Ellen Pero
@elperomyscus.bsky.social
Working/living with and for wild things, life and places.
Postdoc interested in species recovery and assessment. Posts about conservation, mushrooms, and occasional maths.
Wildlife MSc, PhD (she/her)
Postdoc interested in species recovery and assessment. Posts about conservation, mushrooms, and occasional maths.
Wildlife MSc, PhD (she/her)
“The Sinixt people have always had that responsibility, and we've always felt that responsibility. There's just things that have stood in our way,” said Rich Whitney, the reservation’s senior wildlife manager, and a Sinixt tribal member."
>Tribes leading on wildlife recovery again
#🌎#🦊 (🦌)
>Tribes leading on wildlife recovery again
#🌎#🦊 (🦌)
Habitat loss and development in the Rockies drove America's last caribou population in the lower 48 states to near extinction. The few remaining individuals were captured and sent to British Columbia. Now a mulitnational effort is underway to bring them back and protect old-growth forests. 🌎
Bringing Caribou Home
This Indigenous-led effort hopes to restore America's caribou population to the Northern Rockies
www.sierraclub.org
January 21, 2026 at 6:50 PM
“The Sinixt people have always had that responsibility, and we've always felt that responsibility. There's just things that have stood in our way,” said Rich Whitney, the reservation’s senior wildlife manager, and a Sinixt tribal member."
>Tribes leading on wildlife recovery again
#🌎#🦊 (🦌)
>Tribes leading on wildlife recovery again
#🌎#🦊 (🦌)
Higher proposed funding in congressional spending budget than the presidential (which zeroed out much natural resource funding, esp for #conservation and research work). Still proposed cuts here to tribal grants and climate adaptation sci centers; proposed increase to ecosystems mission area
#🌎#🦊
#🌎#🦊
Congress releases conferenced FY2026 Interior spending bill - The Wildlife Society
The draft bill represents the next step in setting annual funding levels for key federal conservation programs
wildlife.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Higher proposed funding in congressional spending budget than the presidential (which zeroed out much natural resource funding, esp for #conservation and research work). Still proposed cuts here to tribal grants and climate adaptation sci centers; proposed increase to ecosystems mission area
#🌎#🦊
#🌎#🦊
Everyone see this?
>U.S. withdrawing from the #IPCC of course - but also the #IUCN?! And dozens of UN orgs?
>Grim.
#🌎#🦊
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
>U.S. withdrawing from the #IPCC of course - but also the #IUCN?! And dozens of UN orgs?
>Grim.
#🌎#🦊
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United
www.whitehouse.gov
January 8, 2026 at 6:40 PM
Everyone see this?
>U.S. withdrawing from the #IPCC of course - but also the #IUCN?! And dozens of UN orgs?
>Grim.
#🌎#🦊
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
>U.S. withdrawing from the #IPCC of course - but also the #IUCN?! And dozens of UN orgs?
>Grim.
#🌎#🦊
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Following TWS’s updates on this story re: the administration‘s proposed changes to ESA policy (including limiting foreseeable future interpretations and removing some explicit disallowance of economic considerations in listing decisions).
#🦊#🌎
Can comment here: www.regulations.gov/document/FWS...
#🦊#🌎
Can comment here: www.regulations.gov/document/FWS...
Endangered species rules rollback to 2019 - The Wildlife Society
Proposed rules will narrow the definitions of critical habitat and listing criteria
wildlife.org
December 12, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Following TWS’s updates on this story re: the administration‘s proposed changes to ESA policy (including limiting foreseeable future interpretations and removing some explicit disallowance of economic considerations in listing decisions).
#🦊#🌎
Can comment here: www.regulations.gov/document/FWS...
#🦊#🌎
Can comment here: www.regulations.gov/document/FWS...
Reposted by Ellen Pero
The new issue of Oryx explores bear conservation across North America and Asia—from black bears in Hainan to brown bears in Nepal. With insights on habitat loss, local knowledge and policy reform, it highlights the urgent need for action in fragmented landscapes🐻
November 24, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The new issue of Oryx explores bear conservation across North America and Asia—from black bears in Hainan to brown bears in Nepal. With insights on habitat loss, local knowledge and policy reform, it highlights the urgent need for action in fragmented landscapes🐻
Reposted by Ellen Pero
"Americans broadly support the restoration of wildlife, including large predators ... Going the distance will require sustained collaboration and investment in the communities we are asking to live alongside these animals." 🌎
Opinion | The Reality of Living With Wolves, Bears and Mountain Lions
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"Americans broadly support the restoration of wildlife, including large predators ... Going the distance will require sustained collaboration and investment in the communities we are asking to live alongside these animals." 🌎
Reposted by Ellen Pero
"Since 1850, human & domesticated mammal populations have grown rapidly. During the same period, the total biomass of wild mammals decreased by more than 2-fold." www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 29, 2025 at 2:56 PM
"Since 1850, human & domesticated mammal populations have grown rapidly. During the same period, the total biomass of wild mammals decreased by more than 2-fold." www.nature.com/articles/s41...
"From March 1–September 30, 2025, postings on Conservation Job Board fell 29.4% year over year (YOY)."
>>Really feeling this amidst my ongoing search for positions in recovery biology.. Somehow seeing it via some data helps a bit?
>Hang in there, friends!
#🌎#🦊 #conservation #wildlife
>>Really feeling this amidst my ongoing search for positions in recovery biology.. Somehow seeing it via some data helps a bit?
>Hang in there, friends!
#🌎#🦊 #conservation #wildlife
Conservation Jobs Fall Sharply in 2025
Summary
The conservation workforce includes the people and organizations that protect, manage, and study nature. These are the jobs responsible for our parks, forests, wildlife, and water resources.
...
worksfornature.org
October 20, 2025 at 6:43 PM
"From March 1–September 30, 2025, postings on Conservation Job Board fell 29.4% year over year (YOY)."
>>Really feeling this amidst my ongoing search for positions in recovery biology.. Somehow seeing it via some data helps a bit?
>Hang in there, friends!
#🌎#🦊 #conservation #wildlife
>>Really feeling this amidst my ongoing search for positions in recovery biology.. Somehow seeing it via some data helps a bit?
>Hang in there, friends!
#🌎#🦊 #conservation #wildlife
Reposted by Ellen Pero
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Hold Virtual Informational Meeting on Red #Wolf Recovery Program on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST. buff.ly/yjIUmNF #redwolves
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Hold Virtual Informational Meeting on Red Wolf Recovery Program | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will hold a virtual informational meeting to update the public on the Red Wolf Recovery Program, including revitalized recovery efforts for the species, the status…
buff.ly
September 18, 2025 at 8:01 PM
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Hold Virtual Informational Meeting on Red #Wolf Recovery Program on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST. buff.ly/yjIUmNF #redwolves
Reposted by Ellen Pero
With federal protections for grizzlies under threat, grizzly bears in the Intermountain West will need more local support. In Montana, a growing cohort of residents is doing just that—helping communities in bear country coexist while making it easier for bears to traverse the landscape. 🌎
Montanans Are Making Space for Grizzlies
Wildlife corridors and conflict prevention help keep bears safe
www.sierraclub.org
September 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
With federal protections for grizzlies under threat, grizzly bears in the Intermountain West will need more local support. In Montana, a growing cohort of residents is doing just that—helping communities in bear country coexist while making it easier for bears to traverse the landscape. 🌎
Reposted by Ellen Pero
BREAKING: The first segments of border wall have gone up in the San Rafael Valley, south of Tucson, Ariz. Construction crews have drilled at least two wells and have turned the area, a corridor for jaguars, pronghorn, bears, mountain lions, ocelots, porcupines, into an devastating industrial site.
September 16, 2025 at 12:20 PM
BREAKING: The first segments of border wall have gone up in the San Rafael Valley, south of Tucson, Ariz. Construction crews have drilled at least two wells and have turned the area, a corridor for jaguars, pronghorn, bears, mountain lions, ocelots, porcupines, into an devastating industrial site.
Reposted by Ellen Pero
We're on @npr.org Short Wave talking birds and prairie-dogs! www.npr.org/2025/06/25/1... #ornithology
Why eavesdropping on prairie dogs pays off for this bird : Short Wave
Why did the ornithologist strap a taxidermy badger to a remote controlled car and drive it around the prairie? To interrogate the secret world of animal eavesdropping in the grasslands, of course! Tod...
www.npr.org
June 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
We're on @npr.org Short Wave talking birds and prairie-dogs! www.npr.org/2025/06/25/1... #ornithology
Reposted by Ellen Pero
So excited to share this paper, lead-authored by newly-minted Dr. Andrew Dreelin from my lab and @andyjboyce.bsky.social's with you all! 🧪
There's this paradox about prairie dog towns - many birds seem to love them, but they attract a lot of predators.
1/n
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lFifmjMA3tq
There's this paradox about prairie dog towns - many birds seem to love them, but they attract a lot of predators.
1/n
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lFifmjMA3tq
June 12, 2025 at 8:18 PM
So excited to share this paper, lead-authored by newly-minted Dr. Andrew Dreelin from my lab and @andyjboyce.bsky.social's with you all! 🧪
There's this paradox about prairie dog towns - many birds seem to love them, but they attract a lot of predators.
1/n
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lFifmjMA3tq
There's this paradox about prairie dog towns - many birds seem to love them, but they attract a lot of predators.
1/n
authors.elsevier.com/c/1lFifmjMA3tq
Reposted by Ellen Pero
Excellent feature from @planetmoney.bsky.social
@washu.bsky.social Chancellor Andrew Martin opens up the books to explain how the budget of a major research institution works. And genetics researcher Mike Meers talks about the stress of the past few months. www.npr.org/2025/05/28/1... 🧪 🩺
@washu.bsky.social Chancellor Andrew Martin opens up the books to explain how the budget of a major research institution works. And genetics researcher Mike Meers talks about the stress of the past few months. www.npr.org/2025/05/28/1... 🧪 🩺
Why does the government fund research at universities? : Planet Money
American universities are where people go to learn and teach. They're also where research and development happens. Over the past eight decades, universities have received billions in federal dollars t...
www.npr.org
May 29, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Excellent feature from @planetmoney.bsky.social
@washu.bsky.social Chancellor Andrew Martin opens up the books to explain how the budget of a major research institution works. And genetics researcher Mike Meers talks about the stress of the past few months. www.npr.org/2025/05/28/1... 🧪 🩺
@washu.bsky.social Chancellor Andrew Martin opens up the books to explain how the budget of a major research institution works. And genetics researcher Mike Meers talks about the stress of the past few months. www.npr.org/2025/05/28/1... 🧪 🩺
Reposted by Ellen Pero
USGS’ biological research arm could vanish next week www.hcn.org/articles/usg... via @highcountrynews.org
USGS’ biological research arm could vanish next week - High Country News
Trump is on a multipronged mission to eliminate a science agency that conservationists, toxicologists, universities and more call irreplaceable.
www.hcn.org
May 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
USGS’ biological research arm could vanish next week www.hcn.org/articles/usg... via @highcountrynews.org
Lots going on in the news these days - adding some #conservation optimism into bluesky
We released our initial (but extensive) eval of potential for grizzly reintroduction in California
Full report docs.calgrizzly.org/docs/CGA-Fea...
Some media coverage www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#🦊 (🐻) #🌎
We released our initial (but extensive) eval of potential for grizzly reintroduction in California
Full report docs.calgrizzly.org/docs/CGA-Fea...
Some media coverage www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#🦊 (🐻) #🌎
docs.calgrizzly.org
May 13, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Lots going on in the news these days - adding some #conservation optimism into bluesky
We released our initial (but extensive) eval of potential for grizzly reintroduction in California
Full report docs.calgrizzly.org/docs/CGA-Fea...
Some media coverage www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#🦊 (🐻) #🌎
We released our initial (but extensive) eval of potential for grizzly reintroduction in California
Full report docs.calgrizzly.org/docs/CGA-Fea...
Some media coverage www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
#🦊 (🐻) #🌎
Reposted by Ellen Pero
From the grizzly bear reintroduction feasibility study at docs.calgrizzly.org/docs/CGA-Fea..., a list of foods for grizzlies in California. I'm surprised to see no mention of fish but, anyway, I recommend the authors collaborate with the agroforesters who raise these foods. @elperomyscus.bsky.social
![Table S1. Plant genera included in the model, with justifications for inclusion.
Allium: Alliums produce large nutrient-dense geophytic bulbs that
represent a potential year-round food source for bears
Avena
Camassia: Camassia produce large nutrient-dense geophytic bulbs that
represent a potential year-round food source for bears
Carex: Carex plants produce nutritious forbs during the green-up
season and nutrient-dense seed heads during reproduction
Prunus
Quercus: Oaks produce large flushes of highly nutritious and
calorie-dense acorns, generally during the autumn months
Rubus: Rubus plants produce large flushes of nutrient-dense fruits
between spring and fall, depending on the species and climate. They are eaten by black bears frequently in California and grizzly bears outside of the state.
Vaccinium
In addition to plants, we also modeled the distribution of
cutworm moths (of the family Noctuidae). These moths have
been shown to be important sources of protein and calories
for grizzly bears in the Rockies, especially in high-elevation
habitats [25], [53]. Lastly, we included Columbian blacktailed
deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) and other
mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), which are predicted to
be one of the main natural mammalian prey for California
grizzly bears. We did not include elk (Cervus canadensis),
as elk populations are generally small where they occur
throughout the state and do not occur in large numbers in
two-thirds of our study’s potential recovery areas.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:eypk5upouxdci6onpwqzfli7/bafkreig5og725bsaszhhmkipy6mhzckkd3ptu6w4av7ufqgxam6dyo5tti@jpeg)
May 13, 2025 at 1:45 PM
From the grizzly bear reintroduction feasibility study at docs.calgrizzly.org/docs/CGA-Fea..., a list of foods for grizzlies in California. I'm surprised to see no mention of fish but, anyway, I recommend the authors collaborate with the agroforesters who raise these foods. @elperomyscus.bsky.social
My friend's student asks me to share:
The administration is trying to destroy the Endangered Species Act from within. Public commenting is basically the only way to thwart this rule before getting to court. If you have a few minutes to comment:
www.regulations.gov/commenton/FW...
The administration is trying to destroy the Endangered Species Act from within. Public commenting is basically the only way to thwart this rule before getting to court. If you have a few minutes to comment:
www.regulations.gov/commenton/FW...
Regulations.gov
www.regulations.gov
April 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Reposted by Ellen Pero
Presidential budget requests are a call to action not an obituary. Call your reps.
All wildlife research at USGS will be eliminated. All research and science centers. All coop units. BBS, BBL…. gone.
www.science.org/content/arti...
www.science.org/content/arti...
Trump swings budget ax at USGS biology research
Plan to eliminate $307 million ecosystem program could face obstacles in Congress
www.science.org
April 19, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Presidential budget requests are a call to action not an obituary. Call your reps.
Reposted by Ellen Pero
Many of my wonderful colleagues are making the hard choice to leave federal service. I fully support them in making that choice, and I am also crying reading their farewell emails.
April 17, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Many of my wonderful colleagues are making the hard choice to leave federal service. I fully support them in making that choice, and I am also crying reading their farewell emails.
Reposted by Ellen Pero
Colossal confirmed to me that they had some journalists sign NDAs.
The result is some compelling reporting—but without significant pushback from outside scientists. It's one thing for a journalist to ask 'well, are these really dire wolves?' and for an expert to assert 'THESE ARE NOT DIRE WOLVES'
The result is some compelling reporting—but without significant pushback from outside scientists. It's one thing for a journalist to ask 'well, are these really dire wolves?' and for an expert to assert 'THESE ARE NOT DIRE WOLVES'
April 11, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Colossal confirmed to me that they had some journalists sign NDAs.
The result is some compelling reporting—but without significant pushback from outside scientists. It's one thing for a journalist to ask 'well, are these really dire wolves?' and for an expert to assert 'THESE ARE NOT DIRE WOLVES'
The result is some compelling reporting—but without significant pushback from outside scientists. It's one thing for a journalist to ask 'well, are these really dire wolves?' and for an expert to assert 'THESE ARE NOT DIRE WOLVES'
“Department of Interior told the USGS and cooperative units to present plans to slice their budgets by 10%, 25% and even 40%”
>Scary stuff for lands and lives (human and wildlife alike)..
www.hcn.org/articles/cut...
#🦊#🌎
>Scary stuff for lands and lives (human and wildlife alike)..
www.hcn.org/articles/cut...
#🦊#🌎
Cutting ‘boots-on-the-ground, getting-it-done stuff’ could harm the West’s fish and wildlife for decades - High Country News
The research co-ops funded by Congress each year since 1960 provide substantial returns for taxpayers.
www.hcn.org
March 13, 2025 at 8:39 PM
“Department of Interior told the USGS and cooperative units to present plans to slice their budgets by 10%, 25% and even 40%”
>Scary stuff for lands and lives (human and wildlife alike)..
www.hcn.org/articles/cut...
#🦊#🌎
>Scary stuff for lands and lives (human and wildlife alike)..
www.hcn.org/articles/cut...
#🦊#🌎
Reposted by Ellen Pero
Donald Trump’s blitz on federal science agencies has increased the risk of #endangeredspecies going extinct, fired government experts have warned.
#conservation #wildlife
#conservation #wildlife
Trump purge raises extinction threat for endangered species, fired workers warn
Scientist sounds alarm over ‘canary in the coalmine’ species including beetles and spiders
www.theguardian.com
March 4, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Donald Trump’s blitz on federal science agencies has increased the risk of #endangeredspecies going extinct, fired government experts have warned.
#conservation #wildlife
#conservation #wildlife
Reposted by Ellen Pero
Among the other great points in this statement, “Every dollar spent on conservation in the US has a positive return of 2.4 times its original investment.” Conserving natural resources is good business. 🐟🐠🎣
February 28, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Among the other great points in this statement, “Every dollar spent on conservation in the US has a positive return of 2.4 times its original investment.” Conserving natural resources is good business. 🐟🐠🎣