Wildlife – Page 4 – TINA CHIARELLI, PHD, FRGS

A New Year For Conservation

December 30th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

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 …

Peace and Place For All

December 23rd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

When I first began working in the field of wildlife conservation I was very naïve. It was so easy to come up with solutions to habitat loss and species survival when humans were not factored into the equation. It was so very simple to point an accusatory finger. Part of the learning curve in this line of work is to understand that for every person who carries out atrocities against wildlife and their habitat, there are at least five that want to save them. In addition, identifying the driving force behind such horrific events is just as much of the …

Extinction: The Final Countdown

December 7th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

The word extinction has shown up several times in the news lately regarding the population status of some wildlife species. All too often we can identify species that have been deemed extinct, but we are not given an explanation of how this came to be. Historically, or I should say prehistorically, we know that a meteor striking the earth and an ice age contributed to the extinction of thousands of species. Note that these catastrophic events were natural disasters. However, what about the extinctions as of late? Internationally, we still experience natural disasters all the time, but what is their …

Habitat Preservation and the Discovery of New Species

November 29th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

It is hard to believe that in a world where the human population now exceeds 7 billion, that there are still unexplored wild areas, and new plant and animal species being discovered. I think it is easy to understand the importance of preserving oceans, jungles, rainforests, grasslands, and deserts (yes, even deserts) for the known species that inhabit them, but what about the places that are home to creatures yet to be discovered? What about the plants, bacteria, or fungi in those wild areas that could lead to new breakthroughs in medicine? And, although hard to imagine, should we not …

Thank You

November 23rd, 2011tinalc0 Comments

This week, in the United States, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. This holiday is a time for recognizing the things and special people we are thankful for. Aside from stuffing ourselves with roasted turkey, potatoes, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, the day is spent with friends and family. In addition, I thought it would be the most fitting time to give thanks to all those special people who have inspired me over the years and helped cultivate my passion for wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. If not for these wonderful people, I would not be who I am today. As a …

7 Billion and Counting

November 5th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

Last month the world population reached 7 billion. In only 12 short years, since ~October 1999, the human population has increased by 1 billion. Let us take a few moments to think about the fact that we now share this planet with 6,999,999,999 other people… and counting. If our global growth rate continues, it is anticipated that by 2050, you could be one of 10 billion! So what exactly does this increase mean for the other species that share our space? Furthermore, what do 7 billion humans mean for the environment? Regardless, if we live in a developing or industrialized …

Student Creates Wildlife Conservation Project

September 28th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

For as long as Tina Dow can remember, she’s had a passion for wildlife. Dow, a West Virginia University student, is pursuing her passion through an organization she and her husband formed – Wildlife Research and Conservation. “I don’t ever remember a time not being interested in wildlife,” Dow said. “As a kid I always felt more at home outside with the creepy crawlies than I did inside.” During her doctoral studies at WVU, Dow’s focus has been on elephant captivation and the effects it has on the species’ fertility. Though Dow is unsure where she’ll end up after graduation, …

Ecotourism: Conservation Friend or Foe?

September 18th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

At the turn of the century, in the early 1900s, to go on safari meant one would travel to the far corners of the world, armed with the guidance of an indigenous tracker and large caliber rifle. It is no secret that the rich and royal killed hundreds of animals during a single trip to Africa, India, or Indonesia, and relished in doing so. Even Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States and founder of America’s most beautiful natural parks was an avid safari hunter; elephant tusks and a leopard rug adorned the oval office when Teddy was Commander in …

Wildlife Products: When the Demand Stops, the Killing Stops

August 14th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

As a kid, I remember having several brightly colored rabbit foot key chains given to me as good luck tokens. Traveling through the south eastern United States, it is still commonplace to see stuffed baby alligators, or the preserved severed heads of juveniles, for sale at welcome centers and gift shops. Baby sharks with an icy death stare, glaring out of alcohol-filled jars adorn service stations and restaurant counters. And who hasn’t seen the spider or scorpion suspended in acrylic paper weights. Wildlife is under constant threat from humans. As human population increases, the demand for resources necessary for survival increases. …

Human-Wildlife Conflict

August 7th, 2011tinalc0 Comments

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 …