University of Wyoming researchers gain international attention with research University of Wyoming (UW) scientists have gained international attention for new research showing invasive ants in a Kenyan savanna have caused lions to change their predatory behavior. On Feb. 23, Department of Zoology and Physiology Professor Jacob Goheen and PhD Student Douglas Kamaru shared their findings with a vast American audience on National Public Radio’s (NPR) “Science Friday” program. Their appearance is the culmination of a remarkable month of national and international publicity for UW researchers, with five publications in major scientific journals attracting attention from media outlets across the globe. Invasive ant study The research, led by Kamaru and Goheen,
appeared Jan. 25 in the journal Science, one of the world’s top academic journals. UW researchers and colleagues from nine other institutions and agencies found the invasion of bigheaded ants at Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy makes lions less effective at killing zebras – their primary prey. This is because the invasive insects kill native acacia ants which protect the whistling-thorn tree from elephants and other herbivores, resulting in less tree cover for lions to ambush zebras. “I’m especially happy this paper was leadauthored by a Kenyan citizen – Kamaru. Africa is a continent with exceptional wildlife diversity, with lots of aspiring young wildlife biologists. Those wildlife biologists are often lacking in opportunity for profes-
Behavioral changes – This pride of lions in Kenya’s Ol Pejeta Conservancy was a subject of research by University of Wyoming scientists, who found the big cats have changed their predatory behavior as a result of an invasion of non-native ants. Professor Jacob Goheen and PhD Student Douglas Kamaru shared their findings on National Public Radio’s “Science Friday” program on Feb. 23. Caroline Ng’weno photo
sional advancement,” says Goheen, who has trained several graduate students from Kenya while conducting wildlife research in both Africa and Wyoming. “We now are at a point Continued on next page
Saturday, April 6th, 2024
Big Country Genetics Bull Sale . Cody, WY Sale at 1 PM
Selling 200 PAP Tested Bulls
Volume Bull Discounts . Three Year Breeding Guarantee on Feet, Legs & Semen
Bulls developed in a 150+ acre pasture!
Big Country Summit x Red Moon
Big Country Summit x Balance
Big Country Summit x Emulation
Indreland EXT x Spartan
Reg# ASA Pending | API: 165 TI: 88
Reg# 4282751| API: 152 TI: 86
Reg# 4310275 | API: 177 TI: 90
Reg# 4310334 | API: 128 TI: 71
X/L ShortMag x Double Vision Reg# 4310293 | API: 177 TI: 95
X/L ShortMag x Jackpot
Reg# 4310295 | API: 175 TI: 97
Bulls for the Commercial Cowman’s Bottom Line! Knives
New Sale Date! April 2, 2024
1:30 | Belle Fourche Livestock Craig and Deb Kukuchka & Family 605-892-2875
Bar 69 Stellar 3745 ACT BW 76 WR 118 CED 8 BW 0.8 WW 73 YW 122 MILK 29
Selling sons of SITZ Stellar 726D, KG Justified 3023, SITZ Accomplishment 3725, Soo Line Motive 9016, PA Power Tool 9108, SITZ Raindance 9330
Sale Broadcasted on:
Jimmy & ShayLe Stewart
Sale Location 46 Slippers Lane 231.878.1908 [C] www.BigCountryGenetics.com Cody, WY 82414
70 50
Powerful Yearling Angus Bulls Fancy Commercial Replacement Heifers
Videos and Catalog at BAR69Angus.com