Ecuador’s Government Agrees to Protect Manta Rays
Looking for good environmental news? You’ll find it in Ecuador, where the government has committed to protecting some of the ocean’s largest inhabitants—manta rays.
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Ecuador’s Government Agrees to Protect Manta Rays
Studying Indonesia’s Underwater Magician
Working with the California Academy of Sciences which publicized her work, CI-Indonesia’s Crissy Huffard has been studying the evolution of mimicry in Indonesian octopus, which can which can impersonate flatfish, lionfish, and sea snakes to dupe potential predators. Her work was recently published in the Biological Journal of the Linnean Society As the Science and Monitoring Advisor for CI-Indonesia’s Marine Program working in the Bird’s Head Seascape , I have the chance to observe thousands of incredibly unique, colorful, and unusual species that are found nowhere else on earth, or that have become rare elsewhere. The coral reefs , mangroves, and sandy-bottom communities here are simply mind-boggling, and home to the greatest marine biodiversity left in the ocean, offering us a living laboratory for better understanding how marine ecosystems interact
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Studying Indonesia’s Underwater Magician
Old World’s smallest frog is discovered in Borneo
Last week, a pea-sized frog species – thought to be the Old World’s tiniest – was recognized as a species new to science. Dr
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Old World’s smallest frog is discovered in Borneo
CI’s Dr. Bryan Wallace Discusses Declining Fisheries
The decline of global fisheries such as bluefin tuna, the unsustainable “race for fish”, and livelihoods of subsistence fishers were just a few of the issues addressed by CI Science Advisor Dr. Bryan Wallace in a recent interview on the Voice of America (VOA) public affairs program “On the Line.” It broadcasts on radio, television, and online in English-speaking countries around the world. Together with conservationist and author Richard Ellis, Dr
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CI’s Dr. Bryan Wallace Discusses Declining Fisheries
From the field: discovery and conservation in Caquetá, Colombia
Earlier this month, CI announced the discovery of a new species of titi monkey by some of our partner researchers at the National University of Colombia. Here, biology student and primate researcher Javier García reflects on his involvement in the discovery.
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From the field: discovery and conservation in Caquetá, Colombia
Philippine governor voices support for Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape
CI-Philippines Executive Director Romeo Trono talking to the media during the 2nd Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Congress. We have just wrapped up the second day of the 2 nd Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape Congress, a gathering of around 150 stakeholders from CI’s marine biodiversity conservation corridors in the Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape , a 100 million-hectare (almost 250 million-acre) area in the waters shared by Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines
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Philippine governor voices support for Sulu-Sulawesi Seascape
The Young Urban Hunter: It’s Called Airsoft!
If you haven’t heard of Airsoft, you either don’t have any boys between the ages of 9 and about 19, or you haven’t been into your local sporting goods store lately.
In the last couple of years, Airsoft has fast become one of the top activities which basically has ended the days of paintball. Young boys and even girls from all ages are gearing up for what is essentially shooting each other with plastic BB’s. I can tell you, having played both paint ball and Airsoft, that these plastic BB’s hurt and the guns are accurate!
The only difference between this generation of young urban hunters and my generation is that my friends and I were not loafing around playing video games.
When I was growing up the kids all had BB guns or pellet guns which shot metal BB’s that could put an eye out. These guns were just a pump – no where near as sophisticated as the Airsoft guns made today.
After sharpening their shooting skills on video games like Halo, kids can easily go outside in their own backyard with Airsoft. Here are some reasons why parents and kids like Airsoft:
- Airsoft can be played in your own backyard. Well, let’s say you don’t need quite the room as paintball.
- Although this game is played all across America it’s participants ages range from 9 -20.
- If your boy or girl is not playing, Airsoft then I would recommend getting he or she a Nerf gun which is harmless but still brings out the hunting instinct of kids wanting to sneak around, dress up in camo and go to battle in a safe way with friends.
- Their own hunting instincts may or may not kick-in, but many take these learned shooting skills to the outdoors and become avid outdoorsmen and women who hunt and fish.
- BB’s today can be purchased with biodegradable plastic as to not harm the environment.
- Airsoft guns are a great way to sharpen your target shooting skills.
- Today’s Airsoft guns, by contrast, use little plastic pellets rather than metal BBs and are thus safer, but they can still put out an eye and leave welts and bruises.
- They come in spring, compressed air and electric versions, but they all basically work the same way, which is to use compressed air to launch the pellets at an impressive velocity, simulating the gun experience without being able to kill anyone.
Over the last few years, I have been lucky to meet and ‘play’ Airsoft with some amazing young kids. These youngsters have a passion for Airsoft games, guns and have growing respect of both the environment and wildlife.
Airsoft is a great way for parents to connect with their youth whether you are simply shooting targets or going head first into an all out battle.
Young urban hunters, as I like to call them, may or may not grow up to hunt and fish. However, I can tell you that the ones that do will be hooked for life on one of the greatest ancient traditions known to man. Hunting.
Kihansi spray toad gets second chance
Kihansi Gorge, Tanzania – historic home of the Kihansi spray toad and site of the planned reintroduction project. Being immersed in CI’s “ Search for the Lost Frogs ” campaign, I was excited to read another piece of amphibian news this week from the Wildlife Conservation Society : 100 captive-bred Kihansi spray toads (Nectophrynoides asperginis) could help bring the species back from the brink of extinction in its native African habitat. The toads, which were bred at the Bronx Zoo and the Toledo Zoo, were recently flown to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, where they will be held at a propagation center before reintroduction into the wild
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Kihansi spray toad gets second chance
In Brazil, major corporations launch biodiversity initiative
We are happy to announce that CI has recently joined a promising initiative by some of the largest corporations operating in Brazil, committing themselves to biodiversity conservation in the country and the sustainable use of its natural resources.
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In Brazil, major corporations launch biodiversity initiative
CI amphibian expert talks frogs on NPR
Gastric brooding frog. During their morning commute today, millions of radio listeners learned about the dramatic decline of the world’s amphibians from CI’s Claude Gascon, a guest on NPR’s “Morning Edition.” Gascon, who also co-chairs the Amphibian Specialist Group , explained the direct implications of this decline for human well-being, citing the example of the gastric brooding frog ( Rheobatrachus sp.), a fascinating amphibian whose unique reproductive behavior could potentially provide insight on the treatment of stomach ulcers.
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CI amphibian expert talks frogs on NPR
A titillating surprise: A new species of titi monkey!
A young female Caquetá Titi Monkey.
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A titillating surprise: A new species of titi monkey!
A Lifelong Passion for Amphibians
Robin Moore with an amphibian friend. As CI launches our “ Search for the Lost Frogs ” campaign, Amphibian Conservation Officer Robin Moore reflects on how he first became interested in amphibians – and why these species are so important to protect.
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A Lifelong Passion for Amphibians
Scientists say efforts to curb climate change must consider effects on biodiversity
Fighting climate change . Curbing the extinction crisis
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Scientists say efforts to curb climate change must consider effects on biodiversity
International climate change negotiations move at glacial pace
I’m back in Germany this week for more climate change negotiations, as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) continues its work to create an international climate change agreement . Although we are not that far from Copenhagen physically, it seems like a million miles away. Representatives from all of the Parties (participating countries) are here attending plenary discussions, working groups and informal meetings, saying they are looking for ways to move forward
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International climate change negotiations move at glacial pace
UNESCO declares Phoenix Islands Protected Area largest World Heritage Site
I’ve got some very good news to share.
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UNESCO declares Phoenix Islands Protected Area largest World Heritage Site
