Wildlife Conservation Society

Posted on October 12, 2012 by admin

R I V E R H O R S E

Hippopotamuses, derived from the Greek words “river horse”, are semi-aquatic herbivores that live their lives in water, except during evening feeding rituals.

Hippos line the banks of the Victoria Nile River in Uganda, above and below the water.

Keep a “camera-ready” status for hippo moments. I had both fast shutter and high ISO settings to capture the action as this female appeared from her lotus-covered lounging spot on a recent Wildlife Conservation Society photo assignment.

Illegal and unregulated hunting for hippo meat and teeth (which are a source of ivory for export) have landed one of the world’s largest land mammals on the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species with “Vulnerable” status.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Sources: wcs.org, iucnredlist.org, lexar.com – Julie Larsen Maher

Posted on October 5, 2012 by admin

W E A N E R S

On a Wildlife Conservation Society photo assignment in Argentina, we walked down a sandy slope of Peninsula Valdez to see scores of weaners—month-old southern elephant seals—scattered along their sandy nursery like plump, silver pillows.

Recently weaned from their mothers’ rich milk, the weaners watched me with a lazy curiosity as I pulled out my camera. Some rolled over, which is about as far as they wanted to travel from their spot in the sunshine.

A Nikkor 80-400 mm zoom lens at a respectful distance made this shot, although it looks like I am sitting right beside it.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Posted on October 3, 2012 by admin

T R E E C L I M B I N G L I O N

Tree-climbing lions are rare, but there are a few that like to rise to the occasion in Queen Elizabeth National Park in Uganda.

Wildlife Conservation Society researchers call this particular lioness “Questionable Female.”

What a name, I thought, but it is actually based on some unknown geography. She seems to have come from a pride outside the WCS study area.

The WCS conservationists theorize that these lions like to climb to cooler air and away from the attacking tsetse flies that hang out below.

Respecting space in the wilds of Africa is critical. I stayed in the land rover and used a long lens so Questionable Female remained calm in her cradle of branches.

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Posted on September 27, 2012 by admin

P R I M A T E S I N P E R I L

Gorillas, all kinds, are in peril. Poaching and diseases like Ebola have decimated their numbers, even in protected areas. Their status is critically endangered. The Wildlife Conservation Society is working to make a difference by encouraging the renewal of the Save Vanishing Species stamp.

I am lucky to have western lowland gorillas as my neighbors at the Bronx Zoo. Ernie, one of our silverbacks, is a fine photo subject. He lives with his group of females at the Congo Gorilla Forest.

Standing at an angle to the exhibit glass while taking pictures helps to eliminate glare and reflections. (Yes, there is glass between Ernie and me!)

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher © WCS

Sources: WCS and IUCN Red List

Posted on September 24, 2012 by admin

F R O M T H E F O R E S T ‘ S E D G E

On a Wildlife Conservation Society field trip to Budongo Forest in Uganda, I watched a female chimpanzee make her way through the treetops with her infant securely attached —like a backpack.

Human settlement, logging, poaching, and habitat fragmentation mean the future for chimps is uncertain. At least half the chimps in this forest suffer from snare wounds left by the rusty wire traps set for bush meat. I wonder if one day this youngster will add to that number?

Source: Wildlife Conservation Society

Posted on September 12, 2012 by admin

S E P T E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 1 2

Madagascar is home to many kinds of lemurs, chameleons, and baobab trees that exist nowhere else on Earth. The Wildlife Conservation Society has a field program on this island off the east coast of Africa that works to protect wildlife and lands, and I have photographed our conservation efforts there.

Poverty, population growth, and unsustainable resource use pose continuing threats to the people and the wildlife. Most of Madagascar’s forests are gone, and preserving those that remain is a global priority.

For further breaking news on Madagascar, go to wildmadagascar.org.

Sources: Lexar, articles by Julie Larsen Maher.

WCS In Focus

Photos from Our Wild Side by Julie Larsen Maher

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