Chris R. Shepherd
chrisrshepherd.bsky.social
Chris R. Shepherd
@chrisrshepherd.bsky.social
Environmental science 49%
Biology 16%

Chinese National Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Reptiles

www.justice.gov/opa/pr/chine...
Chinese National Sentenced to Prison for Trafficking Reptiles
www.justice.gov

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Did you know #RedWolves are among the most endangered carnivores in the world?

People relentlessly persecuted them, to the extent that in 1980 the species was declared extinct in the wild.

Since then, red #wolves have returned to the wild in #NorthCarolina.

https://bit.ly/49nW1am

The U.K. is the latest country to ban boiling live lobsters. Could Canada be next? - National Post

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Coral records show the Salish Sea and California Current are acidifying faster than models predicted.

As CO₂ rises in oceans faster than in the air, risks grow for shellfish, fisheries, and coastal communities. Scientists warn of an “existential” threat without steep emissions cuts.
Century-old corals reveal the Pacific Northwest is acidifying faster than expected
In 1888, researchers aboard the R/V Albatross began the world’s first concentrated marine research expeditions off California’s Pacific coast. The team collected untold plant and animal specimens,…
news.mongabay.com

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

At this very moment, foxes are being hunted, exhausted, and ripped apart by hounds all under the guise of "tradition."

Boxing Day is the biggest event for the hunting community, even though it’s illegal.

Share to raise awareness and help end this cruelty for good. 🦊

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Flash floods near Padang swept timber and mud into coastal waters, blocking access to sea routes and cutting off livelihoods.

Fishers report damaged boats and lost income, while scientists warn sediment and debris are harming coastal ecosystems. Groups blame illegal logging upstream.
A flood of logs post-Cyclone Senyar leaves Padang fishers out of work
PADANG, Indonesia — At low tide along Padang’s coastline, fishing boats sit idle, not because of rough seas, but because the water is clogged with timber. In late November, flash floods from Cyclone…
news.mongabay.com
Narcotrafficking gangs in coastal Ecuador are now trafficking shark fins alongside cocaine, per Código Vidrio.

Shark fins move through the Galápagos en route to Asia, exploiting a bycatch loophole. This expansion into illegal fishing is driving violence against local fishers.
Drug gangs in Ecuador and Peru also involved in shark fin trafficking: Report
Narcotrafficking gangs operating out of Manabí, a coastal province of Ecuador, are also involved in trafficking shark fins alongside their drug operations, according to a recent investigation by…
news.mongabay.com

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Rivers with beavers can have up to 6x more species of fish, amphibians, water insects, water plants, and dragonflies, and up to 60x more abundance, than those without.

What the beaver does for nature is absolutely mind-blowing.
share.google/zRvScq1fvarX...
Something gnawed your oak tree? Sink hole in your road? How Zurich’s beaver hotline is reassuring residents
As the number of the semi-aquatic creatures soars so can tensions. But the Swiss have a tried and tested system to calm the neighbours and restore harmony
share.google

Thanks to demand for trophies...

Authorities confiscated 50 white-tailed deer heads and antlers, one wild turkey head, and one illegally possessed fox squirrel. In addition, a rifle, a muzzleloader, and a crossbow used in the illegal hunting were also seized.

hoodline.com/2025/12/tenn...
Tennessee Poachers Sentenced to Prison and Lifetime Hunting Ban for Wildlife Violations in Wilson and Rutherford Counties
TWRA investigation reveals extensive poaching by two men in Tennessee, resulting in a lifetime hunting ban and other penalties.
hoodline.com

While that is possible, there is also demand in Canada and it is likely the bear parts were destined for local sale/use.

Reposted by Julie L. Lockwood

A Saskatchewan woman has been fined $12,000 and faces long-term hunting suspensions for wildlife trafficking and unlawful transport of wildlife parts.

Congratulations to all involved in this enforcement action!

www.ctvnews.ca/saskatoon/ar...
Sask. woman charged after trafficking bear paws and gallbladders
A Saskatchewan woman has been fined $12,000 and faces long-term hunting suspensions for wildlife trafficking and unlawful transport of wildlife parts.
www.ctvnews.ca

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Young Peregrine euthanised after suffering gunshot injuries in Leicestershire.

Sad news from @leicsperegrines.bsky.social who are working hard to encourage public engagement. Please give them a follow.

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/24/p...

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

As an international treaty, CMS has two Appendices.

Appendix I includes migratory species that have been assessed as in danger of extinction in the wild throughout all or a significant portion of their range. 📜 🐦

View the CMS Appendices in English, Spanish or French: www.cms.int/species/appe...

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

New research co-led by WCS Canada shows that Cape Parry’s isolated thick-billed murre colony is increasingly exposed as climate change opens Arctic waters longer each year & ship traffic expands into molting & feeding areas ↓
Colony of 'penguins of the North' in N.W.T. threatened by Arctic shipping, researchers say | CBC News
A new study suggests that a colony of sea birds nesting on Cape Parry in the N.W.T. could face increasing threats related to increased Arctic shipping traffic and environmental change.
f.mtr.cool

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Not enough young men are getting vaccinated against HPV, and it's undermining the elimination of cervical cancer. If more boys receive the vaccine it will save numerous lives from HPV-associated cancers, including cervical, anal, penile & oral cancers.
www.sciencealert.com/vaccinating-...
Vaccinating Boys Against HPV Could Eliminate Cervical Cancer
Not enough young men are getting vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), and in some nations, it may be undermining the elimination of cervical cancer.
www.sciencealert.com

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

Years of work is finally paying off! 🎉

Congratulations to the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and the Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan), on this enforcement action!

www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/...
MMEA seizes 245 protected animals in Batu Pahat raid
BATU PAHAT: A total of 245 protected animals have been seized following an operation at a kelong (a man-made wooden platform) near Sungai Suluh here
www.thestar.com.my

Reposted by Julie L. Lockwood

Each man was also ordered to pay $9,500 to the Lacey Act Reward Fund, which funds payments made to whistleblowers in wildlife crimes, and $15,000 in restitution to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.

www.idahostatesman.com/news/local/c...
Idaho outfitter and guide fined for illegal bighorn sheep hunts
Two men pleaded guilty to violating a federal law when they led the expeditions. Sheep killed on trips were transported to Utah and Alaska.
www.idahostatesman.com

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

VICTORY FOR WILDLIFE! Trail hunting is to be banned in England and Wales as part of the UK Government’s new animal welfare strategy. For more than 20 years, trail hunting has acted as a smokescreen for illegal hunting, allowing foxes and other wildlife to be chased and killed.

Reposted by Chris R. Shepherd

FOURTH White-tailed Eagle disappears - RSPB offers reward for information leading to a conviction for this one or any of the other three.

New blog ⬇️⬇️

#RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime

raptorpersecutionuk.org/2025/12/19/f...
Fourth White-tailed Eagle ‘disappears’ & RSPB offers £10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction
Following the appalling news over the last couple of days about the highly suspicious, and almost certainly criminal, disappearance of three satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagles here, here and here…
raptorpersecutionuk.org