One of the world’s rarest penguins has been crowned New Zealand’s bird of the year, in an unusually sedate year for the competition, free from the foreign interference and voting scandals of previous events. The endangered yellow-eyed penguin, or hoiho, is the largest of New Zealand’s mainland penguin species and is distinctive for the pale […]
Category: Wildlife
Female elephants rumble to say ‘let’s go!’ New study in Namibia shows males do too, a sign of unexpected social bonds
In elephant family groups made up of related females and their young, it is clear that the animals produce vocal sounds to coordinate action. This happens when it’s time to leave a waterhole, for example. The matriarch or dominant female steps away from the waterhole and turns to the direction she intends to move in. […]
Are white patches on whale shark skin cause for concern?
Marine scientists have been taking samples from whale shark skin to try and determine the effect of pollutants on whale health. Researchers from The University of Western Australia and Flinders University examined the condition and health of whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia. Lead researcher Dr. Mark Meekan, from UWA’s Ocean Institute, said […]
Hooded vultures in Ghana and South Africa on the brink, study says
High rates of inbreeding among hooded vultures in Ghana and South Africa spell trouble for their future, according to a newly published study. The study found that despite wide differences in the population size of the birds in the two countries, both face similar risks associated with low genetic diversity. It underlined the need to […]
Photos of Grumpy Owls Will Make You Smile
Wildlife photography can inspire people or make them think, and it can also make them feel something. In some cases, it can make people feel sad. In others, it can make them smile—or even make them laugh. The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently shared a post on Instagram compiling several photos of grumpy owls by different […]
Orca baby born to Washington’s L pod
An orca has been born to the southern residents: L128, calf of a first-time, 31-year-old mom, L90. The baby is tiny, with clear fetal folds, making it probably about three days old. It was seen for the first time on Sunday, said Michael Weiss, research director for the Center for Whale Research, which confirmed the […]
Deadly avian flu strain could enter Australia via thieving migratory birds, scientists warn
Scientists have identified a new way for an aggressive strain of bird flu to enter Australia, via the habit of some migratory birds of harassing other birds and stealing their food and potentially their viruses. Australia is the only continent to have so far escaped a virulent H5N1 strain of avian flu – known as […]
Results of the Best Photo of the Month September 2024
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Jess Findlay wins First Prize with his outstanding image ‘Great Grey Owl Nestlings‘. Glenn Bartley wins Second Prize with his inspirational image ‘King Penguin‘. Third Prize goes to Alan Murphy with ‘Western Screech-owl‘. Please give kudos to the photographers by leaving comments at […]