Forest elephants + White shark + Migrating storks + Dormice diary
Forest elephants + White shark + Migrating storks + Dormice diary
Forest elephants may ‘eavesdrop’ on poachers
Researchers in the Congo Republic have discovered that critically endangered forest elephants, the smaller cousins of savannah elephants, reduce their vocalizations ahead of poaching events, suggesting the elephants “may be responding directly to the presence of poachers in the forest”.
In a paper published in the African Journal of Ecology, the researchers led by Colin Swider used a grid of 50 acoustic sensors positioned across 300,000 acres (121,000 hectares) of forest in the Nouabale-Ndoki National Park. They discovered that the elephants went silent shortly before the sound of gunfire erupted in eight suspected poaching events involving the use of automatic weapons.
“This suggests that forest elephants may be responding directly to the presence of poachers in the forest. As poachers move into an area, elephants may reduce their vocalisation rate,” the study finds.
After the gunshots, elephants immediately increased their vocalisations, suggesting they warn others using alarm signals, or marshal members of their own herd before heading to safety.
The study is seen as providing conservation managers with important insights into the behaviour patterns of these elusive animals and their reaction to poaching events, even if they are the elephants not directly targeted.
Forest elephants in the swamp Mbeli Bai, Nouabalé-Ndoki National Park, Pic credit: Thomas Breuer, Wikimedia Commons
‘Needle in a haystack’: underwater video captures rare sighting of a white shark in Mozambique
A juvenile female white shark has been recorded off the coast of southern Mozambique after making a journey of at least 1,800 kms (1,100 miles) from the west coast of South Africa.
The shark was recorded late last month on a baited-remote underwater video, or BRUV, jointly monitored by the Wildlife Conservation Society in Mozambique and that country's oceanographic institute. The WCS is using the videos to research sharks and rays in the Chidenguele area.
The video footage revealed that the shark was tagged. WCS immediately sent out word of the sighting. Within hours it was confirmed that the tag had been fitted by researchers in Struisbaai, on South Africa’s Western Cape coast, in May.
“Distinct facial scars and caudal fin colouration matched, as well as the position of the tag confirming the same individual shark, a juvenile female, in both records,” the WCS said in a statement.
South African marine biologist Alison Towner, who is leading the shark-tagging project, said in a tweet that getting the positive match via a BRUV in Mozambique was like finding a “needle in a haystack” and a testament to the fact that collaboration in scientific research is key.
Light pollution aids migrating white storks
Light pollution caused by street lights and buildings along the flyways of migratory birds is generally seen as harmful to many species that fly at night. The white stork, however, is a soaring bird that migrates by day aided by warm air currents. Artificial light at night may actually protect them, a new study says.
Researchers in southern Poland attached GPS tags to 90 young white storks making their first journey to Africa. The team found that birds that roosted at night in trees suffered fewer disturbances than those that roosted on the ground.
Higher levels of artificial light were also associated with lower probability of disturbance. The fact that some storks spent nights on building roofs in villages close to street lights “may be an anti-predation adaptation,” the study adds.
Some storks may even use street lights to catch food at night, helping them to fuel up for the next day’s journey. White storks cover distances of up to 600 kilometers (372 miles) per day.
Of the 90 storks tagged for the study, only 41 arrived at their destination in Africa. The rest died during migration, eight during the night from unknown causes. “Surviving the night in a good condition is crucial to continuing migration,” the authors note.
Dormice diary
Our 10-year old recently rescued two woodland dormice. Their mother was killed by a cat, and the youngsters fell from their nest as they desperately searched for food.
Their eyes were still shut. I put their chances of survival next to nil. But supreme patience, a small paintbrush and regular refilling of a hot water bottle to keep the mice warm inside their cardboard box helped our daughter get them through those crucial first days. I stood in for her while she was at school.
Their eyes have now opened and they’ve graduated to sucking their milk, gently warmed in an egg cup, from a syringe instead of from the bristles of the paintbrush. A piece of rubber tube from a bicycle valve gives them something to hold onto with their tiny paws while standing on their hind legs. They resemble tiny rock stars gripping their mics on stage.
Woodland dormice are a fairly widespread species in southern Africa. In built-up areas they’ve taken to living under the roofs of houses, and produce up to three young per litter. We’re privileged to have a rare insight into their lives.
Dude. One of the rescued woodland dormice, having his evening feed. Pic: Ryan Truscott
