Loggerhead Marinelife Center’s Post

A recent potential wolf sighting in Nevada had wildlife enthusiasts buzzing, but the mystery has now been solved through good old-fashioned science! Here are the fascinating details: 📸 In March, a helicopter crew spotted 3 wolf-like animals roaming near Merritt Mountain, sparking an investigation by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. 🧫 Biologists collected hair, fecal, and urine samples believed to be from the creatures for DNA testing at two independent labs. 🚨 The results? It was 99.9% certain that the "wolves" were actually coyotes, common residents of Nevada! 🐺 While disappointing for wolf spotters, the case highlights the importance of accurate species identification to protect ecosystems. This saga reminds us that nature often holds surprises, and sometimes, first impressions can be deceiving. Kudos to the wildlife experts for their diligent investigative work! 👏 Have you ever mistaken one animal for another in the wild? Share your wildlife-watching tales using #NevadaWildlife! #WildlifeMysterySolved #WolfOrCoyote #DNATesting #NatureAdventures Source: https://lnkd.in/ezjzmz8i

A recent potential wolf sighting in Nevada had wildlife enthusiasts buzzing, but the mystery has now been solved through good old-fashioned science! Here are the fascinating details: 📸 In March, a helicopter crew spotted 3 wolf-like animals roaming near Merritt Mountain, sparking an investigation by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. 🧫 Biologists collected hair, fecal, and urine samples believed to be from the creatures for DNA testing at two independent labs. 🚨 The results? It was 99.9% certain that the "wolves" were actually coyotes, common residents of Nevada! 🐺 While disappointing for wolf spotters, the case highlights the importance of accurate species identification to protect ecosystems. This saga reminds us that nature often holds surprises, and sometimes, first impressions can be deceiving. Kudos to the wildlife experts for their diligent investigative work! 👏 Have you ever mistaken one animal for another in the wild? Share your wildlife-watching tales using #NevadaWildlife! #WildlifeMysterySolved #WolfOrCoyote #DNATesting #NatureAdventures https://lnkd.in/gYrzWcNF

A recent potential wolf sighting in Nevada had wildlife enthusiasts buzzing, but the mystery has now been solved through good old-fashioned science! Here are the fascinating details: 📸 In March, a helicopter crew spotted 3 wolf-like animals roaming near Merritt Mountain, sparking an investigation by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. 🧫 Biologists collected hair, fecal, and urine samples believed to be from the creatures for DNA testing at two independent labs. 🚨 The results? It was 99.9% certain that the "wolves" were actually coyotes, common residents of Nevada! 🐺 While disappointing for wolf spotters, the case highlights the importance of accurate species identification to protect ecosystems. This saga reminds us that nature often holds surprises, and sometimes, first impressions can be deceiving. Kudos to the wildlife experts for their diligent investigative work! 👏 Have you ever mistaken one animal for another in the wild? Share your wildlife-watching tales using #NevadaWildlife! #WildlifeMysterySolved #WolfOrCoyote #DNATesting #NatureAdventures https://lnkd.in/gBninF64

The worst part of our job. We receive reports of dead sharks throughout the year as part of our Shark Reporting & Response Network program. We've built up a network of divers, anglers, researchers, and community members who contact us any time of the day or night when they see a dead shark. We've cataloged and sampled great hammerheads, blacknose, blacktip, finetooth, and bonnethead among other species. It's heartbreaking but every single shark is an important opportunity to gather data that would otherwise would be lost. The data and samples are shared with wildlife agencies and scientists. Often we sample prohibited species (with proper permits) and opportunistically get vertebrae for aging and other organ samples for so many important projects that are expanding our knowledge of these vulnerable species. There's so much to learn about these amazing animals and luckily we only receive a handful of calls each year. It is still difficult but our motto continues to be "No Sample Left Behind". If you see a dead or wounded shark in Florida, please get in touch with us at 561-203-5559. #sharkresearch #sharks #sharkscience

Have you registered for the upcoming AASHTOWare Safety™ #webinar? This webinar will provide a deeper understanding regarding how you can share crash data with various user groups including engineers, local agencies, tribes, wildlife biologists, and more! Make sure to register today at: https://lnkd.in/eijJ9DBr #AASHTOWare #webinar #crashdata

This past week, some of East Foundation's science team members switched focus to our large mammal surveys. Aerial surveys are commonly used to estimate large mammal populations in South Texas. At East Foundation, we document deer (classified by age and sex), nilgai antelope (classified by age and sex), collared peccary, wild pigs, coyotes, and quail on five of our ranches in South Texas - San Antonio Viejo, El Sauz, Santa Rosa, Buena Vista, and Ranchito. The Foundation has conducted these surveys for ten years as part of our long-term monitoring program. Annual surveys, evenly spaced transects, adequate coverage, trained observers, and consistent methods are a few of the best practices we recommend following when conducting aerial surveys. Our team’s persistence and thoroughness help advance our research and better understand our properties. Knowing how many animals are on our land allows us to inform management decisions across our properties and monitor population changes through time. You can learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gzr3JqXr #EastFoundation #AerialSurveys #LargeMammalSurvey #EstimatePopulations #SouthTexasRanch #Research

Some good news amidst the ongoing decline of the Ruffed Grouse in Pennsylvania. Genetic diversity is essential in maintaining healthy wildlife populations across an increasing fragmented landscape and wildlife corridors can play a role. Study coauthor Leilton Luna notes that the research "helped us to inform wildlife managers which areas would most benefit from the development of habitat corridors." This spring , the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed the bipartisan House Resolution 87 (HR 87) to study and issue a report on the status, management and benefits of wildlife corridors. This is the first step in a statewide approach for wildlife corridors. The study authors are from Penn State University Ecosyem Science and Management department and the Pennsylvania Game Commission. #wildlifecorridors #wildlifecrossings #grouse #naturiotism Ruffed grouse population more resilient than expected, genetic study finds https://lnkd.in/ebgXSjfB

Could our wild elephants be gone by 2030? According to wildlife experts, scientists studying elephants, the big 5 may no longer be with us in another several years. Are you willing to risk that? If you're not, stand up for our wildlife! Websites and links in either below or in bio www.oftusksandtears.com www.cslzambia.org #wildelephants #savetheelephants #protectwildlife, #humanwildlifeconflict, @dazzleafrica, @bensonkanyembo, @jessearrow, @storynmotion, @cslzambia