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WILDLIFE RESEARCH
In 1922, California introduced mosquitofish to eat mosquito larvae; within four years, they were in 30 counties and were later linked to native-species declinesIn 1922, California introduced mosquitofish in hopes of controlling mosquito populations. Although they were initially viewed as a solution...
In 1986, a Minnesota wildlife biologist walked unarmed into bear territory: Habituated bears eventually let him follow them hour by hourBiologist Lynn Rogers built trust with wild black bears over many years. He learned their natural behaviors without any protective gear or ...
In 2023, San Diego researchers released bright pink dye into an estuary plume to study how runoff moves through breaking surfResearchers dyed ocean water pink to track storm runoff at Torrey Pines. This experiment, called PiNC, used non-toxic dye released into Los...
In 1986, Scottish ecologist Alan Watson Featherstone pledged to restore the Caledonian forest; volunteers later helped plant 1 million native treesAlan Watson Featherstone promised to restore Scotland's ancient Caledonian forest in 1986. His initiative, Trees for Life, began planting n...
11 captive elephants were released into the wild. Five years later, researchers found thisScience News: In an inspiring wild elephant conservation story, South Africa released 11 elephants after years in captivity, and a five-yea...
In the 1960s, rose-ringed parakeets were first spotted in southeast England; today, they thrive in London's parks and gardensIn London, rose-ringed parakeets can frequently be spotted flitting through parks and gardens. Studies clarify the narrative of their arriv...
A 400-year-old English forest could be sacrificed for stone used in Britain's historic landmarksA woodland in southeast England faces quarrying for building stone. Kent County Council approved a plan to extract stone from Oaken Wood. L...
In 1910, Beavers nearly disappeared from the US. Today they are reshaping rivers againNorth America's beaver population faced near extinction due to the fur trade. Fashion changes and conservation efforts allowed their number...
In 1837, New Zealand fur promoters released Australian possums to build a new industry; the first attempt failed, so settlers kept trying until the animals invaded the countryNew Zealand settlers introduced Australian possums in 1837 for a fur trade venture. This initial plan failed, but subsequent attempts event...
In 1966, Florida ecologists covered mangrove islands with giant tents and fumigated every insect, then watched life rebuild from nothingIn 1966, scientists fumigated small Florida islands, removing nearly all animal life. Within weeks, new species arrived, and islands largel...
Brazilian ecologist who migrated to the US in 1976 discovered why mosquitoes love human bloodMosquito attraction to human study: Walter Leal discovered nonanal, a compound humans and birds produce. This natural chemical proves irres...
Human-like sense of social punishment: In 2010, fish shocked scientists by punishing bad behavior at feeding timeMale cleaner fish punish females for eating preferred food. This behavior occurs even when males are not directly harmed. Researchers recre...
Texas released 3 million captive-bred eggs to save this endangered amphibian. It may be workingA male Houston toad was sighted in Bastrop County, Texas, after a 50-year absence. This sighting follows the release of millions of captive...
In 2001, a USDA scientist released beetles to destroy an invasive tree, but they eliminated 94% of an endangered bird's habitat along one riverAn invasive beetle introduced to control tamarisk trees has devastated flycatcher nesting grounds. This beetle, released by the USDA, succe...
In the 1930s, the Dust Bowl devastated America but Franklin D. Roosevelt's massive tree-planting project is still protecting US farmland nearly 90 years laterThe Dust Bowl is one of the worst environmental disasters in American history, but it also sparked one of the country's largest conservatio...
Nature's first cat! Every time your cat purrs, it echoes 30-million-year-old legacy that began with predator scientists call the world's first true catFirst Cat Proailurus: Long before modern cats evolved, an ancient feline called Proailurus roamed the forests of Europe and Asia around 30 ...
In the 1960s, a zoologist fought a canal designed to cut Florida in half; its 110-mile route became a 70,000-acre greenwayA proposed canal across Florida faced significant opposition from scientist Marjorie Harris Carr. Her organized efforts and legal challenge...
In 1976, a scientist began dancing like a crane every day; the chick it helped produce became an ancestor to 178 endangered birdsA whooping crane named Gee Whiz died at age thirty-eight, leaving behind many offspring. His mother, Tex, imprinted on humans and required ...
Video: Mother orca catches sea turtle; instead of eating it, spends minutes playing with it as calf looks on from nearbyDrone footage captured an orca mother manipulating a sea turtle. Scientists believe this behavior may teach her young cub hunting technique...
In 2003, experiments showed wolves refuse to cross a line of fluttering flags, so ranchers now string 'fladry' around calving pens as a cheap, non-lethal way to keep the predators off herdsFladry, a rope with flags, deters wolves from pastures. Research shows this visual cue makes wolves wary of crossing fences. Studies indica...