SCI-TECH

The University of Sydney and conservation organization Aussie Ark recently released 15 endangered eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) into a controlled bushland environment. The medium-sized, bushy-tailed, white-spotted nocturnal marsupials were set off into a preserve on the Scots College’s Bannockburn property near Nowra on along the southern coast of New South Wales, Australia.  

Jerrinja tribal leader Ron Carberry conducted a Welcome to Country as the animals examined their new home. A Welcome to Country is delivered by Traditional Owners or Indigenous peoples who have been given permission from Traditional Owners as a way to  welcome visitors to their Country.

Carberry reflected on a time not so long ago when his ancestors roamed with this “magic little animal.” Carberry added: “What is happening today is a magnificent moment. It’s about healing Country.”

The release marked a first step in rewilding a species that disappeared from Australia’s mainland more than 60 years ago. Today, eastern quolls are primarily found in the eastern part of the island of Tasmania, and in farmlands, open grasslands, dry forests, woodlands, coastal scrub, and alpine heathland. Quolls are “opportunistic hunters that take live prey such as insects, small mammals, birds and reptiles, and scavenge,” according to Australia’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water. 

They are considered extinct on the Australian mainland primarily due to disease, poisoning, and predation by foxes. Reintroduced populations like this one are being established at sites where introduced predators are managed. Aussie Ark has already established the 400-hectare Barrington Wildlife Sanctuary. Ten of the eastern quolls released at this new site at Bannockburn were born and bred at the sanctuary. 

Thomas Newsome from the University of Sydney’s Global Ecology Lab said that the team will prioritize long-term scientific research to better understand how to successfully rewild the species. They plan on using very-high frequency (VHF) radio and global positioning system (GPS) tail transmitters, a camera observation network of 54 camera traps, and quarterly cage trapping to collect data and monitor the quolls. 

“This long-term research project provides us with a wonderful opportunity not only to establish a meta-population of eastern quolls on mainland Australia but also deep-dive into the ecology of the species,” Newsome said in a statement. “We need to better understand the quolls’ role in an ecosystem from which it has been absent from for almost 70 years.”

“The release is another powerful step toward one day rewilding the eastern quoll to the mainland of Australia,” Aussie Ark Operations Manager Dean Reid added. “It follows last year’s historic release of our Eastern Quolls into Booderee Botanical Gardens, when Federal Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek personally released one of our quolls.”

The site will join the SE NSW Eastern Quoll Hub. This network of sanctuaries is participating in a genetic metapopulation management plan. The goal of this plan is to ensure the long-term genetic and demographic health of eastern quoll populations in areas where they are protected from predators. 

The post Watch endangered marsupials return to Australian bushland after 62 years appeared first on Popular Science.

A few years ago, I hired an electrician to install a wired video doorbell in my house. He quoted me $1,500 because my house has a “unique” shape and it would require a lot of work to get wiring over there. The following week, I bought a battery-powered video doorbell for $99 and installed it myself in five minutes. You can live out this DIY smart home improvement scenario and save even more money by grabbing the Ring Battery Doorbell for just $55 right now at Amazon. This is the cheapest it has been since Black Friday last year, and a ton of other Ring accessories, including the excellent Floodlight Cam, are also on sale if you want to jump into an entire system.

Ring Battery Doorbell, Head-to-Toe Video — $55 (was $99)

See It

This is Ring’s bread-and-butter video doorbell. It has head-to-toe video coverage, which means you can see the ground as your delivery driver drops off your package or your food. It connects to Alexa (obviously) and sends you notifications to let you know what’s going on in front of your home. The two-way talk feature allows you to interact with people at your door, whether you’re inside the house or somewhere away from home.

Most importantly, however, it’s super easy to install. I did it with 10 minutes and an impact driver. It’s as simple as sinking a few screws. The built-in battery charges with a simple USB-C cable, and it can last months between charges depending on usage and conditions.

You will need a Ring subscription to use this camera, which means paying for the Basic ($5 monthly or $50 annually), Standard ($10 monthly or $100 annually), or Premium ($20 monthly or $200 annually) plans. I use the Standard plan, and it does everything I personally need. I think most people would feel the same way.

It comes in two colors, including the Venetian Bronze (shown above) and Satin Nickel.

Ring Battery Doorbell Plus (newest model) — $99 (was $150)

See It

If you don’t mind spending $99, you can upgrade to the Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, which offers improved video quality and more customization options. The customizable motion detection zones allow you to specify how your camera operates, increasing accuracy and reducing annoying false alarms. This model installs easily and charges via USB-C as well.

Ring security camera deals

• Ring Indoor Cam (newest model) — Home or business security in 1080p HD video, White $35 (was $60)
• Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Cam | See all around with 360° pan coverage, HD video, plus Two-Way Talk (2024 release) | White $60 (was $80)
• Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Battery | Two-Way Talk, Color Night Vision, and Security Siren (2022 release) – White $119 (was $149)
• Ring Battery Doorbell with Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus (White) $169 (was $249)
• Ring Alarm 14-Piece Kit – home security system with 30-day free Ring Home subscription $249 (was $329)
• Ring Spotlight Cam Plus, Battery | Two-Way Talk, Color Night Vision, and Security Siren (2022 release) – Black $119 (was $149)
• Ring Indoor Cam (2nd Gen) | latest generation, 2023 release $69 (was $99)

The post The best battery-powered doorbell camera is down to just $55 from $99 right now at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.