Latest news with #ZoologicalSocietyofLondon
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists uncover disturbing factor linked to increase in dead dolphins off UK coast — here's what you need to know
Scientists have found that rising ocean temperatures and industrial chemicals are causing the deaths of short-beaked common dolphins in the United Kingdom. According to a report relayed by researchers from the Zoological Society of London discovered a link between warming temperatures and the spread of infectious disease in the dolphins. Results showed that these pressures have been building for decades, and it's finally catching up with the marine animals. Waters near coasts with many industries have higher levels of toxic chemicals, including polychlorinated biphenyls. These chemicals build up in the fatty tissues of dolphins and impair their immune systems and reproduction. While PCBs have been banned in Europe for around 40 years, the leftover chemicals continue to spill into marine environments from runoff and other sources. Higher sea surface temperatures have disrupted biodiversity and changed species distributions, altering how infectious microorganisms move through the environment. Warmer waters have been linked with higher disease rates in several marine species. Rising ocean temperatures have also led to changes in habitat use and prey availability for the short-beaked dolphins. Short-beaked dolphins are crucial for healthy marine ecosystems, as they maintain the balance of marine food webs and form "super pods" with other dolphins that can influence prey availability and distribution. Deaths among these gentle creatures are concerning, as they may upset the balance of ecosystems and marine habitats. Dolphins have been known to help people in numerous ways, including rescuing people from sharks, guiding boats, and helping with fishing. It's important that we protect them both for their survival and human benefits. Global heating isn't only impacting dolphins — it's harming other animals across the world, including lambs in Spain, monkeys in Mexico, and elephants in Africa. Scientists said they will continue to monitor marine environments for industrial pollutants. However, they noted that without taking steps to reduce environmental contaminants and reduce warming, risks to dolphins will likely increase in the future. The authors noted there's an urgent need to deploy conservation efforts that mitigate warming ocean temperatures and industrial chemicals in waterways. On a positive note, endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, which are native to Southeast Asia, are seeing a population boost thanks to conservation efforts. If we make similar strides with the short-beaked dolphins, it will ensure their population remains stable. By getting involved in your local community with wildlife groups, you can make a positive impact that can last for generations. Also, if you see anyone dumping chemicals into waterways, notify the proper authorities — this will keep dolphins and humans safe. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never 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.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Extinct-In-The-Wild Bird Species Is Breeding On A New Island Home
The Guam kingfisher was extinct in the wild for almost 40 years but this species was recently released into the wild where it is now breeding. A pair of Sihek or Guam Kingfisher (Todiramphus cinnamominus) on Palmyra Atoll. Five males and four ... More females were returned to the wild on Palmyra Atoll in September 2024. This pair (Female, left and male, right) are the parents of the first confirmed eggs laid in the wild for 40 years. (Credit: Martin Kastner / TNC-ZSL) In the face of growing despair and gloom, the Guam Kingfisher, better known as the Sihek, Todiramphus cinnamominus, is the source of yet more good news: eggs! These beautiful birds, extinct in the wild for 40 years, were recently rewilded on Palmyra Atoll (read more here, here, and here). Although captive-bred Sihek were not on their native home of Guam, this release is nevertheless a critically important step closer to their eventual return home. 'Many of us spent this Easter weekend out searching high and low for eggs of a different variety – and while they might not be as shiny or brightly coloured, these tiny, unassuming-looking eggs are far more exciting and precious than any of their chocolate counterparts,' said conservation biologist John Ewen, a professor at the Institute of Zoology, which is the research division of the Zoological Society of London, and Sihek Recovery Team Chair. Professor Ewen's research focuses on small population recovery, often involving conservation translocation, and the science that supports these decisions. 'They are a remarkable milestone for the decades-long mission to rescue the Sihek from the edge of extinction, and this moment for celebration is a real testament to all the dedicated work from everyone working around the clock to protect and recover this incredible bird.' A total of nine chicks — four female and five male Sihek — were hand-reared at the Sedgwick County Zoo and prepared for this historic rewilding effort, which occurred when the birds were released on Palmyra Atoll at the end of September 2024. 'We're delighted that all nine of the birds are not only surviving on Palmyra Atoll, they're already starting the next stage of their journey as we work to reestablish a thriving and fully self-sustaining Sihek population in the wild,' said bird conservation scientist, Caitlin Andrews, with The Nature Conservancy and an Honorary Research Associate with the Zoological Society of London. Dr Andrews' specialty is developing translocation programs for species recovery. The breeding pairs of Sihek are very young – less than a year old – so this is the first time they're incubating and caring for eggs, thus it may take a few egg laying attempts for the birds to develop their skills and successfully hatch chicks. 'It's taken years of planning to get to this point, and it's wonderful seeing their instincts kick in as they've been catching geckos and spiders and excavating nests,' Dr Andrews added. 'Their strength provides hope they will one day be back on Guam.' A Sihek egg from 2024. (Credit: ZSL) 'After many long days last year looking after these birds when they were just tiny eggs and chicks, it's so rewarding to see them beginning their journey towards raising their own chicks in the forests of Palmyra Atoll,' said London Zoo birdkeeper Charlotte James, who travelled to Sedgwick County Zoo to hand-rear the birds prior to their release. 'It's hard not to feel like a proud parent seeing them out there thriving and making history – and an honour to be part of the ongoing mission to bring Sihek back from the brink of extinction.' Nonetheless, these eggs demonstrate both the tremendous resilience of these remarkable birds and the power of conservation to create a second chance for species on the brink of extinction. This monumental rewilding event was the result of a global collaborative effort by the Sihek Recovery Program. Partners that either contributed eggs, chicks or staff to assist with their care to this effort include the Brookfield Zoo Chicago, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Disney's Animal Kingdom, the National Aviary, and Sedgwick County Zoo where they received expert care at a purpose-built facility until they were mature enough to make the journey to the atoll. Egg selection and transfer were coordinated by the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI), whose staff also helped manage the care of the birds, along with Tracy Aviary, and ZSL's London and Whipsnade Zoos. The young Sihek were temporarily housed in outdoor aviaries on the Cooper Island preserve and research station, where they acclimated to the local environment and wildlife. The Cooper Island preserve and research station are owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, which purchased Palmyra Atoll to be an ecosystem reserve and scientific field station in 2000. (Full disclosure: I contributed to this effort.) 'This work on Palmyra is something I couldn't have imagined witnessing in my lifetime, let alone being a part of, said Aimee Owen, senior aviculturist at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. 'Our team here at Cincinnati Zoo is head-over-heels for these birds and so excited that they've come as far as they have and just keep on going.' Some of the young birds were named in an online voting process and with ongoing care at Palmyra Atoll, the team has become deeply connected with each individual bird. 'Even moreso, Tutuhan, Cincinnati's first egg, and first chick produced, and the first chick of the entire project is now one of the first to produce eggs on the island,' added Ms Owen. 'Her being 'the first of firsts' of this ground-breaking conservation work is a milestone that simply fills us with pride, even beyond playing our role in the first place.' Plans are underway to release more young Sihek on Palmyra Atoll in summer of 2025. Already, egg laying is underway at participating AZA-accredited institutions across the USA. After these eggs hatch and the chicks mature, the young birds will journey to Palmyra, to be released, with the ultimate goal of establishing ten breeding pairs there. The wild Sihek at Palmyra Atoll will pave the way for a growing, wild Sihek population for the first time in decades. © Copyright by GrrlScientist | hosted by Forbes | Socials: Bluesky | CounterSocial | Gab | LinkedIn | Mastodon Science | Spoutible | SubStack | Threads | Tribel | Tumblr | Twitter
The Independent
15-04-2025
- General
- The Independent
Elephants circling young after earthquake ‘rare and special'
A video of elephants in San Diego circling around their young during an earthquake was a 'rare' and 'special' moment, a London zookeeper has said. CCTV footage at San Diego Zoo Safari Park captured the moment a herd of elephants were startled by a tremor after the Californian city was struck by a 5.2-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday morning. The video shows around five elephants running towards each other and forming a circle to protect a young member of the herd. Emily Hanley, lead elephant keeper at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), said keepers often aim to recreate events its animals might encounter in the wild, but capturing the elephant's reaction to a live earthquake was a 'special moment'. 'Although it's natural, normal behaviour, I think to actually capture the moment is quite rare, particularly because it was due to something that's a natural event and not keeper-induced,' Ms Hanley, 32, told the PA news agency. 'It was a special moment. It was really cool to see as a keeper myself. It's lovely to see those moments.' She said zookeepers aim to find natural ways to simulate situations animals may encounter in the wild to monitor their behaviour. 'What we always aim for – and I'm sure this goes for San Diego as well – is seeing those natural behaviours,' Ms Hanley said. 'Sometimes we're able to provide opportunities – putting food in a natural way for them to get or a substrate that they can wallow in… but this was just a natural behaviour that we couldn't necessarily try and encourage or simulate. 'It was just a really nice example of what you're looking for, especially to prove that the herd that you have are a cohesive unit.' Ms Hanley said this protective behaviour is typical for the matriarch of the herd who usually 'rallies the alarm or rallies the troops'. 'The matriarch normally is the one that goes straight to whatever is alarming them. They rally around the baby or the youngster at that point, circling them, so they're ready for whatever is about to come,' she said. She added that the circle formation is likely to be due to ensuring the animals have 'protection on all sides'. 'If they don't really know where the danger is coming from, particularly as the earthquake might feel like it's everywhere, there were enough elephants to protect its calf,' Ms Hanley explained. 'They do the best protection they can in a full circle.' The keeper said the footage could help to provide evidence that elephants might be able to detect tremors moments before an earthquake. 'What I found interesting was that they (the elephants) reacted before the camera shook,' she said. 'They communicate through different frequencies and at a much lower frequency, like reverberations in their feet, so that was interesting from a keeper perspective to notice they knew something was going on before the camera shook.' Ms Hanley said the video provides an insight into the elephants' behaviour to help members of the public learn more about the animals. 'We know, as keepers, how socially complex the herd dynamic is… so it is a really nice glimpse into it,' she said. 'I think it's highlighted how responsive they are to looking after each other, especially the youngsters, also working together. 'I think it's been really nice that people have seen that and learn that about the species.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Elephants circling young after earthquake ‘rare and special'
A video of elephants in San Diego circling around their young during an earthquake was a 'rare' and 'special' moment, a London zookeeper has said. CCTV footage at San Diego Zoo Safari Park captured the moment a herd of elephants were startled by a tremor after the Californian city was struck by a 5.2-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday morning. The video shows around five elephants running towards each other and forming a circle to protect a young member of the herd. Emily Hanley, lead elephant keeper at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), said keepers often aim to recreate events its animals might encounter in the wild, but capturing the elephant's reaction to a live earthquake was a 'special moment'. 'Although it's natural, normal behaviour, I think to actually capture the moment is quite rare, particularly because it was due to something that's a natural event and not keeper-induced,' Ms Hanley, 32, told the PA news agency. 'It was a special moment. It was really cool to see as a keeper myself. It's lovely to see those moments.' She said zookeepers aim to find natural ways to simulate situations animals may encounter in the wild to monitor their behaviour. 'What we always aim for – and I'm sure this goes for San Diego as well – is seeing those natural behaviours,' Ms Hanley said. 'Sometimes we're able to provide opportunities – putting food in a natural way for them to get or a substrate that they can wallow in… but this was just a natural behaviour that we couldn't necessarily try and encourage or simulate. 'It was just a really nice example of what you're looking for, especially to prove that the herd that you have are a cohesive unit.' Ms Hanley said this protective behaviour is typical for the matriarch of the herd who usually 'rallies the alarm or rallies the troops'. 'The matriarch normally is the one that goes straight to whatever is alarming them. They rally around the baby or the youngster at that point, circling them, so they're ready for whatever is about to come,' she said. She added that the circle formation is likely to be due to ensuring the animals have 'protection on all sides'. 'If they don't really know where the danger is coming from, particularly as the earthquake might feel like it's everywhere, there were enough elephants to protect its calf,' Ms Hanley explained. 'They do the best protection they can in a full circle.' The keeper said the footage could help to provide evidence that elephants might be able to detect tremors moments before an earthquake. 'What I found interesting was that they (the elephants) reacted before the camera shook,' she said. 'They communicate through different frequencies and at a much lower frequency, like reverberations in their feet, so that was interesting from a keeper perspective to notice they knew something was going on before the camera shook.' Ms Hanley said the video provides an insight into the elephants' behaviour to help members of the public learn more about the animals. 'We know, as keepers, how socially complex the herd dynamic is… so it is a really nice glimpse into it,' she said. 'I think it's highlighted how responsive they are to looking after each other, especially the youngsters, also working together. 'I think it's been really nice that people have seen that and learn that about the species.'
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Wildlife experts take urgent action after endangered species nears total collapse: 'Situation was really, really bad'
London-based conservationists are working to restore a vulnerable colony of endangered Darwin's frogs from halfway around the world. Launching an emergency rescue mission in a remote Chilean national park, the conservationists recently rescued 53 adult frogs from a deadly fungus plaguing the colony's native habitat. In October 2024, researchers from the Zoological Society of London rescued the frogs from Tantauco Park located on the south end of Chiloé Island in southern Chile. That's because the park is home to a deadly fungal infection called chytridiomycosis — or chytrid — fungus. YaleEnvironment360 explains that chytrid fungus causes a deadly infection that suppresses a frog's immune response. It first attacks the amphibian's skin, an essential barrier in frogs that aids respiration and supports overall health. As the infectious disease progresses, the frog's motor functions fail and it struggles to breathe. Eventually, the frog dies from a heart attack. Darwin's frogs are highly susceptible to the deadly fungus and often die within mere weeks of infection. According to The Guardian, chytrid fungus has been a problem worldwide for the last three decades, killing off at least 90 species and endangering hundreds more. Experts call it "the most devastating infectious animal disease ever documented." The Guardian reported that recent conservation monitoring found a 90% decline in the Darwin's frog population at Tantauco Park because of the fungus. "We realized the situation was really, really bad," Dr. Andrés Valenzuela-Sánchez, a research fellow at the Zoological Society of London, told The Guardian. "We rapidly decided we needed to do something, We needed to do an emergency rescue." A documentary titled "A Leap of Hope" captures a portion of the team's delicate and difficult rescue. Not only were the frogs on a remote island filled with camouflaging lush vegetation, but the species is incredibly tiny. Darwin's frogs are under 3 centimeters long and weigh just .07 ounces, per London Zoo. Of the 55 frogs collected from the national park, two were infected with chytrid fungus. The remaining 53 frogs were sent on an 8,000-mile journey by plane, boat, and van to London. There, the frogs settled in a London Zoo habitat that replicated their natural environment with seasonable temperatures, regular rainfall, appropriate lighting, and familiar foliage. Now settled in the enclosure, 11 rescued males have released 33 young froglets into the habitat, starting a new generation of healthy frogs. Male Darwin's frogs hold young tadpoles in their vocal sacs for brooding, releasing the young frogs out of their mouth once developed. The conservationists call this new generation a "huge milestone" in their overall mission. 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. "We have the founders, the first adults, and now we have this first generation of offspring born at the zoo," Valenzuela-Sánchez told The Guardian. Researchers aim to breed the frogs further to help boost their population while exploring treatments and conservation options for chytrid fungus. The fungus appears to thrive in conditions caused by unstable global temperatures, though studies conflict on why. Some studies found that climate shifts like extreme heat and drought may weaken Darwin's frogs' immune systems, making the species more vulnerable to infection. Others have found that heat could be an antidote for deadly fungus, proposing so-called "frog saunas" — small brick structures covered by miniature greenhouses and placed in the sun — that could help infected frogs clear the infection. With further research and understanding, conservationists hope to develop treatments for chytrid fungus and eventually return the frogs to their native habitat. 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.
