On the way to her office at the Charles Darwin research station, biologist Miriam San José crouches down near a shallow pond shrouded by vegetation and reaches deep into the foliage, pulling out a small green plastic box recorder. She left it there overnight to capture the infamous croaks of a Fowler’s snouted treefrog (Scinax […]
Category: Wildlife
10 real-life zombies: These deadly brain-hijacking parasites can create suicidal rats, pulsating snails, dancing fish – and can even infect humans
It might sound like a horror film, but did you know that zombie parasites not only infect – they also use mind control to kill their hosts. Aoife Glass takes a look at some the world’s most horrific zombie parasites… Zombies are a popular trope in film and tv, but there are real-world parasites that […]
Climate change threatens unique ‘Samburu Special 5’ wildlife in arid East Africa
In the dry regions of East Africa lives a group of animals unlike any others. Known as the Samburu Special Five to safari operators in Kenya, they are the dry-adapted reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), Grévy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), beisa oryx (Oryx beisa), gerenuk (Litocranius walleri) and Somali ostrich (Struthio molybdophanes). But they are increasingly imperiled […]
Dolphin seen near St Mark’s Square inspires Venetian rescue effort
Activists in Venice are campaigning to save a dolphin spotted in the lagoon over fears growing tourist interest could put its life at risk. Known as Mimmo, the bottlenose dolphin made its latest appearance in St Mark’s basin, the body of water in front of the square of the same name, on Wednesday. The dolphin […]
Sweet peregrine falcon chicks that delighted thousands of bird lovers on livestream were POISONED just weeks after someone stamped on eggs at another Cathedral
Fury is growing at Worcester Cathedral after tests revealed its little peregrine falcon chicks had been poisoned – in the bird community’s second tragedy this year. Post-mortem examinations have revealed that two of the three birds, which lived on the roof of the church, died after ingesting poison. Bird lovers were delighted earlier this year […]
Seven Lions to Be Euthanized in New Zealand Sparks Outrage Over Captive Wildlife
A heartbreaking decision by the Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary in New Zealand has reignited global debate over the ethics of keeping animals in captivity. According to CBS News, the sanctuary announced it would euthanize seven elderly lions after running into financial trouble and failing to find alternative homes for them. The big cats, aged between 18 […]
Amazon lakes hit ‘unbearable’ hot-tub temperatures amid mass die-offs of pink river dolphins – study
Amazonian lakes are being transformed into simmering basins hotter than spa baths as severe heatwaves and drought grip the region, research shows. The temperature of one lake exceeded 40C (104F) as water levels plummeted under intense sunlight and cloudless skies. The extreme heat triggered mass die-offs among endangered Amazon river dolphins and fish, which cannot […]
This monkey has dagger-like teeth and the bite strength of a jaguar. Combined, it’s one of the Amazon’s most powerful tools
The red-nosed cuxiu (Chiropotes albinasus) is a terrier-sized monkey whose diet is dominated by the unripe seeds of super-hard fruits. While you or I would need a hammer to access them, the cuxiu brings its own toolkit; enormous dagger-like canines, mounted on robust jaws and powered by massive jaw muscles. Combined, these give the glossy-black […]