wildlife

Prescribed fires can reduce wildfire risk while also improving wildlife habitat, according to a new study from the Nature Conservancy.

Severe drought is shrinking the places many Western animals depend on for food, water and shelter, and the effects may be strongest for predators, according to new research.

After a wildfire, rivers and streams can take years to recover. Native plants and wildlife are often crowded out by invasive species in the aftermath. But in Nevada’s Virgin River watershed, a collaboration between federal agencies and conservation groups is pointing to early signs of recovery.

Salt lakes in the American West are shrinking — from Utah’s Great Salt Lake to smaller lakes scattered across the Great Basin. In her new book “Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History,” writer Caroline Tracey explores why these unusual landscapes matter, and what their decline reveals about humans’ impact on the environment.

Nevada wildlife officials have confirmed the presence of the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, marking the first detection in the state — and making Nevada the final western state where the pathogen has now been found.

Shorter days mean more nighttime driving — and across the Mountain West, that’s leading to a surge in collisions with wildlife.

Climate change could be taking a toll on the smallest creatures in the Mountain West. A new study finds insect populations in one mountain valley have plunged by more than 70% in recent decades. Scientists say this trend could shake the food chain in alpine areas across the region.

A federal judge recently ordered the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to scale back its use of pesticides in all western states. Environmental groups say the ruling is a big step toward protecting rangeland wildlife.

An American White Pelican is roosting after a 20-person team rescued him from an icy pond in Truckee.

A new study shows that wildlife migration routes in the West will likely shift because of climate change. That’s why researchers worked with a tribe in the Mountain West to find out how to tackle the problem.