Latest news with #MongabayNews
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Yahoo
Authorities intercept shocking illegal cargo packed into truck at port: 'The trade is so massive'
A massive seizure of nearly 7,000 smuggled songbirds in Indonesia has exposed the country's ongoing battle with illegal wildlife trafficking, reported Mongabay News. Indonesian authorities intercepted 6,860 songbirds from West Nusa Tenggara province on Feb. 1 at Tanjung Wangi Port in East Java. The birds, including zebra finches, red avadavats, and streaked weavers, were packed into 134 boxes on a truck, with 579 already dead when discovered. This bust follows a similar October 2024 seizure in Sumatra, suggesting traders are now seeking alternative supply routes. "The major traders are now looking for new sources of supply, including from West Nusa Tenggara, Bali and Kalimantan [Indonesian Borneo]," said Marison Guciano, executive director of a bird trafficking watchdog group called Flight. Despite violations of permit and health certificate requirements, the suspect was released because the birds weren't specifically protected by law. Guciano noted this reflects how authorities often view the songbird trade as a "trivial crime" compared to the trafficking of tigers, elephants, and rhinos. The popularity of keeping songbirds, especially among ethnic Javanese households, has created a massive market that's pushing many species toward extinction. Flight reported that at least 300,000 songbirds have been seized in Indonesia over the past five years alone. "Government protection for songbirds is still very weak. But the trade is so massive that some songbird species are rarely seen in the wild," Guciano explained. "If this is not stopped, the populations of many songbird species in Indonesia will decline drastically, and even become extinct from the wild." Beyond the environmental toll, this trafficking creates serious public health risks. "The illegal trade in songbirds also increases the risk of zoonoses that could pose a threat to public health," Guciano warned. When birds are smuggled without proper health screening, they can transmit diseases to other animals and, potentially, to humans. This creates a dangerous pathway for new illnesses to spread. Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Conservation groups like Flight continue monitoring trade routes and providing authorities with information to support enforcement efforts. In this case, quarantine officials returned surviving birds to their native habitats in West Nusa Tenggara after health checks. Better regulation is needed to protect these vulnerable species. While current efforts focus on high-profile endangered animals, advocates push for stronger legal protection of all wild birds regardless of conservation status. You can help by choosing not to purchase wild-caught birds, supporting organizations that combat wildlife trafficking, and raising awareness about the dangers this trade poses to wildlife and human health. Supporting sustainable alternatives to wild bird ownership, such as bird-watching tourism, also creates economic incentives for protection rather than exploitation. 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.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned as rare species reappears after nearly 200 years: 'We can finally confirm'
The presence of the Asian small-clawed otter has been confirmed in Nepal for the first time in over 185 years. Mongabay News reported that scientists and conservationists have been celebrating the sightings. The Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) is the world's smallest otter. Its existence in Nepal hadn't been confirmed since 1839. Many feared it was extinct in the area. Sightings were reported in Makalu Barun National Park over the years, but none were confirmed. In November, forestry department officials in Dadeldhura district discovered a juvenile otter. It was in a "fragile and injured state." Officials fed and cared for it, not realizing the importance of finding this critter. Mohan Bikram Shrestha, a wildlife researcher focused on otter and bird studies in the region, spoke on the subject: "After years of speculation about its presence in Nepal, we can finally confirm that the small-clawed otter lives on in the country." The creature seems to inhabit Nepal's eastern Himalayas and the western plains of Kailali and Kapilvastu districts. However, some have reported sightings in eastern Nepal. The otter species also lives in India's Darjeeling area. Conservationists are always excited to rediscover a species whose survival was uncertain. But Nepal's otters are particularly important. Flooding, landslides, pollution, and climate change generally have severely degraded the country's rivers. And they've basically become sewage-dumping sites for companies, hospitals, and households, according to Think Global Health. River communities are facing health crises. Freshwater flora and fauna are suffering. The threat to biodiversity in Nepal's rivers is immense. And biodiversity, especially in freshwater areas, is essential. Freshwater landscapes cover only 1% of the Earth's surface. However, they're home to 10% of all known species. An article published by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center explains that the presence of otters indicates healthy aquatic ecosystems. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Nepalese government and other organizations aim to protect otters. The World Wildlife Fund runs a river management program in the Lower Karnali Watershed. Finding the Asian small-clawed otter in the region is wonderful. But there is still work to be done. Efforts to protect and preserve freshwater ecosystems are vital to the health of the human population and the whole planet. Sanjan Thapa, deputy coordinator of the Otter Specialist Group's Himalayan region, emphasized the importance of actively protecting the species: "Now that we have concrete proof that the small-clawed otter is also found in Nepal, we need to incorporate it in our policies and programs." 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.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned as rare species reappears after nearly 200 years: 'We can finally confirm'
The presence of the Asian small-clawed otter has been confirmed in Nepal for the first time in over 185 years. Mongabay News reported that scientists and conservationists have been celebrating the sightings. The Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) is the world's smallest otter. Its existence in Nepal hadn't been confirmed since 1839. Many feared it was extinct in the area. Sightings were reported in Makalu Barun National Park over the years, but none were confirmed. In November, forestry department officials in Dadeldhura district discovered a juvenile otter. It was in a "fragile and injured state." Officials fed and cared for it, not realizing the importance of finding this critter. Mohan Bikram Shrestha, a wildlife researcher focused on otter and bird studies in the region, spoke on the subject: "After years of speculation about its presence in Nepal, we can finally confirm that the small-clawed otter lives on in the country." The creature seems to inhabit Nepal's eastern Himalayas and the western plains of Kailali and Kapilvastu districts. However, some have reported sightings in eastern Nepal. The otter species also lives in India's Darjeeling area. Conservationists are always excited to rediscover a species whose survival was uncertain. But Nepal's otters are particularly important. Flooding, landslides, pollution, and climate change generally have severely degraded the country's rivers. And they've basically become sewage-dumping sites for companies, hospitals, and households, according to Think Global Health. River communities are facing health crises. Freshwater flora and fauna are suffering. The threat to biodiversity in Nepal's rivers is immense. And biodiversity, especially in freshwater areas, is essential. Freshwater landscapes cover only 1% of the Earth's surface. However, they're home to 10% of all known species. An article published by the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center explains that the presence of otters indicates healthy aquatic ecosystems. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The Nepalese government and other organizations aim to protect otters. The World Wildlife Fund runs a river management program in the Lower Karnali Watershed. Finding the Asian small-clawed otter in the region is wonderful. But there is still work to be done. Efforts to protect and preserve freshwater ecosystems are vital to the health of the human population and the whole planet. Sanjan Thapa, deputy coordinator of the Otter Specialist Group's Himalayan region, emphasized the importance of actively protecting the species: "Now that we have concrete proof that the small-clawed otter is also found in Nepal, we need to incorporate it in our policies and programs." 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.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Experts sound alarm after returning to search for one of the world's most threatened primates: '...the world around us unravels a bit'
Scientists have reported that a rare monkey species — once known to exist in two regions — is now only found in Vietnam's Khau Ca protected reserve. Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys are native to Vietnam. They're an endangered species that only inhabited two locations on Earth — the country's Quan Ba Forest and Khau Ca Species and Habitat Conservation Area. According to a Mongabay News article, they have vanished from Quan Ba Forest. The species' only home is now Khau Ca, raising alarms for conservationists and researchers. The monkeys were last seen in Quan Ba Forest in June 2020. In April 2024, the Fauna & Flora Vietnam Programme supported a 32-person, five-day search of 454 miles of jungle. According to the Cambridge University Press's report, they saw no signs of Tonkin snub-nosed monkeys. "We did not see the monkeys this year," says Lam Van Hoang, director of Fauna & Flora Vietnam. Conservationists from Fauna & Flora say this is cause for great concern. Some locals shared anecdotes of seeing the monkeys in the Quan Ba Forest. But there is no solid evidence the species survived here. The population's disappearance is detrimental to the local ecosystem. It's also a troubling indicator of environmental issues. This species is critically endangered. The monkeys may not seem integral, but every species plays a vital role. These monkeys are herbivores who help with seed dispersal, which supports forest growth. When any species goes extinct, it disrupts the ecosystem's balance. This creates a ripple effect that can harm the food chain. One species disappearing can lead to others going extinct. Ecosystem disruption can also harm the human food and clean water supply. As the Center for Biological Diversity explains, "Each time a species goes extinct, the world around us unravels a bit." This species' endangered status is due to several human factors. Deforestation, hunting, and agricultural expansion are the likeliest causes of the population decline. Specifically, cardamom farming is destroying their habitat. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Hoang told Mongabay News, "Without strong conservation attempts, especially from the local authorities, the population in Khau Ca will face high risks from illegal activities and pressure from local communities." The efforts to support the species are helpful. But more must be done about deforestation and agricultural expansion. Hoang also explained the importance of reintroducing monkeys to Quan Ba. He said it's a crucial next step and should act as a "backup population for the species." 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.
