Illegal loggers continue to threaten Amazonian tribe

Campaigners say the Brazilian government is failing to protect one of the world's most endangered tribes.- The Awa

The Awa tribe survive by hunting and gathering in remote areas of rainforest

The Awa people are believed to number just 450, but their territory has attracted thousands of loggers and settlers.

Last year a judge ordered all outsiders should leave the area within 12 months.

But the deadline has passed and no evictions have taken place, says indigenous rights group Survival International.

The Awa live in north eastern Brazil and survive as hunter-gatherers in remote areas of rainforest. Of their number around 100 have never had contact with outsiders.

However, the tribe's four protected territories have been whittled away over the years by settlers and loggers who are now said to outnumber the Awa by ten to one.

One territory of 120,000 hectares has had over 30% of the forest cover removed. Logging trucks are reported to enter and leave the area day and night.

From BBC

One territory belonging to the tribe has lost a third its area to deforestation

About a year ago, Colin Firth, the British actor, launchd a campaign to save this tribe. It seems it was useless as we continue to have information of illegal loggers devastating large areas of forest whe re these People lives. It's time again th remind  the Brazilian government that these people are real people and that they deserve living in their territory. They deseve care and concerning so that they can go on with their lives.

Rare pine marten numbers on the rise in Scotland

Numbers of one of Scotland's rarest animals - the pine marten - are increasing, according to a new report.

Experts had been worried about the mammal, a member of the weasel family, after populations fell for a number of years.

But a joint survey by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Vincent Wildlife Trust has found that numbers appear to be growing in parts of Scotland.

They estimate there are now about 2,600 to 3,500 adult martens.

PINE MARTEN WATCH

• The pine marten was once found throughout Britain, but numbers fell heavily during the 19th century.
• By the turn of the 20th century, the animal was only to be seen in North West Scotland.

They did this by collecting and testing pine marten droppings found along woodland tracks and paths.

The mammals are already found in the counties of Caithness, Moray, Perth and Kinross, Aberdeenshire, Angus and Fife.

However, they have now been spotted in southern Argyll and Stirlingshire too.

The growth's been caused by pine martens being given full legal protection in 1988 and more forests being planted during the last century.

Lizzie Croose, one of the survey's coordinators, said: "At a time when some native mammals are declining it is fantastic to see the pine marten population is recovering and expanding its range in Scotland."

From CBBC News

Lead bullet fragments poison rare US condors

Conservationists in the United States say that fragments of lead ammunition continue to take a desperate toll on one of the country's rarest birds.

California condors are under continuing threat from lead ammunition fragments

Since December, seven wild California condors from a population of 80 have died in the Grand Canyon area.

Three of the deaths have been definitively linked to ingesting lead from bullets in the carcasses of prey.

Campaigners are calling for a ban on the use of lead ammunition on public lands.

The California condor is one of the biggest US birds but is considered critically endangered according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

Carrion shooting

In an effort to save the high flying species, 166 of the birds have beenreintroduced in Arizona and Utah since 1996.

Of these, 81 have died or disappeared. But experts believe that at least 38 of the birds have died as a result of eating lead fragments left in the guts piles and carcasses of game, shot by hunters. Condors are scavengers and mainly eat large amounts of carrion.

Campaigners like Jeff Miller from the Centre for Biological Diversity say there are actions that can be taken to reduce the risk to the birds.

"The continuous deaths of Grand Canyon condors from lead poisoning is preventable if we finally treat toxic lead ammunition as we did lead paint and gasoline," he said.

Many of the condors require treatment each year as a consequence of lead exposure

Even though the Arizona Game and Fish Department distributes copper ammunition free to hunters, a small number continue to use lead. As a result each year up to half of the wild Grand Canyon condors requirechelation treatment to remove high levels of lead from their blood.

"It is critical that we take mandatory actions to remove it from ammunition and require less toxic alternatives, said Sandy Bahr from the Sierra Club.

"Requiring non lead ammunition for hunting on public land would be an important step in limiting lead exposure for condors and other wildlife," she added.

A group of scientists, doctors and public health experts have recently issued a statement calling for lead ammunition for hunting to be phased out.

From BBC -Sci/ Environment

Butterfly beauty

There are 4.5m butterflies - brought together over hundreds of years - at London's Natural History Museum. It is the world's biggest butterfly collection.

Here - as the museum brings in hundreds of pupae for its live Sensational Butterflies exhibition on its front lawn - staff have given BBC News access to some of the most precious specimens, normally stored securely away from public view.

If you live in London or are planning a holiday or weekend in the UK capital city, why don't you go and visit this wonderful exhibition? The exhibiton will be on till 15th September.

Sensational Butterflies29 March - 15 September 2013 

East lawn

You can buy your tickets on line go to:

http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit-us/whats-on/temporary-exhibitions/sensational-butterflies/index.html

New law to protect Puerto Rico leatherback turtles

Puerto Rico has introduced a new law protecting a swathe of the island's coast that has become a major nesting site for the world's largest turtle, the leatherback.

Very good news!

The Northeast Ecological Corridor comprises 14 sq km (5.4 sq miles) of the island's coast.

The law ends a 15-year battle which pitted developers against green activists and several celebrities.

Leatherback turtles are a highly endangered species.

"Today this important, highly ecologically valuable resource is being protected forever... History is being made," said Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla, according to the island's Vocero news site.

Developers had been looking to build hotels, golf courses and luxury homes in the area, arguing that this would boost the local economy and create jobs.But the area - boasting lush vegetation and pristine beaches - is now likely to become a centre for eco-tourism.

As well as being a nesting site for the leatherback turtle, the area is home to more than 860 different types of flora and fauna.

It also contains a bioluminescent bay, featuring micro-organisms which glow in the dark.

Leatherback turtles weigh around 600kg (95st) and their shells can be up to two metres (6ft 7in) long.

The shell is flexible and covered in a black leathery skin - hence the name leatherback.

Last August thousands of leatherback eggs and hatchlings were crushed by bulldozers moving waterlogged sand from key nesting areas.

From BBC Sci/Environment