Week in Conservation for June 8, 2018
Gorilla News
Reports indicate that the critically-endangered Mountain Gorilla populations have went above over 1,000 animals. These animals are the only large primate (other than humans) that are experiencing a population increase. This is good news for the gorilla, however they are still under severe threat for extinction.
Mountain Gorilla Population Rises Above 1,000
Park Rangers Killed Protecting Gorillas
Artificial Intelligence Helping Wildlife Conservation
In how technology can help conservation efforts around the globe, scientists have revealed a new artificial intelligence system that has helped count animals in the wild. Camera traps are becoming more popular with researchers in their ability to detect motion and snap images of wildlife. Previously, it took thousands of hours for people, often volunteers, to count these animals. Now, with the use of AI, scientists claim the work can now be completed in just a few hours.
Artificial Intelligence Can Identify and Count Animals in the Wild
Scientists tackling conservation problems turn to artificial intelligence
Plastics in the Ocean Continue to Kill Wildlife
This week sad news from Thailand about a Pilot Whale died after attempts to save him were unsuccessful. After conducting a necropsy, it was found the whale had swallowed 80 plastic bags from its stomach. This report follows on the heels of another report last month of a Sperm Whale that had washed up on a beach in Spain with 29 kg of plastic in its stomach.
How This Whale Got Nearly 20 Pounds of Plastic in its Stomach
Plastic Pollution Killed Sperm Whale Found Dead on Spanish Beach
Hut Rates to Increase in New Zealand
In efforts to increase support for ecotourism and tourist’s ability to experience New Zealand’s wild places, NZ Department of Conservation is looking to increase its rates on huts to help support their maintenance and upkeep.
Foreigners to Pay Double on Four of New Zealand’s Great Walks
Giraffes and Communication
Researchers have discovered that giraffes hum to each other during the night. While they cannot yet identify what the communications may mean, this discovery is exciting in that another species communicates in frequencies that cannot be heard by the human ear. The link below has the humming available for listening.
Giraffes Hum to Each Other Throughout the Night
New Species Discovered
Five New Species of Salamander Discovered in China
Rock Fowl on Jesse’s wish list