Human impact could save endangered bird

September 7th, 2009 LONDON - The results of a new study indicate that winds turbines might be hastening the local extinction of an endangered vulture in southern Spain. Studies have so far focused on the short-term effects of wind turbines, looking at the number of bird collisions per turbine per year.

August 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The Central Zoo Authority has initiated a coordinated conservation breeding programme for 70 critically endangered species in Indian zoos, an official statement Saturday said. "The Central Zoo Authority has initiated a planned coordinated conservation breeding programme for critically endangered species in Indian zoos.

August 6th, 2009 Man indicted in death of Hawaiian monk sealHONOLULU — A federal grand jury has indicted a 78-year-old Kauai man in the shooting death of an endangered Hawaiian monk seal in May. The indictment was returned Wednesday against Charles Vidinha, who is charged with violating the Endangered Species Act.

July 24th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A new study has come up with the strongest evidence yet that noise pollution negatively influences the nesting habits of birds. The study also indicates that at least a few species opt for noisy areas over quiet ones, perhaps because of their vocalisation pitches, a reduction in nest predators and less competition from other song birds that prefer quiet environments.

July 14th, 2009 Flap, flap! Out comes another endangered Tragopan SHIMLA - Call it a feather in the cap of the Himachal Pradesh forest department, which has once again managed to breed Western Tragopan - a critically endangered bird - in captivity. "This time we have succeeded again in breeding the highly endangered Western Tragopan in captivity.

July 5th, 2009 First Asian elephant born in Australian zooSYDNEY — A 265-pound (120-kilogram), big-eared and long-nosed bundle of joy was welcomed in Australia as an important step in helping to save the endangered Asian elephant. The male calf — so far without a name — was born in Sydney's Taronga Zoo early Saturday and was healthy and generating many curious responses from among its herd, zoo officials said.

June 30th, 2009 Great Lakes wolves returning to endangered listTRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — More than 4,000 gray wolves in the upper Great Lakes region are going back on the federal endangered species list — at least temporarily.

June 17th, 2009 NEW DELHI - A myna bird in China has become a celebrity, thanks to its unique singing talent. The bird has been enthralling spectators every time its owner takes it outdoors for fresh air, reports the China Daily.

June 11th, 2009 Judge finds violation in Calif. forest planningLOS ANGELES — Federal agencies violated the Endangered Species Act by developing plans for four national forests in California without adequately addressing the impact on endangered animals, a judge ruled.

June 2nd, 2009 LONDON - A network of wildlife conservation areas can help save up to 90 percent of bird species in Africa, affected by climate change, according to scientists. The research team, led by Durham University (DU) and including BirdLife International looked at the effects of climate change on 815 bird species of conservation concern in sub-Saharan Africa.

June 2nd, 2009 WASHINGTON - The loss of endangered species sends alarm bells ringing among conservationists, but what happens to the parasites they host? Although most people would side with the panda over the parasite, which group should we worry about more? North Carolina State University (NCSU) biologist Rob Dunn and colleagues examined the concept of co-extinction, the loss of one species upon the extinction of another. "Decline in host species could drive parasite species to switch onto alternative hosts, which could escalate the rate of emerging pathogens and parasites both for humans and our domesticated animals and plants," Dunn said.

May 14th, 2009 Group says 3 more birds close to extinctionGENEVA — An Ethiopian lark, a Galapagos finch and a spectacularly colored hummingbird only recently discovered in Colombia have been added to the list of the world's most threatened species, an environmental group said Thursday. The International Union for Conservation of Nature — the producer each year of a Red List of endangered species — said the Sidamo lark could soon become Africa's first known bird extinction as the Ethiopian savanna becomes overgrown by bush, farmland and overgrazing.

April 28th, 2009 Rule limiting species protections revokedWASHINGTON — The Obama administration will again require federal agencies to consult with the government's wildlife experts before taking any actions that could impact threatened or endangered species. The Interior and Commerce departments said Tuesday they have revoked a last-minute rule change by the Bush administration that ended the consultation requirement.

April 16th, 2009 LONDON - A recent survey has found that just a few hundred of the African larks survive in Ethiopia, which indicates that the endangered bird might soon become extinct. According to a report by BBC News, if and when it happens, it may be the first recorded bird extinction on the African continent, and it would not be the last.

March 21st, 2009 LONDON - A new study has warned that Africa might soon see its first bird extinction in about four years time. According to a report in New Scientist, the bird in question is the Sidamo lark, which may become the first contemporary African bird to go extinct.