Latest news with #PBSNorthCarolina
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Researchers make alarming discovery inside whales' stomachs: 'May therefore be misinterpreting acoustic cues'
It's one of the known problems with plastic pollution: Marine animals like seals and whales keep turning up dead with their stomachs full of plastic bags and deflated Mylar balloons, having eaten these nonfood items until it kills them. That makes some sense near the surface, where the soft shape of a drifting bag might be mistaken for a jellyfish or squid, but what about deep underwater, where hunting whales can't even see the plastic? A new study has shed light on the factor at play here, specifically, sound, PBS North Carolina reported. Marine scientists from Duke University, NC State, UNC-Chapel Hill, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration came together for a study that tested the way plastic bags and debris appear when detected with echolocation. Echolocation is a sense that some animals, including whales, dolphins, and bats, use to get around in conditions when ordinary visibility is poor. The animal emits a specific sound, then listens for the way that the sound bounces off surrounding objects and returns to them. The time it takes for the sound to return tells them the distance to the object, and the way that the sound changes — such as becoming distorted or muffled — tells them about the characteristics of the object, like its hardness. Echolocation helps these animals build a very precise view of the world, but as these researchers discovered, it doesn't give them all the information. According to PBSNC, all of the plastic items tested reflected sound in a way similar to the bodies or beaks of squids, the prey that toothed whales hunt in the dark depths of the ocean. That explains why so many whales are turning up with plastic in their stomachs — it really does sound like food. "Assuming these animals are ingesting plastic at depth and not at/near the surface, they are consuming plastic without visually identifying it," said a passage in the study, per PBSNC. "Deep-diving toothed whales may therefore be misinterpreting acoustic cues when echolocating; presumably plastic's acoustic signature resembles that of primary prey items, driving plastic consumption." Whale species are already under severe threat. After many years of being hunted — some of which continues to this day — and in an ocean which is getting warmer and more difficult to survive in every year, populations have severely diminished over time, and conservationists are scrambling to keep these intelligent and charismatic species afloat. Plastic waste in the ocean presents another threat to species already under pressure. There are 170 trillion pieces of plastic in our ocean now, from tiny microplastics to full-sized pieces of trash and fishing equipment, all of which are killing sea life. If these hazards succeed in destroying whale species, we will not only have lost an irreplaceable part of our planet's diversity and some of the smartest creatures in existence. We will also have lost a key part of our ocean ecosystem, and humans rely on the ocean for a huge amount of food and a major portion of our economy. The estimated worth of the oceans is $24 trillion. Companies and individuals around the globe are looking for ways to keep plastic out of the ocean and to clean up what's already there. Even middle schoolers are making strides with a robot to clean up microplastics, and researchers are putting AI on the job as well. 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. 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
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Critically endangered species makes unlikely comeback in its original habitat: 'We are grateful'
A major win for conservation has taken place in North Carolina, where officials have reintroduced the endangered Roanoke logperch to the Mayo River, as reported by PBS North Carolina. The effort, led by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation, is a key step in protecting this rare species and restoring biodiversity. The Roanoke logperch, a six-inch fish found only in parts of Virginia and North Carolina, has faced habitat destruction and water quality issues. Listed as federally endangered in 1989, the species is now making a comeback. In November 2024, juvenile logperch were released at Mayo River State Park's Anglin Mill access point, above the Avalon Dam. This followed an agreement between state agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect aquatic species across 18 miles of river habitat. State parks provide an ideal home for the species, offering clean, slow-moving waters with rocky bottoms. However, barriers like sediment buildup and dams continue to threaten the fish's survival. By carefully selecting release sites upstream of dams, biologists are improving the species' chances of long-term recovery. Efforts like this are crucial for maintaining balanced ecosystems. Similar conservation projects have shown environmental and community benefits. The restoration of bison populations by Indigenous communities has boosted local economies through tourism and sustainable agriculture. In Zanzibar, coral reef restoration has helped protect marine biodiversity and support fisheries. Meanwhile, the resurgence of bobcats has played a role in controlling prey populations and reducing the spread of diseases like Lyme disease. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "We are grateful to our parent agency, the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, for recognizing the key role that state parks play as wildlife preserves," said Kathy Capps, deputy director of operations for North Carolina State Parks. "The reintroduction of Roanoke logperch into the Mayo River above Avalon Dam returns this species, once lost, back into this diverse and special place," added TR Russ, Foothills aquatic wildlife diversity coordinator. 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
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Explore Wilmington's 1898 history at free screening, discussion in Elizabeth City
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) – On Tuesday, Feb. 25, educators and community members in Elizabeth City have a unique opportunity to uncover a crucial but often overlooked chapter of American history. The is hosting a free screening of American Coup: Wilmington 1898, a documentary that reveals the dark story of the only successful coup d'etat in U.S. history. The screening, set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the museum's Gaither Auditorium, is part of a statewide initiative led by the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, PBS North Carolina, and Working Films to bring attention to the 1898 Wilmington massacre. This pivotal chapter of North Carolina's history tells the story of a violent, racially charged insurrection that overthrew Wilmington's democratically-elected, multi-racial government. White supremacists used terror to erase Black political and economic power, resulting in murders and forced exile. chronicles the lives affected by the tragedy and the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth. 'American Coup: Wilmington 1898 is a cautionary tale about a breakdown of a cornerstone of our democracy: fair and free elections,' said Rachel Raney, PBS North Carolina's director of national productions and co-executive producer of the film. 'When we started researching these events in Wilmington, we quickly discovered that many North Carolinians are not aware of this important history, in part because it was intentionally buried. The more we learned, the more it became clear that all Americans need to know what happened.' Following the screening, a panel discussion with historians from Elizabeth City State University, including Dr. Glen Bowman, Dr. Latif Tarik, Dr. Tomiko Ballentyne, and historian LeRae Umfleet, will offer a deeper look into the film's historical context. Kim Jones, North Carolina's 2024 Teacher of the Year, will also share educational resources to help teachers incorporate the story of Wilmington 1898 into their lessons, including a virtual 'Community of Practice' for ongoing support. The event begins at 5 p.m. with refreshments, followed by the screening and discussion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. For more information about the event, documentary, and educational resources, visit the event's official page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
