Latest news with #Conservancy
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
A Bobcat (Probably) Decapitated a Giant Python in the Everglades. That's a Good Thing
A team of python trackers and removal experts in South Florida have found evidence of a bobcat decapitating and feeding on one of the giant, invasive snakes in a python-infested area near Naples. Judging from the other clues they found, they say it's likely that the bobcat also killed the python, a 13-footer that weighed more than 50 pounds. This would be a promising development — proof that Florida's native critters are, in some cases, adapting to the presence of Burmese pythons, which have no natural predators in the state and are wreaking havoc on wildlife populations in the Everglades. 'The list of species [being impacted by these snakes] is up to around 85,' says Ian Bartoszek, the lead researcher who along with his team found the python that was fed on (and possibly killed) by a bobcat in December 2022. 'It's easier to make a list of what pythons are not eating, than it is to list all the animals that have been found inside pythons to date.' A wildlife biologist and the science coordinator for the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Bartoszek has spent more than 12 years tracking and hunting Burmese pythons in the area, so he knows what the predators are capable of. In October his team published the first-ever photographs of a python swallowing a full-sized whitetail deer in Florida. The photos proved his long-held suspicions that the snakes are literally 'eating their way through the food web' of the Everglades. (That long list of species includes alligators, too, as other researchers have found.) This is why, Bartoszek says, the discovery of a giant python being fed on and potentially killed by a native predator was so encouraging. 'It's a score for the home team. The Everglades are fighting back.' The discovery itself took place in December 2022 on some conservation land near Naples, in a region that Bartoszek identifies as the Western Everglades. This is where he and his team at the Conservancy focus their efforts, which entail tracking, killing, and removing as many pythons (especially large females) as possible. They do this primarily during the winter breeding season, and they use telemetry equipment and male pythons fitted with tracking devices — also known as 'scout snakes' — to locate the big females. Bartoszek explains that he, fellow researcher Ian Easterling, and some interns were tracking a large male scout snake they named 'Loki' that afternoon in December. They'd seen Loki just days before and he was in prime condition, Bartoszek says. But as they approached Loki's signal to get a closer look, they realized the 52-pound, 13-foot-long snake was not only dead. It was missing its head. 'We started seeing the clues around us. And it was like, wait a second, that animal is buried under the pine needles,' Bartoszek tells Outdoor Life. 'This is a kill site.' He says this realization quickly outweighed the initial disappointment he felt when they found the dead male snake, which had been part of the tracking program for over six years and was one of their best scouts. 'We started to pull away some of the pine needles, and we realized that the head and neck area had been chewed off and cached — which, to my knowledge, caching is typically a feline behavior in our area,' Bartoszek says. 'So we were pretty sure it was a cat.' Bartoszek's money was on a Florida panther, or at least that's what he wanted to believe. He contacted David Shindle, the Florida panther coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and a former colleague of his at the Conservancy. Shindle went out to the site and set up a cellular trail camera, and the next morning, he emailed Bartoszek a short video clip that the trail cam had captured. It showed an adult bobcat returning to the cache to feed on the giant snake. 'So, I lost the bet,' Bartoszek says. 'But it was probably even more interesting that it was a bobcat, because they're more common.' As a researcher, Bartoszek is not one to jump to conclusions. He says they're 'fairly certain' that the bobcat killed the big python, but it's also possible that the snake died of other causes and the cat happened to find it soon afterward. Bobcats are primarily hunters, although studies have shown they will occasionally scavenge dead animals. Read Next: Florida Python Trackers Remove Two Giant Mating Balls in Record Day of Snake Hunting Bartoszek says there had been a cold snap in the area between the time they saw Loki 'in prime condition' and when they found the snake decapitated. Because they are cold-blooded, freezing weather can and does kill pythons and other reptiles. Bartoszek, however, doesn't think it got cold enough to actually kill the python. What's more likely, he says, is that the snake was cold-stunned and unable to defend itself from the bobcat, even though the cat was only half its size. (The average weight for a bobcat in South Florida is around 25 pounds, according to Shindle.) 'I would have loved to have seen that encounter,' Bartoszek says. 'The possibility of a 25-pound bobcat taking down and killing a 52-pound, 13-foot Burmese python is impressive. And I like animals that punch above their weight class.'
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bird and Piedmont Park Conservancy Announce New Partnership to Enhance Park Connectivity and Programming
Atlanta, GA, May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bird, the leading shared micromobility provider in North America, and the Piedmont Park Conservancy, the non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of Piedmont Park, today announced an innovative and comprehensive partnership. This groundbreaking collaboration positions Bird as a programmatic partner and official corporate sponsor of Piedmont Park, ushering in a new era of operational and programmatic collaboration that will support efforts to provide enjoyable experiences for the park's millions of annual visitors. This strategic alliance signifies a mutual commitment to fostering seamless connectivity to and within Piedmont Park, Atlanta's treasured urban oasis. Bird's fleet of shared micromobility options aim to alleviate transportation barriers, reduce reliance on personal vehicles, and promote environmentally responsible transit options for individuals accessing the park from surrounding neighborhoods and the wider Atlanta metropolitan area. As a cornerstone of this multifaceted partnership, Bird will provide a significant financial contribution to the Piedmont Park Conservancy. The partnership will establish programmatic and operational initiatives focused on enhancing safe, affordable, and environmentally conscious mobility solutions that directly link communities to the vibrant heart of Atlanta's premier green space. The investment underscores Bird's dedication to not only providing sustainable transportation options but also actively contributing to the well-being and accessibility of the communities it serves. The collaboration between Bird and the Piedmont Park Conservancy will encompass a range of joint initiatives designed to optimize the visitor experience and promote responsible micromobility practices. As a first initiative, Bird will partner with PPC to support the Pick up and Pitch In volunteer program by mobilizing volunteers from our extensive rider base in Atlanta. As part of a recurring series, Bird will host riders and park goers alike, providing coffee, safety demonstrations, and free rides for those participating in park beautification efforts. Additional areas of collaboration will focus on rider education, accessibility, safety, and park etiquette to ensure that shared micromobility contributes to a safe and positive experience for all park-goers at all times. John Lankford, Sr. Director, Government Partnerships, stated, 'We at Bird are deeply honored and enthusiastic about this partnership with the Piedmont Park Conservancy. Piedmont Park is an invaluable asset to the City of Atlanta, and we are privileged to play a role in supporting the Conservancy's mission of providing a welcoming and accessible green space for all. This collaboration underscores our shared values of accessibility, environmental sustainability, and positive community impact, and we are eager to work alongside the Conservancy to create a more connected and sustainable future for Atlanta.' Doug Widener, President & CEO of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, commented, 'Piedmont Park serves as a vital gathering place for our diverse community, and ensuring that everyone can access and enjoy its beauty is a top priority. We are thrilled to welcome Bird as a corporate sponsor and programmatic partner. Their commitment to sustainability aligns perfectly with our mission, and we are confident that this collaboration will significantly improve how people can reach and will experience the park, by fostering a greener and more accessible environment for all visitors.' This partnership represents a significant milestone in Bird's ongoing investment in Atlanta's evolving mobility landscape. By aligning with the city's broader goals of reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, and expanding the availability of multimodal transportation options, Bird is committed to being a responsible and integral part of Atlanta's sustainable urban development. About Bird Bird is an electric vehicle company dedicated to bringing affordable, environmentally friendly transportation to communities across the globe. Founded in 2017, Bird's expansive network of shared e-scooters and e-bikes provides convenient, sustainable mobility solutions that reduce reliance on cars and contribute to cleaner, more livable cities. About Piedmont Park Conservancy As the nonprofit champion of Atlanta's most visited park, the Piedmont Park Conservancy is committed to enhancing and preserving Piedmont Park as a vital urban greenspace and cultural resource that enriches the lives of all Atlantans. Through a collaborative partnership with the City of Atlanta, the Conservancy manages much of the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the Park; coordinates volunteer stewardship throughout the Park; offers programming for all ages, abilities, and works to ensure the Park remains a welcoming and sustainable public space for all. CONTACT: John Lankford Bird Sara Barksdale Brave Public Relations for Piedmont Park Conservancy sbarksdale@ in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fifty years after ‘Jaws', great white sharks remain a Cape Cod fixture
Quint, Chief Brody, Matt Hooper — those were some of the characters moviegoers got to know 50 years ago this summer when the blockbuster 'Jaws' was released. And, oh yes, there was Bruce: the collective name given to the various mechanical maneaters who terrorized Amity Island. Back in 1975, the premise of the movie notwithstanding, great white sharks were rarely seen off the Cape Cod coast. In decades prior, their numbers declined precipitously due to overfishing, accidental catchment and loss of their favorite food in the area, seals. But in 1972, the Marine Mammal Protection Act became law — giving a boost to the seal population in New England. Twenty-five years later, Great White sharks gained federal protection, as well. The end result: shark and seal numbers are rebounding. In one recent four-year period, researchers counted more than 800 white shark sightings off the Cape Cod coast — and there's no reason to believe that number will do anything but go up. Human encounters with sharks remain exceedingly rare — but they have an over-sized effect on the psyche of Cape communities and its image as a vacation spot. The last fatal shark attack happened off a beach in Wellfleet in 2018 when 26-year-old Arthur Medici of Revere was killed by a shark while riding a boogie board. At the time, it was the first shark-related fatality on the Cape in 82 years. 'We're learning a lot about sharks and shark biology,' said Megan Winton, PhD, a scientist associated with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy. 'But at the end of the day our work is really all about people. When Arthur Medici was boogie-boarding and was killed by a white shark it just tore the community apart. And that's always your worst day as a shark biologist.' Tuesday, the Conservancy held its annual media day, to reveal what measures it's taking to track shark movements off the Cape this summer and fall. 'We've got camera-tag systems, we've got drones,' said Greg Skomal, a marine biologist with the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries and an avid shark researcher. 'We've got newer technologies that give us a sense of what these animals are doing every second of their day.' That invasion of shark privacy has a goal beyond learning more about the creatures. The Conservancy shares its data in real time so as to protect the public from potential encounters with sharks. It accomplishes this tracking with a series of data collection units positioned off the outer and inner Cape coasts. 'Those patterns will help us determine where the shark is most likely to be, what time of day and what areas,' Skomal said. 'It is the 50th anniversary of Jaws and many of us have that film in our mind. But the bottom line is sharks are not here to eat people. If they were here to eat people, we'd have a lot more shark bites.' Skomal said sharks identify preferred prey through smell — but that there are so many seals a nearby human's scent can get lost in the mix. His first bit of advice is to steer clear of seals which are usually found in shallow areas off the coast. 'They're not here to eat you, but they have made mistakes and can make mistakes,' he said. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Building Pune: First cable-stayed bridge across Mutha River to be ready by the end of May, accessing metro to get easier
Pune residents will soon get the city's first cable-stayed bridge across the Mutha River, enabling pedestrians to not only cross the river easily but also offering them a breathtaking view of the same. Officials said the work of the much-awaited Veena-shaped pedestrian bridge linking Chhatrapati Sambhaji Park metro station to Shaniwar Peth is nearing completion. 'The Pune metro will finish its work by the end of this month,' said Hemant Sonawane, Executive Director, Pune Metro. It will provide easy access to metro commuters from the old part of the city, which includes the peth areas and central marketplace on Laxmi Road and Kumthekar Road, the official added. Meanwhile, the Pune Metro has set a deadline of June 15 for completing another pedestrian bridge across the Mutha River connecting Deccan metro station and Narayan Peth. This bridge would be beneficial for students studying in schools, colleges, and coaching classes for competitive exams to commute to and from the metro station without any hassle, said Sonawane. The Sambhaji Park and Deccan metro stations have been built along the Mutha riverbank, enabling easy access from only one side of the city through the J M Road. However, those residing across the river would also be able to easily access the two metro stations after the inauguration of the two pedestrian bridges. The Pune Metro is also planning to connect the two metro stations with another foot overbridge. Pune Metro officials said they hope the footfall will increase after the foot overbridge is ready. For the construction of the foot overbridge, the vehicular bridge over the Mutha riverbed has been closed to the public. Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast. Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste. Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter. Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
New York Times
06-05-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Frank Lloyd Wright Skyscraper Sells After Canceled Auction
A Frank Lloyd Wright building in Oklahoma, the architect's only realized vision for a skyscraper, has been sold to a company that says it will restore the tower for use as a hotel and residences. The sale of Price Tower, which has been endangered by financial problems, comes after a period of uncertainty when it appeared that the building might be sold through a bankruptcy court proceeding or through an auction. The tower is instead now the property of McFarlin Building LLC, a Tulsa-based company that has restored historic buildings in Oklahoma and Texas. The company agreed to pay $1.4 million last year before disagreements with the owners, a subsidiary of the Copper Tree Group, temporarily tabled that transaction. The Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy, which looks to protect Wright's legacy, has been intensely tracking the 19-floor Price Tower in Bartlesville, Okla., because of the building's rarity in the Wright portfolio. The conservancy said it was pleased with the transaction. 'We've appreciated getting to know the McFarlin team over the last several months, and our conversations have been very positive,' Eric Rogers, the communications manager for the conservancy, said in a statement. 'We are reassured by their respect for Price Tower's historic significance and their commitment to honoring our preservation easement.'
