Wildlife Extra - World Wildlife

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Feral cats kill 480 million birds in US every year - Responsible for 33 extinctions

Feral cats in the USA are devastating wildlife and costing the economy as much as $17 billion.

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‘Extinct’ fox rediscovered in California

Alaotra grebe declared extinct and 12.5% of bird species declared endangered

20 National Wildlife Refuges threatened by Louisiana oil spill

With as many as 20 National Wildlife refuges threatened by the oil spill, and rare and endangered species such as sea turtles, manatee, sea birds (including brown pelicans) and Gulf sturgeon all in danger, USFWS have launched a series of measures to try to mitigate the dire consequences of such a large spill in such an environmentally sensitive area.

Sea Shepherd will not compromise on whaling in Southern Ocean

Killer whales are probably several different species

Scientists report finding strong genetic evidence supporting the theory that there are several species of killer whales in the world's oceans.

Millions of sea turtles are killed as ‘collateral damage’ in the race for fish

Millions of sea turtles have become the unintended victims of a failure to properly manage the worlds' fisheries, with more and more of their habitats clogged with hooks and nets.

Thousands of seal pups die as sea ice fails in Canada

Thousands of harp seal pups are presumed dead in Canada's Gulf of St Lawrence and starving pups are being found abandoned on the beaches of Prince Edward Island, tragic victims of the worst ice conditions recorded in eastern Canada.

Elephant ivory imports allowed into the USA - Rednecks versus villagers

Wildlife Extra was under the misapprehension that it was illegal to import ivory into the USA. Given the very recent decision by CITES to prevent Tanzania and Zambia from down listing the elephants to appendix 2, Wildlife Extra is speechless to discover that it is perfectly legal to kill wild elephants in some parts of Africa, including Tanzania, and then import the tusks, skin and other disgusting mementos into the USA.

Common pesticide identified as major threat to frogs worldwide

Jaguar amongst a host of wildlife photographed just 30 miles south of US-Mexico border

Almost one year after the death of the last known wild jaguar in the USA in Arizona, The Sky Island Alliance have released the first photographs of a northern jaguar in the Mexican State of Sonora.

2000 sea turtles rescued from unusually cold sea off Florida

The unusually long spell of cold weather in Florida has required a mass rescue of sea turtles throughout the state. More than 2,000 sea turtles have been rescued so far.

Record number of endangered Florida panthers killed by vehicles in 2009

There are approximately 100 panthers in Florida today, up from a low of 20 to 30 individuals 22 years ago. This number is still dangerously low and vehicle strikes are a major cause of death for the panther.

Record number of manatee deaths in Florida in 2009

There are thought to be around 3200 Manatees living in Florida, so this represents some 12.5% of the population - Clearly an unsustainable rate.

New method for counting birds and other species revealed

Huge Blue whale killed by a ship in California.

A huge, 72 foot long, female Blue whale has been killed by a collision with a ships propeller off California.

Huge 17-foot Burmese python caught in Florida

Florida panther shot dead - $15,000 reward offered

One of the world's rarest cats has been shot dead June 2009. A reward of up to $15,200 is being offered for information.

First fishers born in Washington since reintroduction began

US Biologists have confirmed the first sightings of newborn fishers in Washington State since restoration of the state-endangered species began two years ago.

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Possible new population of North Atlantic Right whales discovered off Greenland

The recordings in the Cape Farewell Ground raise the possibility that the eastern North Atlantic right whale population may still exist.

Arizona jaguar euthanized after kidney failure

Wild Jaguar collared in Arizona

While there has been some evidence, including camera trap photos, of a few jaguars in Arizona in the last decade, this accidental development is very exciting for conservationists.

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White-nose syndrome spreading through bats in North East America – Now in Pennsylvania

Deadly Whitenose syndrome spreading into bats in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Elephant poaching reaching record levels.

Rare White Killer Whale Spotted in Alaskan Waters

A very rare and unusual white kilelr whale has been photographed off the Aleutian Islands.

The world's smallest cetacean is sinking towards a man-made extinction.

The Vaquita porpoise, the smallest cetacean, is found only in the Gulf of Carolina. The population numbers just 2-300, and is under threat from fishing nets.

Princess Cruise Lines pay $750,000 over the death of a Humpback whale in Alaska.

Princess Cruises agreed to pay out $750,000 in fines after one of it's ships was involved in the death of a pregnant Humpback.

Canadas rarest mammal, the Vancouver Island marmot, is making a strong recovery.

Vancouver Island Marmot numbers have increased by 70 this year thanks to a captive breeding programme. The species, whose numbers had declined to around 80 individuals 8 years ago now numbers approximately 225

US Army project foiled by Ivory-billed woodpecker.

A judge in the US has ordered a halt to a US army engineering scheme that would have taken billions of gallons of water from the swapms where the Ivory-billed woodpecker is thought to be clinging on.

Endangered Western Pond turtles released in to the wild.

58 highly endangered Western Pond turtles are being released back into the wild where they hatched after spending some months in safekeeping at Oregon Zoo.

Millipede with the most legs is rediscovered after 80 years.

The worlds leggiest millipede has been rediscovered. Illacme plenipes, which has up to 750 legs, has been spotted in a tiny patch of San Benito County, California, the first time it had been seen since 1926.

Many new species and new records of marine species discovered in Hawaiian Islands

The Census of Marine Life has discovered many new species, including crabs, corals, sea cucumbers, sea quirts, worms, sea stars, snails, and clams.

Spate of Blue whale deaths off California

September 2007. Three Blue whales found dead in 2 weeks off California.

New genus of cricket discovered in Arizona.

Researcher in Arizona discovered a new genus of cricket, and potentially 3 new species of cricket in a cave in a remote corner of Arizona.

North America's rarest mammal, the Black-footed ferret, was rediscovered 25 years ago.

September 2006. It is 25 years since the Black footed ferret was rediscovered, having been decalred extinct in 1979. Thanks to a hugely succesful breeding programme, there are now more than 550 ferrets in the wild, up from just 18 in 1985.