An invasive species found across West Texas may pose a greater threat to native bighorn sheep than previously understood.

In a new study published in Scientific Reports, Texas A&M University researchers in collaboration with veterinarians and biologists from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) found that 80% of bighorn sheep experimentally exposed to respiratory pathogens carried by aoudad died from pneumonia, providing new evidence that helps explain how disease-causing pathogens may persist in bighorn sheep habitat. The findings also provide wildlife managers with new information to support conservation efforts.   

The Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus) is a globally critically endangered shark that is one of the most popular sharks to display in aquariums. The Northwest Atlantic population is considered one of the least threatened populations of Sand Tiger Sharks, largely due to effective fisheries management in the U.S. However, there has never been a formal stock assessment for this population, nor has there been any recent assessment of its population trends, so its population status remains unknown. Despite these issues, there remains a strong financial incentive to collect wild sharks for display in aquariums around the world. The impact that these collecting activities have on the Northwest Atlantic population is unknown and therefore raises questions as to why private organizations are permitted to harvest a protected species for profit without understanding the impact this activity has on wild populations or without directly contributing to their conservation. In this paper, researchers describe this situation and highlight some of the biological, ethical, and financial concerns associated with harvesting a protected species for profit, thereby hindering the conservation and recovery of Sand Tiger Shark populations.

Dr. Sarah Manning, a clinical assistant professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, provides insight on how to ensure pets maintain the proper level of hydration as the temperature continues to rise.