Latest news with #RedListofThreatenedSpecies
Miami Herald
3 hours ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Tiny cheetah quintuplets born at Missouri zoo. Watch them bond with mom
Five tiny creatures played in a bed of hay and snuggled close to their mom as they took in the surroundings of their new home. Carefully, and from behind the scenes, staff at the St. Louis Zoo celebrated the birth of cheetah quintuplets and marked a milestone in the vulnerable species' survival, the zoo said in a June 5 news release. The litter of cubs was born to first time mom, 4-year-old Cora, and 8-year-old Vader, according to zoo officials. The two came to the zoo in 2024 and 2022, respectively, and were paired for breeding. 'The first few months of life are critical for newborn cheetahs,' the zoo said. 'The Animal Care team is monitoring the cheetah family via camera allowing them to watch Cora develop into an attentive mom — cleaning, nursing the cubs and keeping them warm.'' The newborns don't have names just yet, the zoo said. They'll spend time bonding with their mom before their first exams during which the sex of each cub will be determined and names will be selected afterward, the zoo said. While the adorable cubs, dubbed 'Cora's Quints,' won't be viewable to the public for several months, the zoo shared a video of them exploring their surroundings. 'Cora's Quints' are considered to be a larger but not 'unusual' litter size, according to the zoo. A litter of eight born in 2017 marked the largest litter delivered at the St. Louis Zoo. The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species lists cheetahs as a vulnerable species. The species is native to Africa and Asia, but populations have drastically declined in the wild due to threats such as conflict with livestock owners, illegal trade and habitat loss, zoo officials said. Today, fewer than 7,000 live in Africa. The species is locally extinct in 13 countries, according to the zoo.
STV News
4 days ago
- General
- STV News
Baby Humboldt penguin becomes second ever to be hatched at zoo
A baby penguin has hatched and become the second ever of its kind to be born at a zoo in Edinburgh. Five Sisters Zoo confirmed that the chick hatched on April 28, becoming the second Humboldt penguin chick to be born there. The zoo said the newest addition to its colony is 'thriving' and has bonded closely with its parents. 'As with all hatchlings, the early weeks are critical, and our staff are monitoring the young penguin's health and progress closely,' a spokesperson for the zoo said. Five Sisters Zoo The chick hatched at Five Sisters Zoo on April 28. Five Sisters Zoo 'We are now awaiting blood test results to determine the sex of the chick.' Humboldt penguins are classified as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Wild populations of the species have declined due to various threats such as climate change, overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. Five Sisters Zoo Humboldt penguins are classified as 'vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Five Sisters Zoo To celebrate the chick's arrival, the zoo is inviting the public to participate in a competition to help name the newest addition to the colony. 'We welcome all creative name suggestions. The winning name will be announced once we confirm the chick's gender,' a spokesperson said. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Star
22-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Cambodia's first helicopter relocation of endangered banteng deemed a success
One of the critically endangered banteng that was relocated, thanks to the use of helicopters. - Rising Phoenix PHNOM PENH: Sixteen banteng (Bos javanicus), one of the world's most critically endangered species, have been successfully relocated to a safe sanctuary, thanks to the use of helicopters. This was the first time this kind of operation has been conducted in Cambodia, reported social enterprise Rising Phoenix on Wednesday (May 21). The historic translocation operation took place from May 12 to 15, and saw 16 animals relocated to the Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary (SPWS) — a protected area spanning more than 130,000 hectares in Stung Treng province. Banteng, a species of wild cattle, were recently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The species has declined throughout its range as a result of snaring and hunting. This project aims to re-establish a viable population in the sanctuary. The operation was carefully planned and executed by Rising Phoenix/Siem Pang Conservation under the guidance of the Stung Treng governor's office together provincial Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the provincial Department of Environment, the military police and the administrations of Borey O'svay Senchey and Siem Pang districts. The success of the operation has set an important precedent for future relocation efforts. Rising Phoenix After locating the herd, forces from the military police, forestry officials and environment rangers, together with Rising Phoenix staff, worked to prevent threats from poaching. Once sufficient resources were secured, they launched the capture and translocation operation. The success of the operation has set an important precedent for future relocation efforts. - Rising Phoenix The operation involved a helicopter from Helistar Cambodia, two skilled helicopter pilots, advisors from Conservation Solutions, the leading wildlife capture specialists and more than 30 Rising Phoenix ground staff members, including a veterinarian. In preparation for capture, Rising Phoenix constructed a mass-capture funnel trap, or boma, in the forest. The banteng were guided into the trap by the helicopter and loaded into a specially prepared transport truck. Of the sixteen banteng, eleven were female. The herd consisted of one adult bull, eight adult females, five juveniles and two calves. Each of the animals was transported within three hours of capture and released into the sanctuary, where they will be monitored and protected. 'This operation marks a significant achievement in wildlife conservation in Cambodia and Southeast Asia, representing the first ever mass-capture using a helicopter and the first time banteng have been caught and translocated using this method,' noted Rising Phoenix. The helicopter was used to coral the animals into a mass-capture funnel trap, or boma. Rising Phoenix The success of the approach demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative efforts in protecting endangered species. Importantly, it opens the way for further such operations to relocate banteng trapped in isolated forest patches elsewhere in the country. Stung Treng governor Sor Soputra praised the success of the operation and commended the task force for capturing and relocating the deer from areas under threat from poachers to a protected and secure location. The operation was funded by Rising Phoenix in collaboration with Cartier for Nature and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Niabi Zoo welcomes new Asian small clawed otters
Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley has added two new adorable animals to the facility. Niabi Zoo has a new exhibit featuring Asian small-clawed otters, the smallest otter species in the world. The otters are named Tina and Louise and are on exhibit in Niabi's Biodiversity Hall. These small-clawed otters (Aonyx cinereus) are native to South and Southeast Asia and have dexterous front paws and short claws that don't extend beyond their webbed toes. These adaptations make them highly skilled at foraging. They usually live in riverbanks, wetlands and mangrove swamps, feeding on mollusks, crabs and other small aquatic animals. Tina and Louise arrived at Niabi this spring as part of a cooperative placement with other accredited facilities. They are often found in pairs, but this species can also live in extended family groups in the wild of up to a dozen individuals. 'Asian small-clawed otters are known for being active and playful, and we're thrilled to be able to share them with our visitors,' said Lee Jackson, director of Niabi Zoo. 'Bringing species like these to Niabi is part of our broader mission to inspire curiosity, connect people to wildlife and elevate conversations around conservation.' Asian small-clawed otters are listed as 'Vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN) because of habitat destruction, pollution and illegal hunting. The IUCN's Red List is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Residents in disbelief after spotting endangered creature in local garden — here's what they saw
A rare Reeves's pheasant was recently spotted in a residential English garden, highlighting the striking bird's beauty and vulnerability. Photographed by locals in Wiltshire, England, the impressive bird boasts bold black, white, and golden plumage along with an extraordinarily long, patterned tail. The Reeves's pheasant holds the record for the longest natural tail feather of any wild bird species, which can sometimes grow up to 8 feet long. The photographed bird appears to be male, as females of the species are smaller and less colorful, sporting mottled brown plumage and shorter tails. The Reeves's pheasant is native to China, where it is a nationally protected species. However, it is considered an introduced species in the U.K., first brought to the region in 1831. Local newspaper the Swindon Advertiser reported that sparse pockets of the species currently inhabit farmlands close to woodlands in the U.K.. Still, sightings of the bird are exceedingly rare. Listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Reeves's pheasant faces significant conservation challenges. Estimates suggest there are only 3,000 to 5,000 individuals left in the wild. Threats to the species include habitat loss and fragmentation, which are exacerbated by urban expansion, agricultural development, and an unstable climate. Rising global temperatures are shifting ecosystems, altering the landscapes the pheasants rely on for survival. Hunting is also a threat to the species, both currently and historically. Notably, the birds were often hunted for their tail feathers for use in traditional Chinese opera costumes, contributing to the species' historic decline. The vulnerability of the Reeves's pheasant highlights how environmental changes, combined with other human activities like urban expansion and hunting, deeply threaten global ecosystems. Each vulnerable or endangered species is part of a larger web being destabilized. According to Birdfact, conservation efforts to support the Reeves's pheasant focus on habitat protection and captive breeding programs to support wild populations. Despite these initiatives, the global population of Reeves's pheasants continues to decline. This rare sighting is a sobering reminder that the survival of this gorgeous bird — and countless other vulnerable and endangered species — depends on our collective commitment to prioritize and protect our environment. 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. 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.
