Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology
Many factors may have caused the decline of muskrats across North America, a new study by Pennsylvania State University has said.
The muskrat is a species of semiaquatic rodent native to North America and has also been introduced to other continents.
Researchers went through 131 articles that were published from 1915 to 2019 about studies done to find out what muskrats were exposed to in 27 US states and 9 Canadian provinces.
They found that the rodents had died due to a number of factors including pathogens, parasites, environmental contaminants as well as disease.
But the team was not able to pinpoint the exact factors that were leading to declines in muskrat populations in the US and Canada because of many differences in which the information in the articles had been collected.
They, however, said their study was a baseline for understanding the role of pathogens, parasites, contaminants and disease in influencing muskrat population declines.
Tiger found dead in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
A tiger was found dead in the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala on June 10, 2020, according to a media report.
The carcass of the tiger, an 11-year-old male was found by forest guards around 50 metres away from the Bathery-Pulpally road, the report said. The spot is located in the sanctuary’s Kurichiad range.
On examination, it was found that the tiger had likely died of infighting. There were also injuries found on its bodies sustained due to porcupine quills.
The tiger was a resident animal of the sanctuary and had been spotted in camera trap surveys from 2012 onwards.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.