Important new research released ahead of World Oceans Day exposes the widespread practice of killing aquatic mammals such as dolphins, sea lions, seals and otters for use as bait in global fisheries. Published in open-access journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the study shines a new light into what researchers say is an issue that has...
How much is wildlife tourism affecting the animals it targets?
A new study in Conservation Physiology, published by Oxford University Press, reveals that white shark activity increases dramatically when the animals are interacting with cage-diving operators.
In recent decades, wildlife tourism has rapidly expanded and is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry. Ecotourism opportunities to cage-dive with white sharks, large marine predators,...
Desert bighorn sheep are crossing Interstate 40 in California
Desert bighorn sheep are able to climb steep, rocky terrain with speed and agility. New research shows that they can cross a four-lane highway.
At some point in the last decade, at least one of these rare beasts -- notable for their large curled brown horns -- crossed Interstate 40 in at least one location in...
Human encouragement might influence how dogs solve problems
Human encouragement might influence how dogs solve problems, according to a new Oregon State University study.
The study, published in the journal Applied Animal Behaviour Science, sheds light on how people influence animal behavior, said study lead author Lauren Brubaker, a doctoral student in OSU's Human-Animal Interaction Lab.
Brubaker evaluated the behavior of search and rescue dogs...
Impact of fishing gear entanglement deduced from whale hormone levels
A novel hormone analysis provides a viable way of measuring the duration and effects of fishing gear entanglement on endangered North Atlantic right whales. This forensic technique for analyzing stress responses can also provide information on fasting periods and physical stress in whales. Published in open-access journal Frontiers in Marine Science, the technique can be...
What does the future hold for the children of the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil?
Zika virus is an arbovirus mainly transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito but it can also be transmitted by sexual contact and blood transfusion. Adult patients infected by Zika usually present only mild symptoms such as rashes, conjunctivitis, arthralgia and mild fever that last a few days.
However, the outbreak of Zika virus in Brazil in...