Mosura

May 20, 2025

Danielle Dufault/Royal Ontario Museum

Inside the front section of my local newspaper was a USA Today article about a predator that roamed the seas during the Cambrian period (500 million BP). The fossilized remains were found in the Burgess Shale of Canadian Rockies, presenting researchers with new insight into animal life in the Cambrian period, according to a paper published this week in the journal Royal Society Open Science. According to researchers, the discovery revealed the creature was more complex than other radiodont fossils suggested. Rather than the simple abdomen-like area, this creature’s body included 16 segments lined with gills, like modern arthropods. The well-preserved fossil showed an open circulatory system, consisting of a heart that pumped blood into large body cavities (lacunae). The species is called Mosura fentoni, or commonly, the sea moth.

When I went online, I found Mosura fentoni is an extinct species of hurdiid radiodont (marine arthropod) from the Cambrian Burgess Shale in British Columbia, Canada. This is the only species in the genus Mosura, and is known from sixty specimens collected between 1990 and 2022. The specimens were discovered in the Raymond Quarry and Marble Canyon localities, with the majority being placed in the invertebrate paleontology collection of the Royal Ontario Museum (ROMIP). The specimens range from 0.59 to 2.40 inches (1.5 to 6.1 cm), making this one of the smallest radiodonts known. The head has three eyes with two on short stalks and a third on the head between them. The 26 body segments comprise the head, the four-segmented neck, and the trunk. Like other radiodonts, the body bears pairs of swimming flaps, which are considerably larger on the anterior (mesotrunk) than on the posterior (posterotrunk). The gills are very large compared to body size. The specific name (fentoni) honors Peter E. Fenton and his work at the ROMIP. The generic name is from the Japanese name of Mothra (Mosura), the fictional moth-like kaiju monster featured in films by the Japanese company Toho and references the animal’s moth-like appearance.

Mothra (Japanese: Mosura) is a fictional monster (kaiju) that first appeared in the 1961 film of the same name. Mothra has appeared in several Toho tokusatsu (live action) films and as a recurring monster in the Godzilla franchise. She is typically portrayed as a colossal sentient larva (caterpillar) or imago, accompanied by two miniature fairies speaking on her behalf. Mothra is a largely heroic character, having been variously portrayed as a protector of her own island culture, the Earth, and Japan. Mothra’s design is influenced by silkworms, their caterpillars (imagos), and those of giant silk moths in the family Saturniidae. The character is often depicted hatching offspring when it nears death, a nod to the Saṃsāra doctrine of numerous Indian religions. Although Mothra is generally portrayed as female, male individuals have also been featured in the franchise, and a male Mothra larva appears alongside his non-identical twin sister in Godzilla: Tokyo S.O.S. Mothra is one of Toho’s most popular monsters and second only to Godzilla in her total number of film appearances.

THOUGHTS: Mosura is a heroic counterpart to the destruction of Godzilla. The 1954 Japanese film presented Godzilla as a metaphor for the devastation and fear caused by nuclear weapons and atomic testing. It symbolized the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the aftereffects of nuclear devastation. The film reflected the anxieties and traumas of the Japanese people during the American occupation in the post-war era. Mosura is not created by atomics and provides safety to the Earth and Japan. Cultures often present images of strong male beings running roughshod over others, along with gentile female beings offering solace and nurture. While that is the stereotype, all humans can choose to be strong, nurturing, or both. It is a choice that needs to be made. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Returned

May 17, 2025

Last May I blogged about the nest an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) had made on top of the curve in the downspout on the side of our house. While this stuck me as amusing, it prompted an exploration into what I could (and could not) do with the nest. I was not too keen about having a bird nest attached to my house (neighbors: how unsightly!). The nest was just above my raised vegetable beds, so I wondered about being attacked every time I came out to water or pick new fruit. The birds were not overly territorial but would always make a scene of flying to the fence along the yard in an apparent effort to divert my attention from the nest. Since I did not want this to become a permanent nesting site, I checked Arkansas law and found the nest was protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (1918) if the nest was active (eggs or chicks present). If the nest has been abandoned or has no eggs it can be removed. I waited until late September before I removed the nest. This year another pair of robins built a nest in the exact same location. That got me wondering if the pair returned or if this was just a great place to build a nest and raise a family.

When I looked online, I found the American robin has an extremely high rate of return to the same breeding site each season (nest fidelity). Why birds returned to nest was not really understood until the early part of the last century when Oliver Austin, with the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Massachusetts, started banding the Common tern (Sterna hirundo) which nested there. Austin found that the same terns returned to Wellfleet each spring and often laid their eggs in the exact spot on the ground as they did the year before. While robins return to old nesting sites, they typically do not reuse nests. They might repair or build on top of an old nest, but they generally build a new nest for each brood they raise. Old nests can harbor parasites and diseases, so building a new nest helps keep the nestlings healthy. Robins return to a previous nesting site if they had a successful hatch. They may instead prefer a new nest site, especially if they have found a more protected location or have discovered a potential predator eyeing their old nest.

A bird building a nest in your house is often seen as a positive omen, symbolizing new beginnings, a safe and peaceful environment, and a connection to higher powers. The nest can also represent the presence of loved ones (living or dead), and a message of love and care. Birds are often seen as messengers of hope and faith, and their presence can be a reminder of your spiritual connection to the universe. Birds are drawn to places with positive vibrations and a sense of peace so the nest in your home suggests your house is a harmonious and safe space. The act of building a nest symbolizes new beginnings and a sense of starting anew. A nest in your home can be seen as a message from loved ones who recently died and a reminder of their continued presence and love. The nest itself is a symbol of home and the importance of creating a safe and nurturing environment. Finally, in Buddhist traditions the bird’s nest symbolizes a nurturing environment and the importance of caring for new life. I guess that means when they return you have been doubly blessed.

THOUGHTS: Last year’s arrival of the robins met with concern over what the nest said about me as a homeowner. When they returned to the down spout it was met with a sense of joy at the wonder of life on display (including the two chicks in the photo). I work hard to keep the feeders full and water on hand. The nesting pair acknowledges our yard is a safe haven. Safe havens need to be available for both birds and humans. These places usually take hard work to ensure they are not lost. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Wheel Bug

May 14, 2025

Last weekend I decided to weed the succulent bed beside the drive. Melissa planted the bed with white stonecrops (Sedum album) mats placed around the 4-foot by 3-foot (1.2 m by .9 m) bed. The bed sits under the Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) tree I had trimmed for the limbs and branches that made up the base layer of my hügelkultur raised beds made last year. The problem was the bed was filled with dead leaves and the invasive Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) from the surrounding yard. After an hour of concentrated effort, I amassed a large pile of grass, leaves, and weeds on the driveway. I raked the debris into a pile and scooped it up to place in the trash bin (I do not have a large compost pile, yet). When I came back to blow the remaining debris onto the yard, I noticed a small insect with a red back scurrying across the drive. At first, I thought it was a Black widow (Latrodectus hesperus) spider dislodged from the debris. A closer look showed the creature had 6 legs, meaning it was an insect rather than a spider. I took a picture and googled the bug, and it was identified as an assassin bug, or more specifically a North American wheel bug.

When I went online, I found the North American wheel bug (Arilus cristatus), or simply wheel bug, is a species of large assassin bug in the family Reduviidae and the only species of wheel bug found in the US. It was described in 1763 by Carl Linnaeus. It is one of the largest terrestrial true bugs in North America and reaches up to 1.5 inches (38 mm) in length in its adult stage. It is sexually dimorphic with males slightly smaller than females. The characteristic feature of the species is the wheel-shaped armor on the first segment of the thorax which also bears the first set of legs. Adults are gray to brownish gray in color and black shortly after molting, but the nymphs (which have not developed the wheel-shaped structure) have bright red or orange abdomens. Wheel bugs prey on caterpillars and beetles by piercing them with their beak to inject salivary fluids that dissolve soft tissue. Wheel bugs are the most active in daylight but may feed at night in areas illuminated by lights. A wheel bug uses camouflage and hides in leafy areas (like my overgrown bed) whenever possible. Despite the prevalence of the wheel bug in many habitats, the information on the species is haphazard and incomplete. Most of its prey are pests, so the wheel bug is considered beneficial.

The wheel bug I found scurried off and I did not think any more about it until I noticed another one on my rake 20 minutes later. My app initially identified the insect as an assassin bug, but this refers to over 7,000 species of Reduviidae, a large wide-ranging (cosmopolitan) family of the suborder Heteroptera of the order Hemiptera (true bugs). Scanning pictures of the 5 different types of assassin bug, I determined it was a wheel bug, which also had 5 species. I narrowed this to the North American wheel bug because it was the only one native to North America. North American wheel bugs are highly regarded by organic gardeners because they consume a variety of insects, and their presence indicates a healthy, pesticide-free ecosystem. “They are the lion or the eagle of your food web,” according to Michael J. Raupp, an entomologist at the University of Maryland. I was glad I had left it alone.

THOUGHTS: The pictures of wheel bugs all showed a large black or gray adult, unlike the tiny (.25 inch/6 mm) insect I found. This was a nymph version of the wheel bug that hatches at the beginning of May and matures (after 5 molts) in July. That explains the second individual on my rake. I had disturbed a group of hatchlings hidden in the leaves. When I saw the wheel bug my first reaction was to squash it because it was unknown. Taking time to know, I found it was beneficial. Taking time to know (things or people) can often change our understanding. We just need to be willing to spend the time. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

NFL Draft

May 10, 2025

Sarah Kloepping/USA Today

The Sunday edition of my local newspaper (yes, it is Saturday) ran a USA Today article on the donations made by the National Football League (NFL) after the draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin. While some pieces arNFL Drafte returned to their owners, the NFL is donating material and other items to local organizations. That is up to 30 truckloads of food and reusable items. Ryan Sclar of ENGIE Impact, a part of the NFL’s green team, said, “It’s really important to the NFL that not only when they come in for a big event are they having a spectacular fan experience, but that they are leaving a really good legacy.” The NFL and the Green Bay Packers are working with community members throughout Green Bay and the surrounding area to donate reusable items. Recipients include Habitat for Humanity, Red Cross, Oneida Nation, various school districts, and government entities. These donations continue the economic impact of the NFL draft to the area.

When I went online, I found the NFL draft, officially known as the Annual Player Selection Meeting, is an annual event which serves as the source of player recruitment in the NFL. Each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order relative to its record in the previous year. Teams with the same record rotate their order for each round of the draft. A team can either select a player or trade its position to another team for other draft positions, a player, or players, or any combination of those options. The round is complete when each team has either selected a player or traded its position in the draft. The first draft was held in 1936 and the rational was to increase the competitive parity between the teams as the worst team would be able to choose the best player available. Early on, players were chosen based on hearsay, print media, or evidence of ability. Some franchises began employing full-time scouts in the 1940’s and the success of these teams forced the other franchises to also hire scouts. While things like team positioning and the number of draft rounds (currently at 7) have been revised since its creation, the fundamental method remains the same.

Edwin Stueck, a store manager for Greater Green Bay Habitat for Humanity ReStore, said donations raise money for their homeowner and building-homes programs. Lowes asked that items from the green room (large rugs, coffee tables and lamps) be donated to Habitat for Humanity homeowners. Volunteers with Rooted In, Inc, worked with 17 different spots to pick up trays of unused catered food to be picked up, refrigerated, and donated it to 13 Green Bay area groups. The Packers have their own sustainability program and worked with the NFL to identify local groups that could use wood from various structures, fence mesh, pieces of metal, flag poles, and other items. The NFL rents a great deal of what goes into building a draft campus, such as fences, generators, lights, stage pillars, and portable restrooms. Sustainability has become a major component of many companies, organizations and individual households. The NFL Draft is yet another example.

THOUGHTS: While the NFL Draft is an example, The NFL says sustainability is a core focus and the league is committed to reducing the environmental impact at each event. Last year’s Draft donations of over US$200,000 in food and materials were exceeded by US$500,000 from Green Bay. The NFL asks fans to help reduce waste by recycling and ensuring recyclables are empty, clean, and dry. We have a new (retired schoolteacher) in charge of our recycling site. When I pulled in, he was inspecting the items the woman had brought and instructing her on what was permissible and about crushing cans and plastic to save room in the bins. Even as a conscientious recycler, I learned some things as well. Recycling is more than dumping trash in a bin. It is an attitude toward sustainability. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Fledging

May 06, 2025

When I let the kids out into the side yard yesterday afternoon for a constitutional Loki immediately ran to the fence. That was not a real surprise as he usually runs to the fence to see if the next-door dogs were outside. This time he instead started scrambling after something he found on the ground. Although I did not know what he had found, I was certain it was not something he needed to have in his mouth. I shooed him away and saw a fledgling bird lying on the ground. The frightened bird started scittering around as I tried to trap it in my hands. I finally grabbed the small bird. The bird was obviously frightened and distressed, but other than being wet from being in Loki’s mouth it appeared to be unharmed. I placed the bird on the top of the 6-foot (1.8 m) fence to keep it out of harms way and to give it a chance to gain some air before it hit the ground again trying to fly away. This was a fledgling blue jay that must have fallen from its nest trying to learn to fly.

When I went online, I found the blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), or the jaybird, is a passerine bird in the family Corvidae that is native to eastern North America. The blue jay lives in most of the eastern and central states of the US. Some US populations are migratory. Resident populations are also found in Newfoundland, Canada, while breeding populations are found across southern Canada. The blue jay measures 9 to 12 inches (22 to 30 cm) from bill to tail and weighs 2.5 to 3.5 ounces (70 to 100 g), with a wingspan of 13 to 17 inches (34 to 43 cm). The color is predominantly blue, with a white chest and underparts, a blue crest, and a black, U-shaped collar around its neck and a black border behind the crest. Males and females are similar in size and plumage. The blue jay feeds mainly on seeds and nuts, soft fruits, arthropods, and an occasional small vertebrate. It typically gleans food from trees, shrubs, and the ground, and will “hawk” insects from the air. Blue jays can be very aggressive to other birds and have been seen to raid nests and have even to kill other birds. The nest is an open cup in the branches of a tree built by both sexes. The clutch has from two to seven eggs, which are blueish or light brown with darker brown spots. Young are underdeveloped at birth (altricial) and are brooded by the female for 8 to 12 days after hatching. The fledgling will leave the nest between 17 to 21 days old

Blue jays are monogamous during nesting and do not typically abandon their young. Even after the fledgling leaves the nest the parents will care for and feed them for at least a month, and sometimes for up to two months. If a young jay wanders far from the nest, parents may still feed it if it can be restored to or near the nest. The rare cases where the young are abandoned are due to some disturbance or other unforeseen circumstances. If you find a young blue jay, it is best to leave it alone unless it is in immediate danger. It is likely the parents are likely to be nearby and will continue to care for the fledgling bird.

THOUGHTS: The fledgling blue jay I found appeared to be in imminent danger when I put it on the fence. Fledgling is a dangerous time of life, with an average mortality rate of 42% over a week or two, with most mortality just after they leave the nest. Humans are born altricial and take even longer to learn to be self-sufficient, typically around 30 years to become fully self-sufficient. This lengthy process is due to factors like the large human brain taking time to develop, premature birth, and the need to learn complex skills from caregivers. Self-sufficiency is a gradual progression and not an event and involves developing practical skills and emotional independence. Being labeled an adult at 18 has little to do with being self-sufficient. Care networks need to be extended rather than cut off when a child comes of age or decides to become a fledgling. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Indigo

May 05, 2025

My MSN browser carried an article about the annual reintroduction of a snake into Florida’s forests. The 41 snakes were released on April 30 at Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (ABRP). The 21 males and 20 females are part of a long-term effort to restore a once-common species. This is the eighth year that The Nature Conservancy and its partners have conducted the release. “The snakes are native, non-venomous, and critical to this ecosystem,” said Catherine Ricketts, preserve manager at ABRP. This latest release brings the total number of snakes returned to the site to 167. In 2023, conservationists spotted two hatchlings born in the wild, the first natural offspring of previously released snakes. Each snake hatches at the Orianne Center for Indigo Conservation (OCIC) and at one year are moved to the Welaka National Fish Hatchery. The Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve is the only site in Florida where Eastern Indigo snake reintroduction is happening.

When I went online, I found the eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi), also called the indigo snake, blue indigo snake, black snake, blue gopher snake, and blue bull snake, is a species of large, non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to the southeastern US. The Eastern Indigo was first described by John Edwards Holbrook in 1842. Until the early 1990’s the genus Drymarchon was considered monotypic with one species (Drymarchon corais) and 12 subspecies. Drymarchon corais couperi was then elevated to full species status according to the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles. The generic name (Drymarchon) is from the Greek words drymos (“forest”) and archon (“lord” or “ruler”), roughly translating to “lord of the forest”. The eastern indigo has uniform blue-black dorsal scales, with some specimens having a reddish orange to tan color on the throat, cheeks, and chin. This smooth-scaled snake is considered e the longest native snake species in the US. The longest recorded specimen measured 9.2 feet (2.8 m) long and the mature male are slightly larger than females. A typical mature male measures 3.0 to 7.7 feet (1.2 to 2.36 m) and weighs 1.6 to 9.9 pounds (0.72 to 4.5 kg). Specimens over 8,5 feet (2.6 m) can weigh up to 11pounds (5 kg).

The eastern indigo snake is listed as a federally threatened species in Georgia and Florida due to habitat loss. In 2012 the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources had listed the species as possibly extirpated within the state, but a reintroduction program has shown signs of success. The eastern indigo was largely eliminated from northern Florida due to habitat loss and fragmentation. A restoration program is currently underway at Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve (ABRP) in northern Florida. The eastern indigo snake was last observed at ABRP in 1982, until 2017 when 12 snakes were released as part of the program. Twenty more snakes were released in 2018, and another 15 (10 female and 5 male) in 2019. The 10-year program is a collaborative effort between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and private partners. The snakes are also dealing with infections due to the snake fungal disease (Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola) which infects the dermal layer of skin, causing a variety of lesions that commonly manifest on the head and near the vent. NatureServe considers the species to be Vulnerable.

THOUGHTS: The docile nature and appearance can make the eastern indigo snake to be a desirable pet but owning one may be illegal without a permit. While only a few states require permits, a federal permit is required to buy one from out of state anywhere in the US. Most states allow unrestricted in-state sales. The snake requires a larger enclosure than most species and preferably with something to climb on. As a vulnerable species, it is perhaps best to leave them to the Nature Conservancy. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Bluegill

April 30, 2025

I am not sure exactly why, but Melissa and I rarely fish since we got the kids. We did go a couple of times when Zena was a pup but even then, Melissa sat with her while I fished. I always felt bad about leaving Melissa with the two dogs while she was still working. Now that she is retired, I guess it comes down to being out of the habit. That changed on Monday. It has been raining and we were (mostly) confined to the house. By the afternoon the sun was out, and it was a beautiful Spring Day. I took the dogs for a walk and then we decided to go fishing. That meant stopping to get worms. I prefer red worms (Eisenia fetida) as they do not tend to die as easily in the heat as the nightcrawlers (Lumbricus terrestris). We also went online to update Melissa’s fishing license. Now we were ready to fish at one of our favorite spots. This is a small pond where Melissa caught a 3 pound (1.4 kg) largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans) several years ago. Mostly, the pond produces bluegill. When I went online, I found bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), also called “bream” or “brim”, is a species of North American freshwater fish commonly found in streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands east of the Rocky Mountains. It is the type species of the genus Lepomis (true sunfish).

Bluegills range in size from about 4 to 12 inches (100 to 300 mm) and reach a maximum size of 16 inches (41 cm) long and about 4-1⁄2 pounds (2.0 kg). Color varies from population to population depending on their food source, but they typically have deep blue and purple on the face and gill cover, dark olive-colored bands down the side, and a fiery orange to yellow belly. The bluegill is noted for the large black appendage (the “ear”) on each side of the posterior edge of the gill covers as well as the base of the dorsal fin. The sides of the head and chin are commonly dark shades of blue, hence the name “bluegill”. They are omnivorous and will consume anything they can fit in their mouth, but mostly small aquatic insects and baitfish. Blue gills are important prey for bass, other larger sunfish, northern pike and muskellunge, walleye, trout, herons, kingfishers, snapping turtles and otters, and play a key role within the food chain of its freshwater ecosystem. The largest bluegill ever caught was 4 pounds 12 ounces (2.2 kg) in 1950.

When I blogged about the large bass Melissa caught, I mentioned she is really known as “queen of the tiny fish”. Small bluegill have a voracious appetite and will devour the smallest amount of worm on a #10 hook. The trick is not getting them to bite, it is catching them as they tend to nibble rather than engulf the hook. That is another reason for red worms’ verse nightcrawlers. The reds are smaller (2 inches /5 cm) and skinnier (1/5 inch/2 mm), meaning the bluegill needs to get their mouth closer to the hook. Melissa has perfected the skill of fishing for tiny fish and consistently out fishes me. Monday was no exception as she reeled in 16 bluegill to my 7.

THOUGHTS: The problem I have fishing for bluegill is that after I catch several, I decide it is time to go after something larger (that bass?). That means switching from my casting rod to my fly pole. Invariably, Melissa will catch 2 to 3 fish while I am transitioning. I rarely have luck with my fly rod at the “tiny fish” pond, but it is fun to practice my cast and to retain the hope of hooking a largemouth. While Melissa enjoys catching fish, I enjoy the process of fishing. We both practice “catch and release”, although we occasionally keep a stocked rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) at the end of the season. Both actions are a luxury many in the world do not have. I have watched videos of people who fish so they can eat and keep anything they catch (regardless of size). That is true even with many fisher people in the US. Over 3 billion people worldwide rely on fish for a significant portion of their animal protein intake. We need to keep our waterways pollution free and use conservation to keep this resource viable. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Beavers 3

April 22, 2025

My MSN browser provided an update to the ongoing saga of a family of beavers in Northern California. On a 2,325-acre valley in Northern California named Tásmam Koyóm, conservation efforts are underway to reintroduce beavers (Castor canadensis) after a nearly 75-year absence. The result has been an explosion in population. The beaver family in Tásmam Koyóm is one part of the continued efforts in California. The state released a family of seven on June 12, 2024, at nearby South Fork Tule River, marking the first time the beaver had homed in the region in over a century. The Tásmam Koyóm family has had a year and a half to get used to the new environment and are thriving, with two litters of kits and one of the beavers finding a mate in the wild. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife says population growth offers a chance for beavers to thrive again. The species is endemic to Northern California, but its population was decimated by the fur trade in the 1800’s with numbers dwindling to fewer than a thousand by 1912. The beaver is not only beginning to make a comeback, but it can also protect the landscape from wildfire threats.

When I went online, I found California has been affected by thousands of wildfires between 1987 and 2023. The Palisades Fire began burning in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County on January 7, 2025, and grew to destroy large areas of Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu before it was fully contained on January 31, 24 days later. The fire was driven by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds and burned 23,448 acres (9,489 ha), killed 12 people, and destroyed 6,837 structures. The fire was the tenth deadliest and third-most destructive California wildfire on record and the most destructive to occur in the history of the city of Los Angeles. While the wildfire-prone area requires a multifaceted approach to future prevention, the recent reintroduction of beavers across the state could help.

The beavers come into play as they naturally create and maintain wetland environments. Beaver dams have been mimicked in conservation efforts with volunteers creating Beaver Dam Analogues (BDA) to help bring water to drought-prone areas. The state’s largest (real) beaver dam was over 320 feet (97.5 m) long before it was consumed in a wildfire in 2021. One of the groups of the Tule River beavers began building off a BDA, strengthening the man-made dam already there. Conservation efforts for the beaver help prevent wildfires and benefit the region’s wildlife, from the long-lived Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) to the state bird, the California quail (Callipepla californica). The beavers’ explosive growth has given rise to the title of “Swiss army knife” of the animal kingdom for its utility. The Tásmam Koyóm beaver family should be a rallying cry for more conservation as well as a case study of how important it is to protect ecosystems to the benefit of every living creature.

THOUGHTS: The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists over 47,000 species as threatened with extinction. Success stories like the Tule River beavers provide a cause for celebration. Another family of beavers have taken up living in Alhambra Creek in downtown Martinez, California. A male and female beaver arrived in Alhambra Creek in 2006 and proceeding to produce 4 kits over the course of the summer. After the city decided to exterminate the beavers, local conservationists formed an organization called Worth a Dam which got the decision overturned. Subsequently, wildlife populations have increased in diversity along the Alhambra Creek watershed. Living in proximity to wildlife can be beneficial, if humans take time to figure out how to create a symbiotic relationship. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Coexistence

April 20, 2025

Earlier this week the NY Times carried an article by Jack Nicas about an invasion occurring in Argentina. Since the pandemic, “carpinchos,” as they are known, have proliferated in Nordelta, a ritzy gated community of 45,000 people north of Buenos Aires. Over the past two years, biologists estimate the capybara population has tripled to nearly 1,000 in this gated community, posing a test case for the urban coexistence of humans and wildlife. While most residents find them cute, they also cause traffic accidents, chomp their way through gardens, and have occasionally attacked some of the community’s smallest dogs. These actions have led to an effort to place controls on the animals. Veronica Esposito is one of a small group of neighbors leading a rebellion against the controls. They have protested in the streets, taken legal action against developers, and gathered 25,000 signatures for an online petition to protect the animals. “I believe their adorableness is a strategy of the species itself to survive.” said Silvia Soto, the most vocal neighbor. In February, the Nordelta organization told residents in an email that it was moving ahead with a “contraceptive vaccination program,” to sterilize 250 adult capybaras. It seems some do not want coexistence.

When I looked online, I found the future of wildlife depends on the willingness and capacity of human coexistence. To coexist means to live in a dynamic state where the needs and interests of both humans and wildlife living in proximity to each other are generally met. This coexistence may not be entirely free of negative interactions and may still contain some level of impact on both people and wildlife. Living together is especially dependent on a level of tolerance on the human side. Humans have lived alongside wildlife for thousands of years, but conflict arises when the presence or behavior of wildlife poses a direct or perceived threat to people’s needs, interests, and safety. As our planet becomes increasingly crowded, livable space is decreased by accelerated climate change, habitat loss, and competition for resources. What it means to share space with wildlife differs drastically from place to place and from species to species, which often makes moving toward coexistence a complex and ever-evolving target.

Thirty years ago, Nordelta was an untouched wetland where capybaras roamed free, hunted by pumas, jaguars, caiman, and sport hunters. Eduardo Constantini, the real estate developer who controls the Nordelta organization, began transforming the area in the late 1990’s, building housing, infrastructure, a shopping center, and a golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Construction has been nearly nonstop. Ms. Soto argued that the capybara population is only increasing because developers destroyed the animals’ wild habitat, forcing them out of the forest and into the suburbs. As capybara grazed on a playground, a married couple walking by held different views of the plight of the animals. Felipo Contigiani said he used to hunt capybara as a child and had little sympathy, “It’s a wild animal that came to live in the city.” His wife Lidia Schmidt corrected him, “No, the city came to settle where the wild animal was.” Coexistence seems a long way off.

THOUGHTS: To achieve some level of coexistence between people and wildlife, various stakeholders must partner together to address the challenges and devise solutions that focus on the benefits of living alongside wildlife. This is especially true for the local communities who are often directly negatively impacted by living with wildlife. The town of Churchill in northern Manitoba, Canada is most famous for the many polar bears that move toward the shore from inland in the autumn, leading to the nickname “Polar Bear Capital of the World”. Coexistence often means a willingness to think outside the box. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.

Barrier

April 19, 2025

My MSN browser reported on a recent discovery in Australia on the region’s marine life. The research was published in Science Advances and shows how marine dynamics could have far-reaching implications for understanding the resilience of oceanic ecosystems. Research found that the Marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef outperformed expectations, with fish densities two to three times higher than in zones where fishing is allowed. This is especially true for the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), or coral trout, which is a key species for both biodiversity and commercial fisheries. The sanctuaries serve as critical breeding grounds where the fish grow larger and produce more offspring. The baby fish then migrate to fishing zones, maintaining catch levels without depleting stocks. Researchers found that even though the reserves make up less than a third of the Great Barrier Reef, about 55% of all coral trout reproduction and 47% of the total catch across the reef originates from these protected areas.

When I looked online, I found the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest coral reef system. The system is composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 1,400 miles (2,300 km) over an area of approximately 133,000 miles² (344,400 km²). The reef is in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia, separated from the coast by a channel up to 100 miles (160 km) wide and over 200 feet (61 m) deep. The Great Barrier Reef can be seen from outer space and is the world’s largest single structure made by living organisms. The reef is composed of and built by billions of tiny coral polyps (phylum Cnidaria, subphylum Anthozoa) and supports a wide diversity of life. The reef was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981, and CNN labelled it one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World in 1997. Australian World Heritage places included it in its list in 2007 and the Queensland National Trust named it a state icon of Queensland in 2006.

The study used an innovative mix of fish surveys, genetic testing, ocean current modeling, and reef mapping to pull together decades of data. Researchers found the benefits of marine reserves extend far beyond their boundaries. Nearly 95% of reefs receive at least 30% of their baby fish from reserves, and 93% of fished reefs get at least 30% of their catch from protected areas, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of conservation strategies. As fish from protected areas travel and repopulate nearby reefs, the entire ecosystem becomes more resilient. Michael Bode, of the QUT School of Mathematical Sciences, said, “By protecting fish populations within these no-take zones, we not only safeguard biodiversity but also guarantee that there will be a new generation of fish on the reefs that are open to fishing.” Environmental pressures on the Barrier Reef come from runoff of human made pollutants, climate change (mass coral bleaching), dumping of dredging sludge, and cyclic population outbreaks of the crown-of-thorns starfish. The reef has lost more than half its coral cover since 1985.

THOUGHTS: This recent study of the protected areas in the Great Barrier Reef shows the synergy between conservation and economic security. By ensuring that fish populations remain healthy and abundant, marine reserves support sustainable fishing practices, helping local fishers and coastal communities maintain their livelihoods without compromising long-term ocean health. The Australian government is investing millions into reef protection and this study offers evidence that marine conservation is not at odds with economic growth. While some consider such government-funded studies to be frivolous, they can guide better practices to benefit the economy and natural ecosystems. Sticking your head in the sand or ignoring problems has never proven to be viable for long-term growth. Act for all. Change is coming and it starts with you.