Recently, I had the privilege of spending time with a biologist studying the impact of the chytrid fungus on amphibian populations, as well as some of the beautiful Panamanian Golden Frogs (Atelopus zeteki) in her study. Chytrid is a type of fungus that is exclusively found in water or in moist environments. Although there are over 1,000 identified chytrid species it is the Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis that has been traversing the globe decimating amphibian populations. First identified in 1998, the B. dendrobatids species of chytrid has been found to infect the skin of amphibians; infection causes the skin to thicken. The …
Category: Habitat Preservation
Human-Wildlife Conflict
To most of us, looking out our window and seeing wildlife up close would be a dream come true. However, to those people who actually share space with magnificent wild creatures on a daily basis the dream can quickly turn into a nightmare. Human-wildlife conflicts are continuing to increase globally at an alarming rate. Some argue that wildlife populations are growing, causing animals to crossover safe boarders of national parks and wildlife refuge areas into urban land inhabited by humans. In contrast, human population growth is at an all time high; humans are encroaching into areas set aside as safe …
Bushmeat Threatens All Wildlife
The international demand for bushmeat is thriving. By definition, bushmeat is any wild animal that is killed for human consumption. The wild animals are usually protected species, i.e., primates, reptiles, elephants, hoof stock, pangolins, etc., that are obtained from protected areas illegally via snares, poison, and unregistered guns. Although bushmeat is taken at times to feed starving families living in impoverished areas, it is more times than not sold illegally on the black market. First and foremost, bushmeat threatens wildlife. In most cases bushmeat and destruction of habitat occur simultaneously. In African countries with ongoing mining and oil exploration …
The Palm Oil Crisis
Although I have been aware of the palm oil crisis between palm plantations and wildlife in Indonesia and Malaysia for some time now, I was not aware of how complex and confusing the situation has become. When was the last time you checked around your home, pantry, bathroom, under the kitchen sink, for products containing palm or palm kernel oil? I was shocked to find out that a huge variety of things we consume on a regular basis: taco shells, cookies, lotions, dish washing detergent (Palmolive), tooth paste, shampoo, crackers, cereal, bread, and chocolate to name a few, all contain …
Becoming Good Environmental Stewards
Whether I am home or abroad I always seem to encounter human-wildlife conflict. The mouse in the cupboard, the snake in the flower bed, bats in the attic, elephant(s) raiding crops, crocodiles at the water edge…..I think you get the picture. So what do we do? More times than not it is the wildlife that loses the battle. As human population continues to increase we are faced with the ultimate decision: do we continue down the road we are on, full speed ahead, or do we take a hard look at what we have done and make changes to ensure …