Latest news with #invasive species
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26height%3D800%26crop%3D1200%3A800&w=3840&q=100)
The Independent
2 days ago
- Science
- The Independent
Dogs may be the key to getting rid of these common pests
A new study has demonstrated that dogs can effectively detect the elusive egg masses of invasive spotted lanternflies, a pest threatening US agriculture. Researchers from Virginia Tech and Texas Tech Universities trained over 180 dog-and-owner teams to identify the camouflaged egg masses. In trials, 92 per cent of trained dogs successfully located the eggs, achieving 61 per cent accuracy in outdoor settings, which surpasses human detection rates. Dogs' superior sense of smell, tens of thousands of times more acute than humans ', enables them to find the eggs without disturbing the environment. This canine detection method offers a vital tool in combating the spread of spotted lanternflies, which could cost the US grape industry millions of dollars in damage.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Popular trail closed for County to control spread of invasive species
County of Simcoe closed Sinclair Tract in Bradford, Ont. to mitigate spread of invasive plant species on Thurs., July 17, 2025. The County of Simcoe has temporarily closed a popular trail in Bradford West Gwillimbury to all visitors to manage the spread of harmful invasive species. The closure of the Sinclair Tract started Thursday for invasive species management operations to help control the spread of species like Dog-Strangling Vine, Buckthorn, Manitoba Maple, Norway Maple, and Periwinkle. 'The entire tract will be closed to all visitors during these operations,' the County stated. These invasive species can overwhelm native plants, harm local ecosystems, and impact biodiversity. Management operations aim to mitigate these effects and help protect the area's natural balance. Visitors are asked to respect these closures and stay out of work areas for their safety. No timeline was provided for when the 2.4 km loop trail would reopen.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Meet the robo-bunny: This tiny, furry robot is taking on invasive pythons in Florida
Among the cypress and sawgrass of South Florida, a new weapon in the state's fight to remove invasive pythons lurks, waiting to entice its prey. Yes, it's a mechanical rabbit. Just don't call it the Energizer bunny. Researchers at the University of Florida have outfitted 40 furry, fake toy rabbits with motors and tiny heaters that work together to mimic the movements and body temperature of a marsh rabbit — a favorite python meal. The fluffy army's mission? Help conservationists remove the highly destructive serpents that have invaded the state's ecosystem Florida's 10-day python challenge: Why hunters are chasing invasive snakes in the state Why are they using robot rabbits? The bunnies spin. They shake. They move randomly, and their creation is based on more than a decade of scientific review that began with a 2012 study that transported rabbits into Everglades National Park to see if, and how quickly, they would become python prey. 'The rabbits didn't fare well,' said Robert McCleery, a UF professor of wildlife ecology and conservation who's leading the robot bunny study that launched this summer. Subsequent studies revealed that pythons are drawn to live rabbits in pens with an average python attraction rate of about one snake per week. But having multiple live rabbits in pens spread across a formidable landscape is cumbersome and requires too much manpower to care for them. So, why not robot bunnies? 'We want to capture all of the processes that an actual rabbit would give off,' McCleery said. 'But I'm an ecologist. I'm not someone who sits around making robots.' Instead, colleague Chris Dutton, also a UF ecology professor but more mechanically adept, pulled the stuffing out of a toy rabbit and replaced it with 30 electronic components that are solar-powered and controlled remotely so that researchers can turn them on and off at specific times. The rabbits were placed in different areas of South Florida in July 2025 for a test phase that includes a camera programmed to recognize python movement and alert researchers when one nears the rabbit pen. One of the biggest challenges was waterproofing the bunnies so the correct temperature could still be radiated. McCleery was reluctant to give specifics on where the rabbit pens are located. 'I don't want people hunting down my robo-bunnies,' he said. Version 2.0 of the study will add bunny scent to the stuffed rabbits if motion and heat aren't enough to fool the snakes. Why are Burmese pythons a problem? Burmese pythons aren't native to Florida. They were introduced to the state through the pet trade in the 1970s and release over time into the wild. The snakes gained a foothold in Everglades National Park by the mid-1980s, according to the 2021 Florida Python Control plan, and quickly proliferated, threatening other key species in the ecosystem. A 2012 study by the United States Geological Survey found the pythons had contributed to population declines of a half-dozen animals, including racoons, opossums, bobcats, foxes, marsh rabbits and cottontail rabbits The United States Geological Survey puts the Burmese python population in the Everglades in the tens of thousands. Pythons have migrated north from the park, and researches believe they may be able to survive as far north as Georgia if temperatures continue to warm and the snakes burrow during cold snaps. What else is Florida doing to control the python population? State officials trying to mitigate the python population have turned to many strategies – with varying degrees of success. Renowned snake hunters from the Irula tribe in India were brought in to hunt and share their skills. People have used near-infrared cameras for python detection and specially designed traps. Some pythons are tracked by the DNA they shed in water. The annual Florida Python Challenge has also gained legendary status, attracting hundreds of hunters each year vying for the $10,000 grand prize. The 10-day challenge was developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to remove the pythons from state land. This year's challenge runs through July 20. Starting in 2017, the South Florida Water Management District and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission also began paying 100 bounty hunters hourly wages and bonuses based on the length of the snake caught. The hunters have removed an estimated 15,800 snakes since 2019 and were called the 'most effective management strategy in the history of the issue' by district invasive animal biologist Mike Kirkland. Kirkland oversees the district's hunters. Kirkland oversees the district's hunters and is involved in other python removal projects, including the robo-bunny experiment. 'It's projects like (McCleery's) that can be used in areas of important ecological significance where we can entice the pythons to come out of their hiding places and come to us,' Kirkland said at the board meeting. 'It could be a bit of a game changer.' Euthanasia or execution? Lawsuit says government wrongly killed Peanut the squirrel McCleery said he's pleased state officials are willing to experiment. 'Our partners have allowed us to trial these things that may sound a little crazy,' McCleery said. 'Working in the Everglades for 10 years, you get tired of documenting the problem. You want to address it.' McCleery said researchers did not name the robot rabbits, although he did bring one home that needed repair. His son named it 'Bunbun.' Contributing: Kim Luciani and Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY Network This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Army of robot rabbits deployed in fight against Florida pythons Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Raising awareness for invasive species
Atlantic Watch The head gardener from the Fredericton Botanic Garden discusses an upcoming invasive species workshop.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- Science
- RNZ News
Toxic, highly invasive pest plant found at Far North beach
Te Haumihi kaimahi Herbert Readon and Debbie Brown remove sea spurge from a newly-discovered site at Kapowairua/Spirits Bay. Photo: Supplied / Desmond Greer A toxic, highly invasive pest plant that has already taken over large swathes of the Australian coast has been discovered at Kapowairua/Spirits Bay for the first time. The find, at the remote and significant Far North beach, has set alarm bells ringing because it's at least 60km from the nearest known infestation at Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe/Ninety Mile Beach. Northland Regional Council biosecurity manager Joanna Barr said the infestation was found by Ngāti Kuri's Te Haumihi team, whose members had been progressively surveying their rohe's coastline for the pest. Barr said sea spurge ( Euphorbia paralias ) was native to Europe, but had likely arrived on currents from Australia, where it was a major weed on the southern coast. The iwi's proactive surveillance work meant the invasive plant had been detected while still relatively small and in a contained area. Te Haumihi programme manager Melanie Dalziel said the find included more than 50 plants in a six-square-metre area. They included one large specimen, likely the original plant; 18 smaller but mature plants that had seeded; and 32 seedlings. Dalziel said it was "very disheartening" to find the plants, but fortunate they had been located and removed before spreading further. The team had now prioritised regular monitoring of beaches in the Ngāti Kuri rohe. Barr said the surveillance work behind the latest find was part of a management programme delivered in partnership with iwi and hapū, the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Department of Conservation, and the Northland Regional Council. The invasive sea spurge plant showing the flowers and seedlings. Photo: Supplied During the past 12 months, 175km of Northland coastline had been surveyed, mainly on the west coast. She said sea spurge had now been found in seven places around Northland: Poutō Peninsula, Waipoua River mouth, Mitimiti, Ahipara, Waipapakauri, Hukatere and now Kapowairua/Spirits Bay. Plants in all those areas had been controlled, and the sites were checked every four months for new seedlings. Barr said sea spurge was causing major environmental damage at many Australian beaches, displacing native plants and changing natural sand movements. "It has the potential to overrun our native dune species and threaten the habitats of native birds," she said. It also produced a milky, toxic sap that could cause skin irritation and temporary blindness in people and animals. Barr said an adult plant could produce 5000 to 20,000 seeds per year, which travelled long distances on ocean currents. "This means there's an ongoing risk of seeds making their way over and establishing along our long coastline, with the west coast being most at risk." It was vital any sightings were reported, she said. Sea spurge looked like a small shrub and typically grew to 50cm in height, though it sometimes reached one metre. It had tightly packed leaves that were bluish-green in colour, with the stem often having a red tinge at the base. Its flowers were yellowish-green, petal-less and in clusters. Barr said anyone who thought they had found sea spurge should report it as soon as possible using the MPI hotline, 0800 80 99 66. "Take some clear photos and please don't disturb the plants as the sap is toxic, and you could also spread the seeds via your clothing and equipment." Finders should note the location as accurately as possible, ideally with GPS coordinates. Google Maps or the iNaturalist app could also be used to mark sites. Barr said the invasive sea spurge looked similar to the rare native spurge, waiūatua/waiū-o-Kahukura ( Euphorbia glauca ), but the native spurge had much larger leaves that are 30-80mm long. New Zealand linen flax ( Linum monogynum ) and the sand daphne/toroheke ( Pimelea villosa ) were also similar. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
