Michael Reilly’s Post

🐾 Did you know that animals traveled up to 73% longer distances during lockdowns? A recent study published in the journal Science found that animals ventured further within a span of 10 days during the strict lockdown period, compared to the same time the previous year when no lockdown was in place. Additionally, animals were found to be on average 36% closer to roads. According to Tucker, one of the authors of the study, "This is probably because those roads were quieter during strict lockdowns." Check out the full study here: ttps://https://lnkd.in/dJvf_EJQ #lockdown #animals #wildlife #science

Now, visitors can see wetlands within the primeval forest in the park. The wetland water plants thrive with all shapes, blooming with yellow, white, and purple flowers. Various waterbirds, including egrets, herons, and grey cranes, leisurely enjoy their habitat, with at least six different species present. Statistics show that the park is home to over 800 species of animals and more than 2,000 species of plants. In recent years, the number of babies of red pandas, black bears, red muntjacs, and macaques has been steadily increasing thanks to efforts in ecological protection and animal breeding. Now, walking through the forest, you can often see red pandas walking slowly by and gibbons joyfully swinging among the branches. Source: Simao Multi-Media Center; trans-editing by Wang Yunya https://lnkd.in/dFGyVq46

Now, visitors can see wetlands within the primeval forest in the park. The wetland water plants thrive with all shapes, blooming with yellow, white, and purple flowers. Various waterbirds, including egrets, herons, and grey cranes, leisurely enjoy their habitat, with at least six different species present. Statistics show that the park is home to over 800 species of animals and more than 2,000 species of plants. In recent years, the number of babies of red pandas, black bears, red muntjacs, and macaques has been steadily increasing thanks to efforts in ecological protection and animal breeding. Now, walking through the forest, you can often see red pandas walking slowly by and gibbons joyfully swinging among the branches. Source: Simao Multi-Media Center; trans-editing by Wang Yunya https://lnkd.in/dgAjfdkx

It would be a marvel if this teaching / learning protocol could be adapted to re-educate C-suite denizens of Earth's apex predator. CEASEFIRE NOW, PLEASE... IN ALL THE WAR ZONES... AND COMMENCE TO REHABILITATE THEM

🐾 Today is National Zoo Awareness Day! 🌍🐾 What do you think? Are zoos essential for conservation and education, or do they need to evolve further to meet ethical standards? 🐘 Share your thoughts in the comments below! We’d love to hear your opinion on what zoos mean to you and their role in conservation. 💬 🌿Here are some key points to consider: ✨Pros of Zoos: - Many zoos participate in breeding programs for endangered species, helping to preserve genetic diversity and reintroduce animals into the wild. 🦏🐒 - Zoos provide a unique opportunity for people to learn about animals and their natural habitats, inspiring a love for wildlife and a commitment to conservation. Interactive exhibits and educational programs can deepen understanding and empathy for animals. 📚 - Zoos offer scientists the chance to study animal behavior, genetics, and health in ways that might be challenging in the wild, contributing valuable data to conservation efforts. 🔬🐾 ✨Challenges and Ethical Considerations: - Concerns about animal welfare often arise when animals are kept in captivity. Some argue that zoos can never fully replicate the conditions of an animal's natural habitat, potentially leading to physical and psychological issues. 🦍 - The ethical implications of keeping animals for human entertainment and education continue to be debated. Should we prioritize in-situ conservation efforts over ex-situ programs? 🤔 - Critics question whether zoos' conservation claims translate into meaningful impacts in the wild. Are resources better spent protecting habitats and addressing issues like poaching and climate change? 🌿🔍 Your Turn ✨ #africamedia #writedownyourthoughts #wildlifeprogram #wildlifefilmmaking #wildlifephotography

Between the 1870s and 1930s, a global movement emerged to determine the economic value of wildlife to humans. Field scientists in the British, American, and German empires surveyed farmers on which animals were ‘useful,’ ‘harmful’, or ‘neutral’ to their crops. They dissected bird stomachs to study their diets and spent thousands of hours observing wildlife to calculate the financial impact of different species. This science, known as economic zoology, aimed to categorise animals based on their utility or harm to commerce and public health. It advocated for the protection of beneficial species and the persecution of harmful ones, a legacy that continues to influence wildlife management today. A notable example is the US Department of Agriculture's study in the 1880s on English sparrows, led by ornithologist Walter Barrows. His findings, based on dissections and questionnaires, concluded that sparrows were pests, leading to recommendations for their eradication. By contrast, in South Africa, zoologist Frederick FitzSimons argued for the protection of almost all bird species. FitzSimons framed his argument in terms of profits and labour, arguing that while most birds were performing a pro-bono service for farmers by eating insect pests, some would occasionally claim ‘payment’ in the forms of a few mouthfuls of grain, fruit, or vegetables. Despite much controversy, his campaign successfully influenced wildlife protection policies. Today's guest post by Jules Skotnes-Brown!

#CMSCOP14 | Migratory behaviour is found in all major taxonomic groups of animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects. The reasons why animals migrate are complex and can be driven by a combination of factors, including tracking of seasonal resources and favourable climatic conditions, and seeking optimal breeding sites. While many animal migrations occur in a regular and predictable pattern, some animal migrations can happen irregularly over longer timeframes, depending on the species and their specific ecological requirements. Some species, such as sea turtles, undertake long solitary migrations, while others migrate collectively in vast numbers. #WetlandConservation #WetlandsMatter

“The Captivity Trap – Looking Beyond Zoos, a Question of Morality” Are zoos misleading us about their real role? “Do they play a role in preserving endangered species? In 2013 only 23 percent of the species held by 10,000 zoos globally were judged to be at risk of extinction – so the vast majority in captivity were not there because their existence was threatened in the wild. Do zoos provide valuable educational opportunities? A survey of 2,800 schoolchildren visiting London Zoo found that only 34 percent demonstrated some sort of positive learning experience. A minority actually came away with more misunderstandings about animal species and habitats than they had previously held.    Zoos often exaggerate their contribution to valuable field conservation work – figures cited by Travers compared the 231million dollars annually spent by the American Zoo Association on field conservation work with the 4.9 billion dollars that they committed to operations and construction in 2018.” https://lnkd.in/g-Qqc7XJ #captiveconservation #nomorezoos #TheConservationGameMovie

🐾 It's Wildlife Wednesday and that means we are taking a look at another super cute aussie animal. This week we're getting to know the "Numbat". Here are five amazing facts about this amazing endangered marsupial. 🐜 Unique diet: The Numbat exclusively eats termites, consuming up to 20,000 a day. They have a specialised sticky tongue that is used to collect termites from narrow cavities in logs, leaf litter and small holes in the ground. 🦷 Irregular teeth: Unlike other mammals, Numbats do not have proper teeth for chewing. Their teeth are small blunt "pegs" because they do not need to chew their food. 🌞 Strictly diurnal: Numbats are only active during the day and their activity levels are closely tied to the availability of termites. During colder winter months, they rise late to feed and are active for only a few hours during the warmer part of the day when termites are more active. 😢 Threats to survival: The Numbat's habitat is under threat from land clearing, development, and mining activities, as well as introduced predators such as foxes and feral cats. There are currently less than 1,000 Numbats left in the wild. ❤️ Conservation efforts: To protect this endangered species, conservation efforts such as predator control and habitat protection are necessary. Captive breeding programs at places like Perth Zoo also play a crucial role in increasing the Numbat's population. If you'd like to know more about Numbats click here: https://loom.ly/lKD3BMk Ref: https://loom.ly/thpeF0U #WildlifeWednesday #EndangeredSpecies #australiananimals

We're proud as punch to share the birth of nine Fat-tailed Dunnart joeys! This is the biggest litter of dunnarts born at Adelaide Zoo and an important win for conservation of the species. A key challenge in the conservation of Fat-tailed Dunnarts is their short life span, with the native marsupials only living to two years old. Short-lived species can be pushed to extinction very quickly. These little ones will help bolster an insurance population so we can prevent the species from being lost when wild populations comes under threat. The learnings from this successful breeding program can also be drawn on if emergency intervention is required for other dunnart species, like the Kangaroo Island Dunnart. #Conservation #NativeAnimals