Wildlife Conservation Research Unit

28/08/2026

The Himalayan wolf (Canis lupus chanco) is an evolutionarily distinct wolf lineage adapted to the high elevations of the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau.

Using non-invasive samples collected during Bhutan’s nationwide snow leopard survey, researchers analysed mitochondrial DNA from what were confirmed to be 13 wolf samples. All sequences clustered within the Himalayan wolf lineage, providing the first genetic confirmation of this distinctive wolf in Bhutan.

Expanding genetic sampling across Bhutan will now be important for understanding population size, genetic diversity and connectivity, guiding conservation of this threatened High Asian carnivore.

Read the paper led by Tashi Dhendup and coauthored by WildCRU’s Geraldine Werhahn 👉 https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.74201

28/08/2026

26/08/2026

For World African Wild Dog Day, we are busting some of the biggest myths about this endangered canid.

Did you know that African wild dogs have been observed sneezing? Whether this is a method for voting to go hunting (as one study suggests) or for clearing airways after many hours resting on dusty ground is still up for debate.

This is just one of the many behaviours that makes African wild dogs such an interesting species to study!

Swipe through to find out more about this iconic species.

12/08/2026

Regulating the use and trade of wild species remains a key challenge for conserving biodiversity, given at least 50,000 wild species are used for food, medicinal products, construction materials, and to support livelihoods globally.

A new paper examines ‘reverse listing’, an approach which would ban the harvest and trade in all wild species by default, unless they can be demonstrated to be ecologically sustainable.

Researchers explain that reverse listing is not a universal solution for regulating international wildlife trade and that effective policies need to be underpinned by robust evidence, be sufficiently resourced, and give careful consideration to impacts on both wild species and the people who depend on them.

Read the commentary led by Dan Challender and WildCRU’s Amy Hinsley 👉 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-026-03161-8

12/08/2026

Happy World Elephant Day 🐘

PhD researcher Jess Tacey is currently conducting fieldwork in Namibia, gathering data that will help scientists and conservationists to better understand elephant behaviour and human-elephant coexistence in the Kunene region.

Follow Jess ('outsidewithjess' on Instagram) for updates.

10/08/2026

For World Lion Day, we are busting some of the biggest myths about one of the world's most iconic big cats.

From who really does the hunting to the greatest threats they face today, the truth might surprise you.

Swipe through to test your knowledge and discover why protecting lions and their habitats is so important.

07/08/2026

Keeping KAZA connected for wildlife.

Using nearly 48,000 wildlife occurrences from camera traps and spoor surveys, researchers mapped habitat suitability and movement corridors for seven key mammal species across the KAZA landscape.

The findings highlight the central KAZA region (from the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park to Hwange National Park) as the most extensive connected habitat.

Importantly, many critical wildlife dispersal areas lie outside protected areas, and no single species can represent the connectivity needs of all others. This reinforces the importance of multi-species analysis for conservation planning and integrating wildlife corridors into land-use decisions to support coexistence between people and wildlife.

Read the paper led by Lara Sousa and Robynne Kotze 👉 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-58440-y

30/07/2026

Research does not end with data collection or analysis - it becomes most valuable when it is documented, published, and shared. Publishing research strengthens the scientific record and enables others to build on existing knowledge.

Diogo Veríssimo explains why publishing is both a practical necessity and an ethical responsibility for researchers in a new WildCRU blog.

Read here 👉 https://www.wildcru.org/news/why-do-researchers-publish-papers/

📸 Dylan Feldmeier

29/07/2026

International Tiger Day 🐅

Protecting tigers means protecting the landscapes they depend on.

At WildCRU, our research spans nine countries across Southeast Asia, where our team works with valued partners to understand tiger ecology, reduce human–tiger conflict, model habitat connectivity and help inform national conservation strategies. Our goal is to provide the evidence needed for effective conservation decisions.

In Bhutan, we are working with collaborators to understand how future development and restoration plans could affect tigers, helping ensure that economic development and biodiversity conservation can go hand in hand.

Learn more 👉 https://www.wildcru.org/species/tigers/

📸 Camera trap image of tigers in Bhutan (Department of Forests and Park Services)

28/07/2026

World Nature Conservation Day

At WildCRU, we believe that the most effective conservation is grounded in evidence. From mitigating human–wildlife conflict to informing global policy and supporting species recovery, our research helps turn knowledge into action for wildlife and the people who share landscapes with it.

Today, we are celebrating everyone working to secure a future where both people and wildlife can thrive.

Learn more about our work 👉 https://www.wildcru.org/