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The Mainichi
25-05-2025
- Science
- The Mainichi
High school students in Fukuoka locate multiple endangered species, receive gov't award
FUKUOKA -- High school students in this west Japan city have been spotting endangered species through the extracurricular activities of a club dedicated to biology research, leading to national recognition. The "aquatic life study group," with members from Fukuoka Daiichi High School and Daiichi University of Pharmacy High School, both in the city of Fukuoka's Minami Ward, has not only found examples of rare species, but through social media has raised awareness about protecting endangered wildlife and the spread of domestic invasive species. Established in 2019, the study group has cared for rare creatures in a science lab of Daiichi University of Pharmacy High School while conducting ongoing ecological investigations. In 2023, members discovered a specimen of the endangered black-spotted pond frog, a species listed in Fukuoka Prefecture's Red Data Book, in the prefectural town of Sasaguri. In 2024 they found a water beetle, Hydaticus bowringi, in the prefecture's city of Ukiha for the first time in 20 years. Currently, the two sister schools together have 20 student members, who are caring for around 45 specimens across 15 species. On occasion, they venture out in search of creatures alongside their adviser, 59-year-old Yoshimi Ota. The school displays rare animals including a blue mutated Japanese tree frog, found in Sasaguri in 2024, among other notable finds. The group has also received a Yaeyama yellow-margined box turtle from a donor in Miyakojima, Okinawa Prefecture. While the species is a government-designated natural monument, there is concern it was artificially introduced to Miyakojima from its native habitat in the Ishigaki and Iriomote islands, also in Okinawa Prefecture. In Miyakojima, this turtle is now considered a domestic invasive species that could threaten the local ecosystem, and the student group has used social media and other means to bring attention to the issue. The students' efforts were recognized May 11 in Tokyo at the "National Conference on Wildlife Protection," organized by bodies including the Japanese Society for Preservation of Birds, where their group received the education minister's award. One third-year student at Daiichi University of Pharmacy High School who attended the award ceremony said, "I originally joined the study group because I've always loved animals and wildlife. I never imagined our work would lead to receiving an award." Mayu Tanaka, a third-year student at Fukuoka Daiichi High School, added, "It feels like lifeforms I used to see whe inn I was younger are gradually disappearing. I want to help preserve as many species as possible."
Miami Herald
02-05-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Spiny' creatures get stomachs ‘flushed' to reveal their mystery diets in Vietnam
In northeastern Vietnam, researchers spent nearly a decade scouring mountain forests and nature reserves for a little-known endangered species of frog. Quasipaa acanthophora, or the Mau Son spiny frog, was discovered in 2009 on Mau Son Mountain and has now been reported in a new location, bringing the number of known populations to three, according to an April 29 study published in Biodiversity Data Journal. Researchers said recent fieldwork led to the discovery of a Mau Son spiny frog population in Dong Son–Ky Thuong Nature Reserve in Quang Ninh Province, about a 120-mile drive east from Hanoi. Experts have also begun to unlock mysteries about the diet of the Mau Son spiny frog, which was previously unknown, according to the study. Staked out along rocky streams in evergreen forests — the species' natural habitat — researchers caught 38 spiny frogs by hand and 'flushed' their stomachs to analyze the contents. The process, which caused no harm to the frogs, revealed '446 prey items,' giving researchers insights into the types and size of prey, as well as possible differences in consumption habits between males and females and adults and young, according to the study. Researchers found 27 different categories of prey, 21 of which were insects, in the stomachs of the Mau Son spiny frogs. Cockroaches and beetles are the most prominent or 'important' food source to the opportunistic feeders, according to the study. Crustaceans and whip scorpions were found only in the stomachs of female frogs, while crane flies and centipedes were found only in the stomachs of males, according to researchers. The spiny frogs are described as being 'large' and 'robust' with warty skin, 'pale copper' irises and 'immaculate white' bellies, according to the study. Mau Son spiny frogs are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and endangered in Vietnam's Red Data Book, according to researchers. The research team included Vien Hong Thi Nguyen, Anh Van Pham, Truong Quang Nguyen, Tung Thanh Tran, Thomas Ziegler and Cuong The Pham.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Authorities adopt radical method to prevent rare species from disappearing: '[This will] play a crucial role'
A state in India is protecting plants and trees on the brink of extinction with a chill approach — literally. The Environment, Climate Change, and Forest Department called for the storage of native plant seeds in cryogenic facilities at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in an effort to save rare, endangered, and threatened plant species, DT Next reported. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, plant cryopreservation is the process of cooling and storing vegetative parts in liquid nitrogen. It provides safe conservation of plant biodiversity without the risk of genetic modifications. 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. The department behind the plant cryopreservation stated that native plant storage will "play a crucial role in conserving and managing the genetic resources of forest tree species in the state." The department has devoted more than $1 million to the initiative in Tamil Nadu. The Red Data Book — which keeps track of rare, endangered, and threatened species — names 140 vulnerable species in Tamil Nadu. For the initiative, 100 grams of plant seeds from those plants will be gathered from five different locations and stored at the cryogenic facilities. Other propagation materials, such as dormant buds, will also be preserved long-term. Certain facilities in the United States are also investing in cryogenic seed banks, such as the Atlanta Botanical Garden. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 1,300 plants and animals in the United States are listed as threatened or endangered. Losing endangered species can negatively impact ecosystems and entire food chains. The Endangered Species Coalition recommends several easy steps to help protect endangered species, including learning about the species in your area and recycling sustainable items. Also, avoid using herbicides and pesticides with harmful chemicals in your yard. Native plants reduce the need for water and chemicals, making them better for pollinators. There's also no need to spend cash on fertilizers. Consider rewilding your yard to help save the environment and save money. 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
- Yahoo
Ukrainian sculptor Taras Shevchenko killed in action
Taras Shevchenko, a 25-year-old Ukrainian sculptor, was killed in action on Sunday, 9 March. He was an employee of the Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park. Source: park's staff member Ivan Rusiev on Facebook Quote from Rusiev: "A young, incredibly bright person, an outstanding sculptor of Ukrainian Bessarabia, is no longer with us. He was killed by the war, which he went to fight alongside his father, Oleksandr, as soon as Russia's invasion of Ukraine began. Some years ago, a majestic pelican named Daedalus appeared in the Tuzly Amazonia recreation area of the Tuzly Lagoons National Nature Park." The sculpture of the pelican. Photo: Ivan Rusiev on Facebook The sculpture of the pelican. Photo: Ivan Rusiev on Facebook Photo: Ivan Rusiev on Facebook Details: The pelican sculpture was installed at the site of a former military training ground. Made of gypsum, it is life-sized. Quote from Rusiev: "Concrete pedestals remained at the site, and the park's creative staff decided to use them as bases for art installations. The first to be placed there was the symbol of Tuzly Amazonia – the Dalmatian pelican, a vulnerable species listed in Ukraine's Red Data Book. The monument was created by the young sculptor and park employee Taras Shevchenko." Details: Later, Taras also created thematic sculptures of a marmot and a Scythian stone statue. Read also: "A man of great heart": veterinarian and soldier Zakhar Palii killed in action Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Rare creature not seen in 100 years rediscovered deep in forest: 'This is a testament to the diversity resources and wildlife'
An animal assumed to have been extinct for nearly a century has made a startling appearance inside one of the most biodiverse nature reserves in all of Vietnam. The Pu Hoat muntjac is a species of muntjac from the Pu Hoat region in Vietnam. Once thought to have been extinct for close to 100 years, the animal was previously believed to have been discovered in Laos in 1999. However, officials were unable to confirm the authenticity of the discovery. Two decades later, the confirmed sighting of the Pu Hoat muntjac has given officials at Xuan Lien Nature Reserve a bit of well-deserved reassurance of their objective. Do you think we still have a lot to learn from ancient cultures? Definitely Only on certain topics I'm not sure No — not really Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Established in 1999, Xuan Lien Nature Reserve was created in order to protect threatened species and vulnerable habitats only found in the northern part of Vietnam. The nature reserve spans a total area of 24,000 hectares, with a majority of that area designated as special-use forests. Altogether, the Xuan Lien Nature Reserve is home to over 1,800 species of wildlife, including 35 species listed of fauna and flora listed in Vietnam's Red Data Book. But perhaps the nature reserve's greatest accomplishment to date is the recent discovery of the Pu Hoat muntjac. Evidence of the animal's presence was confirmed by photographs thanks to several of the nature reserve's camera traps. The photographs are the first confirmed sighting of the Pu Hoat muntjac since 1929. Pham Anh Tam, Director of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve, highlighted the extremely rare sighting as proof of the importance of conservation and protecting biodiversity. "This is a testament to the diversity of resources and wildlife that are still being preserved, so it is necessary to have the joint protection of local authorities, agencies, departments as well as local people," Tam said. By developing nature reserves and practicing conservation, we can help protect endangered species by allowing them to settle back into their region-specific habitats. Similar to the Pu Hoat muntjac, the forest owlet was also thought to have been extinct until it was recently spotted during a safari in a Central India tiger reserve. Encouraging biodiversity is a big step in maintaining a healthy ecosystem that affects animals, plant life, and humans. 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.
