Zambian court stops land clearing in Kasanka National Park, where 10 million bats roost annually

Every year, African straw-coloured fruit bats migrate to the park from the Congo and act as pollinators

Winged wonders: We should not resent bats, because we need them

The pandemic has magnified fear of bats, but their conservation is crucial to prevent such events from arising again

COVID-19: Bats’ immune system, longevity offer clues for treatment, says study

Bats’ immune systems have mechanisms to control inflammation, a mainstay of disease and ageing

COVID-19: Did SARS-CoV-2 originate in raccoon dogs from Wuhan wet market? New data gives links

Meanwhile, Israel reports new COVID-19 variant — a combination of BA.1 and BA.2 subvariants of Omicron

Nipah virus antibodies found in Indian bats in Mahabaleshwar cave

Two bat species had the virus and antibodies

Global warming: Africa, Asia most at risk of zoonotic spillovers

There can be 15,000 instances of viruses jumping from one species to another over the next 50 years

Four new fungi species discovered on bat carcasses in China

One of the fungal genus is known to contain numerous aggressive pathogens that can infect mammals, according to researchers

World’s biggest bat colony gathers in Zambia every year: We used artificial intelligence to count them

Agricultural developments, wind farm may adversely impact the bat population at Kasanka National Park

What is the new theory of COVID-19 originating from raccoon dogs at the wet market in Wuhan?

Analysis of genetic data from in and around Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market shows that raccoon dogs, which were being sold illegally at the market,…

Kerala never fully eradicated Nipah, but contained it: Experts

Kerala will need to increase vigilance, awareness at community level to prevent future Nipah outbreaks, say experts

Unfounded fears of contagion threaten bat population in Kerala

Destruction of bat habitats and culling is rampant in Kerala despite no evidence linking the animals with disease outbreaks in the state

Study finds forest bats avoid wind turbines — and noise may be the cause

Acoustic activity of bats who forage in narrow spaces decreased by 77% with increasing speed of operational wind turbines

How virus detectives trace the origins of an outbreak - and why it’s so tricky

Tracking down the origins of a virus involves a combination of extensive fieldwork, thorough lab testing and quite a bit of luck

We want to know where COVID came from. But it’s too soon to expect miracles

If we keep looking, we may eventually find all the missing pieces we need to close the case on where SARS-CoV-2 came from

From enormous elephants to tiny shrews: How mammals shape and are shaped by Africa’s landscapes

Africa’s mammals are a global treasure that must be protected

Bats dying of heat stroke: Experts fear mass population collapse, zoonotic diseases

Live bats don’t cause harm as they’re immune to viruses, but their carcass coming in contact with domestic animals may increase …

Where should we be looking for the next SARS-like virus? AI offers clues

Machine learning can help shortlist animal hosts that need further monitoring

Global Eco Watch: Kazakhstan’s smallest saiga population records mass calving

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology

COVID-19: Need to relook human relationship with wild, domestic animals, says report

But should not come at the cost of ignoring needs of local / indigenous communities, warns report