Search Results (111)

The Niokolo-Koba National Park (NKNP) was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 for its exceptional biodiversity and unique ecosystem. However, due to poaching, livestock grazing, and dam construction projects in the Sambangalou area, the site was added to the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2007. Through regional and international cooperation, enhanced monitoring, and community engagement in conservation efforts, the site was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2024. As a typical case of the entire process from inscription on to removal from the World Heritage List in Danger, the NKNP’s threats and successful removal experience profoundly reveal complex internal and external challenges and governance needs in heritage conservation. Its successful experience can provide valuable lessons for World Heritage sites around the world facing similar threats. As part of our qualitative research, we reviewed the literature from UNESCO and IUCN, which annually assessed the state of conservation of the NKNP between 2007 and 2024. In 2024, a field mission assessed on-site conservation progress and discussed challenges and responses to the NKNP management with 30 stakeholders. Our results highlight the lengthy and potentially costly process of removal, such as Senegal’s EUR 4.57 million Emergency Plan, the threats to the park’s integrity by the State itself, and the value placed on World Heritage status, further emphasizing the need for long-term investment from both the national government and international partners. Therefore, ensuring returns on such investment, whether through increased ecotourism, international recognition, or strengthened ecosystem services, is essential for sustainable conservation financing. The case of the NKNP also illustrates the positive impact of improved national governance and partnerships involving international and local NGOs, as well as the private sector, on conservation efforts. It also highlights the importance of a new collaborative governance paradigm for heritage sites facing severe human interference (poaching, illegal development) and governance challenges, particularly in ecologically fragile or socio-economically pressured regions, by strengthening national responsibility, leveraging international mechanisms, and activating local participation. Full article

Migratory birds globally face escalating anthropogenic threats, with crane species being particularly vulnerable. This study assessed human-perceived threats to cranes (Grus virgo & Grus grus) along Pakistan’s vital Indus Flyway using 400 stakeholder questionnaires across eight districts (2021–2024). We quantified perceived threat based on frequency (1 = Very Rare; 5 = Very Frequent) and severity (1 = Not Severe; 5 = Extremely Severe), revealing poaching (illegal killing) as the dominant threat (frequency = 4.9; severity = 4.8), followed by illegal wildlife trade (4.7; 4.5) and taming (4.6; 4.3). Spatial analysis showed strikingly higher perceived threats in southern Pakistan (Rajanpur: frequency = 4.88, severity = 4.82) versus central regions (Khushab: 3.76, 4.02; p < 0.001), with riverbanks identified as high-risk poaching zones (42 incidents). Cluster analysis also confirmed Rajanpur as a critical hotspot within three distinct threat tiers. Critically, analysis of socio-demographic drivers revealed threat type (frequency: F = 104.92, p < 0.001; severity: F = 153.64, p < 0.001) and poaching method (frequency: F = 10.14, p < 0.001; severity: F = 15.43, p < 0.001) as significant perception-shapers, while education, occupation, and crane species preference (frequency: F = 1.17, p = 0.310) exerted a non-significant influence. These results highlight that individual backgrounds minimally modulate threat perceptions. The study aligns with global evidence of uniform crane threats demanding the following urgent conservation action: region-specific enforcement (especially southern hotspots), community-led anti-poaching initiatives, and targeted awareness programs to shift high-threat communities toward crane-friendly coexistence practices. Full article

Due to persistent poaching and habitat fragmentation, wild forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) in China have sharply declined; although captive breeding helps, frequent gut diseases limit further expansion. This study used high-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing to analyze the effects of age, season variation, and compound probiotics on the gut microbiota of captive individuals. The results demonstrated that compound probiotics exerted a significantly greater influence on gut microbial composition, α-diversity, and functional variation compared to the effects of age or seasonal factors. β-diversity analysis confirmed greater differences between probiotic-treated and control groups than among age or seasonal groups. Microbial community assembly was mainly driven by deterministic processes, with stochastic processes also playing a role in winter. Compound probiotics markedly reshaped dominant bacterial taxa at both phylum and genus levels, with Acinetobacter identified as a key biomarker. They also significantly modulated metabolic and phenotypic traits, decreasing functions related to Gram-positive and aerobic bacteria while enhancing those linked to Gram-negative characteristics. Environmental correlation analysis further demonstrated that compound probiotics exerted a stronger influence than both age and seasonal factors. The findings underscore the value of dietary and probiotic strategies for enhancing gut health and resilience in endangered forest musk deer. Full article

The Ural saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) inhabits the expansive steppes and deserts of Kazakhstan. Disease outbreaks, particularly among livestock, can impact saiga populations by causing competition for resources and increasing mortality rates. This study focuses on the risks faced by the saiga population in Western Kazakhstan, along with strategies for their conservation and effective management. The research and data collection were conducted in the Kaztalov, Zhangala, Bokeyorda, and Zhanybek districts of West Kazakhstan, in the natural habitat and migration range of the Ural saiga population. To thoroughly assess the potential risks, we undertook a detailed analysis involving multiple data points, which encompassed monitoring, necropsy, microorganism isolation, and an examination of existing records between the years 2011 and 2024. By the conclusion of our study, we organized the identified risks into three distinct categories: biotic factors, abiotic factors, and anthropogenic factors. As a result of the evaluations made according to the categories, pathogenic bacteria (Pasteurella multocida, Clostridium perfringens), helminths, and ticks were identified as biotic risks; natural and climatic conditions (storms and lightning) as abiotic risks; and poaching and human practices in the fields as anthropogenic risks. This organization allowed us to clearly identify the specific risks faced by antelopes, providing insights that can inform future conservation efforts. Full article

Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) rescued from the illegal wildlife trade often suffer from chronic, traumatic injuries that require specialized and prolonged medical treatment in wildlife rehabilitation centers. We present the case report of a two-year-old male chimpanzee admitted at the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Center in the Republic of Congo with a chronic periorbital abscess, likely caused by a machete wound sustained during the poaching of his mother. Despite receiving extended antimicrobial therapy, his condition was never fully controlled and progressed to a chronic orbital infection, causing him discomfort and producing chronic purulent discharge. Enucleation was performed under general anesthesia using ketamine and medetomidine, with surgical approach adapted to the distinctive orbital anatomy of chimpanzees. During the procedure, ligation of the optic nerve and ophthalmic vessels was required due to the confined orbital apex and extensive vascularization, ensuring adequate haemostasias and procedural safety. The chimpanzee made an uneventful postoperative recovery, resuming normal feeding and social behavior within 48 h, with complete wound healing occurring within two weeks. This case report highlights the importance of prompt surgical intervention when conservative medical management fails to resolve refractory ocular infections in chimpanzees. It also emphasizes the importance of specific anesthetic protocols, refined surgical techniques and tailored postoperative care in wildlife rehabilitation centers. Documenting and sharing detailed case reports such as this contributes to the limited veterinary literature on great ape surgery and supports evidence-based clinical decision-making to improve the welfare and treatment outcomes of rescued chimpanzees. Full article

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by metabolic and hormonal imbalances in women of reproductive age. Various studies have emphasized that a diet high in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and high serum AGE levels may be associated with reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS. Recently, the role played by dietary and serum AGE levels in the pathogenesis of PCOS was emphasized. Methods: In this study, we investigated the relationships between dietary AGE intake and serum AGE levels, some metabolic parameters, and anthropometric measurements in individuals with PCOS and a control group of women without PCOS. A total of 87 women with PCOS (n = 43) and without PCOS (n = 44) of a similar age and with a similar body mass index were included in this study. We analyzed dietary AGE intake, serum AGE (CML, sRAGE, and MGO) levels, and markers of inflammation (TNF-α and hs-CRP). Results: The daily dietary AGE intake in the PCOS group (13,191.05 ± 3360.12 kU/day) was higher than that in the control group (11,740.28 ± 2940.61 kU/day) (p = 0.035). The serum CML/sRAGE ratio was found to be higher in the PCOS group (413.94 ± 1114.79) than in the control group (143.24 ± 124.71) (p = 0.002). The cut-off points for dietary AGE intake, serum CML, and the CML/sRAGE ratio levels, which may be associated with the risk of PCOS development, were determined to be 11,359.06 kU/day, 417.50 ng/mL, and 140.91 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Regular monitoring of serum AGE levels may reduce the health risks associated with PCOS. Moreover, to reduce dietary AGE intake in patients with PCOS, we recommend using steaming, boiling, poaching, or simmering with minimal water instead of dry-heat cooking methods. Full article

This study assesses habitat suitability and identifies conservation priority areas for the endangered Marco Polo sheep throughout Khunjerab National Park (Pakistan) and Tashkurgan Natural Reserve (China). We analyzed species occurrence records against environmental variables (elevation, slope, climate, land cover) using MaxEnt modeling. Model performance was validated through AUC-ROC analysis and response curves, generating spatial predictions of suitable habitats to inform conservation strategies. Spatial predictions were generated to map potential distribution zones, aiding conservation planning for this endangered species. The model’s predictive performance was evaluated using the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve, yielding an AUC of 0.919, indicating strong discriminatory capability. Elevation (43.9%), slope (25.9%), and September precipitation (15.9%) emerged as the most influential environmental predictors, collectively contributing 85.7% to the model. The total percentage contribution and permutation significance values were 98.6% and 77.8%, respectively. Jackknife analysis identified elevation (bio-1), slope (bio-7), hillshade (bio-2), and the maximum July temperature (bio-9) as the most significant factors influencing the distribution of Marco Polo sheep, Conversely, variables such as viewshade (bio-14), land cover (bio-3), and precipitation in August (bio-4) contributed a minimal gain, suggesting that they had little impact on accurately predicting species distribution. The habitat suitability map reveals varying conditions across the study area, with the highest suitability (yellow zones) found in the northern and western regions, particularly along the Wakhan Corridor ridgelines. The southern regions, including Khunjerab Pass, show predominantly low suitability, marked by purple zones, suggesting poor habitat conditions. The eastern region displays moderate to low suitability, with fragmented patches of green and yellow, indicating seasonal habitats. The survival of transboundary Marco Polo sheep remains at risk due to poaching activities and habitat destruction and border fence barriers. This study recommends scientific approaches to habitat restoration together with improved China–Pakistan cooperation in order to establish sustainable migratory patterns for this iconic species. Full article

Wildlife monitoring has entered a transformative era with the convergence of drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI). Drones provide access to remote and dangerous habitats, while AI unlocks the potential to process vast amounts of wildlife data. This synergy is reshaping wildlife monitoring, offering novel solutions to tackle challenges in species identification, animal tracking, anti-poaching, population estimation, and habitat analysis. This paper conducts a comprehensive literature review to examine the recent advancements in drone and AI systems for wildlife monitoring, focusing on two critical dimensions: (1) Methodologies, algorithms, and applications, analyzing the AI techniques employed in wildlife monitoring, including their operational frameworks and real-world implementations. (2) Challenges and opportunities, identifying current limitations, including technical hurdles and regulatory constraints, as well as exploring the untapped potential in drone and AI integration to enhance wildlife monitoring and conservation efforts. By synthesizing these insights, this paper will provide researchers with a structured framework for leveraging drone and AI systems in wildlife monitoring, identifying best practices and outlining actionable pathways for future innovation in the field. Full article

The alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) is a critically endangered species in China whose wild populations have precipitously declined due to habitat degradation and poaching. In response, China established the world’s first captive breeding facility for this species in 1990. Despite over three decades of closed breeding, the genetic consequences of long-term captivity remain unclear. Here, we present the first comprehensive assessment of mitochondrial genetic diversity in a captive population of 409 individuals, using three mitochondrial markers (D-loop, Cytb, and COI) and comparative data from wild conspecifics. Our results reveal a pronounced reduction in genetic diversity in the captive population compared to wild populations. Nucleotide diversity (π) and haplotype diversity (Hd) were consistently lower across all markers in captivity, with D-loop Hd = 0.639 and π = 0.01073. Further combined sequence analysis revealed a single dominant haplotype (Hap4) representing 56.99% of individuals, indicative of severe haplotype loss and homogenization. Although some haplotypes are shared with wild populations, captive populations exhibit strong genetic differentiation from wild populations, with the captive populations retaining only a limited fraction of the species’ maternal lineages. This pronounced genetic erosion driven by strong founder effects and genetic drift raises concerns about the viability and reintroduction success of this species. These findings highlight the inherent limitations of closed captive populations in preserving evolutionary potential and adaptive capacity. Our study emphasizes the urgent need for evidence-based genetic management, including founder augmentation and population exchange, to mitigate inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity. Full article

Recreational hunting is a highly regulated activity, in part because it can give rise to a variety of deleterious social, environmental, and economic harms. It provides an interesting area for those interested in community safety because of the way in which both formal (e.g., enforcement officers, proscribed areas and times for hunting, licensing, etc.) and informal (e.g., community awareness and education, conservation) methods of crime prevention are applied. And yet, the criminological literature on effective regulation is not only limited but diverse in terms of scope, types of behavior considered (e.g., poaching, wildlife trading, recreation, etc.), and the context that is considered (e.g., geographical, cultural, etc.). In this paper, we present how a crime prevention and compliance response can be used to understand the nature of the issue and the individual and socio-political processes that result in non-compliance with hunting regulations. We present an overview of the status of recreational hunting in an Australian jurisdiction and locate the regulatory issues that arise within the research literature that explores the various motivations that are known to drive illegal hunting. These are then considered in relation to how community-oriented and non-coercive measures might be employed to improve prevent criminal behavior at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Full article

Gorillas play important roles in the sustainability of biodiversity and in the cultures of Indigenous communities, offering unique biological behaviors and contributing to forest regeneration. Grauer’s gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) is one of the flagship species of biodiversity in the Democratic Republic of Congo. In this study, we carried out a systematic review to assess the challenges and threats facing Gorilla beringei graueri, as well as conservation strategies. We used search engines such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, Baidu, and China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI) to screen for literature published in the period between 2000 and 2025. We found that the existence of Grauer’s gorilla is under constant threat from an increasing demand for precious minerals, the establishment of mining sites in the forests, and the establishment of new road networks in the gorillas’ range, as well as from poaching, deforestation, and climate change. These pressures have exacerbated the decline of the Grauer’s gorilla population, necessitating attention from both the DRC and the global community to safeguard this endangered species. Several strategies for the conservation of Grauer’s gorilla are already underway in the Kahuzi-Biega National Park; these aim to reduce or contain the threats and challenges facing Grauer’s gorilla. This comprehensive review serves as a recommendation to Indigenous communities, local people, government agencies, conservation NGOs, and the public, encouraging them to understand the consequences of the decline in the Grauer’s gorilla population and to advocate for urgent and effective conservation strategies. Full article

Many birds regard partitioning feeding and breeding resources as a strategy to escape competition and co-occurring breeding species. During the breeding season, breeding requirements are essential, yet the patterns and drivers of segregation between and within populations are poorly understood. We monitored the habitat use and chronology of the four co-occurring passerines Eurasian Blackbird, European Greenfinch, Common Chaffinch, and European Serin to examine levels of habitat partitioning and success rates during the breeding season. We recorded nesting sites, nest supports, nest placement, breeding chronology, and productivity in four olive orchards in Fez, central Morocco, from March to August 2018–2019. Our results showed substantial spatial segregation in nesting sites, nest supports, and tree vertical placements. Breeding birds showed significant temporal segregation during the nesting, laying, and hatching phases. These findings suggest distinct spatial and temporal differences in habitat selection among co-occurring passerines, which are suggested to increase avoidance of intra and interspecific competition for resources. Breeding success was very high in European Serin and Eurasian Blackbird. Failure factors were recorded: eggs of European Serin were threatened principally by desertion, abortion, and destruction, and eggs of European Greenfinch were impacted by poaching by children. Our findings provide the first data on the spatial and temporal partitioning of breeding resources among passerines species in Northwest African and probably Mediterranean agroecosystems. Full article

As a keystone predator within forest ecosystems, the dhole (Cuon alpinus) plays a pivotal role in shaping the population structure and dynamics of these biomes. In China, dhole populations have experienced a dramatic decline, primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching, and other historical factors. However, the distribution patterns of suitable habitats and the key environmental factors influencing their suitability remained unclear. In this study, we employed the MaxEnt model to assess the habitat suitability for dholes across China. The results revealed that the primary factors influencing the distribution of potential suitable habitats for dholes were the mean diurnal range (Bio2), temperature seasonality (Bio4), minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), and elevation. Potentially suitable habitats were predominantly located in the central-western and northwestern regions, with scattered distributions in the southeastern parts of China, while areas of high suitability were mainly concentrated in the central-western region. The proportion of suitable habitats varied significantly among the nine provinces analyzed. This study clarified the distribution patterns of suitable habitats and identified the key environmental constraints affecting dhole distribution in China. The findings provide critical ecological data to support the conservation and management of dholes in the region. Full article

Madagascar, renowned for its unique biodiversity, faces significant environmental threats. Despite their vital ecosystem services, invertebrates, such as Lepidoptera, remain understudied, especially within the Malagasy Island. Indeed, butterflies and moths often serve as biodiversity indicators. This study investigates lepidopteran community structure across different habitat types: protected areas and anthropized areas, represented by forest edges and agroforestry through four expeditions to Madagascar’s moist eastern forests. Both sampling methods were employed including butterfly nets and fermented fruit-baited traps. While nets accounted for 90% of captures, highlighting operator bias, bait traps captured unique species, emphasizing the complementarity of these methods. With over 891 captured specimens, 418 macrolepidopterans were identified at the species level for a total of 50 species. Protected forests hosted 80% of endemic Lepidoptera reliant on specialized ecological niches, while anthropized zones were dominated by common generalist species which are resilient to habitat changes. While the species richness and composition of sampled microlepidoptera are similar, habitat fragmentation created diverse environmental conditions, hosting specific populations. Conservation challenges persist, particularly for endemic species vulnerable to poaching. It is crucial to continue sampling Madagascar’s lepidofauna, as this offers considerable potential for the sustainable maintenance of ecosystems and the long-term preservation of biodiversity of the Malagasy Island. Full article

Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus) are a large carnivore, widely distributed in East, South, and Southeast Asia. However, they have experienced dramatic population decline across this range due to various anthropogenic threats. The great demand for bear parts in the black market exposes this species to intense pressure of being poached and then illegally traded. Meanwhile, the continuous expansion of anthropogenic land use results in the sharpening of human–bear conflicts. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive search and collected information of the poaching, illegal trade, and human–bear conflict events related to Asiatic black bears reported in China during 2010–2020. By systematically searching judicial adjudicative documents and news reports, we identified 351 (64 poaching, 221 illegal trade, and 90 conflict) events across the country. The results showed that Southwest China was a hotspot across all categories (41, 149 and 40 events, respectively). Bear paws were the most common type of bear parts found in illegal trade (52.1%), and the most frequently reported human–bear conflict form was human injury from bear attacks (at least 52 people injured and another 7 killed). By determining the status of black bears being poached, traded, and their conflicts with humans in China, these results will provide important insights into the further research and conservation of this iconic species. Full article