TINA CHIARELLI, Ph.D., FRGS

Timber Rattlesnake Survey

July 24th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

This year, 2012, has been an exciting time for the Timber rattlesnake population and reproductive assessment survey research. The driving force behind this project was to better understand how human presence in the north eastern part of their range has affected overall rattlesnake numbers and breeding success compared to previous data. In addition, we wanted to learn more about Timber rattlesnake behavior so that we can educate the public and help them better appreciate the importance of this magnificent snake. Having begun this project in 2011, it was a frustrating year as all the specimens we were finding had been …

Can Hunting be an Effective Conservation Tool?

July 11th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

Throughout the world hunting has been used as a way to harvest animals for human consumption. In more cases then not, hunting has been managed sustainably to ensure long term availability of protein. In order to have healthy wildlife populations, a balanced ecosystem has to be maintained and preserved. Recently much attention has been given to hunting as a possible conservation tool. In addition, more hunters are actively participating in conserving wildlife and habitat to guarantee long term survival. Is it conceivable that the act of killing animals can also be used to save them? To see the whole picture …

Dr. Tina Dow Inspires University Students to Help Wildlife

June 12th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

New WVU Student Group Supports Chimp Haven Animal Awareness and Conservation, a new student group at West Virginia University, is turning its organizational interests into action with its first major service activity. Students from the group will be collecting items for Chimp Haven, the National Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Caddo Parish, La. It’s an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide lifetime care for chimpanzees that have been retired from medical research, the entertainment industry or are no longer wanted as pets. “We chose Chimp Haven because of its non-profit status, its mission to provide a long term home for chimpanzees …

The Fine Line Between Rescuing and Kidnapping Wild Baby Animals

June 9th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

It is baby time in the wildlife world! From white-tailed deer fawns to fledgling sparrows, babies seem to be popping up everywhere. And with all this activity inevitably comes human-wildlife interaction. Although accidents happen, i.e., collisions with cars, feral animal attack, etc., that leave wildlife young orphaned, sometimes alone doesn’t really mean alone. It is very common that wildlife parents simply leave their babies while they are hunting or foraging only to return later. In addition, if parents are startled they may temporarily lose their infants. So what is the best course of action if a baby animal is found? …

Bee Aware

May 29th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

Spring has long since sprung in the northern hemisphere and summer has unofficially begun. Insect activity is in full swing as the race to pollinate is full on. Until recently I did not know very much about one particular pollinator, the honey bee. A chance encounter from a hive on the move was all it took to develop a deeper respect and understanding for such a magnificent yet sometimes unappreciated creature. A few weeks ago all I could have told you about honey bees is that they make honey and play key roles as pollinators. While walking in the garden …

Big Impact, Big Research — Dr. Tina Dow’s Research Highlighted in WVU Alumni Magazine

May 14th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

It was certainly a weekend of celebrations in West Virginia. In addition to participating in the 143rd Commencement at West Virginia University, Dr. Tina Dow’s research was highlighted in the latest edition of the WVU Alumni Magazine. Big Impact, Big Research Written By Jake Stump/ Photographs By Scott Lituchy The story of Tina Dow’s love of elephants began in another story, tucked away in the pages of her first Little Golden Book — The Saggy Baggy Elephant. Never Could she predict that someday she’d work with the same creatures that fascinated her as a girl growing up in Cumberland, Maryland. …

Animal Extinctions: What Can We Learn From Past Mistakes

April 30th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

Across the globe animal species are going extinct. From such contributing factors such as disease, persecution, poaching, displacement, and habitat destruction, we are losing some of our most amazing creatures at an alarming rate. Unfortunately, species extinctions are nothing new. But can we learn from past mistakes to ensure more magnificent animals do not do the way of the dodo? One of the most iconic species to have become extinct in the 20th Century was the thylacine or Tasmanian tiger. The last known thylacine was observed in captivity at the Hobart Zoo in 1936. Although the thylacine was a large …

Making Everyday Earth Day

April 22nd, 2012tinalc0 Comments

Happy Earth Day! Initiated in 1970, Earth Day is an annual event encouraging people around the world to make their lives a little more greener. By doing so, people conserve resources and help ensure that what we have today will be here tomorrow. With hundreds, if not thousands, of ideas that can help to reduce our footprint, what will you do to celebrate Earth Day? Recycling initiatives are common place today. The well known Reduce, Reuse, Recycle or the 3Rs program helps to reduce either by reusing or recycling items. Rubbish cleanup events follow suit along highways or in natural …

The Importance of Citizen Scientists

April 14th, 2012tinalc0 Comments

As science itself evolves, a new way of conducting research is emerging. Although a newly coined phrase, Citizen Scientists have been around for a very long time, lending a helping hand to researchers around the globe. Although these individuals may lack a formal education, what they do not lack is passion and enthusiasm. Participation of Citizen Scientists essential allows scientists to be in millions of places at one time; observing wildlife, recording behaviors, and biological sample collection is but a few things they do. One of the original programs initiated by Citizen Scientists was bird watching. Although a hobby for …

Researching the Researcher– Dr. Tina Dow Featured in the Latest Edition of JEMA

April 1st, 2012tinalc0 Comments

Recently, Dr. Tina Dow was featured in the Researching the Researcher section of the latest edition of the Journal of the Elephant Managers Association (JEMA). The article highlighted Tina’s doctoral research while at West Virginia University and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.