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African wild dogs will soon have their own sperm bank – how artificial breeding will help them survive

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Lion, Gene, Disease, Lycaon, Rabies, Livestock, Research, Female, University, Freezing, Male, Dog, Breeding, Animal, Insemination, Hunting

They’ve now decided to freeze sperm from as many genetically diverse male African wild dogs as possible and use this to artificially inseminate female African wild dogs for the first time.

Key Points:

They’ve now decided to freeze sperm from as many genetically diverse male African wild dogs as possible and use this to artificially inseminate female African wild dogs for the first time.
Reproductive and molecular biologist Damien Paris explains why artificial breeding is the best and most economical way to ensure that genetically diverse wild dogs live on.

Why is the African wild dog in danger?

They are highly efficient pack hunters but need large home ranges to survive and avoid competitors like lions.
The problem is that most of the remaining habitats are so small and fragmented that they can’t support large populations anymore.
Usually, when wild dogs are subadults (around two years old) they move far away and form their own pack.

How can genetic diversity help the African wild dog survive?

Those diseases can spread rapidly among wild dogs and decimate a pack, which is about five to 20 dogs.
In 2017, canine distemper virus completely wiped out 21 out of 22 packs of wild dogs in Laikipia County, Kenya in less than four weeks.
We plan to use sperm freezing and artificial insemination to help distribute genetic diversity between isolated populations.

What conservation methods have been used before?

To increase genetic diversity, African wild dogs have been translocated (moved) across South Africa since 1998.
Over several weeks, they form a new genetically mixed pack that is released into the wild.
A whole population of wild dogs could be lost with the next disease outbreak.

How will sperm freezing and artificial insemination help?

Our back-up plan against disease outbreaks is to create a bank of African wild dog sperm from multiple males.
Sperm frozen in liquid nitrogen tanks at very cold temperatures can last 50 or 100 years and still produce offspring.
We recently improved the freezing technique so African wild dog sperm are now able to swim and survive for eight hours after being thawed.
We plan to build a consortium so that we can have multiple sperm banks throughout South Africa as back-ups.

Will this be very expensive?

Some recent modelling in other species found that the hybrid approach was between seven and 84 times cheaper than the natural breeding approach.
This is because it needed 13-100 times fewer animals to maintain 90% genetic diversity in the population over a 100-year period.

Damien Boyd Bertrand Paul Paris receives funding from Morris Animal Foundation, Roger Willliams Park
Zoo and Fresno Chaffee Zoo. He is affiliated with James Cook University, the Institute for Breeding Rare and Endangered African Mammals, and is a Visiting Fellow of the Mammal Research Institute.

Bruce Pascoe’s Black Duck is a ‘healing and necessary’ account of a year on his farm, following a difficult decade after Dark Emu

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Bruce Pascoe is best known for his natural history, Dark Emu, which argues that systems of pre-colonial food production and land management in Australia have been dramatically understated.

Key Points:

Bruce Pascoe is best known for his natural history, Dark Emu, which argues that systems of pre-colonial food production and land management in Australia have been dramatically understated.
At last count, the book had sold at least 360,000 copies of the original edition – and many more in the form of adaptations, translations, children’s and overseas editions.
Since the publication of Dark Emu in 2014, Pascoe has had to endure extraordinary public scrutiny, as well as vehement attacks on his personal and professional reputation.

In light of the last ten years, Black Duck: A Year at Yumburra is a healing and necessary book.
The farm is a deliberate project designed to test, extend and materialise some of the ideas put forward in Dark Emu.
The meaning of Yumburra, Pascoe tells us, is Black Duck, the “supreme spiritual being of Yuin country”.

Six seasons on the farm

Through more than 60 subtitled journal entries, accompanied by numerous photographs and sketches, Pascoe charts the activities of his days.
These include labouring chores on the farm, visits paid and received (both there and interstate), thoughts, visions and experiments with food and agriculture, and memories and reflections on relationships reaching far back into childhood.
Pascoe describes life on the farm as solitary at times, but also active.
Daily farm work includes clearing watercourses or fixing tools and machinery, and at these times his friendships with the nonhuman are forged in both subtle and overt ways.

Despite their vigilance, the Spur-winged Plover loses a lot of chicks to eagles and foxes […] Their calls are ever-present on the farm.
If the horses gallop, an eagle passes, a dingo wakes or a car arrives, you hear about it instantly.
You can’t make friend with Birran Durran Durran because everything is a threat in its opinion.
Despite their vigilance, the Spur-winged Plover loses a lot of chicks to eagles and foxes […] Their calls are ever-present on the farm.

There is a sense of time moving on through the seasons.
Yumburra, too, was affected by that event, leading one of the farm workers to rename a whole section of the farm “Apocalypse Valley” in the aftermath.
“The unbridled pleasure I used to take in the forest, waters and shores is now tinged with sadness and dread.”

A true storyteller

The author is respectfully light on detail on these matters, but the reader is left in no doubt about their deep importance to him.
Pascoe’s authorial style sometimes comes across as a touch too lackadaisical and larrikin-esque, drifting as if unmoored.
And yet, he’s a true storyteller – and no sooner have you hesitated, than he reels you in again, and has you marvelling with him at the grandchildren’s handstands and cartwheels on the paddle board on the river, or at the cunning of the dingo pair who’ve taken out a young Buru (kangaroo) by gripping him by the ears and drowning him.
I assume it was the same animal because she made a great point of making sure I was watching her expertise.
It might be a romantic thought or a wish for longevity of a friend but, whatever the case, I enjoy the personality.“

Sometimes Pascoe quotes from her journal entries, discrete and beautifully rendered observations of wildlife on her own nearby property.
But as I was reading, I found myself wondering how else Lyn contributed to the book, and on what terms.

Connection to culture and Country

For anyone with lingering doubts about Pascoe’s commitment and connection to Country, this book will set them straight.
It is a quiet, funny, warm and insistent call to return to and care for Country.

Julienne van Loon has been a recipient of funding from Creative Australia, Creative Victoria and ArtsWA.

Local Falcon Unveils Falcon Assist, the First AI Built Exclusively for Local SEO

Retrieved on:

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Local, LLM, Google Maps, First, Hunting

Known for its best-in-class local rank tracking, Local Falcon launched the first-ever AI assistant to help businesses with local SEO, Google Business Profile, competitor analysis, and more.

Key Points:

Local Falcon Unveils Falcon Assist, the First AI Built Exclusively for Local SEO
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
"We designed Falcon Assist to function as a strategic partner for optimizing your local search presence," says Local Falcon CEO, David Hunter .
Falcon Assist is powered by a leading LLM with retrieval augmented generation combined with expert models for precise, user-specific local SEO strategies backed with Local Falcon scan data.
As Local Falcon continues to add features and functionality, and as new trends arise in local SEO, Falcon Assist's AI training corpus will be among the first to know about them, helping Local Falcon users stay on top of developments and get the most out of both Local Falcon and their overall local SEO strategy.
Falcon Assist is available to all Local Falcon users, with unlimited access for users with annual and enterprise subscriptions.

Wyoming Residents Outraged by Wolf Tortured at Bar; Crime Must be Prosecuted Under State Anti-Cruelty Law, Welfare Groups Say

Retrieved on:

Monday, April 8, 2024

Punishment, Violation, Crime, Letter, Ethics, News, Textbook, Interview, Death, Mouth, Animal, Law, Hunting

Two groups, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, sent a letter to Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich and Sublette County Sheriff K.C.

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Two groups, Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy, sent a letter to Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich and Sublette County Sheriff K.C.
Lehr, urging them to prosecute Cody Roberts of Daniel, Wyo., and seek felony-level penalties under the statute.
The groups sent out a press release Friday and have been receiving a constant stream of calls from outraged Wyoming residents.
Currently, Roberts, owner of C. Roberts Trucking, LLC, has faced only a $250 fine for possession of live wildlife.

WILD ANIMAL SAFARI® PINE MOUNTAIN CELEBRATES REMARKABLE RECOVERY ONE YEAR AFTER DEVASTATING TORNADO

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, March 26, 2024

PINE, Tiger, Lion, Safari park, Environment, Safety, Hunting

America (OTCPink: PRKA), commemorated today the one-year anniversary of the tornado that wreaked havoc on the grounds of its Wild Animal Safari Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia.

Key Points:

America (OTCPink: PRKA), commemorated today the one-year anniversary of the tornado that wreaked havoc on the grounds of its Wild Animal Safari Park in Pine Mountain, Georgia.
In the wake of the tornado on March 26th, 2023, Wild Animal Safari® Pine Mountain encountered significant setbacks from immediate storm damage, including over 4,500 fallen trees, miles of damaged fencing, with nearly 20 structures and animal habitats sustaining significant damage.
America, Inc. "Despite the challenges we faced, we remained steadfast in our commitment to restoring Wild Animal Safari® Pine Mountain to its former glory, and I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made."
Despite the remarkable progress achieved over the past year, Wild Animal Safari® Pine Mountain acknowledges that there is still work to be done.

U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer Champions Rare Disease Research With Sponsorship of Legislative Bill - H.Res.1039 - Advocating for Increased Funding for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (CMT)

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

The resolution underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges of individuals diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and the need for robust research funding.

Key Points:

The resolution underscores the urgency of addressing the challenges of individuals diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and the need for robust research funding.
“By collaborating with experts and advocates, we can give everyone struggling with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease hope.
Zaken's dedication reflects the grassroots efforts of young individuals committed to making a difference in the fight against rare diseases.
Regrettably, despite its profound impact, federal funding for CMT research witnessed a decrease in 2022 compared to 2021.

Triple-I: Dog-Related Injury Claim Payouts Hit $1.12 Billion in 2023

Retrieved on:

Monday, April 8, 2024

On a positive note, the average cost per claim decreased from $64,555 in 2022 to $58,545 in 2023.

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On a positive note, the average cost per claim decreased from $64,555 in 2022 to $58,545 in 2023.
“Education and training for owners and pets is key to keep everyone safe and healthy,” said Ruiz.
“It is important to recognize that any dog, including ones that are in the home, can bite or cause injury.
As we mark National Dog Bite Prevention Week, let's commit to increasing our understanding of the issue and taking proactive steps towards prevention.

PRAIRIE STATE CONSERVATION COALITION TO RECEIVE $42 MILLION GRANT

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Quality of life, Acquisition, Organization, PSCC, Hunting

CHICAGO, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prairie State Conservation Coalition (PSCC) (www.PrairieStateConservation.org) is pleased to announce that it will be the recipient of a grant of up to $42 million from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (the Foundation) for the preservation and enhancement of natural areas and wildlife habitats in Illinois. The grant will be used to fund eligible 501(c)(3) organizations and local government bodies engaged in the preservation, enhancement and expansion of such areas in Illinois.

Key Points:

CHICAGO, April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Prairie State Conservation Coalition (PSCC) ( www.PrairieStateConservation.org ) is pleased to announce that it will be the recipient of a grant of up to $42 million from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation (the Foundation) for the preservation and enhancement of natural areas and wildlife habitats in Illinois.
"We've been talking for years of the need to elevate the collective power of land conservation groups and local conservation agencies.
Thanks to the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation for believing that Prairie State Conservation Coalition is the collective voice for land conservation in Illinois.
PSCC plans to leverage the Foundation's grant to raise additional funds for land acquisition and conservation in Illinois.

PARD Unveils the Best Revolutionary 2024 Thermal Handheld Camera and Rifle Scope, the Sphinx 384

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Weather, Human, Coyote, Hunting, Animal, Fox, Sphinx, Raccoon, Night vision

RENO, Nev., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PARD, a leading innovator in night vision and thermal imaging optics technology, proudly announces the release of its groundbreaking product, the Sphinx 384 Thermal Handheld Camera and Rifle Scope.

Key Points:

RENO, Nev., April 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PARD, a leading innovator in night vision and thermal imaging optics technology, proudly announces the release of its groundbreaking product, the Sphinx 384 Thermal Handheld Camera and Rifle Scope.
Representing a leap forward in versatility and functionality, the Sphinx 384 is the industry's first all-in-one solution for thermal imaging, combining the capabilities of a handheld thermal imaging camera with those of a thermal imaging rifle scope attachment.
Featuring a compact and lightweight design, the Sphinx 384 is engineered with a 5-inch large screen and a new generation 12µm, NETD≤35mK vanadium oxide sensor.
For more information about the Sphinx 384 and other PARD products, please visit PARD's website: https://bit.ly/4c1Ke0C .

Why Sikhs celebrate the festival of Baisakhi

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Sun, Lion, Freedom, Marriage, Customs, God, Religion, Mughal Empire, History, Food, Life, Hagiography, Woman, Ambrosia, Guru, Colonialism, Aries, Optimism, Muslims, Goat, Hunting

On the festival of Baisakhi, celebrated usually on April 13, Sikhs the world over will joyously wear yellow saffron colors, symbolizing spring harvest and the solar new year, when the Sun enters the constellation Aries.

Key Points:

On the festival of Baisakhi, celebrated usually on April 13, Sikhs the world over will joyously wear yellow saffron colors, symbolizing spring harvest and the solar new year, when the Sun enters the constellation Aries.
The Sikh religion, with its line of 10 gurus, is traced back to the time of Guru Nanak, the first guru.
He encouraged his followers not to take the path of renunciation but to work hard and perform acts of charity.

The Khalsa ideal

The dramatic creation story of the Khalsa relates that the guru demanded sacrifice of life from his loyal followers who came to his abode in Anandpur in Punjab to celebrate Baisakhi and the beneficence of the harvest.
His five beloved disciples, known as the “Pañj Piāre,” were in the Sikh tradition the first initiates into the new order of the Khalsa, meaning the pure.
The guru is said to have pronounced that henceforth his Khalsa will be called lions, or “singh,” and they would maintain five symbols on their person that would set them apart from ordinary Sikhs and burnish their martial demeanor.

The need for the Khalsa

To understand the need for the Khalsa, it is important to step back into history.
The martial Khalsa was considered to be a political necessity during these times, which they perceived as being tyrannical.
The Khalsa also embodied self-discipline to inspire the guru’s Sikhs, the ordinary followers who did not become Khalsa.

An egalitarian stance

For the tenth guru, Gobind Singh, the Khalsa were the ideal for others to emulate.
His beloved five, who had been willing to sacrifice their lives for him, further demonstrated the importance of social equality.
Belonging to different caste groups, they represented the values of compassion, duty, firmness, honor and effort.

The Khalsa under colonialism

Customs such as early marriage and practices around widowhood that oppressed women, and caste discrimination that affected all, were reassessed.
For Sikh intellectuals, rejuvenating the egalitarian spirit of the Khalsa at this time seemed urgent.
Gender and caste inequities, they believed, could be combated by reviving Khalsa norms.

Anshu Malhotra does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.