The Changing Face of Poaching

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In the past, poaching of wildlife for bushmeat or sale of animal products was typically carried out by people living locally to wildlife habitats.  Particularly in severely impoverished areas, poaching was done to feed and support families.  In the last few years the face of poaching has changed.  Poaching has become very sophisticated utilizing GPS, helicopters, and tranquilizers instead of tracking animals on foot and using snares or automatic weapons.  Rangers, veterinarians, and researchers who have sworn to protect and conserve vulnerable and endangered species are the very ones who are now participating in their demise.  Carcasses are left to …

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Wildlife Management: To Cull or Not to Cull?

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I have always thought that “Wildlife Management” was a loose term.  Regardless of geographical location, wildlife lives in fragmented habitats, held inside imaginary borders meant to protect and conserve.  It is a daily struggle for humans and wild animals to co-exist.  As the human population continues to increase, wildlife is pushed to the edge of extinction.  Animals are culled to keep numbers in check according to management plans, as well as illegally poached for their parts or killed out of ignorance and fear.   So what does it mean to manage wildlife? In the early 1900s, the United States government initiated …

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The Year of the Dragon

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The dragon is both revered and feared in many cultures around the world.  This year the Chinese will celebrate the upcoming new year as the Year of the Dragon.  A symbol of strength and royalty, you can find interpretations of these mythical beasts adorning clothing, wall tapestries, statues, and even etched into flesh.  But what do we know about our last remaining dragon, the Komodo dragon, which still walks the earth?  What is being done to conserve this magnificent creature and its habitat to ensure that it too remains immortalized? Weighing in at up to 100 kg (220 lbs) and …

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WVU Doctoral Student Pursues Passion

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WVU Doctoral Student Pursues Passion By: Kaidy Murdock For the Charleston Daily Mail MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Tina Dow has always had an interest in elephants.   From her first Little Golden Book and frequent visits to the Pittsburgh Zoo as a girl, the Cumberland, Md., native’s love for the creatures has transformed into a career and a passion. “In my backpack I still carry the first Little Golden Book that I was given as a child, and that was ‘The Saggy Baggy Elephant,’” said Dow, a doctoral student at West Virginia University. “I keep that around with me all the time. …

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Devil Facial Tumor Disease

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In honor of Australia Day I thought it would be fitting to write about one of their most beloved species, the Tasmanian devil.  Immortalized as the spinning, incoherent cartoon character, the survival of the real Tasmanian devil is in peril.  A communicative disease called Devil Facial Tumor Disease (DFTD) is decimating the devil population of Tasmania.  As researchers race to understand the etiology behind DFTD the devils face an uncertain future. Devil Facial Tumor Disease was first documented in 1996 in northeastern Tasmanian.  The disease is characterized by large, fast-growing cancerous tumors that are found around the face and inside …

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Invasion of the Habitat Snatchers

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Non-native or invasive species are finding their way into ecosystems all around the world.  Regardless if they are being purposefully introduced by biologists to predate on a more destructive non-native or to enhance a biological area, or if they are being released by irresponsible pet owners, non-natives threaten native species.  More importantly, invasive species not only pose a risk to native plants and animals through displacement, competition, or predation, but also by the possible introduction of disease. One of the most well-known stories of a non-native invasion is the cane toad of Australia.  Brought to Australia in 1935, the cane …

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Sharing Space With Wildlife

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One of the first things we are taught as children is to be mindful of traffic.  We know all too well the consequences of running across a busy street; doing so with blatant disregard would be considered suicide.  Therefore, it is well established that roadways are the automobiles area, and we respect that.  So why don’t we give the same caution in regards to wildlife?  Why would we dare swim in crocodile territory in North Queensland, Australia?  Why would we hike through Grizzly bear habitat without taking extreme precaution?  Or why would we walk within meters of a wild elephant …

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The Ivory War Continues: 22 Years After the Ban

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2011 was considered the bloodiest year for elephants since 1989, the same year the ivory ban began.  Confiscated ivory from illegal sales estimate over 3000 elephants were killed by poachers to fuel the black market demand; and that is just what was found.  In a single month, Malaysian authorities seized over $1.3 million US worth of ivory that was being shipped out of Kenya and into Cambodia.  It is well documented that the illegal trade in wildlife and their parts is a multi-billion dollar a year business; third only behind drugs and weapons trafficking.  Trade in rhino horn and tiger …

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A New Year For Conservation

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Like years past, 2011 has been full of both triumph and loss.  Precious habitat was saved.  Conservationists continued to educate and inspire others to help preserve our natural world.  In addition, new plant and animal species were discovered; however, a few were also considered to now be extinct.  With all of our great accomplishments over the last 365 days, I believe we can do better. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are all interconnected to each and every living thing on this planet.  All of our actions, good or bad, have an effect on others.  I meet …

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