Blog
Nature 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 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 MoreWildlife Forensics Helps Evaluate Death of Vietnam’s Last Javan Rhino
Wildlife forensic analysis proves the Vietnamese Javan rhino discovered last April in Cat Tien National Park was shot a few months before it died. The Javan rhino is extremely rare. There are just an estimated 60 left in the world and are found only in two small protected areas in Viet Nam and Indonesia.…
Read MoreSimple Things You Can Do to Help Wildlife
Coming up this Monday on “The WildLife,” naturalist Mark Fraser details simple things you can do at home to help wildlife–from less mowing to avoiding pesticides. Plus, we’ll go on a “virtual tour” of New England forests to meet local wildlife-from coywolves and fishers to salamanders and songbirds. You’ll gain a new appreciation of what’s in your…
Read MoreBid for the Barn – bid on signed copy of Animal Investigators
This is why I love living in Vermont. We all enjoy eating local produce and were devastated after hearing of the tragedy that struck one of our favorite producers — Pete’s Greens. On Wednesday morning, Pete’s barn burned down to the ground. It was a complete loss. Localvores throughout the state wanted to do something…
Read MoreWildlife Inspectors on the Front Lines
FWS Wildlife Inspectors are the unsung heroes in the fight against wildlife trafficking. You can check out more about their work in my book Animal Investigators, or a piece I helped put together for Nightline, or a recent Washington Post article.
Read MoreNew Year’s Resolutions to Make a Difference for Wildlife
What are your New Year’s resolutions for actions to help wild animals? I’m consistently struck by how powerful we, as consumers, can be — and consequently how important it is to educate ourselves about where the products we buy come from. For example, most of us don’t realize that 50% of the products on our…
Read MoreIntergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) established
The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which was established yesterday, is a new international body that will help catalyze a global response to the loss of biodiversity and recognize the the economic importance of forests, coral reefs and other ecosystems. Its creation sets up an IPCC-like platform to bridge the gulf between…
Read MoreMy radio station to be featured on tonight’s news
Tonight a news piece about my radio station-The Radiator-will be on ABC22 at 7pm & Fox44 at 10pm (& again tomorrow AM). Focus is on passage of the Local Community Radio Act. Station manager Jim Lockridge & others talk about how awesome it is to bring local programming to a radio station like ours…
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