NEWSLETTER

WILDLIFE IN THE NEWS

FLORIDA PANTHER POPULATION IN JEOPARDY

Only a couple hundred panthers survive in the wild in Florida, and 2024 was a particularly devastating year for them. 31 panthers died so far this year, 24 of them struck by cars.

Increased development and habitat fragmentation in Florida has also contributed to their decline.

Wildlife overpasses and underpasses are greatly needed in areas where panthers are known to cross busy roadways.

You can read more about the recent panther vehicle collisions here.

If you would like to help panthers, the Center for Biological Diversity has a great resource here.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

RED WOLVES

Red wolves, Canis rufus, used to roam all over the southeast United States and even up into New York. But their population has been decimated by overhunting, mismanagement, and vehicle strikes.

Now they are the most endangered wolves on the planet. Only sixteen remain in the wild today in a pocket of eastern North Carolina. The U.S. federal government still allows them to be shot and has deemed them a “nonessential” population.

SaveRedWolves.org is currently raising money to build wildlife crossings along Highway 64 in North Carolina, which would decrease wildlife fatalities from vehicle strikes by 97%. This route is frequently and increasingly traveled by motorists going to and from the Outer Banks. But the organization needs more donations to see this project built.

If you are interested in helping with this endeavor, you can read more about it here.

Photo of red wolf pups by Ryan Nordsven/ USFWS

GREEN TIP

LEAVE THE LEAVES FOR WILDLIFE

Fallen leaves provide invaluable insulation, shelter, and food for a number of species including butterfly caterpillars, vital pollinating bees, turtles, toads, mammals, and more.

By leaving layers of leaves in your yard, you help these species survive through the cold winters.

And there are other environmental benefits, too. Raked leaves account for 13% of the U.S.’s solid waste in landfills. Normally leaves decompose when exposed to oxygen, but when compacted in landfills, there is not enough oxygen present and leaves instead give off methane.

Leaving the leaves means a layer of natural fertilization and will suppress weeds, a boon to gardeners.

You can read more about the benefit of leaving the leaves here.

Photo by Polina Grishma on Unsplash

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY

CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT AND FEEDERWATCH

From December 14 to January 5, join the Audubon Society in collecting data on birds, a community science project that goes back 123 years!

This collected data is then used for invaluable research like population trends.

Check out this link on how to participate.

The Christmas Bird Count takes place in specific areas. If there is no count in your area, please consider participating in Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Birds Canada FeederWatch, which you can do from your own yard! You simply sign up and start counting birds, then submit your data.

The data you contribute will help researchers better understand winter bird distribution and abundance.

Click here to learn more.

Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on Unsplash