Posts by Laurel Neme
De-horning Rhino as Anti-Poaching Measure
De-horning rhino as an anti-poaching measure has become increasingly accepted. An interesting article by Guy Rogers in South Africa’s The Herald Online explores that decision and also describes the actual process. The article focuses on the de-horning of two rhino at the Kragga Kamma Game Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. In it, head of the family-run…
Read MoreABC Nightline Video: Animal CSI: Lab Targets Illegal Species Traffic
Laurel has been featured on national and local media outlets, including ABC’s Nightline and NPR’s Science Friday. Video now available from ABC’s Nightline segment “Animal CSI: Lab Targets Illegal Species Traffic—Desire for Rhino Horns, Monkey Faces and More as Medicine Drives Thriving Black Market” For more about Laurel’s ABC Nightline segment, please view initial post:…
Read MoreThe WildLife: Nature in Iraq, Anna Bachmann and Hana Ahmed Raza
Anna Bachmann, Director of Conservation for Nature Iraq, and Hana Ahmed Raza, their mammals specialist, discuss wildlife and nature in Iraq. They tell “The WildLife” host Laurel Neme how, after 35 years of wars and sanctions, Iraq’s environment is in dire need of care and attention. In order to rebuild the country’s natural foundation, more information is…
Read MoreNature and Wildlife in Iraq: Rebuilding a War-torn Nation
Published: Monday, 28 March 2011 17:49 Written by Laurel Neme Today, I’m honored to air an interview about wildlife and nature in Iraq with Nature Iraq’s Anna Bachmann, Director of Conservation, and Hana Ahmed Raza, their mammals specialist. In a country with 35 years of wars and sanctions, Iraq’s environment is in dire need of care…
Read MoreMongolian Cancels Plan to Allow Snow Leopard Hunt for Science
Here’s proof that speaking out works! Following a plan by the Mongolian government to issue permits to kill four snow leopards (Panthera uncia) for ‘scientific research,’ an international outcry by conservationists prompted the government to cancel the proposed hunt. Mongabay.com reports that well-known biologist and Vice President of the big cat conservation organization, Panthera, Dr. George Schaller, praised the decision,…
Read MoreMongabay.com: Pet trade, palm oil, and poaching: the challenges of saving the ‘forgotten bear’
By Laurel Neme, special to mongabay.comMarch 20, 2011 This interview originally aired May 17, 2010. It was transcribed by Diane Hannigan. Siew Te Wong is one of the few scientists who study sun bears (Ursus malayanus). He spoke with Laurel Neme on her “The WildLife” radio show and podcast about the interesting biological characteristics of this…
Read MoreThe WildLife: Protecting Wildlife in Cambodia, Suwanna Gauntlett
Suwanna Gauntlett, co-founder and executive director of Wildlife Alliance, talks about protecting wildlife in Cambodia. Cambodia has long been one of Asia’s five main source countries for wildlife exported for traditional Asian medicine, exotic pets, and meats. Suwanna tells “The WildLife” host Laurel Neme that when she first arrived in this southeast Asian country in the late 1990s,…
Read MoreBill Introduced in NY to Ban Commercial Trade in Bear Bile & Gallbladders
On Monday, March 14, a bill to protect bears from profiteering by banning the commercial trade in their gallbladders and bile (which is used in traditional Asian medicine) was introduced in New York. Like my home state of Vermont, New York shares the dubious distinction of being one of only five states that allow trade…
Read MoreThe WildLife: The Dark Side of New Species Discovery, Bryan Stuart
Bryan Stuart, curator of amphibians and reptiles at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, talks about the dark side of the discovery of new species. He tells “The WildLife” host Laurel Neme about his experience following his scientific discovery in Laos of a warty salamander (Paramesotriton laoensis) with striking markings. Shortly after describing the previously…
Read MoreStandards for Wildlife Forensics
When the 2009 National Academy of Sciences report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, criticized the scientific reliability of certain forensic techniques, such as fingerprint analysis, that is commonly used to fight human crime, wildlife forensic scientists feared the findings might also undercut their testimony in courts of law. In response,…
Read MoreReview of ANIMAL INVESTIGATORS in Uganda
I’m honored to receive such a great review for ANIMAL INVESTIGATORS in the Daily Monitor of Uganda, which is on the front lines of wildlife trafficking. I’m especially humbled because the reviewer is a Senior Warden Investigator for the Uganda Wildlife Authority!
Read More