Black footed ferret denied extra protection

A petition by environmentalists demanding more protection for black-footed ferrets has been dismissed by U.S Fish and Wildlife Service.

WildEarth Guardians, Biodiversity Conservation Alliance and Center for Native Ecosystems filed a petition last year to give full federal endangered species protection to black-footed ferrets on public lands.

The groups felt stricter protection was needed as the widespread shooting of prairie dogs is wiping out the ferrets only prey.

Despite this though, Fish and Wildlife said that the current level was "appropriate". The estimated 500 ferrets living in southeast Wyoming's Shirley Basin are currently listed as "nonessential, experimental" populations, allowing private landowners and wildlife managers more flexibility than if the animals had full endangered-species protection.

Cottontails disappearing!

Biologists believe there are fewer than 100 cottontail rabbits left in New England, US.

The sharp decline is being blamed on a loss of habitat. "They're the poster child for the loss of shrub land habitat," said Steven Fuller, a wildlife biologist with the state Fish and Game Department.

Federal grants have been handed out to New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut to encourage them to step efforts and create new habitats to protect these endangered animals.

The Rangewind New England Cottontail Initiative is focusing on areas targeted for conservation and restoration on public and private land.

Giant tortoises make a comeback!

39 giant tortoises are going to be re released on Pinta island where it hasn't been seen since 1972.

According to officials of the Galapagos National Park, the endangered species are being relocation as part of a long-term plan to restore the original ecosystem of the island.

The volcanic island is also home to a 90 year old tortoise called Lonesome George, believed to be the last of his kind.

Four mountain gorillas die unexpectedly in National Park

The deaths of four mountain gorillas in Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park remain unknown at this time.

On Sunday 16, trackers from a research centre discovered a mother dead and her infant seriously weak. They alerted the Rwandan Development Board and veterinarians were dispatched. Despite desperate attempts the baby died. Two other dead infants were also discovered.

The gorillas were part of an estimated 380 members of highly endangered Virunga mountain gorilla population. There are only around 680 mountain gorillas left in the wild and half of them live around the active and non-active Virunga volcanoes.

"We are all shocked and saddened by the death of these baby gorillas as well as the adult female, and by the grave implications for the mountain gorilla population as a whole," said Eugene Rutagarama, Director of the International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP).

The gorillas are thought to of died because of the extreme weather conditions due to the high altitude of their habitat. Tests will be run on the bodies to determine the correct cause.

Asiatic lions at risk

Conservationists believe the Indian lions are at risk because their entire population is confined to the forest in Gir, Gujarat, and they wish to move some of the lions to a wildlife sanctuary in Kuno, Madhya Pradesh.

The Government of Gujarat opposes this move and a dispute is brewing between the to areas authorities.

The Asiatic lion, a sub species of the African lion, until 2000 was listed by the UICN Red List s critically endangered. In 1908 the total population was no bigger than 13 individuals but by 1968, 177 animals were accounted for.

Protective measures have resulted in a significant recovery of these endangered species. A count this year brought the total number to 411 which is good news to the people of Gujarat who consider the lion as their "Animal King".

This has also increased their resolve to oppose the intention to relocate some of the lions to the Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary.

Nestle pledges to stop using palm oil

International food giant, Nestle, has agreed to stop buying palm oil from suppliers who are contributing to deforestation.
The company said it would identify and exclude suppliers which is said to be a huge victory for campaigners, who accused Nestle of hastening the decline of the orang-utan.
Greenpeace has been running a campaign encouraging consumers to contact Nestle, calling for an end in the use of palm oil.
A statement from the pressure group stated that "we didn't expect Nestle to come up with such a comprehensive 'zero deforestation' policy so quickly."

New species found in 'Lost World' rainforest

A Pinocchio frog with an extendable nose and the world's smallest wallaby are just some of the new species discovered in a mountainous region of Indonesia.

The Foja Mountains, a national wildlife sanctuary, is on the island of New Guinea and encompasses 1,200 sq miles of undisturbed rainforest.

The discoveries were made as part of a survey in the area by Conservation International. A team of 17 scientists were dropped off in the area by helicopter. They were then joined by 30 local naturists and spent four weeks exploring the mountains.

Bruce Beehler, a senior research scientist at Conservation International and a member of the research team that set out in November 2008, said "while animals and plants are being wiped out across the globe at a pace never seen in millions of years, the discovery of these absolutely incredible forms of life is much-needed positive news. Places like these represent a healthy future for all of us, and show that it is not too late to stop the current species extinction crisis."

The mountainous region has been called the "Lost World" due to it's absence of roads and tropical environment which has made it the perfect habitat for diverse species.

Conservation International hopes it's documentation of the wildlife in the Foja Mountains will encourage the Indonesian Government to increase long-term protection of the area.