More Than 1,000 Snakes and Rare Turtles Seized at Airport

Article from The Bangkok Post
Turtle photo by Tim McCormack
Two wildlife smugglers were arrested at Suvarnabhumi airport Monday as police intercepted an illegal shipment of more than 1,000 snakes and turtles. Police said it was the biggest wildlife seizure this year. They received an anonymous tip-off yesterday morning that smugglers would be sending the shipment through the airport's cargo section. "We immediately contacted customs officers and asked them to carefully monitor shipments being sent to China, Taiwan and Vietnam," said Pol Col Subsak Chavalviwat, senior liaison officer with the Asean Wildlife Enforcement Network [pdf] (Asean-Wen) Programme Coordination Unit.

Two men arrived at the airport in separate pick-up trucks, parked the vehicles in the cargo area and began unloading 180 foam boxes for shipment. Within minutes, police arrived and examined the cargo. "They told us that the boxes contained fish and mantis shrimps, but fish and shrimps were found in only 62 of them. The rest of the boxes were full of turtles and snakes," Pol Col Subsak said. "There were 379 turtles and 660 snakes, altogether weighing 555 kilogrammes."

The animals recovered were rat snakes, Malayan box turtles, yellow-headed temple turtles and snail-eating turtles. The three turtle species are protected. The suspects were charged with possessing wildlife without a permit and attempting to illegally export wildlife. Under the Wildlife Act, they could face up to four years imprisonment and/or a 40,000 baht fine.

A source at the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said the shipment was due to be sent to China on Cathay Pacific Airlines. He rejected a claim by the two suspects the animals were raised in a breeding farm. "On the contrary, we are certain that they are from the wild," he said. The official said the shipment was the work of professionals, who had placed cold bottled water wrapped in newspapers in each box to keep it cool. "Turtles are resilient and they had a higher chance of survival, but snakes are highly vulnerable and too many had been crammed together with little oxygen. Many were found dead," said the source. The surviving animals will be cared for by wildlife breeding centres until the completion of legal proceedings.

Baby Crocodiles Talk to Each Other in Their Eggs

Article from The UK Telegraph
Baby crocodiles "talk" to their mothers and their unborn siblings even before they hatch, perhaps indicating that they are ready to leave the egg, according to new research.

French scientists Amelie Vergne and Nicolas Mathevon of Universite Jean Monnet in Saint-Etienne noticed that the young reptiles make a noise, described as sounding like "umph, umph", in the moments immediately before they hatch. The researchers tested ten batches of crocodile eggs, dividing them in to three groups. One was played actual recordings of the juveniles' pre-hatching calls, one was played random noises, and one was left in silence. Eggs played the real recordings all hatched within ten minutes, while the other two groups stayed in their shells for another five hours at least.

Similarly, the mothers responded to the real calls. Without their knowing, the scientists dug up the eggs and put them in an incubator, replacing them with speakers. Mothers played the real sounds attempted to dig up the eggs, while those who heard random sounds did not. Writing in the journal Current Biology, Mathevon said many baby reptiles are eaten right after birth, so it may be important for them all to hatch together and for the mother to be there when they do. "In this sense, it is important for all embryos in the nest to be ready for hatching at the same time so that they all receive adult care and protection," he said in a statement.

Wild Chinese Alligator, "Living fossil," Found in East China

Article from xinhuanet.com

Fishermen in the eastern province of Anhui have found a wild Chinese alligator, which is being called a living fossil, and tracks of another, local authorities said on Monday. The 20-kilogram reptile was discovered last week in a pond in Wanshou Village, Wuhu County while villagers were fishing. It was believed to have been living in the village for more than 40 years, said experts with the national nature reserve for the Chinese alligators. The alligator was released to the pond after an investigation, experts said.

Villagers also saw what appeared to be the tracks of another, larger specimen in neighboring Gangshan Village, said Hong Ning, Wuhu Forestry Administration director. In Wuhu, once a major habitat of the reptile, not one animal has been sighted for nearly 30 years due to human activities, he said. The Chinese alligator, also known as the Yangtze alligator, was very plentiful, particularly on the eastern seaboard. But now, with a population of no more than 150 in the wild, it is listed one of the world's most endangered creatures.

China has put the Chinese alligator at the top level of its protection list. In 1979, the Chinese Alligator Breeding Research Center was set up in Anhui. Since then, the number of alligators at the center has risen from about 200 to more than 10,000.

Man Sues After 60+ of His Snakes Died in State Custody

Article from The Salt Lake Tribune
A Utah man convicted of importing snakes without a permit says authorities let 62 of his rubber boas die in state custody. Only three others survived.

Ryan Hoyer is suing the Division of Wildlife Resources for failing to take care of his snakes. He says they are picky eaters, sensitive to temperature changes and need to bathe constantly in water. ''If these snakes had simply been provided water and shelter for a year, the vast majority would have been fine. Instead, within eight or nine months, half were dead,'' Hoyer said. ''It is easy to overheat reptiles.''

"Suppose that your property was stolen by a thief ... then the state seized it and held it as evidence for trial, then destroyed it due to negligence. ... Regardless of whether that's jewelry, cash, rare paintings, family heirlooms, musical instruments, snakes, whatever -- (the state) is saying 'We don't owe you any duty of care for your property.' " It's precisely that legal concept that sunk Hoyer's civil suit at the district level, attorney Stephen Spencer admits. The courts have found that a state agency is usually immune from negligence suits if the damaged property in question was taken as a part of a judicial action like a search warrant.

Hoyer and Spencer have appealed that decision, hoping to convince the courts that this type of situation should be viewed differently.

The wildlife division referred all questions to Attorney General Mark Shurtleff's Office, which says citizens can't sue government for ordinary negligence. Assistant Attorney General Matthew Bates confirmed Sunday that about 60 of the snakes died in state captivity over the years. He said they were difficult to care for. Bates wanted millions of dollars for the research value of the dead snakes, rejecting the state's offer of paying street value, Bates said. The state eventually got the lawsuit dismissed, but Bates is appealing to the Utah Supreme Court.

Biologists: Lake Erie Snakes No Longer Threatened

Article from AP

The nonpoisonous Lake Erie water snake — deemed endangered by the state and threatened by the federal government almost a decade ago — has rebounded in recent years, and biologists predict that it will soon be removed from the lists.

The water snake [Nerodia sipedon insularum] once inhabited 22 islands and rock outcrops of western Lake Erie, part of the Ontario mainland and shorelines of Ohio's Catawba/Marblehead peninsula. But the species fell victim to development and, more specifically, hogs, which were brought to the islands in the early 20th century to kill the snakes. As vacationers crowded the resort communities on South Bass, Middle Bass and Kelleys islands each summer, more of the snakes — which are known to bite — were eliminated. Just 1,200 adult water snakes were left about 20 years ago, Northern Illinois University researcher Richard King said.

Now there are about 12,000. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reviewing the snake's status. The service declared the snake threatened in 1999, meaning it was in danger of extinction in some areas. The listing made it illegal to kill or harm the snakes or destroy their habitats. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources designated the water snake as an endangered species in 2000. It also received legally protected status in Canada by Ontario's provincial Endangered Species Act. In Ohio, the snakes have benefited from several hundred acres of protected habitat. Additionally, islanders have been told they can't build docks or breakwalls with sheet metal at water level. Property owners have been building docks from wire mesh, wood and rock, which make it easier for snakes to pass through and nest.

Tortoise Comes Out of His Shell

Article & photo from BBC News
A tortoise has come out of his shell to become a confident street walker, BBC Scotland can reveal. Stormin' Norman is a 10-year-old African sulcata tortoise who is turning heads by wandering through the streets of Aberdeen. Owner Dianne Melville - who runs a reptile shop - walks with him, but she said Stormin' Norman decides his route. He goes out several times a day, and is photographed by bemused locals and tourists who see him.

'No fear'
Ms Melville said: "Stormin' Norman is non-stop, a Nomad, he would walk the streets all day if he could. He has no fear of anyone or anything, people have to move out the way, he has no manners - that's why he's called Stormin' Norman. He is always supervised but he decided where he wants to go." She added: "There has been a lot of interest in Stormin' Norman." It is expected the tortoise will have to be found a new home when he gets larger. John Carle, of the Scottish SPCA, said there was nothing wrong with Stormin' Norman or what he was doing, but added they did not want to encourage copycat actions among owners of exotic pets.

4th Grade Student Names New Species of Gecko

Article from BusinessWire.com
Photo from Philly.com
After its discovery by Dr. Aaron Bauer on the South Pacific island of New Caledonia, a new gecko species remained nameless, until now. New Jersey fourth grader, Gemma Farquhar (pictured at right) has given the once nameless species of gecko an identity. As the grand prize winner of the nationwide contest, Project Gecko presented by Zilla, Farquhar’s name Bavayia periclitata will be given to the new species. “Bavayia periclitata was chosen for its accurate and artistic description. Gemma was able to combine scientific language with creative intellect forming a name that depicts the importance of taking care of the animals that share our world with us,” said Dr. Aaron Bauer, Villanova professor of biology.

In her contest submission, Farquhar, a student at Oaklyn Elementary School in Oaklyn, NJ, dared to be different and strayed away from using typical Latin names that describe the gecko’s habitat or physical features. Bavayia periclitata means “endangered” in Latin. Farquhar says she chose this name to help emphasize the importance of taking care of geckos, other endangered species as well as our environment in general. “I chose this name because it means endangered and it will make people think about how our geckos are disappearing and are on the endangered list. I hope people will try harder to protect our geckos,” said Farquhar. “Winning Project Gecko means a lot to me because I named a whole new species of gecko for eternity and giving the gecko this name may mean there’s a better chance to help other species.”

The contest organizers Zilla, manufacturer of reptile products, believe Farquhar’s name is perfect for the new species. “We were thrilled to read about why Gemma chose this name for the gecko,” said Daniel Lorica, Zilla brand manager. “She recognizes that we all have a responsibility to preserve the endangered species of animals with whom we share our world. And her appreciation for the environment is what made her entry stand out from the others.”

Goal: Turn Fear of Snakes into Respect

Article from Clarion Ledger
They slither. That in itself is enough to cause most adults to come unglued at the first sight of a snake in their vicinity. Doesn't matter what kind of snake it is, since most people don't know the difference. They just go nuts.

It is the mystique of the shoulder-less that the Museum of Natural Science hopes to eliminate Tuesday during its annual "Snake Day, Mississippi Style" program. By teaching the public, adults and children alike, about the positive role that snakes play in nature, biologist Terry Majure will try to turn fear into respect with two one-hour seminars. "Actually my goal is to educate, to teach people that snakes are our friends and simply deserve our respect," Majure said. "My messages are No. 1, stay out of harm's way, and No. 2, get an understanding that snakes are not out to get us and they are beneficial."

Majure's two seminars cover the natural history of snakes in Mississippi, the role they play in the ecosystem and identifying different species, including recognizing the six venomous snakes native to the state from the 55 non-venomous species.

Tourist Bitten on Penis by Deadly Brown Snake

Story from the Cairns.au
A roadside toilet stop ended in pain, embarrassment and almost death for a tourist when a highly venomous snake bit the end of his penis. The deadly brown snake slithered between his legs and lunged at his manhood as he crouched on a roadside near Laura, 300km northwest of Cairns, about a month ago.

Details of the incident only came to light yesterday after they were confirmed by a paramedic. "It certainly had a swipe at him," an ambulance spokesman said yesterday. "But it didn’t envenomate him. As it came through it must have got a bit of a shock. ." The snake beat a hasty retreat, leaving its victim with a scratch, vomiting and abdomen pain. Emergency workers raced to the scene to treat the man.

The wound was wrapped in plastic in case poison had penetrated the skin but medical staff gave the man the all-clear after conducting tests. He was taken to Cooktown Hospital where he spent a night recovering. The ambulance spokesman described him as "lucky", given his near encounter with one of Australia’s most poisonous snakes. "I think he was a bit shocked and embarrassed," he said.

Snakes Alive! Reptile Cause of Outage

Article from Murray Ledger & Times
An electrical darkness blanketed Murray (Kentucky) and portions of Calloway County Tuesday morning, stalling every aspect of life that requires a current. Stoplights were blank, bank signs registered nothing and morning coffee hotspots were still. Much of the city of Murray and 6,000 West Kentucky Rural Electric Co-op customers have a large snake to thank for their morning inconveniences.

According to Tony Thompson, general manager at Murray Electric System, the snake knocked out the main substation located off of South Fourth Street sometime between 6:00 or 6:15am. About an hour later, power was restored. “The first place we started looking was there,” Thompson said. Once the problem was found, he said it didn't take long to get the city back online. The MES website notes, "Power was knocked out to a good portion of Tuesday morning when a snake crawled into high voltage equipment at one of our substations. Mother Nature can be one of the biggest enemies of electric power!"

The snake also affected the eastern portion of Calloway County whose West Kentucky Rural Electric power supply comes from the Fourth Street substation. Jeremy Greer, construction foreman for West Kentucky RECC, said the reach of the outage stretched along Ky. 94 East to Highway 1346. The Calloway County Sheriff's Department reportedly received several calls from that area and also along Ky. 121 South. A Murray Police Department dispatcher reported it was a “hectic” morning, but there were no “major problems.”

The fire department responded to fire alarms, which the dispatcher said is common when the power goes out. Traffic signals were also out all over town. “It happens every now and then,” said Greer of an animal causing such an outage. He added that it's difficult to stop a snake from entering a substation.

Scientists Announce Top 10 New Species In Last Year

Article & photo from ScienceDaily.com

The International Institute for Species Exploration at Arizona State University and an international committee of taxonomists -- scientists responsible for species exploration and classification -- recently announced the top 10 new species described in 2007. On the list are an ornate sleeper ray, with a name that sucks: Electrolux; a giant duck-billed dinosaur; a shocking pink millipede; a rare, off-the-shelf frog; one of the most venomous snakes in the world; a fruit bat; a mushroom; a jellyfish named after its victim; a life-imitates-art "Dim" rhinoceros beetle; and the "Michelin Man" plant.

The taxonomists are also issuing a SOS -- State of Observed Species [PDF] report card on human knowledge of Earth's species. In it, they report that 16,969 species new to science were discovered and described in 2006. Among the top 10 picks is an ornate sleeper ray -- Electrolux addisoni -- whose name reflects "the vigorous sucking action displayed on the videotape of the feeding ray" from the east coast of South Africa that "may rival a well-known electrical device used to suck the detritus from carpets." Also on the list is a giant duck-billed dinosaur -- Gryposaurus monumentensis -- discovered in southern Utah by a team from Alf Museum, a California-based paleontology museum on a high school campus.

From the plant kingdom is the "Michelin Man™" plant -- Tecticornia bibenda -- a succulent plant in Western Australia that resembles the Michelin® tire man. And, in the category of life imitating art is a "Dim" rhinoceros beetle -- Megaceras briansaltini -- which, according to the author, looks like the Dim character from the Disney film "A Bug's Life."

"The international committee of taxon experts who made the selection of the top 10 from the thousands of species described in calendar year 2007 is helping draw attention to biodiversity, the field of taxonomy, and the importance of natural history museums and botanical gardens in a fun-filled way," says Professor Quentin Wheeler, an entomologist and director of ASU's International Institute for Species Exploration. "We live in an exciting time. A new generation of tools are coming online that will vastly accelerate the rate at which we are able to discover and describe species," says Wheeler. "Most people do not realize just how incomplete our knowledge of Earth's species is or the steady rate at which taxonomists are exploring that diversity. In 2006, for example, an average of nearly 50 species per day were discovered and named."

"We are surrounded by such an exuberance of species diversity that we too often take it for granted. Charting the species of the world and their unique attributes are essential parts of understanding the history of life and is in our own self-interest as we face the challenges of living on a rapidly changing planet," Wheeler says.

Scientists estimate there are between 2 million and 100 million species on Earth, though most set the number closer to 10 million. According to the authors of the SOS report: "There are many reasons that scientists explore Earth's species: to discover and document the results of history; to learn the species that comprise the ecosystems upon which life on our planet depends; to establish baseline knowledge of the planet's species and their distribution so that non-native pests and vectors of disease may be detected; to inform and enable conservation biology and resource management. Perhaps most compelling is curiosity about the diversity of life analogous to our quest to map the stars of the Milky Way and the contours of the ocean floor."

Another element of the institute's public awareness campaign is the co-production of a humorous video on biodiversity titled "Planet Bob," launched on YouTube last October. The video, produced with Media Alchemy of Seattle, combines live action, state-of-the-art animation, and the vocal talents of venerable TV host Hugh Downs and others. "The Web site http://www.PlanetBob.asu.edu and the video 'Planet Bob' represent new ways to present taxonomy and biodiversity, in a creative fusion between academia and popular technology," says Wheeler, who also is ASU vice president and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

An international committee of experts, chaired by Janine Caira of the University of Connecticut, selected the top 10 new species for this year's list.

Read the full article here.

Gatorland Unveils New Digs Today

Article & photo from WESH.com
It was 18 months ago when flames tore through a Central Florida tourist attaction, leaving park owners with months of hard work ahead. They're celebrating the end of that work on Tuesday at Gatorland. The only thing left standing after the blaze was the park's signature gator mouth. Everything else is brand new and part of a $4 million expansion project, including a new gift shop, offices and pavilion.

Gatorland has been around for 60 years, and park officials said the fire in 2006 was one of their toughest times. "The whole building was burned to the ground. We had a small piece left on the north end for some administrative offices that we've been using temporarily during the last year. Everything was rebuilt brand new," Gatorland President Mark McHugh said. Officials said a faulty reptile heater ignited the fire. The park never officially closed after the fire, but they're still calling Tuesday's festivities a grand reopening.

See more of Gatorland's new facilities in WESH2's special report.

Big Reptiles, Alien Trees Hamper Everglades Fire Fight

Excerpt from National Geographic
Firefighters in Florida's Everglades National Park are encountering large, dangerous reptiles and poisonous trees as they battle a fire that has consumed about 39,000 acres since last week. Fighting the Mustang Corners blaze in the remote, trackless Everglades has "posed a lot of challenges," said Mike Dueitt, a firefighter from Florence, Mississippi. "We're seeing everything from boa constrictors and pythons to iguanas and a few alligators." When they cross paths with a large reptile, firefighters "do the best we can to work around it and move on, and wait until it clears the area before we go in," Dueitt said.

Poisonwood trees, whose effect Dueitt described as "poison ivy on steroids," also pose a hazard. At the same time crews are struggling to keep the flames away from stands of invasive melaleuca trees, which can grow more than 60 feet (18 meters) tall. "Melaleuca does create a challenge because of the very flammable, papery bark that it has," said David Hallac, chief biologist for Everglades National Park. Firefighters fear that melaleuca stands near the park's northeastern boundary could help the fire spread into the area near Fort Lauderdale and Miami, where about six million people live.

Native Species Safe?
So far experts are optimistic that the fire will have a minimal impact on the roughly 20 species of native endangered wildlife that live in the Everglades. For example, the flames have not done much damage to the habitat of the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow, Everglades biologist Hallac said. About 3,000 of the birds, which live only in the swamp, are left in the wild. "Overall, we've been extremely lucky, I guess, because the more important areas where the birds are nesting have been relatively unaffected," Hallac said. "Some of that was luck, but it's also due to the really hard work of the firefighters, who fought very hard to keep the fire out of those areas."

In addition, rare Florida panthers probably would move away from the fire, and crocodiles live in an area that is not threatened by the blaze, Hallac said. The park's alligators could lose some habitat, but Hallec said he didn't think there would be population declines because of the fire.

Park service and firefighting officials think the blaze was caused by human carelessness or arson.

Brunei National Museum Launches Book on Amphibians, Reptiles

Article from Brunei-Online.com
A newly published book on 'Amphibians and Reptiles of Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park, Brunei Darussalam' by Brunei Museum Department is currently available for purchase. The Museum Department is also hosting an exhibition called "Kenali muzium kitani", in conjunction with the International Museum Day.

The book is a detailed guide to the amphibians and reptiles found in Tasek Merimbun. The book is a result of the inventory and training workshop on 'Herpatological Research and Management Techniques' organised at Tasek Merimbun two years ago. The editors are Indraneil, Samhan Nyawa and Joseph K Charles. Together with a detailed description of the many habitats in Tasek Merimbun, the book also boasts of pictures of the species. There are some 25 species of amphibians and 30 species of reptiles detailed in the book, which include crested toad, four-ridged toad, seep frog, rufous-sided sticky frog, copper-checked frog, saltwater crocodile, Malayan box turtle, black bearded flying lizard, Asian house gecko, Borneo striped tree skink and water monitor.

Deadly Snakes May Have Been Deliberately Dumped In Onslow County

Article from WITN TV
Officials say the two Monocled Cobras on the loose in Onslow County, North Carolina may have been dumped there by an animal rights group pushing for a ban on exotic animals. The two cobras are believed to be near Mill Farms Road off Piney Green Road in Onslow County.

Officials say they found a flyer indicating someone lost the two cobras. They believe the snakes were placed there by the group Animal Protection Institute. The group wants to make it illegal for people to own exotic animals and uses such tactics to raise awareness. Officials warn these snakes can be deadly with one bite. They urge you to stay away if you see these snakes and immediately call authorities.

According to National Geographic, the most deadly serpent aboard fictional Pacific Air Flight 121 is the Monocled cobra. Like many venomous snakes, the cobra's poison affects its victim's central nervous system. But Monocled cobra venom is so powerful that the victim's immune system goes into hyperdrive and actually begins to break down organs and muscles. Death is almost instantaneous. The Monocled cobra is named for the conspicuous design on its hood that can feature either one or two "eyes." The snake can grow up to 6.5 feet long and hunts mostly at night.

EDITORIAL: This is a heinous act. If API dumped the two cobras, their members should be charged with attempted murder. It's one thing to protest, but to put people's lives in danger as a way of making a point, is totally unacceptable.

12-year-old Girl Caged During PETA Protest

Article from WCNC.com
Some parents say a PETA protest at a Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus in Cabarrus County went too far by including a 12-year-old girl in a cage. The girl volunteered and her mother gave permission. PETA says it represents the suffering animals encounter traveling with the circus.

Circus production manager Jason Gibson says he’s seen hundreds of PETA protests in his 11 years with the circus. "This is the first time I've seen anything like this,” Gibson said. "It's very disturbing to see it like that." The 12-year-old behind the mask is Bella Jenkins. "I thought it was a really good idea,” she said. Her mother was by her side. "She doesn't see why not,” she said.

PETA alleges animal maltreatment by Ringling Brothers. "We have the utmost care for those animals 24-7,” Gibson said. Some circus-goers say the cage act outdoors is offensive compared to the ring act inside the Cabarrus Arena Events Center. "As a parent, I probably wouldn't,” said parent Amy Eller. "A girl in a cage is extreme,” said parent Emily Ronemus.

We asked PETA organizer David Salisbury if using a 12-year-old goes too far. "Kids deserve to know there are animal-free alternatives to every fun thing they can do,” Salisbury said. PETA says circus animals lose their freedom for a lifetime of cheap tricks. We asked if this was a cheap trick on PETA’s behalf. "We often have to do eye-catching demonstrations to get the attention that the animals deserve,” Salisbury said. Parents say there are plenty of ways to get a message across without including a child as a main attraction. "I don't know if that's really setting the right example for making a protest,” Gibson said.

Celebrate World Turtle Day: May 23

Article from The Humane Society
Turtles are one of the most endearing and symbolic of America's native wildlife. Turtles not only fascinate each passing generation of children, who find endless wonders under those hard shells, but they also continue to serve as a timeless role model in children's literature: the slow and steady turtle, whose patient progress always wins out against his fast but feckless competitor.

Yet the turtles' lofty status hasn't prevented humans from abusing the creature. In fact, all land, freshwater, and sea turtles are facing imminent threats to their survival, simply because of human activities. Turtles are the reptile most affected by the pet trade, not to mention the food and traditional medicine industries. Many turtle species also suffer from the effects of pollution as well as from the destructive effects of industrial fishing operations.

Despite these hardships, May is a busy month for turtles. Many have recently emerged from winter hibernation and are beginning their search for mates and nesting areas. For this reason, May 23 was designated World Turtle Day.

World Turtle Day was initiated in 2000 by the American Tortoise Rescue, a turtle and tortoise rescue organization founded in 1990 in Malibu, California. The group brings attention to turtle conservation issues and highlights ways each of us can help protect these gentle but jeopardized animals. In the spirit of World Turtle Day, we at The HSUS also have suggested actions you can take to honor these fascinating creatures.

Make sure to read the entire article here.

Scotland: Build A Pond to Help Save Threatened Newt

Article from Scotsman.com
The decline in numbers of farm ponds has left the threatened great crested newt with fewer places to breed and struggling to survive in Scotland.
Now Scottish Natural Heritage is calling on individuals to help out, through the simple act of helping to build a pond in their garden or community.

The great-crested newt, also called the warty newt due to the lumps on its skin, is the largest of Britain's three newt species and is dark in colour, with a vivid orange belly covered in black spots. The handsome creature has been put on SNH's Species Action List, as needing conservation action.

In the most recent survey, the newts were discovered in just 100 ponds across Scotland. Although they live most of their life on land, preferring rough grassland and woodland, they need ponds in which to breed. Before the advent of tractors and taps, farms used to be covered in ponds to provide water for animals, but today there is a shortage of places for the great crested newt to breed.

As part of Scottish Biodiversity Week, SNH is asking animal lovers to help out by getting involved in projects to build ponds for the newts in their town or village, or by simply building a pond in their own garden. John McKinnell, species management adviser at SNH, said: "They are threatened across Europe due to loss of habitat. A major thing is breeding sites. They breed in ponds rather than streams or lochs. They like farm ponds, but agricultural practices have changed over the last century and now there are not the same number of ponds as there used to be. People can help to a certain extent by building ponds in their gardens. The new ponds have got to be close enough to the places where newts live for them to commute."

He said one of the best ways to help out was by joining a local group such as those within an umbrella organisation called the Amphibian and Reptile Groups of the UK. They carry out survey work to discover the locations of the newts and build ponds nearby in time for them to breed in spring. The newts usually live within 250 metres of the breeding ponds.

Read the entire article here.

WWF: Wildlife Numbers Plummet Globally

Article & photo from Discovery.com
The world's wildlife populations have reduced by around a quarter since the 1970s, according to a major report published Friday by the World Wildlife Fund.

Marine species have been particularly hard hit as the human population booms, while numbers of birds and, fish and animals have also gone down, said the WWF in a report.

The study comes ahead of next week's U.N. convention on biological diversity in the former West German capital Bonn, which will discuss aims to achieve a "significant reduction" in the current rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. The WWF, the world's largest independent conservation body, said it was "very unlikely" that the U.N. would meet its targets, despite the decline appearing to flatten off in recent years.

The WWF's Living Planet Index, which tracks the fortunes of nearly 4,000 populations of 1,477 vertebrate species from 1970 to 2005, showed an overall decline of 27 percent. Over-fishing and hunting, along with farming, pollution and urban expansion, were blamed.

WWF director general James Leape warned: "Reduced biodiversity means millions of people face a future where food supplies are more vulnerable to pests and disease and where water is in irregular or short supply. No one can escape the impact of biodiversity loss because reduced global diversity translates quite clearly into fewer new medicines, greater vulnerability to natural disasters and greater effects from global warming."

Read the entire article here!

Forty Baby Pythons Hatched in Entebbe

Article from allAfrica.com
Photo from newvision.co.ug

Lutembe, a 30-year-old giant python that was rescued from Lutembe Beach Hotel last year, has become the proud mother of 40 babies. For Julius Abigaba, a reptile keeper at the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, formerly known as Entebbe Zoo, the last two weeks were the most exciting of his life.

"It is the first time snakes are breeding at this centre," he said. "This is an achievement that gives us pride." Abigaba has been watching over the python as it was incubating a cluster of eggs slightly bigger than the size of chicken. After they lay their eggs, females will typically incubate them until they hatch. This is achieved by causing the muscles to "shiver", which raises the temperature of the body. During the incubation period, females will not eat and only leave to bask in order to raise their body temperature.

Lutembe spent the early hours of yesterday in the sun in her reptile house, which she shares with two other pythons, occasionally checking on her young ones. Her skin has started peeling off, exposing a new beautiful one. "She coils around the baby pythons most of the time," said Abigaba. "She is so protective. When caregivers go in to clean the reptile house, she hisses to scare them away."

Previously, Lutembe was living a miserable life inside a metallic cage at Lutembe Beach Hotel. Tourists used to pay sh500 to her captors. They would poke her with a metallic rod for her to turn, as part of the entertainment. "We intervened and rescued her, but she had broken some bones in the head," Abigaba explained. "This was discovered after an X-ray. She was treated and has now healed."

The centre keeps snakes and other wild animals for conservation purposes. The young ones will be relocated to a national park, according to Abigaba. "The number is too big for us to handle and wild animals belong to the wilderness."