Endangered Shark Meat in US Supermarkets | Conservation Digest
Meat from endangered shark species has been found for sale at supermarkets in the United States, reports The Guardian. The critically endangered Great Hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) and Scalloped Hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) were among those identified by researchers using DNA analysis.
The Philippines has protected one of its most important coral reefs, heralds Oceanographic. The 233 square kilometer patch of ocean surrounding Panaon Island will help the nation achieve its ambitious goal of protecting 30% of its waters by 2030.
Illegal gold mining is poisoning the endangered Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), relays NBC News. Dolphin populations have plunged along the Amazon River in recent decades and nearby humans are showing dangerous mercury levels as well.
Australian scientists are racing to preserve specimens of a rare myrtle before it goes extinct, notes ABC News. Cryopreserving tissues of the critically endangered Angle-Stemmed Myrtle (Gossia gonoclada) will allow scientists to revive the species if it disappears in the wild due to fungal disease.
More than 400 vultures have died of poisoning this year in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, according to Mongabay. Vultures are typically affected by eating the carcasses of giraffes or other charismatic fauna poisoned by poachers, but there is increasing concern the birds are being targeted directly.
Kazakhstan has created the Merke Regional Nature Park, says the UNDP. The 860 square kilometer preserve will protect snow leopards (Panthera uncia), argali sheep (Ovis ammon), Indian gazelles (Gazella bennettii), Turkestan lynxes (Lynx lynx isabellinus), and many other unique Central Asian species.
