Feb 1, 2024
Human modification of the natural landscape has been significant in the past century, with wild landscapes transformed into landscapes better fit for people. Transitional areas between agriculture and natural landscapes often create challenges for wildlife but not all species are negatively affected. Mesopredators, such as Virginia opossums, striped skunks and northern raccoons, have learned to navigate these complex environments safely.
MoreFeb 1, 2024
Next time you’re strolling through Chicago, keep an eye out for more than just skyscrapers—coyotes and foxes are sharing our concrete wilderness. This study led by Alyson Cervantes sheds light on the secrets of the coexistence of these canids, adding a touch of wild drama to the urban scene. In the concrete jungle of the Windy City, these predators are not just surviving, they are thriving.
MoreFeb 1, 2024
The continental population and range of “light geese,” a group of medium to small geese that breed in the Arctic and winter from central Illinois south to the Gulf of Mexico, shifted substantially in the last 40 years. Learn why the population jumped from historical populations around 750,000 to 1 million individuals to 10 million in the mid-1990s, and what that means for the Arctic ecosystem and goose hunters.
MoreFeb 1, 2024
Kirtland’s snake is a fossorial species inhabiting wet prairies, wet meadows, prairie fens and associated wetlands throughout its range; its range is primarily restricted to Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. Researchers at the Illinois Natural History Survey and National Great Rivers Research and Education Center have been conducting studies for the conservation and management of this snake in Illinois, and have discovered a handful of previously unknown populations.
MoreFeb 1, 2024
Learning to differentiate white-tailed deer diseases can be challenging. The signs observed by people and symptoms presented by animals can be identical. Surveillance is vital for recognizing new or re-emerging bacterial diseases, which helps to improve management strategies that can protect wildlife, livestock and human health.
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Where does the information come from for developing an effective fisheries management plan? Fortunately, much of the information can be derived from clues contained within the heads of the fish themselves. Within each fish’s head are ear stones called otoliths, and some of these otoliths can provide a record of that fish’s life experiences in terms of its growth history, number of days or years lived, and sometimes even which waterbodies or habitats that fish lived in during its lifetime.
MoreFeb 1, 2024
While most outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers understand that tick bites can result in various infectious diseases, they may not be aware that some of these bites can also induce a dangerous meat allergy, particularly to red meat. Alpha-gal syndrome is a relatively unknown food allergy linked to the bite of the Lone Star tick, and it’s made its way to Illinois.
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Następnym razem, kiedy będziesz spacerować po Chicago, miej oko nie tylko na wieżowce — kojoty i lisy dzielą naszą betonową dzicz. Ta studium prowadzona przez Alyson Cervantes rzuca światło na tajemnice współistnienia tych kanidów, dodając odrobinę dzikiej dramaturgii do miejskiej sceny. betonowym dżunglowym mieście Chicago, te drapieżniki nie tylko przetrwają, ale i prosperują.
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La próxima vez que pasees por Chicago, mantén los ojos abiertos para observar algo más que rascacielos: los coyotes y zorros comparten nuestra selva de concreto. Este estudio, liderado por Alyson Cervantes, aclara los secretos de la coexistencia de estos cánidos, añadiendo un toque de drama salvaje al escenario urbano. En la jungla de concreto de la Ciudad del Viento, estos depredadores no solo están sobreviviendo, sino prosperando.
MoreNov 1, 2023
Curious visitors strolling past Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo stop and marvel at the large birds clustered just over the fence. Illinois-endangered black-crowned night-herons have nested at the Park for 17 years, providing a wild and magical encounter for passersby.
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A message from Chief Mike Wefer
Welcome to the February 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.
