Wildlife Extra - World Wildlife

Recent North America news

More North America news

IUCN quotas

There is much ado about the illegal wildlife trade, but there is also a huge amount of legal trade in wildlife products, some very rare indeed, that is permitted by CITES. Elephant tusks, rhino horn, chameleons, leopard tortoises, and cheetah, lion, & leopard hunting trophies all had CITES export quotas the 2011.

Polar bears showing signs of disease that killed seals in Alaska in 2011

In the past two weeks, 9 polar bears in the southern Beaufort Sea region near Barrow in Alaska were observed with alopecia, or loss of fur, and other skin lesions.

Scientists perplexed as Russian whale surfaces in California

Last year scientists were surprised when Flex, the first Gray whale they tagged, crossed the Bering Straight and headed south part Oregon. It was previously assumed that Western Gray whales were a distinct population from the eastern Gray, and that they spent their winters in the South China Sea. Scientists may have to review all their thoughts on this matter after further evidence that western Gray whales are crossing the Bering Straight to winter of the USA.

Trump hunting story stirs major hornets nest - TV sponsor withdraws from 'Apprentice USA'

The story that Wildlife Extra ran last week about Donald Trump Junior and his brother Eric shooting an elephant a leopard, a crocodile and various other animals on a hunting trip in Zimbabwe has stirred up a real hornets' nest. The story has reappeared all over the world, and created heated debates and much revulsion as well as some support for the Trump brothers.

The world’s most endangered frog – Just 1 known animal left

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80 percent decline in Caribou blamed on big industry

The world's largest reindeer herd has plummeted in size, with local indigenous people blaming the spread of massive industrial projects in the area. The George River herd, which once numbered 8-900,000 animals, stands today at just 74,000 - a drop of up to 92 percent.

New sighting of a Jaguar confirmed in Arizona

The Arizona Game and Fish Department has confirmed a hunter's report of a jaguar southeast of Tucson after collecting hair samples from the area for possible DNA testing.

Big game hunting in Africa is economically useless - IUCN

A new IUCN report reveals that Big game hunting is almost unbelievably inefficient as a wealth generator, when taking into account the land used and the financial contribution made to GDP.

In the 11 main big game hunting countries, the surface area occupied by big game hunting parks is 14.9% of national territory, and the contribution of big game hunting to the GDP is 0.06%.

Lead Bullets – Not a problem – US Hunters have their say

The world's most threatened and healthiest sea turtle populations revealed

The report revealed the 12 healthiest sea turtle populations in the world, which are large and currently facing relatively low threats. Five species, such as the hawksbill turtle and the green turtle have populations among these dozen thriving habitats which include nesting sites and feeding areas in Australia, Mexico and Brazil. Other areas that harbour healthy turtle populations include the Southwest Indian Ocean, Micronesia and French Polynesia.

Hunters contribute billions to conservation efforts

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Thousands of pronghorn killed by harsh winter

While this is a terrible event, the pronghorn herds will recover - There are estimated to be more than 300,000 in Montana alone. However the major slant of the media coverage in North America was that it was bad news for hunters as they would not be allowed to shoot so many pronghorn in 2011. There was barely a shred of pity in the press coverage for the thousands of pronghorn, and no doubt many thousands of other animals too, that have succumbed to the harsh winter. But the poor old hunters won't be able to kill quite as many as they qould like. Doesn't anyone appreciate them for what they are rather than just as a target?

New sightings claimed for Ivory-Billed woodpecker

New audio recordings and videos of birds with characteristics consistent with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker have been claimed by Dr Michael Collins. The footage was obtained near the Pearl River in Louisiana, where there is a history of unconfirmed reports of this species.

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$40,000 to hunt an elephant and you can import the ivory legally into UK!

We are absolutely disgusted to find out that it is still legal to import ivory and rhino horn into the UK, as hunting trophies!

Monarch butterflies boost as numbers could reach 200 million this year

The area of trees that are spread between about 12 sites where they hang, or what is termed festoon, for warmth has increased from about five acres last year to 10 acres this winter. Recent studies show their numbers this year could be about 200 million butterflies overall.

Cougar subspecies declared extinct

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a formal review of the available information and have declared that the Eastern cougar is extinct.

Leaked US memo discloses that pesticide may be responsible for bee decline

In a leaked memo US government scientists warn that bees and other non-target invertebrates are at risk from a new neonicotinoid pesticide licence and that tests in the approval process are unable to detect environmental damage.

Feral cats kill 480 million birds in US every year - Responsible for 33 extinctions

Feral cats in the USA are devastating wildlife and costing the economy as much as $17 billion.

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‘Extinct’ fox rediscovered in California

Alaotra grebe declared extinct and 12.5% of bird species declared endangered

20 National Wildlife Refuges threatened by Louisiana oil spill

With as many as 20 National Wildlife refuges threatened by the oil spill, and rare and endangered species such as sea turtles, manatee, sea birds (including brown pelicans) and Gulf sturgeon all in danger, USFWS have launched a series of measures to try to mitigate the dire consequences of such a large spill in such an environmentally sensitive area.

Sea Shepherd will not compromise on whaling in Southern Ocean

Killer whales are probably several different species

Scientists report finding strong genetic evidence supporting the theory that there are several species of killer whales in the world's oceans.

Millions of sea turtles are killed as ‘collateral damage’ in the race for fish

Millions of sea turtles have become the unintended victims of a failure to properly manage the worlds' fisheries, with more and more of their habitats clogged with hooks and nets.

Thousands of seal pups die as sea ice fails in Canada

Thousands of harp seal pups are presumed dead in Canada's Gulf of St Lawrence and starving pups are being found abandoned on the beaches of Prince Edward Island, tragic victims of the worst ice conditions recorded in eastern Canada.

Elephant ivory imports allowed into the USA - Rednecks versus villagers

Wildlife Extra was under the misapprehension that it was illegal to import ivory into the USA. Given the very recent decision by CITES to prevent Tanzania and Zambia from down listing the elephants to appendix 2, Wildlife Extra is speechless to discover that it is perfectly legal to kill wild elephants in some parts of Africa, including Tanzania, and then import the tusks, skin and other disgusting mementos into the USA.

Common pesticide identified as major threat to frogs worldwide

Jaguar amongst a host of wildlife photographed just 30 miles south of US-Mexico border

Almost one year after the death of the last known wild jaguar in the USA in Arizona, The Sky Island Alliance have released the first photographs of a northern jaguar in the Mexican State of Sonora.

2000 sea turtles rescued from unusually cold sea off Florida

The unusually long spell of cold weather in Florida has required a mass rescue of sea turtles throughout the state. More than 2,000 sea turtles have been rescued so far.

Record number of endangered Florida panthers killed by vehicles in 2009

There are approximately 100 panthers in Florida today, up from a low of 20 to 30 individuals 22 years ago. This number is still dangerously low and vehicle strikes are a major cause of death for the panther.

Record number of manatee deaths in Florida in 2009

There are thought to be around 3200 Manatees living in Florida, so this represents some 12.5% of the population - Clearly an unsustainable rate.

New method for counting birds and other species revealed

Huge Blue whale killed by a ship in California.

A huge, 72 foot long, female Blue whale has been killed by a collision with a ships propeller off California.

Huge 17-foot Burmese python caught in Florida

Florida panther shot dead - $15,000 reward offered

One of the world's rarest cats has been shot dead June 2009. A reward of up to $15,200 is being offered for information.

First fishers born in Washington since reintroduction began

US Biologists have confirmed the first sightings of newborn fishers in Washington State since restoration of the state-endangered species began two years ago.

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Possible new population of North Atlantic Right whales discovered off Greenland

The recordings in the Cape Farewell Ground raise the possibility that the eastern North Atlantic right whale population may still exist.

Arizona jaguar euthanized after kidney failure

Wild Jaguar collared in Arizona

While there has been some evidence, including camera trap photos, of a few jaguars in Arizona in the last decade, this accidental development is very exciting for conservationists.

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White-nose syndrome spreading through bats in North East America – Now in Pennsylvania

Deadly Whitenose syndrome spreading into bats in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Elephant poaching reaching record levels.

Rare White Killer Whale Spotted in Alaskan Waters

A very rare and unusual white kilelr whale has been photographed off the Aleutian Islands.

The world's smallest cetacean is sinking towards a man-made extinction.

The Vaquita porpoise, the smallest cetacean, is found only in the Gulf of Carolina. The population numbers just 2-300, and is under threat from fishing nets.

Princess Cruise Lines pay $750,000 over the death of a Humpback whale in Alaska.

Princess Cruises agreed to pay out $750,000 in fines after one of it's ships was involved in the death of a pregnant Humpback.

Canadas rarest mammal, the Vancouver Island marmot, is making a strong recovery.

Vancouver Island Marmot numbers have increased by 70 this year thanks to a captive breeding programme. The species, whose numbers had declined to around 80 individuals 8 years ago now numbers approximately 225

US Army project foiled by Ivory-billed woodpecker.

A judge in the US has ordered a halt to a US army engineering scheme that would have taken billions of gallons of water from the swapms where the Ivory-billed woodpecker is thought to be clinging on.

Endangered Western Pond turtles released in to the wild.

58 highly endangered Western Pond turtles are being released back into the wild where they hatched after spending some months in safekeeping at Oregon Zoo.

Millipede with the most legs is rediscovered after 80 years.

The worlds leggiest millipede has been rediscovered. Illacme plenipes, which has up to 750 legs, has been spotted in a tiny patch of San Benito County, California, the first time it had been seen since 1926.

Many new species and new records of marine species discovered in Hawaiian Islands

The Census of Marine Life has discovered many new species, including crabs, corals, sea cucumbers, sea quirts, worms, sea stars, snails, and clams.

Spate of Blue whale deaths off California

September 2007. Three Blue whales found dead in 2 weeks off California.

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Rattlesnake roundup in Georgia now a humane wildlife festival

New genus of cricket discovered in Arizona.

Researcher in Arizona discovered a new genus of cricket, and potentially 3 new species of cricket in a cave in a remote corner of Arizona.

North America's rarest mammal, the Black-footed ferret, was rediscovered 25 years ago.

September 2006. It is 25 years since the Black footed ferret was rediscovered, having been decalred extinct in 1979. Thanks to a hugely succesful breeding programme, there are now more than 550 ferrets in the wild, up from just 18 in 1985.