Environment/Wildlife

DNA Found in Scat Helps Scientists Learn About Sierra Nevada Red Fox

Since 2011, Cate Quinn, a post-doctoral researcher in UC Davis’ Mammalian Ecology and Conservation Unit within the school, has been studying the fox by collecting its scat (the term preferred over poop, at least in the science world).

Environment/Wildlife

New Podcast Examines Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales

A new podcast series, Pod of Orcas: Saving Southern Resident Killer Whales, aims to bring attention to the plight of the remaining 75 southern resident killer whales in the wild.

Environment/Wildlife

Ranking Virus Spillover Risk

SpillOver, a new web application developed by UC Davis scientists, and contributed to by experts from all over the world, ranks the risk of wildlife-to-human spillover for newly discovered viruses.

Environment/Wildlife

What’s Killing Killer Whales?

Pathology reports on more than 50 killer whales stranded over nearly a decade in the northeast Pacific and Hawaii show that orcas face a variety of mortal threats — many stemming from human interactions.

Environment/Wildlife

UC Davis Researchers Study Microplastics in Tahoe

UC Davis researchers began a new study this summer studying the effects of microplastics in Lake Tahoe.

Environment/Wildlife

California Mountain Lion Injured by Fire Returns to Wild After Month-Long Treatment

A mountain lion found with burn injuries sustained during California’s Bobcat Fire was released back into the wilderness on the weekend of October 24 after receiving a month-long treatment from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine staff.

Environment/Wildlife

Newly Created Wildlife Disaster Network Aids Several Wildfire Victims

Earlier this week, the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the joint formation of the Wildlife Disaster Network. The network is already aiding several animals injured in California’s latest wildfires. Network teams throughout Northern California are treating about a dozen animals at various facilities.

Environment/Wildlife

Wildlife Disaster Network Mobilizes Aid for Burned, Injured Wildlife

The Wildlife Disaster Network is a new partnership between the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and California Department of Fish and Wildlife. It aims to quickly and efficiently mobilize the people and resources needed to aid wildlife affected by wildfire and other disasters.

Environment/Wildlife

Mountain Lion Cub Rescued from California Wildfire

An orphaned mountain lion cub is at the Oakland Zoo recovering from burn injuries after being rescued from California's Zogg Fire. The zoo staff is working with the UC Davis Veterinary Hospital to treat the cub's wounds.

Environment/Wildlife

Mountain Gorilla Numbers on the Rise

A new survey conducted by Gorilla Doctors shows that mountain gorilla numbers have increased in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda, and Sarambwe Reserve, DR Congo. When combined with the 2015-2016 population survey results of 604 mountain gorillas in the Virunga Massif, the total world population of endangered mountain gorillas now stands at 1,063. 

Environment/Wildlife

A Tale of Two Foxes: The Genetic Story of the Sierra Nevada Red Fox

A blog post looks at the research of Ben Sacks with the school's Veterinary Genetics Lab on the genetics of the Sierra Nevada red fox.

Environment/Wildlife

Melting Arctic Sea Ice Linked to Emergence of Deadly Virus in Marine Mammals

Scientists have linked the decline in Arctic sea ice to the emergence of a deadly virus that could threaten marine mammals in the North Pacific, according to a study from the University of California, Davis.

Environment/Wildlife

Detection Dogs and DNA on the Trail of Endangered Lizards

Detection dogs trained to sniff out the scat of an endangered lizard in California’s San Joaquin Valley, combined with genetic species identification, could represent a new, noninvasive sampling technique for lizard conservation worldwide.

Environment/Wildlife

Scientists Identify Bombali Ebolavirus in Bats in Guinea

The sixth ebolavirus, Bombali virus, has been detected in insect-eating bats in Guinea. The discovery of Bombali virus first in insect-eating bats in Sierra Leone, and now in Guinea, marks the first time that scientists discovered a new ebolavirus species in a host before detection in an infected human or sick animal.

Environment/Wildlife

What's Killing Sea Otters?

UC Davis scientists have pinpointed specific strains of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii that are killing southern sea otters, tracing them back to a bobcat and feral domestic cats from nearby watersheds.

Environment/Wildlife