Category: Guest post

Guest post

Hidden differences in life history trajectories of Antarctic seabirds

We live surrounded by populations. We rely on populations of plants and animals for food; we struggle to control populations of pests and pathogens. The food webs on which we depend on for natural resources are linked populations. We confront the extinction of populations due to a variety of human activities and strive to develop management strategies to preserve biodiversity. In all these interactions with … Continue reading Hidden differences in life history trajectories of Antarctic seabirds

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Guest post

Otterly Awesome

Everyone loves sea otters – not to would be ‘otter’ nonsense!  But how much do you know about them?  The last week of September is ‘otterwise’ known as Sea Otter Awareness Week, offering a perfect chance to learn more! Dr Sylvia Parsons*, a Research Associate at the Centre for Marine Science and Technology (CMST) at Curtin University, shares some ‘otterly’ amazing facts about these marine … Continue reading Otterly Awesome

Unknown's avatarSarah MarleyLeave a comment
Guest post

High Society – The social network of vultures

When you think of vultures, you might just think “feathered carrion-eaters”.  But do you think of their social networks, foraging strategies, and daily lives?  Probably not!  Dr Adam Kane (University College Cork) and Dr Kevin Healy (University of St Andrews) are postdoctoral researchers working on the behaviour, conservation and evolutionary ecology of scavengers.  As International Vulture Awareness Day was on the 3rd September, they have … Continue reading High Society – The social network of vultures

Unknown's avatarSarah MarleyLeave a comment
Conference Report, Guest post

Insights for Sustaining Life on Earth

Primate researcher Dr Xyomara Carretero-Pinzón, from the University of Queensland (Australia), recently attended the International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB) in Colombia.  Here she reports back on the conference in general and why it was so special for her in particular, finishing with a vital message for conservationists.       Late last month, between July 23rd and 27th, the 28th International Congress for Conservation Biology … Continue reading Insights for Sustaining Life on Earth

Unknown's avatarSarah MarleyLeave a comment
Guest post

Why Mark Twain was wrong about lizards

In the many discussions regarding Mark Twain, relatively few probably relate to his opinion on lizards.  However, this is the focus of our guest post by Professor Shai Meiri from Tel Aviv University, which aptly marks World Lizard Day (14th August)! One of humanities greatest wits – and one of the first modern tourists – Mark Twain, visited the Holy Land some 150 years ago … Continue reading Why Mark Twain was wrong about lizards

Unknown's avatarSarah MarleyLeave a comment
Guest post

Giving a hoot about owl populations

International Owl Day – who gives a hoot?  Dr Sarah Hoy sure does!  Sarah completed her PhD at the University of Aberdeen, which studied how the demography and dynamics of tawny owls have changed over the last 30 years in response to changing environmental conditions.  She is now a researcher in the School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science at Michigan Technological University, working with the … Continue reading Giving a hoot about owl populations

Unknown's avatarSarah Marley1 Comment
Guest post

Scaly Not Scary – Reconciling Humans and Snakes

Snakes have long been vilified in popular media – but do they deserve such a bad reputation?  Many people believe otherwise, with 16th July marking World Snake Day and providing the opportunity to learn more about these fascinatingly-misunderstood animals.  Dr Xavier Bonnet, Director of the Centre d’Etudes Biologique de Chizé at the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), discusses the history of our relationship with snakes … Continue reading Scaly Not Scary – Reconciling Humans and Snakes

Unknown's avatarSarah MarleyLeave a comment
Guest post

When Some Choughs Do Better Than Others

Red-billed choughs are a species of conservation concern, as discussed a recent Journal of Animal Ecology publication investigating their effective population size.  Amanda Trask, lead author of the study, recently finished her PhD at the University of Aberdeen on conservation genetics and demographics of one of the last remaining red-billed chough populations in Scotland, and is currently working as a Research Ecologist with the British Trust for … Continue reading When Some Choughs Do Better Than Others

Unknown's avatarSarah Marley1 Comment
Guest post

Social networks and disease transmission – A story of giraffes

World Giraffe Day celebrates the longest-necked animal on the longest day (or night, depending on your hemisphere!) of the year – 21st June.  Yet many aspects of giraffe ecology remain poorly studied.  Dr Kim VanderWaal, a researcher at the University of Minnesota, studies how animal social behaviour translates into contact networks and pathogen transmission patterns.  To mark World Giraffe Day, she tells us about her … Continue reading Social networks and disease transmission – A story of giraffes

Unknown's avatarSarah MarleyLeave a comment
Guest post

Bringing species back, New Zealand style

A recently ringed male hihi
Male hihi  (photo credit: Leila Walker)

In the heart of New Zealand’s Waikato region, rising out of a sea of gently rolling pastoral farmland, is an imposing remnant of ancient forest that draws you in. Maungatautari Mountain. In many ways, this 34 km2 rugged pocket of land reflects the story of New Zealand as a whole: an isolated landmass brimming with uniquely wonderful life, now engaged in a spirited fight back after introduced pests threatened the existence of native flora and fauna. Central to this resurgence is New Zealand’s pioneering use of pest eradication and native species reintroduction.

In this, Maungatautari is leading the way. The world’s longest pest-proof fence stretches for 47 km around the mountain’s perimeter. Completed in 2006, it has ensured the eradication of all mammalian pests, with the exception of mice. The exclusion of the likes of cats, rats, mustelids and possums – to name just a few of the offenders – has paved the way for the reintroduction of a rich variety of native wildlife long missing from Maungatautari’s slopes. Continue reading “Bringing species back, New Zealand style”

Unknown's avatarJournal of Animal Ecology3 Comments