Trees are the natural habitat of countless species. We need to keep the trees we have and continue to plant new ones. One of the worst invasive species that destroys trees is the Asian longhorned beetle. And since 90 percent of its life is spent hidden within the trees, it's crucial that we look for them and signs of them.
The preliminary results are in from the annual survey of bee colony loss for 2014 - 2015. The shocker? For the first time ever, summer losses exceeded winter losses. Experts in the field are trying to piece together what has happened to the bees and I offer up one possible reason.
Within the last 20 years, the monarch butterfly population has suffered a catastrophic 90 percent decline. Seven research studies published in the Annals of the Entomological Society of America have yet to explain it. I examined several gaps in the data and theories. The reason we need these gorgeous butterflies: they pollinate our fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
This week, I was visited two nights in a row by an opossum. I've never seen one in Canada before. Opossums are essential to our environment and eco-system. They keep numerous garden pests and rodents at bay (including ticks that carry Lyme disease).
Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD) has killed off between 85 and 97 percent of Tasmanian devil populations in the wild. Sadly, this form of cancer has an almost 100 percent mortality rate. A vaccine appears to be their only hope for surviving in the wild.
In 2013, the IUCN determined that almost 94 percent of all lemur species were threatened with extinction. This frightening statistic suggests that lemurs are the most endangered mammal group in the world. Find out what the Lemur Conservation Network (and others) are doing to save this precious creature.
When I heard CBC's report that the Calgary Humane Society and AARCS were appealing to the public for help, I decided to highlight their adoption events. In addition, I include information about "kitten season" and why it is crucial to have your cat spayed or neutered.
Despite running a successful breeding program, the Durrell Wildlife Trust has resorted to engraving the shells of ploughshare tortoises. It's something that "goes against every grain and gene in our bodies to do this," admitted Richard Lewis (director of Durrell's operations) to the BBC, "we hate doing it but it's got to be done to help save the species."
The black-footed ferret was declared extinct in 1979 until a remnant population was discovered in 1981. By 1986, only 18 black-footed ferrets remained in the wild. However, a captive breeding program launched by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has reintroduced these ferrets into eight western states and Mexico between 1991 and 2008.
Since the early 1980s, the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC has been working tirelessly to re-establish the burrowing owl to its former habitat. By 2004, only nine were known to exist in British Columbia. This year, 68 yearlings were released and a record of 50 owls returned following migration.