Aug 1, 2024
You may have heard about chronic wasting disease, or CWD, and wondered what causes it, who is affected, and what is happening to the white-tailed deer in Illinois. This article will decode CWD and discuss common and confusing myths about prion diseases, particularly CWD.
MoreAug 1, 2024
When we think about mosquitoes, it is often of the species that are common around our homes during mid- to late summer and which annoy us, and possibly transmit disease agents to humans or other animals. Yet there are nearly 70 species of mosquitos are present in Illinois and some species produce a single generation each year.
MoreAug 1, 2024
During the COVID-19 pandemic, conservationists and wildlife managers discovered that humans were not the only species affected by this virus. Across the country, detections occurred in animals, such as lions, tigers, gorillas and hyenas. This prompted the questions: how are these animals being exposed to the virus and do wildlife play a significant role in these transmission routes? Across all the zoos and aquariums that took part in the surveillance project in Illinois, no detections of an active infection or antibodies indicating a prior exposure.
MoreAug 1, 2024
At the mention of ‘pasture’ your mind’s eye likely visualizes a tranquil grassland complete with cattle grazing on lush grasses. But focusing on the vegetation you might be surprised to learn that much more is taking place. On Illinois Department of Natural Resources sites throughout the state, conservation agriculture practices are utilized to benefit wildlife populations and their habitats.
MoreAug 1, 2024
Native bees have evolved alongside the local flora and fauna, creating mutually beneficial relationships with native plants and maintaining biodiversity. As they pollinate plants, they help propagate a wide range of species, from trees and shrubs to wildflowers and grasses. This, in turn, supports birds, butterflies and mammals which depend on these plants for food and habitat. Researchers are now working to understand the diverse assemblage of native bees that rely on Illinois wetland communities.
MoreAug 1, 2024
Although soras and Virginia rails are considered the most abundant rails in North America, monitoring their population status and distribution has been difficult as they are rarely seen by people. The study is the first to evaluate the timing of spring migration and stopover duration of soras and Virginia rails in Illinois.
MoreAug 1, 2024
Do rural coyotes travel farther distances than urban coyotes? Do male or female coyotes cover more area? Where do coyotes spend most of their time? Explore data from GPS-collared coyotes in Illinois with the Coyote Track website to find answers to these questions and many more.
MoreAug 1, 2024
A silver lining to the untimely demise of a fisher (Pekania pennanti) on an Illinois roadway in 2023 is that it will become an information gold mine for wildlife biologists. The results of the extensive testing conducted on the fisher’s remains will provide wildlife professionals with a solid baseline of knowledge about a species that has not lived in Illinois since the mid-1800s.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Some years ago, it was shocking to learn that one of my favorite ornamental shrubs, burning bush (Euonymus alatus), is invasive. It took a while for this news to sink in, and after seeing it invade woodlands across southern Illinois, I finally came to terms with the bad news.
MoreMay 1, 2024
Efforts in recent years to clean up the Chicago River system have led to increases in fish numbers and diversity in this waterway, but the environment still poses challenges to fish living in the river system. Do fish have the conditions they need to thrive?
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A message from Chief Mike Wefer
Welcome to the August 2024 edition of the online magazine OutdoorIllinois Journal, featuring timely, seasonally based stories about the Prairie State’s wildlife resources, with an expansion of content to include a broader range of subjects—including endangered and threatened species and Illinois’ unique, high-quality habitats and the people working to preserve, protect and manage these resources.
