PLANET IN PERIL

  by Larry Powell Bull sharks in Fiji. This widely-distributed species is among the most at risk of extinction. The alarming study has just been published in  Nature Communiciations.       It finds, except for marine mammals, these coral sharks and rays are more likely to go extinct than any other wildlife group in th e world. The usual culprits behind this tragic state of affairs have, once again been found to be; overfishing, habitat loss and climate change. Bluespotted lagoon ray. Photos by Colin Simpfendorfer. There is a glimmer of hope amid the findings. The ray (above) is the only coral reef shark or ray with an increasing population trend.

by Larry Powell The Yangtze finless porpoise feeds in Poyang Lake, where sand is heavily mined.  Photo by Huigong Yu. A long-term assessment of theYangtze finless porpoise in a heavily mined lake in China, has made some disturbing discoveries. Sand mining boats, similar to those in Poyang Lake. Photo by Zhigang Mei. In only a decade, the mining has significantly restricted the porpoise’s habitat, compromised its population connectivity, and destroyed its nearshore habitats.                                               The researchers hope their findings will promote government accountability and raise general awareness of the plight of the animal. Two porpoises leap from the water. Photo by Huigong Yu. Sand has for some time been second only to water as the planet's most heavily extracted resource, with huge implications for habitat and biodiversity health. The findings of the research team from the Chinese Academy of Science are now published in the proceedings of the Royal Socie

CTV News A recent study says pollination loss may be leading to hundreds of thousands of excess deaths worldwide as supplies of healthy food become less plentiful. More here.