American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is reviewing the revised eagle rule announced today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), asserting that the plan may mark a setback in protecting Bald and Golden eagles, two species that have inspired Americans for centuries. “I can’t imagine many things more important than protecting a bird so widely […]
Video: Pelican Dreams
What’s it like to try to get to know a flying dinosaur? Filmmaker Judy Irving (“The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill”) follows a wayward California brown pelican from her “arrest” on the Golden Gate Bridge into care at a wildlife rehabilitation facility, and from there explores pelicans’ nesting grounds, Pacific coast migration, and survival challenges. […]
Listen to New Bird Species Discovered in Brazil: Cryptic Treehunter
Brazilian ornithologists Dr Juan Mazar Barnett and Dr Dante Buzzetti of the Center for Ornithological Studies in São Paulo have discovered a new species of bird that lives in the dense, humid forests of northeastern Brazil. The new species, named the Cryptic treehunter (Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti), is a member of the South American bird family Furnariidae […]
Video: Killer Whales Attack Pod of Narwhal
A group of 20 tagged killer whales traveling at fairly rapid speed is followed as they head straight toward the summer nursery grounds of a pod of narwhal and their young. The science team and film crew are stunned as they arrive to see the killer whales lunging at the beach, pinning the entire pod […]
Wildlife-killing Contests Targeting Nongame Animals Banned by California Fish and Game Commission
VAN NUYS, Calif.— In response to overwhelming public support for banning wildlife-killing contests, the California Fish and Game Commission voted Wednesday to adopt regulations prohibiting hunting “derbies” targeting species such as coyotes, raccoons and badgers. The ban came after thousands of Californians expressed opposition to the killing competitions. “We’re grateful that the commissioners responded to […]
Poll: Should the Use of Wild Animals in Circuses be Banned?
A new law to ban the use of wild animals in circuses is being repeatedly blocked by a trio of Tory backbenchers, despite the personal support of David Cameron, the government, Labour and over 90% of the British public. The bill was blocked for the seventh time on Friday afternoon, a move its supporters called […]
New blood record: 1,020 rhinos killed in South Africa
South Africa has surpassed last year’s grisly record for slaughtered rhinos – 1,004 – more than a month before the year ends. In an announcement on November 20th, the South African Department of Environmental Affairs said that 1,020 rhinos had been killed to date. Rhinos are butchered for their horns, which are consumed as curatives […]
Pretty Pigeons
And a poem – Pigeons by Richard Kell They paddle with staccato feet In powder-pools of sunlight, Small blue busybodies Strutting like fat gentlemen With hands clasped Under their swallowtail coats; And, as they stump about, Their heads like tiny hammers Tap at imaginary nails In non-existent walls. Elusive ghosts of sunshine Slither down the […]