Latest news with #InternationalFundforAnimalWelfare
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-beqa-lagoon-fiji-SHARKSPOTTING0525-5de38382e5a04169a8b7b58367543a6d.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- General
- Travel + Leisure
This Popular Island Destination Is the Best Place to 'Shark-spot' in the World—and It's Famous for Its Crystal-Clear Waters
Sharks are deeply misunderstood creatures. The International Fund for Animal Welfare reports that sharks kill fewer than 10 people each year, while people kill an estimated 100 million sharks per year. Of the 500 species of sharks that live in the ocean, just a few pose any threat to humans. Despite the facts, sharks remain a fearsome creature in most people's imaginations—and the chance to see them in the wild can be thrilling (and a little terrifying). For that reason, BoatMart, a site for buying new and used boats, recently published a list of its favorite destinations to see sharks and cage dive. At the top of their list of must-visit destinations for shark spotting is a place that's considered a dream vacation destination for plenty of other reasons: Fiji. According to BoatMart, Fiji's Beqa Lagoon (pronounced 'Ben-gah' in Fijian) is the No. 1 spot for shark spotting in the world, thanks in large part that it is part of the Shark Reef Marine Reserve, which protects a pristine, world-renowned dive site and shark habitat known as Shark Reef. The reef and the lagoon are known for their clear ocean waters, where visitors can experience close encounters with seven species of sharks, including bull sharks, tawny nurse sharks, grey reef sharks, and tiger sharks. As outlined in the Shark Reef Marine Reserve fact sheet, during dive experiences here, visitors can crouch behind a small wall while sharks are hand-fed or given tuna heads dropped from a plastic bin. There are safety divers during all sessions, and dives are limited to two boats per day, five days a week. Many of the Beqa Lagoon dives are led by locals who are certified recreational dive instructors. 100 percent of the marine reserve access fees are paid to the local community. Considering its thriving shark population, Beqa Lagoon is also surprisingly easy to access. The lagoon is just south of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji where all international flights arrive and depart. Popular Beqa Lagoon dive operators include the conservation-minded company Beqa Adventure Divers and Aqua-Trek, who are considered Fijian pioneers of shark diving. Here's the full list of the best shark dives in the world, according to BoatMart. Beqa Lagoon Fakarava, French Polynesia Neptune Islands, Australia Galapagos, Ecuador Gansbaai, South Africa Guadalupe Island, Mexico Farallon Islands, California Maui, Hawaii Jupiter, Florida Tiger Beach, Bahamas Placencia, Belize San Diego, California
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Penguin poop is creating more clouds. Here's how
There is no shortage of penguin poop in Antarctica. In fact, you can see it from space, if you know where to look. Researchers often use satellite observations to study Adélie penguin populations and changes in their diet. The most widespread penguin species, there are currently an estimated 10 million Adélie penguins, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The penguins themselves are too small to see from above, but their excrement is not. Also known as guano, the old bird poop builds up on rocky and icy surfaces over time. It can be seen in shades of white, red, and pink. The color that is expelled depends on what these flightless birds eat. With a krill diet, for example, turns it out pinker. Whereas, a largely fishy diet turns their poop whiter. But, the color isn't the only magic associated with Adélie penguin poop. Researchers say that ammonia released from the guano could help to protect them from the increasingly dangerous effects of human-caused climate change. The sea ice Adélie penguins rely on to survive is dwindling, as it is increasingly threatened by climate change. However, ammonia released from their poop may be contributing to increased regional cloud formation that halts ice loss and protects their habitat. 'There are connections between things that happen on our natural planet that we just don't necessarily expect,' Matthew Boyer, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Helsinki, told The Washington Post. 'And this is one of them.' Boyer was the lead author of the related research, which was recently published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment. Ammonia, which is a naturally occurring chemical compound often used in disinfecting products, can ramp up cloud formation when it chemically interacts with gases that contain the smelly element sulphur. This reaction increases the creation of particles in the air that give water vapor — water in its gaseous form — a surface to condense upon: changing it into a liquid. That's how clouds are formed. Ammonia clouds have been found on Jupiter, and over Southeast Asia. The resulting clouds can serve as insulating layers in the atmosphere, as well as help to reduce surface temperatures and keep the surrounding sea ice from melting. Last year, the sea ice extent in the Southern Ocean around Antarctica was the second smallest on record. This March saw Antarctic sea ice plunge, as well. The sea ice, which is more reflective than water, plays a significant role in keeping polar regions cool. 'We can hypothesize that there will be a cooling effect from the clouds because, in general, that is the most prominent effect of clouds in the atmosphere,' Boyer explained. To reach their conclusions, Boyer and his colleagues measured the concentration of ammonia in the air at a site near Marambio Base in the winter of 2023. They were downwind of the colony of 60,000 Adélie penguins, and their poop. When the wind blew from that direction, they found the concentration of ammonia in the air increased to more than 1,000 times higher than the baseline level. Furthermore, it was still more than 100 times higher than the baseline after the penguins had migrated from the area by the end of February. To confirm that this was the direct result of the guano's ammonia, they took several additional atmospheric measurements on a single day, finding that the number and size of particles at the site sharply increased when the wind blew from the colony. Just three hours later, they observed a period of fog that they say was likely the result of the increased particles. Although the specific interaction between penguins and the Antarctic climate is currently poorly understood, Antarctic ecosystems are facing significant pressures because of human-driven climate change that is driving sea ice loss as global warming continues. Warmer waters may mean less of the phytoplankton that krill and fish eat, reducing the penguins' food supply. The researchers say that their conclusions emphasize the importance of protecting penguins, which play a vital role in balancing their ecosystems. Although these birds may only be just over two feet tall, their contribution may be massive. 'The oceans and the penguins are influencing the atmosphere and actually influencing the local climate in Antarctica,' said Boyer. 'The local changes in Antarctica will have an impact on global climate.'
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Photographer thrilled after trail camera shows elusive apex predator after years of waiting: 'It was such an explosion of joy'
After four years of working and waiting, wildlife photographer Vladimir Cech Jr. caught a rare glimpse of the critically endangered Sumatran tiger in Indonesia. Thrilled to see the fruits of his labors, which involved using trail cameras "triggered by animal movement," Cech described his reaction to BBC's Discover Wildlife in an early-May report. "It was such an explosion of joy," Cech said, "that the guys from rangers thought something had bitten my a** because of how quickly and unexpectedly I jumped into the air while looking at the display." The Sumatran tiger is one of the rarest big cats of all. The International Fund for Animal Welfare has estimated that there are only around 600 left in the wild, though their elusive nature makes an accurate count difficult. They are reportedly the only remaining tigers on Indonesia's Sunda Islands, as the Balinese and Javan tigers, sadly, have already become extinct. The Sumatran tiger's survival is threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation caused by land clearing for palm oil plantations, other agriculture, and logging, per Discover Wildlife. Tigers can also be subject to rampant poaching, sometimes because of the animal's role in traditional Asian medicine. As apex predators in their natural habitats, tigers play an essential role in the ecosystem. They're what's known as an "umbrella species," meaning their presence protects a myriad of other fauna. Tigers regulate the populations of the species they prey upon and limit the habitat destruction that overpopulation can cause. Additionally, with each hunt they succeed in, tigers aren't feeding themselves alone but also other species. As the Wild Cats Conservation Alliance notes, a tiger usually only eats "about 65-75% of the edible portions" of its kills. Cech's years-long photography project shows the critical role that trail cameras can play in conservation efforts. They're not just a great tool for researchers seeking to inform effective strategies to protect rare and elusive animals — they can also be a source of inspiration for the public. As Cech told Discover Wildlife, "These sharp, detailed and colourful pictures can help to raise awareness about this amazing subspecies of tiger and other animals that live in this area." Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Euronews
20-05-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Lack of endangered whale babies raises alarm among scientists
A vanishing species of whale gave birth to so few babies this birthing season that it has raised alarms among scientists and conservationists who fear the animal could go extinct. The whale is the North Atlantic right whale, which numbers only about 370 and has declined in population in recent years. The whales give birth to calves off the southeastern United States from mid-November to mid-April, and federal authorities have said they need to have at least 50 calves per season to start recovering. The whales didn't come anywhere near that number this year. The calving season produced only 11 mother-calf pairs, scientists with the New England Aquarium in Boston said. The lack of baby whales underscores the need for their protection, conservationists said Monday. North Atlantic right whales are vulnerable to entanglement in marine fishing gear and collisions with large ships. 'They're also reproducing more slowly than they used to,' said the International Fund for Animal Welfare in its calving season report card. "This is likely due to stress from entanglements, navigation among busy maritime traffic, increasing ocean noise, and the changing distribution of their food sources." The calving season did have some bright spots. Several females gave birth for the first time, and that gives hope for the future, the aquarium said in a statement. The whale population only has about 70 reproductive females left. 'With past calf counts ranging from 39 to zero, we never know how any calving season will unfold. While the calf count is relatively low this year, I am encouraged by four new mothers being added to the reproductive pool,' said Philip Hamilton, senior scientist in the Aquarium's Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life. The whales can weigh up to 45,360 kilograms and were heavily exploited during the era of commercial whaling. They've been protected for decades, but have been slow to recover. In recent years, scientists have said the whales have strayed from established protected zones in search of food, and that has put them at elevated risk of entanglements and collisions. The whales migrate from the south to New England and Canada to feed on tiny ocean organisms. India's plans to double steel production by the end of the decade could jeopardise its national climate goals and a key global target to reduce planet-heating gas emissions from the steel industry, according to a report released Tuesday. The report by Global Energy Monitor, an organisation that tracks energy projects around the globe, said efforts to decarbonise steelmaking are gaining traction around the world. However, in India, the world's second-largest steel-producing nation, overwhelming reliance on coal-based technologies presents a big challenge. 'India is now the bellwether of global steel decarbonisation,' said Astrid Grigsby-Schulte, project manager of the Global Iron and Steel Tracker at GEM and report co-author. 'If the country does not increase its plans for green steel production, the entire sector will miss an important milestone. So goes India, so goes the world.' Currently, up to 12 per cent of India's greenhouse gas emissions, which go into the atmosphere and heat the planet, come from steelmaking. That number could double in five years if steel is produced in line with the government's plans, according to the report. At the same time, India wants to produce 500 gigawatts of clean power - enough to power nearly 300 million Indian homes - by the end of this decade. The South Asian nation recently crossed the milestone of installing 100 gigawatts of solar power, most of which was installed in the last 10 years. By 2070, India also aims to go net zero, that is, it will either eliminate all carbon dioxide pollution it emits or cancel it out by using other methods, such as planting trees that absorb carbon. Steel production is one of the most carbon-intensive industries, responsible for nearly 9 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The International Energy Agency has set a target for 37 per cent of global steelmaking capacity to rely on lower-emission electric arc furnaces by 2030. Current projections by GEM show the world reaching just 36 per cent — a shortfall largely due to India's coal-heavy pipeline. India plans to expand its steel production capacity from 200 million to over 330 million tonnes per year by 2030. According to the new data, over 40 per cent of global capacity in development - about 352 million tonnes per annum - is in India, with more than half of that using coal-based capacity. 'India is the only major steel-producing nation that has so much coal-based capacity in the pipeline,' said Henna Khadeeja, a research analyst with GEM who also worked on the report. India's steel sector releases approximately 2.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide per tonne of steel, roughly 25 per cent more than the global average. China, the world's largest steelmaker, has managed to keep its emissions lower per tonne by producing more scrap-based steel and retiring older coal-based plants. India's heavy dependence on coal for steelmaking is driven by a combination of factors: low-cost domestic coal, a relatively young fleet of blast furnaces that still have 20–25 years of operational life left, and a lack of natural gas and steel scrap. The country's scrap recycling ecosystem remains informal, and high-quality iron ore is scarce. 'There is potential for India to change course,' said Khadeeja of GEM. 'Much of the planned capacity is still on paper. Only 8 per cent of it has actually broken ground. This means there is still a window to shift toward lower-emission technologies.' The consequences of producing carbon-polluting steel may go beyond climate goals. While India's steel exports are only a small share of its overall production, they could suffer as major markets like the European Union begin enforcing carbon border taxes next year. 'India may be better off tolerating some short-term pain of technological upgrading to make its steel cleaner for long-term competitiveness gain,' said Easwaran Narassimhan of the New Delhi-based think tank Sustainable Futures Collaborative.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Too many elephants? GPS collars help Zimbabwe villagers to avoid deadly encounters
Too many elephants? GPS collars help Zimbabwe villagers to avoid deadly encounters (Photo: AP) In the dusty borderlands of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park , a silent battle plays out daily between survival and conservation. As climate change fuels longer drought periods and shrinks food sources, elephants increasingly stray into nearby villages in search of water and crops, which often have deadly consequences. To prevent these confrontations, a new high-tech early warning system is combining satellite data with old-fashioned community grit. Whenever GPS-collared elephants approach the buffer zones that separate wild lands from human settlements, local volunteer Capon Sibanda springs into action. 'Every time I wake up, I take my bike, I take my gadget and hit the road,' said Sibanda, 29, one of dozens of trained 'community guardians' working to keep both people and elephants safe as reported by AP. The GPS alert system, part of an initiative by Zimbabwe's wildlife authority and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), was introduced in 2023. It uses real-time tracking and the EarthRanger platform to monitor collared elephants, especially matriarchs, a woman who is the head of a family. Digital maps track movements and trigger alerts when animals cross invisible red lines separating protected and community lands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Start Here - 2025 Top Trend Local network access control Esseps Learn More Undo This fusion of technology and community outreach has already begun to shift the dynamic. 'We still bang pans, but now we get warnings in time,' says Senzeni Sibanda, a local farmer and councilor. But the problem is bigger than GPS can fix alone. Zimbabwe's elephant population, estimated at 100,000 is nearly double what the land can sustain. Yet culling (killing animals in a group) has been off the table for more than four decades due to conservation pressure and high costs, but the human toll is rising,18 people were killed by wildlife between January and April this year; 158 aggressive animals were killed in response. The larger debate to cull has drawn global attention, some southern African nations, including Zimbabwe and Namibia, have proposed radical ideas from legalizing elephant meat to offering excess animals to other countries like Botswana's then-president offered to gift 20,000 elephants to Germany, and the country's wildlife minister mock-suggested sending 10,000 to Hyde Park in the heart of London. Still, many see the tracking initiative as a hopeful step forward. So far, 16 elephants have been collared. It's a small start in Hwange, home to 45,000 elephants, but officials say it helps them make smarter, faster decisions based on real-time data.
