ANTANANARIVO — Ninety-five percent of lemur species are threatened by habitat loss, hunting and climate change. The direct threat is often understood to result from the actions of poor rural communities, but a forthcoming study has found that thousands of threatened lemurs are being hunted and killed every year to feed a lucrative urban market […]
Floating nests and decoys: how fairy terns are being charmed back to Port Phillip Bay
It’s an attractive piece of real estate – coastal living in a safe neighbourhood with waterfront views, 55km south-west of Melbourne. The floating island, installed at the Avalon coastal reserve on the western side of Port Phillip Bay, features sand and shell grit floorings, and twigs and branches for cozy nooks. It has been specially […]
Watch terrifying, close up footage of a great white shark stalking a lone, vulnerable spear fisherman deep in the ocean
Great white sharks can reach lengths of up to 6.4 m and weigh as much as 2,041 kg. This powerful swimmer can travel long distances with ease but is also capable of short bursts of speed, reaching up to around 50 kph – making any encounter in the water a terrifying prospect. The great white shark is a […]
Record Whale Entanglements Show Urgent Need for Ocean Protection
The number of whales caught in fishing gear along U.S. coasts hit an alarming record in 2024, highlighting how human activity continues to endanger marine life. According to the Los Angeles Times, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) confirmed 95 cases of whales entangled in fishing lines, nets, buoys, and anchor ropes last year. […]
‘So tiny and so vulnerable’: what chance will one of Australia’s smallest birds have against a rocket launchpad?
The southern emu-wren, one of Australia’s smallest birds, weighs just seven grams, about as much as two teaspoons of water. More tail than bird, its six upright tail feathers make up more than half its length and the males have a distinctive sky-blue patch of feathers on their upper chest and throat. But conservationists say […]
Deadly outbreak carried by invisible killers is wiping out animals in eastern US as crucial meat warning issued
Hundreds of deer have died due to an outbreak of an insidious disease carried by insects so small they’re almost invisible. Wildlife officials throughout the eastern US have revealed that epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is currently spreading, with many people finding dead deer near ponds and streams. EHD is a virus that is often deadly […]
Jumping Spiders Are Winning Hearts as Unlikely Pets
Jumping spiders, once dismissed as pests, are now becoming popular pets, thanks to their curious personalities and surprising cuteness. According to NPR, breeders across the U.S. are reporting skyrocketing demand, especially from women who often started out arachnophobic before falling in love with these tiny “spoods.” Social media clips of their head tilts, colorful bodies, […]
Common toad is becoming uncommon in UK, study shows
They are an iconic part of Britain’s natural world, inspiring myths, fairytales and at least one of its most-loved children’s book characters. But the number of toads hopping through British grasslands, forests and gardens has almost halved in a generation. “Vast numbers of toads are being lost every year,” said Silviu Petrovan, a senior researcher […]