Latest news with #endangeredSpecies
CNA
13-07-2025
- CNA
Indonesia foils attempt to smuggle 1,200 endangered birds
KUPANG, Indonesia: Indonesian authorities have foiled a smuggling attempt of more than 1,200 endangered Javan white-eye birds after discovering them stuffed into cages, they said on Sunday (Jul 13). The popular cage bird is listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and a protected species by the Indonesian environment and forestry ministry. Officials found the huge cache of birds in eight cages on Friday, including 140 that died, at a port on Flores island in eastern Indonesia, Joko Waluyo, an official at a provincial conservation agency, told reporters on Sunday. The birds were due to be taken by ferry to Surabaya, a city in the east of Indonesia's main island Java. "The alleged perpetrator, who has not yet been found, brought Javan white-eye birds in eight bird cages. The number of birds that were attempted to be transported was 1,260, 140 of which were found dead," said Joko. The surviving white-eye birds were released back into the wild. "The release aims to save all secured (birds), increase the population in nature, and raise public awareness," he said. Under Indonesian law, poaching or trading of protected species is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Indonesia's illegal trade in wildlife, along with habitat loss, has driven numerous endangered species, from the Sumatran elephant to the orangutan, to the brink of extinction.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
'A bitter pill': Leamington council moves ahead with $640K chimney swift habitat, but questions priorities
Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Leamington is going ahead with building new housing, but it's not for people. On Tuesday night, council discussed a $640,000 plan to build habitat for chimney swifts, a threatened bird species that's been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the town's former high school on Talbot Street West. The building is scheduled to be demolished, but the chimney can't come down unless a replacement habitat is built first. It's the law, and council knows it, but that doesn't mean they're happy about it. 'You could build a pretty nice home. You could house some people who are facing housing precariousness with an expenditure like that,' said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. 'And here we are building a place for birds?' Leamington chimney Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) The chimney swift is protected under both federal and provincial endangered species legislation. The small, fast-flying bird migrates between Canada and South America each year and relies on older chimneys like the one at the old high school for nesting and roosting. According to Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the main threats to the species include habitat loss and declining insect populations, which make up their food supply. Insecticides may be playing a role in both. The birds have been listed as threatened in Ontario since 2009. That status means they're not endangered yet, but could be, if steps aren't taken to protect them. 'Chimney swift and its habitat are protected in order to support its conservation in Ontario,' ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler said in a statement to CTV News. Leamington is planning to build three new habitat towers along a public walking trail near Oak Street, or could face a million dollar fine. One tower will match the 17-metre height of the school's existing chimney, and two smaller towers will offer additional nesting options. The site will also include benches, native plants, and signs explaining the project to the public. All of it must be built by the end of 2025 to meet the terms of a federal permit. 'When you're weighing in the importance of creating habitat for migratory birds or housing individuals who need a roof over their heads, in my estimation, the human housing is more important,' said Mayor MacDonald. She says the town recently requested $300,000 from a funding partner to hire more social workers to deal with homelessness and is frustrated by how quickly and strictly the chimney swift rules are being enforced in comparison. 'It just seems to be an unfair requirement at this point in time when we're dealing with a human crisis,' she said. 'We're not against the environment. We're not against taking care of endangered birds. It's just... this requirement seems quite heavy-handed.' 'We have to do it,' she added. 'We're plugging our noses… before we do it.' Local residents are also expressing frustration. 'That's a lot of money just to preserve the birds,' said Delvin Maxwell. 'Some of that money would do well with the homelessness here in Leamington.' 'It's a waste of money,' added Joe Testani. 'We're having problems in this town already, the homeless, the drugs, everything. And we're spending it on a bunch of birds?' 'That's crazy! To spend my money on that for birds? Come on,' he said. 'It's better to spend it on the homeless. At least help somebody out. Somebody or something. Anything.' Still, the project has to move forward. The town plans to monitor the new site for up to five years to see if chimney swifts start using the new towers. If they do within the first three years, the monitoring period can end early. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mexican fishermen join fight to save extraordinary amphibian
After decades working as a fisherman on a high-altitude Mexican lake, Froylan Correa is now helping to save an endangered amphibian with gills resembling a lion's mane and a remarkable regenerative ability. The achoque, also known as the Lake Patzcuaro salamander, is a lesser known relative of the axolotl, the small friendly- faced amphibian battling extinction in Mexico City. Overfishing, pollution and reduced water levels in Lake Patzcuaro, its only natural habitat, mean that the achoque is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In an attempt to prevent it disappearing, biologists from Michoacana University decided to pay the local Indigenous community of San Jeronimo Purenchecuaro to help the achoque to reproduce. Correa, who knows the lake in the western state of Michoacan like the back of his hand, has a new job as an amphibian egg collector. Now in his 60s, he remembers when the waters teemed with fish and there was no need to worry for the salamander. "There used to be a lot of achoques," he told AFP. "Now the new generation doesn't know about it." - From lab to lake - After the eggs are collected, biologist Rodolfo Perez takes them to his laboratory at Michoacana University to hatch, in the hope of giving the achoques a better chance of surviving. After the hatchlings have grown enough, they are moved to the community's achoque protection reserve, where the fishermen care for them until they are ready to be released into the lake, said Israel Correa, a relative of Froylan Correa. The achoque belongs to the Ambystoma group, keenly studied by scientists for an extraordinary ability to regenerate mutilated limbs and parts of organs such as the brain and heart. If one loses a tail, it quickly grows another. That has made the salamanders a subject of fascination for scientists hoping to learn lessons that could apply to humans. Since pre-Hispanic times, the achoque has been a source of food as well as a remedy used by Indigenous people for respiratory illnesses. Its skin color allows it to blend into its natural habitat. According to a local legend, the achoque was first an evil god who hid in the lake mud to escape the punishment of other deities. Perez is trying to hatch as many eggs as possible with the help of the locals to prevent its extinction. "It's been a lot of work," he said, adding that the biggest challenge is finding money to compensate the fishermen, since the achoques require constant care. Collaboration between scientists and the local community has helped to stabilize the achoque population, according to the researchers. There are an estimated 80 to 100 individuals who live in a small part of the lake, said Luis Escalera, another biologist at Michoacana University. The number, however, is "much lower than it was 40 years ago," he said. For the fishermen fighting to save them, it is a labor of love. "We can't miss a day without coming because otherwise they'll die," Israel Correa said at the achoque protection reserve on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro. "Come rain or shine, even if there's a festival, we have to be here." str-ai/axm/dr
News.com.au
10-07-2025
- Science
- News.com.au
Mexican fishermen join fight to save extraordinary amphibian
After decades working as a fisherman on a high-altitude Mexican lake, Froylan Correa is now helping to save an endangered amphibian with gills resembling a lion's mane and a remarkable regenerative ability. The achoque, also known as the Lake Patzcuaro salamander, is a lesser known relative of the axolotl, the small friendly- faced amphibian battling extinction in Mexico City. Overfishing, pollution and reduced water levels in Lake Patzcuaro, its only natural habitat, mean that the achoque is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In an attempt to prevent it disappearing, biologists from Michoacana University decided to pay the local Indigenous community of San Jeronimo Purenchecuaro to help the achoque to reproduce. Correa, who knows the lake in the western state of Michoacan like the back of his hand, has a new job as an amphibian egg collector. Now in his 60s, he remembers when the waters teemed with fish and there was no need to worry for the salamander. "There used to be a lot of achoques," he told AFP. "Now the new generation doesn't know about it." - From lab to lake - After the eggs are collected, biologist Rodolfo Perez takes them to his laboratory at Michoacana University to hatch, in the hope of giving the achoques a better chance of surviving. After the hatchlings have grown enough, they are moved to the community's achoque protection reserve, where the fishermen care for them until they are ready to be released into the lake, said Israel Correa, a relative of Froylan Correa. The achoque belongs to the Ambystoma group, keenly studied by scientists for an extraordinary ability to regenerate mutilated limbs and parts of organs such as the brain and heart. If one loses a tail, it quickly grows another. That has made the salamanders a subject of fascination for scientists hoping to learn lessons that could apply to humans. Since pre-Hispanic times, the achoque has been a source of food as well as a remedy used by Indigenous people for respiratory illnesses. Its skin color allows it to blend into its natural habitat. According to a local legend, the achoque was first an evil god who hid in the lake mud to escape the punishment of other deities. Perez is trying to hatch as many eggs as possible with the help of the locals to prevent its extinction. "It's been a lot of work," he said, adding that the biggest challenge is finding money to compensate the fishermen, since the achoques require constant care. Collaboration between scientists and the local community has helped to stabilize the achoque population, according to the researchers. There are an estimated 80 to 100 individuals who live in a small part of the lake, said Luis Escalera, another biologist at Michoacana University. The number, however, is "much lower than it was 40 years ago," he said. For the fishermen fighting to save them, it is a labor of love. "We can't miss a day without coming because otherwise they'll die," Israel Correa said at the achoque protection reserve on the shores of Lake Patzcuaro.
The Independent
09-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
Crowds flock to see rare corpse flower bloom
A rare corpse flower, also known as the titan arum, has begun blooming in California at the Gardens Golden Gate Park. When in full bloom, the endangered flower emits a pungent odour comparable to rotten flesh. This distinctive bloom only lasts for two days and occurs just once every three to five years. Native to Sumatra, Indonesia, the Titan Arum can grow up to 10ft tall. Watch the video in full above.
