A near-total ban on taking baby African elephants from the wild and selling them to zoos has been approved by the regulator of global wildlife trade at a meeting in Geneva.
The decision comes after days of debate at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), where delegates ultimately voted in favour of the decision.
The controversial trade of wild-caught African elephants from Zimbabwe and Botswana will now be limited. The only exception being if the transfer of a wild-caught elephant from either country to a ‘captive facility’ is approved by CITES Animals Committee itself.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) welcomed the decision. With the backing of the EU, the ban was passed by a vote of 87 in favour, 29 opposing and 25 abstaining. Its no surprise that Zimbabwe, the main exporter, campaigned fiercely against the move and the United States who also opposed the proposal.
Speaking about the landmark decision, Audrey Delsink, wildlife director at Humane Society International/Africa said:
This is a momentous CITES decision for Africa’s elephants and despite compromised language being introduced by the EU, we are relieved by its passing. While it is disappointing that it is not an outright ban on trade in live elephants, the new language adds vital independent oversight and scrutiny.
Speaking personally as an elephant field biologist I am jubilant that we have secured this victory for all the elephants who will now be spared the ordeal of being ripped away from their families. The capture of wild African elephants for export to zoos and other captive facilities is incredibly traumatizing for individual elephants as well as their social groups.
Public sentiment is shifting, and people are increasingly outraged at the senseless and cruel practice of snatching baby elephants from the wild to live a life as a zoo exhibit.
Audrey added:
Countless elephant experts, animal lovers and celebrities from around the world urged countries to end this injustice by affirming the CITES ban, and we are so glad that our collective voices were heard.
The definition of what is an appropriate destination is key, and the independent oversight by elephant specialists is critical, and so we will remain vigilant as that discussion develops, and fight against any attempts to justify or prolong trade in live baby elephants for captive purposes. We are extremely grateful to Kenya and the African Elephant Coalition for their efforts to protect wild African elephants.
Before now, elephants in Zimbabwe and Botswana were listed on CITES with an annotation which allowed them to be exported to ‘appropriate and acceptable’ destinations. Because of this, elephants had been captured in the wild and sent to zoos in China and elsewhere.
The practice was highly controversial, drawing intense condemnation from animal protection and conservation groups. While there is not yet an outright ban, the new amendment goes a long way to drastically reduce the trade of wild elephants.
Some African nations pushed for a re-opening of the ivory trade during the convention. They argue that existing stocks – confiscated from poachers or left over from already-dead animals – were worth vast sums of money that could be used for conservation.
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Potential ‘Largest Reptile Ever’ Discovered On Family Beach Day
Prehistoric Leviathan: Family's Beach Day Leads to Monumental Ichthyosaur Discovery
The serene shores of Somerset, England, are once again at the center of a paleontological breakthrough. A jaw-dropping find—a jawbone over two meters long, belonging to a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur—has the scientific community buzzing with excitement.
Dubbed Ichthyotitan severnensis or "giant fish lizard of the Severn," this marine behemoth is estimated to have been as colossal as a blue whale, stretching over 25 meters long.
A Family Affair: Discovery by Chance
The tale of this remarkable discovery begins with a family outing that turned into a scientific expedition. Ruby Reynolds, a sharp-eyed 11-year-old, and her father, Justin, stumbled upon the first fragments of the giant bone while fossil hunting on the beach at Blue Anchor in May 2020.
Recognizing the significance of their find, they contacted Dr. Dean Lomax, a leading ichthyosaur expert from the University of Bristol. Dr. Lomax, in turn, reached out to Paul de la Salle, who had discovered a similar giant jawbone in 2016.
Together, they unearthed additional pieces, assembling a prehistoric puzzle that would lead to the identification of a new species.
The Significance of the Find
This discovery is not just about adding a new species to the scientific records; it challenges our understanding of marine life in the Triassic period.
The jawbones of Ichthyotitan provide hard evidence of giant ichthyosaurs swimming in the prehistoric oceans about 202 million years ago, just before a global mass extinction event wiped them from existence.
These giants roamed the seas at a time when dinosaurs were beginning to dominate the land, painting a picture of a world vastly different from our own.
The Science Behind the Bones
The research team, which includes experts from the University of Bristol and the University of Bonn, has employed advanced techniques to analyze the fossils.
Marcello Perillo, a master’s student involved in the study, took core samples that confirmed the ichthyosaur origin of the bones and suggested that the creature was still growing at the time of its death.
This hints at unknown biological strategies that may have allowed these giant creatures to reach such massive sizes.
A Community Effort
The discovery of Ichthyotitan severnensis has been a community effort, highlighting the importance of amateur fossil hunters in the field of paleontology. Ruby Reynolds, now a published young scientist, expressed her excitement and pride in contributing to such a significant scientific discovery.
Her story is reminiscent of Mary Anning, the famous fossil collector who made numerous significant contributions to paleontology in the 19th century.
Exhibiting History
The bones of Ichthyotitan are set to be displayed at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, bringing the story of these magnificent creatures to the public.
This exhibition will not only showcase the jawbones but also feature scaled 3D replicas, created by Jimmy Waldron of the DWABA museum in Orlando, Florida, allowing people around the world to marvel at the size and scale of these prehistoric giants.
Reflections on a Giant
The story of Ichthyotitan severnensis is more than a tale of discovery. It is a testament to the enduring curiosity of humans, the thrill of discovery, and the never-ending quest to understand our planet's ancient past.
As these giants once dominated the seas, their fossils now beckon us to explore and appreciate the complex history of life on Earth.
It reminds us that each fossil holds a story, a glimpse into an era where the world was a vastly different place, encouraging us to keep looking, learning, and wondering about the great unknown.
Volcano Erupts In Indonesia: More Than 11,000 Evacuated
Rising from the Depths: The Volcanic Agitation of Mount Ruang
In the quiet darkness of a Tuesday night in North Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, the earth reminded everyone of its fiery core as Mount Ruang erupted, catapulting ash and smoke over two kilometers into the sky.
This dramatic spectacle marked the beginning of a series of eruptions that would see more than 11,000 residents hastily evacuating under the cloak of uncertainty and ash.
The Awakening Giant
Mount Ruang, a 725-meter colossus, is no stranger to the limelight, having etched its power in the history books with a catastrophic eruption in 1871 that triggered a tsunami. This week’s activity began at 9:45 PM local time, with the volcano asserting its might in a display that lit up the night sky with billowing smoke and cascading lava flows that painted the dark waters a glowing red.
Local authorities, quick to respond, escalated the alert level to four—the highest possible—while expanding the exclusion zone from four kilometers to six. Abdul Muhari, head of the disaster agency’s data communications and information centre, underscored the urgency of the situation, noting that everyone within this newly defined danger zone had to move to safer grounds immediately.
A Community on the Move
The initial exodus saw over 800 individuals relocate to Tagulandang Island, with subsequent eruptions necessitating further evacuations to the provincial capital, Manado.
The logistics of moving thousands in the face of an ongoing natural disaster are daunting. Yet, the community's resilience and the coordinated efforts of local authorities have painted a picture of determination and solidarity.
The Broader Impact
The eruptions have not only disrupted lives but also air travel. The spread of volcanic ash led to the temporary closure of Sam Ratulangi International Airport, a crucial hub with links to China, Singapore, and South Korea. Flights from Kota Kinabalu International Airport in Malaysia also faced significant disruptions, emphasizing the far-reaching impacts of such natural events.
Important Travel Update:
— Malaysia Airlines (@MAS) April 18, 2024
Malaysia Airlines has suspended several flights to/from KL International Airport (KUL) to Sabah and Sarawak today, 18 April 2024 due to the volcanic eruption at Mount Ruang, Indonesia.
Our priority is your safety. We're closely monitoring the situation…
A Geological Hotspot
Indonesia's geographic positioning on the 'Ring of Fire'—a major area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where many earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur—makes it a hotspot for seismic and volcanic activity. The country hosts 120 active volcanoes, and the memory of the 2018 Anak Krakatoa eruption, which claimed hundreds of lives, is still fresh.
Reflecting on Nature’s Might
The ongoing situation at Mount Ruang is a stark reminder of the dynamic and sometimes perilous nature of our planet. As scientists and authorities work to monitor and respond to these geological events, the resilience of the affected communities continues to be tested. The eruptions serve as both a spectacle of nature’s raw beauty and a call to respect and prepare for its potential fury.
In the face of such overwhelming natural power, the spirit of the people in North Sulawesi is a testament to human resilience. The coming days will undoubtedly be challenging, but also a chance for collective learning and adaptation in the shadow of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring phenomena.
Hunting For The ‘Extinct’ Indonesian Tiger
The Quest for the Javan Tiger: A Glimmer of Hope in Indonesia
In the lush, verdant wilderness of West Java, Indonesia, a remarkable and potentially groundbreaking discovery has rekindled hope for a species long thought to be extinct: the Javan tiger.
The news broke following an intriguing study conducted by Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) and published by Cambridge University Press. It centered on a single strand of tiger hair found in 2019, snagged on a fence near Sukabumi city.
This finding has spurred a nation-wide hunt, leveraging camera traps and DNA sweeps, to uncover whether the Javan tiger still prowls the Indonesian forests.
The hair, with genetic markers pointing to the Javan tiger, presents a thrilling scientific mystery. According to the research, local resident Ripi Yanur Fajar first noted the hair along with footprints and claw marks at a plantation.
This evidence has not only captured the imagination of the local community but also mobilized the country's environmental efforts.
Satyawan Pudyatmoko, a ministry official overseeing conservation, emphasized the cautious optimism permeating the scientific community, stating, "The research has sparked speculation that the Javan tiger is still in the wild."
The Conservation Conundrum
The potential rediscovery of the Javan tiger is not just a scientific curiosity—it's a conservation imperative. The Javan and Balinese tigers were declared extinct in the 1980s and 1940s, respectively, victims of relentless poaching and habitat destruction.
Today, only the Sumatran tigers remain, with fewer than 400 individuals in the wild, as estimated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The survival of the Javan tiger could signify not only a miraculous beat against extinction but also a critical new chapter in Indonesia's environmental policy.
However, this pursuit is fraught with challenges. Muhammad Ali Imron, head of the WWF Indonesia’s forest and wildlife program, expressed concerns about publicizing the findings too widely.
The fear is that drawing too much attention might attract poachers, turning a conservation opportunity into a crisis. As such, the balance between excitement for discovery and the practicalities of protecting potentially surviving tigers is delicate.
Reflections on Conservation Efforts
The story of the Javan tiger is a poignant reminder of the fragility of our planet's biodiversity. It underscores the urgent need for robust environmental policies and proactive conservation strategies.
If the Javan tiger does indeed still exist, it will become a symbol of hope and a testament to nature's resilience. But it also underscores the obligations of not only governments but also local communities and international bodies to safeguard these treasures.
The efforts to confirm the existence of the Javan tiger continue, blending hope with scientific rigor. As researchers press on, supported by the Indonesian government and international conservation groups, the story of the Javan tiger could either be a remarkable tale of survival or a somber epitaph for a species lost to history.
Either outcome will undoubtedly shape conservation dialogues globally, reminding us of our enduring responsibility to the natural world.
Source: Al Jazeera
‘Skywalker’ Ape Discovered In Jungles Of Myanmar
The Echoes of Survival: The Skywalker Gibbons of Myanmar
In the verdant jungles of Myanmar, a recent discovery has not only expanded our understanding of biodiversity but has also ignited hope for conservationists globally.
The Skywalker gibbons, a species first identified in China in 2017 and named with a nod to the Star Wars saga, have now been confirmed to inhabit the remote forests of Myanmar.
This finding is a critical step in ensuring the survival of a species that mirrors the traits of resilience and uniqueness akin to their cinematic namesake.
Discovery and Identification
The journey to this significant discovery began with acoustic monitoring of the gibbons’ haunting morning songs, a method that allowed researchers to pinpoint their presence without direct visual contact.
This non-invasive technique captures the essence of modern conservation efforts—blending technology with traditional fieldwork.
The use of DNA analysis from discarded plant material further solidified the presence of 44 new groups of Skywalker gibbons in Myanmar, a testament to the meticulous and innovative approaches adopted by the research teams from Fauna & Flora and Nature Conservation Society Myanmar.
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Characteristics and Challenges
Skywalker gibbons (Hoolock tianxing) are distinguished from their close relatives by subtle yet distinct physical differences such as thinner eyebrows and a darker beard, which are not just mere aesthetic details but are adaptive traits honed by evolution.
Despite their enchanting presence, these primates are under siege from an all-too-common enemy: habitat loss. With Myanmar's existing protected areas covering a mere 4% of suitable gibbon habitat, the challenges are daunting.
The forests that cradle these gibbons are vanishing, sliced away by deforestation and degraded by human encroachment.
Conservation Efforts and Future Prospects
The discovery has sparked a broader conservation dialogue, emphasizing the need for a dual approach combining government-led protection with community-based conservation initiatives.
Local communities have shown a willingness to engage, with some expressing interest in establishing community protected areas and launching conservation awareness programs aimed at curbing poaching.
This collaborative spirit is essential, as the preservation of the Skywalker gibbon isn’t just about saving a species but about maintaining the ecological balance they help sustain.
The plight of the Skywalker gibbons serves as a poignant reminder of our intertwined destinies with the natural world. These creatures, with their distinct songs and familial groups, are not just inhabitants of their forests but are custodians of their ecosystems.
Protecting them is a moral imperative that transcends borders and species—a call to action to preserve the rich tapestry of life that, once unraveled, cannot be rewoven.
Source: Discover Wildlife
Silent Swimming Schools Of Fish Are Inspiring Submarine Design
Silence Beneath the Waves: How Fish Schools Influence Stealth Technology
In the quiet depths of our oceans, schools of fish exhibit a fascinating natural phenomenon of "acoustic stealth," swimming with such synchrony that they mimic the sound of a single fish rather than a collective.
This remarkable trait, recently studied by engineers at Johns Hopkins University, could revolutionize our approach to submarine and underwater vehicle design, offering a new blueprint for stealth technology in marine engineering.
The Study of Silence
The study, led by Ji Zhou and Rajat Mittal and published in the journal Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, delves deep into the fluid dynamics and biomechanics of bio-locomotion.
Mittal's team, intrigued by the efficiencies and potential advantages of fish swimming in schools, embarked on a quest to understand how these natural formations impact underwater noise—a key factor in predator evasion and environmental interaction.
Using sophisticated 3D models of common mackerel, the researchers simulated various swimming behaviors to observe noise production. Their findings were illuminative: fish, by syncing their tail flaps and swimming closely, could significantly reduce the noise they produce.
This is because sound waves produced by each fish can cancel each other out when synchronized perfectly, much like noise-cancelling headphones work to block external sound.
When fish swim in configurations where their tails move in opposite directions at the same time, they cancel out each other’s sound waves and so are quieter. Credit: Johns Hopkins University
Implications for Underwater Technology
The implications of these findings extend far beyond the natural world. Traditional underwater vehicles, which rely on noisy rotational rotors for propulsion, could see a transformative shift towards quieter, more efficient operations by mimicking these natural movements.
As Mittal explains, “This could lead to the development of underwater vehicles that are both efficient and stealthy, drawing directly from the natural mechanisms evolved by schooling fish.”
The study not only sheds light on the acoustic benefits of synchronized swimming in fish but also opens up a myriad of applications in human technology. Quieter submarines and underwater drones could drastically reduce the ecological footprint of human activity underwater, lessening the disruption to marine life and improving the stealth capabilities of these machines.
A Step Towards Harmonious Technology
Incorporating bio-inspired technologies into modern engineering is a step towards more sustainable and harmonious environmental interactions.
As we continue to explore the depths of our oceans and develop technologies that operate within these realms, lessons from nature, such as those provided by schooling fish, are invaluable.
They remind us that often, the best technological advancements come from observing and emulating the natural world.
The dance of the mackerel, a silent symphony beneath the waves, thus becomes a template for innovation. As we harness these insights, we edge closer to a future where our technologies can seamlessly blend into their surroundings, just as a school of fish blends into the quiet of the deep sea.
This study is a testament to the potential of interdisciplinary research and the unexpected ways in which the mysteries of nature can inspire human ingenuity—pointing us towards quieter, more subtle forms of existence and operation beneath the sea.
Source: Discover Wildlife