastern state of Brandenburg. around the world. The findings were a wake- Suzhou Zoo in China. The last known female The earlier ruling was in response to con- up call for conservation efforts for some of of the species died in April , when artifi- cerns about wildlife and the water supply. the world’s smallest species. Although the re- cial insemination was attempted. However, in Tesla has not publicly commented on the search did not reveal the reason why smaller October  an individual of unconfirmed latest ruling, resulting from an ongoing speciesweremoreatrisk,theteamsayhabi- sex was captured in , ha Dong Mo Lake legal dispute with the Nature and Biodiver- tats may be among the key factors. Species of near Viet Nam’s capital Hanoi. Genetic testing sity Conservation Union and Green League. smaller body size are more likely to inhabit a revealed in December  that the  kg turtle A final decision on the case was still pend- smaller geographical area. This makes them was a female. Authorities believe there is at least ing in December . The environmentalist more sensitive to human impacts and the one more of these turtles in Dong Mo Lake and groups say Tesla’s deforestation will destroy destruction or alteration of rivers and water- another in nearby Xuan Khanh Lake. Conserva- the habitats of sand lizards and smooth ways, and they have fewer refuges. tionists hope to capture and determine the sex of snakes, both of which are protected species. Source: The Canberra Times () canberra the other turtles in both lakes in .Thenew Source: Insight News () insightnews times.com.au/story//size-no-small- discoveries offer renewed hope that it will be report.com////tesla-german- factor-for-extinction-risk possible to return Swinhoe’ssoftshellturtle court-halts-factory-plan-over-snake- from the brink of extinction. Surveys in other and-lizard-habitats Bacteria on their skin could protect areas of Viet Nam suggest more individuals frogs from deadly fungi may still survive in the wild. Glass frogs wave their hands and feet Sources: The Guardian () theguardian. Researchers in Costa Rica have found that to attract mates com/environment//jan//hopes-for-most- some bacteria on the skin of amphibians pre- endangered-turtle-after-discovery-of-female-in- Frogs that live near roaring waterfalls and vent growth of the fungus causing chytrid- vietnam-lake & The Turtle Survival Alliance streams face a problem: loud rushing iomycosis, which has been dubbed the () turtlesurvival.org/turtle-news-of-the-decade water that can drown out their mating amphibian apocalypse. The disease is caused calls. Some species have overcome this obs- by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobati- tacle by using visible rather than audible dis, and a particularly dangerous strain, called ...and the smallest known reptile signals: they attract mates by waving a BdGPL-,isresponsibleformassamphibian Scientists believe they may have discovered the foot, flapping a hand or bobbing their die-offs around the world. It is believed that al- smallest reptile on Earth: a chameleon subspe- head. Frogs that use visual signals have so most  speciesofamphibiansarevulnerable cies that is the size of a seed. Two of the tiny far been documented India, Borneo and to the fungus, and that it has already led to the lizards were discovered by a German–Mada- Brazil. In a new study, researchers have dis- extinction of  amphibian species. To inves- gascan expedition team in Madagascar. The covered such behaviour among glass frogs tigate why some amphibian populations in male Brookesia nana, or nano-chameleon, has Sachatamia orejuela in Ecuador. It was CostaRicaweremoreresilienttochytridfun- a body length of just . mm. This makes it already known that this species has an gus than others, a research group sampled the the smallest of c. , known species of reptiles. extremely high-pitched call, which helps circulating strains of the fungus and the skin Its length from top to tail is  mm. The female it communicate above the lower-pitched microbiome of amphibians at different sites. is bigger at c.  mm. Other specimens have not noise of waterfalls. However, this is the They found that the bacteria on the skin of yet been located, despite considerable search ef- first time that the frogs have been observed some surviving amphibians prevented growth forts. Researchers found that the chameleons to use visual cues for communication. The of the fungus in the lab. These findings suggest hunt for mites on the rainforest floor and hide researchers hope their findings remind us that locally adapted skin bacteria may offer from predators at night in blades of grass. The that we share this planet with incredible protection from the disease. The researchers forests where the individuals of B. nana were lo- biodiversity, the protection of which is im- hope to combine their findings with other cated are still well connected with others across portant not only for ecosystems to function, disease control strategies to protect amphib- the north of the island. In their report, scientists but also for our physical and emotional ian populations from decimation by chytrid recommended that the chameleon be categor- well-being and our sense of wonder. fungus. ized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Sources: Behaviour () doi.org/. Sources: Microbiology () doi.org/ Red List, to help protect it and its habitat. /X-bja & Earth.com ./mic.. & Science Daily Source: BBC () bbc.co.uk/news/ () earth.com/news/glass-frogs-wave- () sciencedaily.com/releases/// world-africa- their-hands-and-feet-to-attract-mates .htm

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, Downloadeddistribution, from https://www.cambridge.org/core and reproduction in any medium,. IP address: provided 170.106.35.93 the original work, onis 27 properly Sep 2021 cited. at 16:04:12, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/termsOryx, 2021, 55(3), 323–328 ©. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605321000375The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605321000375 324 Briefly

INTERNATIONAL Global shark and ray population Marine protected area networks could decreased by . 70% in 50 years... help protect Antarctic penguins A significant increase in fishing since  New research led by BirdLife International, Global temperatures in 2020 equalled has ravaged the abundance of sharks and the University of East Anglia and British record highs from 2016 rays in our oceans, with previously wide- Antarctic Survey highlights how a network According to jointly reported assessments spread species such as hammerhead sharks of marine protected areas could help pre- from Copernicus, NASA, the UK Met now at risk of becoming extinct. Half of the serve some of the most important habi- Office and other institutions,  saw world’s  oceanic shark species are now ca- tats for breeding Antarctic penguins. The global temperatures equal the record high tegorized as either Endangered or Critically Southern Ocean is home to four species: of . Overall, the planet was c. . °C Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Using the Adélie, chinstrap, gentoo and emperor warmer than during preindustrial times. previous studies and catch data, researchers penguin. Many of their habitats remain un- In , previously the hottest year on re- compiled the first global census for shark protected, putting them at risk of human- cord, temperatures were boosted by a strong and ray species. They found that there has related threats such as pollution, overfish- El Niño, whereas  was a La Niña year, been an overall % decline since ,as ing and climate change. The international which should have resulted in a cooling ef- a result of an -fold increase in relative research team used a new approach based fect. That this effect was not enough to pre- fishing pressure. This could be an under- on colony location, population estimates vent such high global surface temperatures— estimate of real losses, because available and tracking data, to identify  key sites calculated as an average of readings from data are insufficient to chart population known as Important Bird and Biodiversity thousands of weather stations and ocean trends back to the s, when industri- Areas. Currently –% of the important probes around the world—has resulted in alized fishing started increasing. Govern- sites for the Adélie and emperor penguins serious concern among climate scientists. ments need to enforce science-based catch are within adopted marine protected areas, The increasing volatility of weather and cli- limits on a domestic and regional basis to but almost none of the areas important for mate in a warming world has widespread ra- ensure sharks can continue to play their gentoo and chinstrap penguins are formally mifications for people and wildlife, and if the vital ecosystem role as predators. Sharks protected. The team also examined krill fish- current rate of warming continues, the world are also an important source of protein for ery activities over the last  years and found will breach the . °C target limit set by the poorer communities. that a disproportionate amount of krill is Paris Agreement as soon as . Sources: Nature () nature.com/articles/ being harvested within the Important Bird Source: Science () sciencemag.org/ s--- & The Guardian () and Biodiversity Areas. news///global-temperatures-- theguardian.com/environment// Source: Open Access Government () tied-record-highs jan//sharks-rays-global-population- openaccessgovernment.org/network- crashed-study of-marine-protected-areas-could-help- safeguard-antarctic-penguins/ Twelve new species discovered in the deep Atlantic ...and baby sharks emerge from eggs Almost  years of studying the deep Atlantic earlier and weaker in warmer oceans There is no vaccine for climate change in unprecedented detail has revealed  spe- A new study that examined the impact of The world is not prepared for climate cies new to science. The sea mosses, mol- warming oceans on shark embryos found change, a new United Nations report has luscs and corals had not previously been that baby sharks emerge from their egg warned, highlighting how far countries have discovered because the sea floor is so unex- cases earlier and weaker as water tempera- fallen behind in implementing adaptation plored. Researchers warn that the newly tures rise. The researchers found that epau- measures. The Paris Agreement goal to keep discovered animals could already be under lette sharks, a species unique to the Great warming at ,  °C above pre-industrial le- threat from climate change. Carbon dioxide Barrier Reef of Australia, emerged from vels this century is unlikely to be met, with absorbed by the ocean is making it more eggs up to  days earlier under tempera-  °C more likely. There is not only a lack of acidic, causing coral skeletons in particular tures expected by the end of the century. adequate policies and planning to adapt to to corrode. The team also found c.  new The embryos ate through their egg yolks the climate crisis, but also major financing records of species in areas where they faster, and when they were born, the higher shortfalls, and COVID- has pushed plan- were previously unknown. The project in- temperatures affected their fitness. Weaker ning for climate change down the list of pri- volved researchers from  countries around sharks were less efficient hunters, which orities for most countries. But  was not the Atlantic, combining ocean chemistry, could upset the balance of the ecosystem only the year of the COVID- pandemic. physics and biological discovery to work in which they live. As waters get warmer, It was also the year of intensifying climate out how the ocean environment is changing egg-laying sharks could potentially popu- change, with heatwaves, floods, droughts, as the world warms and as people exploit late cooler areas, if they find the right habi- storms, wildfires and locust plagues. Inger more of the deep sea for fishing and mineral tat. Alternatively, they could genetically Andersen, Executive Director of the UN extraction. Examination of ocean currents adapt to the warmer temperatures, but Environment Programme, has noted there and depositions of fossils on the seabed re- sharks are slow to reach maturity and re- is no vaccine for climate change, highlighting vealed that the major currents in the North produce, which makes them vulnerable to the need for a global commitment to put half Atlantic have slowed dramatically in re- extinction. of all global climate finance towards adapta- sponse to climate change. The implications Sources: Nature () doi.org/./ tion over the next year. of this are not fully understood, but it could s--- & The Guardian () Sources: Mongabay () news.monga mean that connections between ecosystems theguardian.com/environment// bay.com///there-is-no-vaccine-for- are being reduced. jan//baby-sharks-emerge-from-egg- climate-change-u-n-environment-chief- Source: BBC () bbc.co.uk/news/ cases-earlier-and-weaker-in-oceans- says & UNEP () unep.org/resources/ science-environment- warmed-by-climate-crisis adaptation-gap-report-

Oryx, 2021, 55(3), 323–328 © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605321000375 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.35.93, on 27 Sep 2021 at 16:04:12, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605321000375 Briefly 325

EUROPE Farmers protest as Spain protects Study will advise on policies to protect Iberian wolves UK’s insect population Farmers have condemned Spain’smovetode- Researchers will conduct a nationwide study Sweden creates wildlife crossings to clare the Iberian wolf a protected species, ar- to assess the health of the UK’s insect popu- aid reindeer movements... guing a nationwide hunting ban would lead lation. The data will be used to advise on Every April, Sweden’smainhighwaycomes to an increase in attacks on livestock. The policies that can help to protect insects to a standstill. Hundreds of reindeer overseen Environment Ministry ruled in early Febru- post-Brexit. Insect populations perform cru- by Indigenous Sami herders shuffle across ary  that protections for wolves in cial ecosystem services, but are in decline in the asphalt on the E as they begin their jour- the south would extend north of the Douro Europe and beyond. Although the factors ney west to the mountains after a winter gor- river, where controlled hunting had still been driving these declines are not yet clear, in- ging on the lichen near the city of Umeå. allowed. Spain is home to an estimated ,– tensive agriculture and climate change are As Sweden’s main arterial road has become , Iberian wolves, with %inthenor- thought to play a major role. The researchers busier, the crossings have become increasing- thern regions of Castile and Leon, Asturias have been awarded GBP . million from the ly fractious, especially if authorities do not and Galicia. The ministry stressed the cultur- Natural Environment Research Council to arrive in time to close the road. Sometimes al and scientific importance of the species, provide definitive evidence on whether in- drivers try to overtake the reindeer as they and its vital role in maintaining ecosystems. sects are in decline, and to understand the cross, spooking the animals and causing However, farmers said a recent rebound in key drivers threatening their existence. The long traffic jams as their Sami owners the wolf population had led to more attacks scientists will undertake the most compre- struggle to regain control. In January , on cattle. Farmers and environmentalists hensive analysis to date and will draw on Swedish authorities announced they would have repeatedly clashed over campaigns to three different types of data: scientific moni- build up to a dozen wildlife bridges to aid bolster populations of apex predators such as toring, volunteer wildlife recorders and high- the crossings. It is hoped the crossings will the brown bear and the Iberian lynx, particu- tech sensors. The project will then model how make it easier for herders to find fresh graz- larly in Spain’s mountainous north, which is different policy options could counter the ing lands and alleviate traffic jams, and also home to extensive sheep herds. Conservation identified threats. It is hoped that the findings help moose and lynx to move around the group Ecologists in Action praised the new of this study will make an important contri- landscape. The country’s , Sami herders protections and urged authorities to work bution to the UK’s biodiversity conservation and , reindeer have been hit hard by with farmers on ways to protect cattle without strategy now it is no longer part of the EU. the climate crisis, battling forest fires in the harming wolves. Source: Environment Journal () summer and freezing rain in the winter. Source: Reuters () reuters.com/ environmentjournal.online/articles/nation- Source: The Guardian () theguardian. article/idUSKBNAG wide-study-will-advise-on-policies-to- com/environment//jan//how- protect-uks-insect-population wildlife-crossings-are-helping-reindeer- One of the most abundant bats in bears-and-even-crabs-aoe Europe is attracted to wind turbines Historic step: European Parliament Researchers have found that one of the most approves green recovery fund ...and Scotland’s thriving reindeer abundant bats in Europe may be attracted Lawmakers in the European Parliament have offer hope for struggling species to wind turbines. The activity of common voted to pass the EU’sEUR. billion A herd of free-range reindeer Rangifer tar- pipistrelle bats was monitored at  British recovery and resilience facility, unlocking andus in the Scottish Cairngorms mountain wind farms and control locations that were unprecedented funding aimed at helping range are thriving, in a rare bit of good news nearby but without wind turbines. The bats’ Europe recover after the COVID- crisis. for a species struggling to adapt to a rapidly activity levels were c. one-third higher at The fund confirms a political agreement changing climate. Believed to have once turbines than at control locations, and reached by EU leaders in December , been native to Scotland, reindeer were two-thirds of occasions with high activity which reserves % of the fund for spend- hunted to extinction there c.  years were recorded at turbines rather than the ing on climate-friendly measures. With the ago. However, a small herd of eight animals controls. The reasons for this are not Parliament’s green light, EUR  billion was reintroduced to the Cairngorms, the clear. It is possible that bats are attracted from the total will be made available for UK’s only sub-Arctic ecosystem, in . to the turbines themselves, or that there the green transition in the form of grants Their number has grown to c.  animals is more insect prey around the turbines. and loans handed out to EU countries. The and they are looked after by  full-time Common pipistrelle bats account for more regulation establishing the new facility came herders. To keep them from overgrazing than half of all bat fatalities at turbine sites into force in February . The facility, the area, the herders keep the size of the in Europe. The researchers note that environ- made up of EUR . billion in grants and herd at c.  by controlling how many mental impact assessments conducted before EUR  billion in loans, is designed to cows are allowed to run with bulls during the installation of turbines are poor predictors help countries recover from the COVID- the breeding season. The population of of actual fatality rates, because the presence pandemic and navigate the green and digital wild reindeer in the Arctic has declined by of turbines alters bat activity. Ongoing moni- transition. Even though Green Party mem- more than half in the last  decades, to c. . toring is required, and operational measures bers of the European Parliament were disap- million. Despite the good news of the thriv- such as minimizing blade rotation in periods pointed that biodiversity protection will not ing population in Scotland, without mean- of high collision risk are probably the most be covered by the fund, they said the new fa- ingful efforts to tackle the climate crisis, the effective way to reduce fatalities. cility will be a game changer and an unpre- decline of reindeer in the Arctic is likely to Sources: Scientific Reports () dx.doi.org/ cedented sign of EU solidarity in response to continue. ./s--- & SciTechDaily the COVID- crisis. Source: Positive News () positive. () scitechdaily.com/one-of-the-most- Source: Edie () edie.net/news//- news/environment/the-scottish-reindeer- abundant-bats-in-europe-is-attracted-to- Historic-step--as-European-Parliament- offering-hope-for-an-imperilled-species wind-turbines-increasing-risk-of-fatality approves-green-recovery-fund

AFRICA Human–elephant conflict in Kenya Saving the Gola Forest: reimagining heightens forest conservation in West Africa A team of conservationists investigated the Covering . , ha and straddling the Success as Namibian fishery reduces seasonal, temporal and spatial trends of Liberia and Sierra Leone borders, Gola seabird deaths by 98% crop use by elephants in the Trans Mara, Forest is the largest remaining block of The Albatross Task Force has reported a % Kenya, during –,andcompared Upper Guinean Forest. Years of deforestation reduction in seabird deaths in Namibia’sde- results to a previous study from –. and degradation, driven by logging, agricul- mersal longline fishery, previously one of the They found that elephants living around the ture, armed conflict and mining, have led to world’s deadliest fisheries for seabirds. Prior Maasai Mara National Reserve were foraging the loss of globally important biodiversity and to intervention, several threatened species on crops more frequently, closer to the pro- decreased resilience to climate change. This such as the Atlantic yellow-nosed albatross tected area and throughout the year, but has affected local communities, who depend Thalassarche chlororhynchos and white- were causing less damage when doing so. on the forest for their livelihoods. In February chinned petrel Procellaria aequinoctialis were The number of crop-use incidents increased , the governments of Liberia and Sierra among the estimated , birds lost annu- by%overthe-year period,but crop dam- Leone signed an amended memorandum of ally to the longline fishing hooks or thick age per incident dropped by %. This could understanding (an earlier version was signed steel cables used to haul trawl nets through be because farmers are better prepared to in ), reaffirming their cooperation in the water. However, after a decade’swork frighten off elephants, or because land-cover the management, research, protection and involving dedicated grassroots engagement change makes it harder for elephants to hide conservation of the Gola Forest. In August with industry and effective government regu- in forest patches. Although the direct eco- , the European Commission-funded lation, mitigation measures are now required nomic impact of crop use by elephants has Programme to Support the Conservation of by law. Bird-scaring lines—simple lines with dropped, farmers now have to spend more Forest Ecosystems in West Africa (PAPFoR) colourful streamers towed behind the vessel time protecting their fields, which further re- was rolled out: working with local communi- that keep birds away from baited hooks or duces support for conservation in communities, national partner organizations and gov- dangerous trawl cables—are now being used ties who currently receive few benefits from ernment agencies in both countries, PAPFoR widely by fishing fleets. The bird-scaring living with wildlife. Restoring the elephants’ will support effective forest management lines are made and sold by a local women’s feeding habitat in the Park is vital to reduce across the Gola Landscape, in protected areas group, connecting bycatch reduction with human–elephant conflict in the area. and community forests. A key aspect of this women’s empowerment. Sources: Biological Conservation () programme is the establishment of land-use Source: BirdLife International () doi.org/./j.biocon.. & plans to support conservation efforts. birdlife.org/worldwide/news/namibian- University of Kent () kent.ac.uk/news/ Source: BirdLife International () fishery-reduces-seabird-deaths- environment//human-elephant- birdlife.org/africa/news/saving-gola- conflict-in-kenya-heightens-with-in- forest-reimagining-forest-conservation- crease-in-crop-raiding west-africa Tourists could spread COVID-19 to wild gorillas Tourists who take selfies with wild mountain Funding boost for Africa’s Great Green Artificial insemination for captive lions gorillas could put the primates at risk of de- Wall is bad news for conservation veloping COVID-. Scientists from Oxford The Great Green Wall for the Sahel and the It is tempting to believe that technology will Brookes University, UK, looked at  photos Sahara Initiative, which seeks to restore  save the day when it comes to environmen- posted on Instagram in – tagged million ha of degraded land and create  tal crises. For example, the recent birth of a with #gorillatrekking or #gorillatracking. Of million green jobs by ,hasentereda lion cub at Singapore zoo following artifi- these pictures, %showedpeoplewithin new phase of quicker growth. Partners cial insemination was widely reported as a m of gorillas, and  photos showed tourists pledged USD . billionininternationalfi- success for wildlife conservation. But pre- touching gorillas. The researchers found that nance for the  countries involved in the pro- senting technological success against the tourists visiting gorillas rarely wore face ject over the next  years. The Great Green backdrop of rapidly diminishing lion popu- masks, increasing the potential for disease Wall was launched in  by the African lations could do more harm than good, as transmission. People visiting gorillas in the Union as a ,-km barrier stretching from overconfidence in technology’s ability to wild were asked to wear face masks even be- Senegal to Djibouti. The objective is to stop solve complex environmental problems fore the pandemic, as part of the Best Practice creeping desertification through a trans-con- becomes a psychological barrier for human Guidelines for Great Ape Tourism developed tinental mosaic of green, productive land- behaviour change. Technology will not fix by the IUCN. Mountain gorillas are categor- scapes that will counter land degradation the factors responsible for the drop in wild ized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and biodiversity loss. To date, %ofthe lion numbers. Lions breed easily given a with an estimated , left in the wild. Great Green Wall is estimated to be complete, chance, but are threatened by loss of habitat TheyliveintheDemocraticRepublicofthe or % when considering associated improve- and prey, increased competition for space Congo, Uganda and Rwanda. Although ments outside the direct intervention areas. and food with humans, desertification, dis- thereisnoevidencethatwildgorillashave Donors include the African Development ease and hunting. Changing the way people developed COVID- thus far, it is vital Bank (USD . billion), the World Bank think and behave is fundamental to protect- that tour regulations are strengthened and (USD  billion) and the European Commis- ing and restoring wild lion populations. better enforced to ensure gorilla trekking sion (USD . billion). Until , the initia- Anything else is a diversion of attention practices do not further threaten these great tive had only received c. USD  billion. and resources. apes. Source: Global Landscapes Forum () Source: The Conversation () the Source: CNN () edition.cnn.com/ news.globallandscapesforum.org// conversation.com/artificial-insemination- ///africa/gorilla-covid-selfie- newly-seeded-with--billion-africas-great- in-captive-lions-is-bad-news-for- safety-scli-intl-scn/index.html green-wall-to-see-quicker-growth conservation-

AMERICAS Amazon rainforest lost area the size of Tracking the epic journeys of Israel in 2020 migratory birds in north-west Mexico The Amazon rainforest lost over  million ha In winter, more than  million shorebirds that Electric eels work together to zap prey in , an area roughly the size of Israel, breedinthe Arcticvisit the coastline ofnorth- More than  years after the electric eel according to a recent report on the region. west Mexico, but researchers are uncertain as inspired the design of the first battery, re- Experts warn that unchecked deforestation to how the birds use the region and what searchers have discovered that the animals in the Amazon basin, which encompasses drives their movements. It is possible they can coordinate their zaps. A research team nine countries in South America, could trig- are tracking super-abundant seasonal re- working in the Amazon filmed eels gather- ger a tipping point in the world’s largest trop- sources such as fish spawning events in this ing in packs to herd prey, then stunning ical rainforest within decades. Using satellite vast network of coastal wetlands spanning them with a synchronized electric shock. imagery, the report by Amazon Conservation , km of coastline, or they may be scout- The expeditions into the murky, remote Association and the Monitoring the Andean ing for sites with better habitat to spend their waters of the Amazon have revealed  new Amazon Project provides an early glimpse non-breeding season. To make it easier to species of electric fishes. In one recent study, of deforestation in the Amazon throughout track birds, scientists have built a large net- the researchers discovered that there are ac- . Troubling data points are highlighted, work of radio antenna devices called Motus tually three species of electric eel, rather than including large-scale deforestation in Brazil stations across the USA and Canada that just one. It is the most powerful of these spe- and Bolivia, where primary forests were oblit- can automatically track the movements of cies that was observed to hunt in packs: erated at rates even higher than in ,ayear tagged birds. However, such stations are still Volta’s electric eel, capable of producing an that saw prolific and highly publicized fires missing in much of Latin America, result- -Volt electric shock, the strongest electric raging in the Amazon. Both in terms of ing in large gaps in our understanding of discharge of any animal. The eels’ habitats deforestation and fires, the data indicate shorebird movements. A new project aims are under immense pressure from climate that  was worse than  across the to deploy  Motus stations in  coastal change, fires and deforestation. The new Amazon. Beyond large-scale mitigation of wetlands spanning the whole north-west study provides an example of how much deforestation in the region, the researchers coastofMexico.Migratoryshorebirdpopula- we have yet to learn about the life histories see political consensus and leadership among tions have plummeted by %since be- of many organisms. wealthy nations as important tools to help cause of habitat loss, human disturbance and Sources: Ecology and Evolution () save the Amazon. climate change. The new stations will provide dx.doi.org/./ece. & BBC () Source: ABC News () abcnews.go. robust information on how birds use impor- bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment- com/International/amazon-rainforest- tant sites, to help focus conservation actions  lost-area-size-israel-/story?id= when and where they are most needed.  Source: The Conversation () the conversation.com/scientist-at-work- Rewilding sees jaguars return to tracking-the-epic-journeys-of-migratory- Argentina’s wetlands New species of baleen whale birds-in-northwest-mexico- The largest predator in South America, the discovered in Gulf of Mexico jaguar, has returned to the Iberá wetlands in Scientists have discovered a new species of Argentina  years after the species was dri- baleen whales. The small group in the north- Do Colombia’s hippopotamuses have ven to local extinction through hunting and eastern Gulf of Mexico was previously be- to be culled to halt biodiversity habitat loss. Currently only c.  jaguars lieved to be a population of Bryde’s whales, disaster? remain in Argentina. Mariua, an adult jag- but has now been identified as Rice’swhale, Hippopotamuses imported into Colombia uar who was rescued as an orphan cub in named after the American biologist Dale for Pablo Escobar’s private zoo (see also Brazil, and her two captive-born cubs were Rice. Estimated at fewer than  individuals, Oryx, , –) have gone feral in the released into Gran Iberá Park in January the elusive whales feed in deep water around lush tropical countryside. Although some . They are the first of nine jaguars slated DeSoto Canyon, c.  km south of Mobile, earlier studies suggested the introduced to repopulate the , ha protected area, Alabama, USA. They can weigh up to  t large herbivores may help restore the eco- which offers an abundance of wild prey. and can grow up to  m long. Researchers logical functions of now-extinct megafauna, The release marks the first reintroduction had known for some time that this group a group of scientists is now warning they of jaguars in a place where they have gone was different from most Bryde’swhales;for must be culled before their invasive pres- extinct. It is part of an effort known as re- example, they did not mix with Bryde’s ence starts to wipe out indigenous flora wilding: restoring missing species, biodiver- whales, which are found in the Indian, and fauna. Government attempts to control sity and natural processes in areas affected Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Scientist Dr the animals’ population growth have had by human activity. Without keystone species Patricia Rosel carried out the first morpho- limited impact, with their number increas- such as apex predators, important ecosystem logical examination of a complete skull of a ing in the last  years from  to –. The functions can break down. The jaguar has Rice’s whale, after one stranded in Florida scientists say the hippopotamuses pose a lost over half its historical range, leaving in January . She identified diagnostic major threat to the area’s biodiversity and some populations geographically isolated characteristics that distinguish it from other that without culling their numbers could and with reduced gene pools, increasing closely related baleen whale species. Genetic reach c. , by . However, local peo- their risk of local extinction. Saving the spe- data provided a second line of evidence sup- ple have embraced the hippos as their own, cies was deemed a priority by the IUCN at porting the uniqueness of the whales in the in part because of the income from tourism the World Conservation Congress in Sep- Gulf of Mexico. Together, the morphological in Escobar’s estate and surrounding area. tember . and genetic data confirm that these whales Source: The Guardian () theguardian. Source: UNEP () unenvironment.org/ represent a new species. com/world//feb//pablo-escobars- news-and-stories/story/rewilding-sees- Source: Oceanographic () oceanogra hippos-must-be-culled-to-halt- jaguars-return-argentinas-wetlands phicmagazine.com/news/rices-whale biodiversity-disaster-scientists

ASIA & OCEANIA The mission to protect a turtle species New Zealand’skakapo are pulling back in Kasaragod from the edge of extinction A young conservation biologist is spearhead- Kakapo are large, ground-dwelling, flightless Severe climate-driven loss of native ing an effort to save Cantor’s giant softshell parrots that were once widespread across molluscs reported off Israel’s coast turtle, locally known as Bheemanama or New Zealand but hunted to near extinction. Native mollusc populations along the coast of Paala Poovan. Ayushi Jain, a research affiliate Thanks to highly specialized conservation Israel have collapsed by c. % in recent dec- of the Wildlife Institute of India, is putting in efforts, these unique birds are slowly boun- ades because they cannot tolerate the increas- place a community-led conservation initiative cing back. The heaviest living species of par- ingly hot water, which raises concerns about in one of the few remaining breeding popula- rot, weighing up to  kg, they are also the the wider ecosystem and neighbouring re- tions of the species in the Chandragiri river in only living species of parrot that cannot fly. gions. Scientists said the sharp decline of na- Kasaragod, India. Jain has spent much of the As an island species, they originally had few tive cockles, whelks and other invertebrates last  years crossing the  km stretch of the avian predators, which hunted during the in shallow, subtidal waters is likely to also af- river in Kasaragod, looking for the elusive tur- day. Kakapo evolved forest-coloured plum- fect other countries in the region and would tle and educating local residents that the giant age for camouflage and, when faced with a continue to progress westward to Greece and turtlesthatoftengetcaughtintheirfishing threat, they freeze, making it difficult for pre- beyond as global temperatures increased. The linesasbycatcharethreatenedwithextinction. dators to spot them from above. The popu- study estimates native mollusc populations Jain’s initiative to build a community network lation began declining with the arrival of the have fallen to % of their historical species of key informants and trained locals who can Maori in the th century as the birds were richness on sedimentary substrates, and to rescue, rehabilitate and safely release the tur- hunted for meat and feathers—their defence % on rocky substrates. The research team tles has met with initial successes. Cantor’s tactic of sitting still being ineffective against took samples at multiple points, then com- giant softshell turtle is one of the rarest species humans and their dogs. Rats were one of the pared living mollusc numbers with previous of turtles in India and also one of the largest first mammal predators on the islands, and population sizes, which were estimated from freshwater turtles. they devoured kakapo eggs and chicks. By empty shells found in sediment. The shortfall Source: Times of India () timesofindia. the time European settlers arrived in the exceeded anything seen before. As well as indiatimes.com/city/kozhikode/on-a- th century, kakapo had become extinct in stepping up protections of the still relatively giant-mission-to-protect-a-turtle-species- many parts of the islands. Europeans de- pristine deep waters and tackling localized in-kasaragod/articleshow/.cms creased their habitats further by clearing problems like pollution, the only way to ad- land for farming and grazing. More mam- dressthisshiftwastotackleclimatechange malian predators were introduced, and by reducing emissions as soon as possible. Can dogs save Mongolia’s steppe? once the Europeans learned of the birds, Sources: Proceedings of the Royal Society For centuries, the nomadic herders on the they started hunting them for food and out B () doi.org/./rspb.. & Mongolian steppe have used bankhar— of scientific curiosity. By the late th cen- The Guardian () theguardian.com/ large, powerful dogs with shaggy, thick tury, scientists realized kakapowereonthe environment//jan//severe-climate- coats—to safeguard their animals from brink of extinction, and only then were ef- driven-loss-of-native-molluscs-reported- predators. However, Soviet-era socialist forts made to preserve them. By ,only off-israels-coast campaigns that sought to collectivize herds  birds were known to exist and the and encourage families into more sedentary Department of Conservation implemented Hong Kong seizure of seahorses patterns had no place for the dogs, and only the Kakapo Recovery Programme. The re- recovers 75 kg of threatened species few survived. When nomadic families began maining few kakapo were collected and Hong Kong customs officers made their returning to their traditional way of life in placed on five off-shore, predator-free is- biggest seizure of threatened seahorses in the s, it was without bankhar to protect lands. Each kakapo is named and tagged  years with the arrest of a -year-old livestock from wolves, eagles and other pre- with a smart transmitter, and scientists man during an operation against illegal dators. Livestock losses were high, and the collect data on their behaviour. The birds wildlife trade. They uncovered  kg of nomads began keeping more animals to receive supplementary food during breeding dried seahorses valued at USD ,. make a living. Larger herds, along with seasons and nests are carefully observed by Approximately  kg were airmailed into increasingly severe winter storms and tem- specialists. Chicks that would otherwise the city from Indonesia via a logistic hub peratures, have led to extreme desertification struggle to survive are hand-reared. Current- in Shenzhen and then found in a Hong of the steppe, threatening the herders’ liveli- ly, there are  kakapo, a record-breaking Kong truck at a border checkpoint in hoods. Now, an ambitious project aims to number since the conservation work began. December .Thegoodswereintwo return bankhar dogs to their traditional role. Source: Natural History Museum () boxes declared to be carrying body scrub. With  genetically diverse males and fe- nhm.ac.uk/discover/new-zealands-quirky- Another  kg were seized from a flat in males at a breeding facility outside the city kakapo-are-pulled-back-from-extinction. Tuen Mun. The man was released on bail, of Ulaanbaatar, the Mongolian Bankhar Dog html pending further investigation. Import or ex- Project is slowly rebuilding the bankhar port of a threatened species without a licence population. They distribute c.  puppies All internet addresses were up to date at carries a maximum penalty of  years in jail annually. People, livestock, and the environ- the time of writing. The Briefly section in and a fine of HKD  million. Seahorses are ment all benefit from the dogs’ presence. this issue was written and compiled by listed in CITES Appendix II, and are regu- When livestock becomes less attractive as Emma Muench, Julia Hochbach and Martin lated under the Protection of Endangered prey, conflict between humans and wild an- Fisher, with additional contributions from Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance. imals decreases. Predator populations sta- Minh Le and Annkathrin Sharp. Contri- Source: South China Morning Post () bilize, which in turn balances the steppe’s butions from authoritative published sources scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and- ecosystem. (including websites) are always welcome. crime/article//hong-kongs-biggest- Source: Atlas Obscura () atlasobscura. Please send contributions by e-mail to seizure-seahorses-two-years com/articles/mongolia-bankhar-dog [email protected].