Wildlife

Severe Mammal Declines Coincide with Proliferation of Invasive Burmese Pythons in Everglades National Park

Carol L. Glasser — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 08:45:00 -0800

This study examines the effect of the Burmese python in the Everglades National Park. Burmese pythons are native to Asia but have proliferated in Florida's Everglades due to the release of pythons kept as pets. Researchers find that they have depleted and almost eradicated species of rabbits, foxes, bobcats and opossums in sections of the park.

New Survey of Shelter Leaders Shows Strength and Unity of Animal Movement

Carol L. Glasser — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:45:00 -0800

This article summarizes findings from a survey of animal shelter and rescue workers. The survey, designed and administered by HRC, was commissioned by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Respondents were asked about various animal protection issues and their use of HSUS resources.

Virginia Voters Oppose Cruel Practice of “Fox Penning” by More Than 8-to-1 Margin

Carol L. Glasser — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

A brief survey of Virginia voters examined attitudes toward fox penning and whether there is support in the state to pass legislation banning the practice. The survey found most are opposed the practice and a majority support legislation to ban fox penning in the state of Virginia.

Kentucky Residents’ Awareness of and Opinions on Elk Restoration and Management Efforts

Carol L. Glasser — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

Residents of the U.S. state of Kentucky were surveyed about their experiences with and attitudes toward elk and other wildlife management issues. The survey was conducted to examine the effects of an elk restoration project that began in 1997.

Coming Soon: Year Five of HRC's Animal Tracker

HRC Admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:45:00 -0800

We’re getting ready to launch year five of HRC’s Animal Tracker annual survey of the public opinions and behavior of adults in the U.S. This year’s survey, which will field in March, addresses opinions toward various social movements, who people trust to provide information about animal welfare, opinions about the adequacy of animal protection laws, attitudes toward the importance of animal welfare in various situations, and the frequency with which people discuss animal protection issues. We asked the exact same questions in 2008 and 2009 and will be able to analyze changes over time. When the results are available in April, we’ll also refresh the Animal Tracker graphing tool so that the results will be easy to access and interpret.

Christmas Bird Count--Historical Data

Carol L. Glasser — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

The Christmas Bird Count is thought to be the longest running citizen survey, currently in its 112th year. Each year, between December 14th and January 5th, bird watchers in the US and Canada count birds in their area, recording numbers and species. The Audubon Society takes this data and manages it. This website allows for users to access that data, organizing it by region or species.

Major Uses of Land in the United States, 2007

Carol L. Glasser — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 08:45:00 -0800

Since 1945 the US government has surveyed how public and private land in the US is being used. This is the most recent report, which is published every five years, detailing land use as of 2007. Of particular relevance to animal advocates is the amount of land reserved for wildlife as well as pasture- and range-land for farmed animals.

Agricultural Intensification and Biodiversity Partitioning in European Landscapes Comparing Plants, Carabids, and Birds

Carol L. Glasser — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:25:00 -0800

This study examined the effects of intensive farming methods on the biodiversity in eight European countries: Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain and Sweden. Researchers focused on the biodiversity of plants, beetles, and birds and measured the influence of agricultural intensification (AI). AI was estimated using fertilizer and pesticide use as well as the presence of various weeding and tilling operations. Researchers found that biodiversity was most impacted on individual fields, but not at a regional level.

Keeping Horses in Groups: A Review

Carol L. Glasser — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:45:00 -0800

This literature review describes the body of research addressing the need for horses to be housed with other horses rather than alone. The authors find that most literature about group housing focuses on wild horses, but they also urge the same housing for horses kept as companion animals.

Factors Influencing Primary School Children’s Knowledge of Wildlife

Carol L. Glasser — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 08:45:00 -0800

This study examined children's knowledge of wildlife by showing them a series of animal pictures and asking three questions: 1. What is this animal? 2. What does it eat? and 3. Where does it live? The authors found that, in general, school-aged children lacked knowledge of wildlife species, even those that were common and indigenous. The authors suggest this supports a need for more wildlife education in schools.