Wildlife lovers in Mexico were treated to an unforgettable sight when an enormous pod of Risso’s dolphins appeared near Cabo San Lucas. According to Discover Wildlife, more than one thousand of these elusive cetaceans were seen swimming in perfect harmony—an extraordinary event for a species that usually dives deep and stays far from shore. The […]
North Korea’s hidden wildlife trade: new research reveals state involvement
North Korea is notorious for its illicit trade in weapons and narcotics. But a new investigation that I conducted with colleagues in the UK and Norway reveals a new concern: the illegal trade in wildlife, including species supposedly protected by North Korea’s own laws. Based on interviews with North Korean refugees (also referred to as […]
New gecko species findings highlight threats to Cambodia’s limestone hills
Researchers have described three new gecko species in northwestern Cambodia’s limestone hills and are eager to conduct further research, but recent border clashes with Thailand have disrupted their studies. Violent clashes this summer, which killed close to 40 people and displaced nearly 300,000 across the two Southeast Asian nations, cut follow-up field surveys short, researchers […]
India’s Supreme Court Investigates Controversial Mega Zoo
India’s Supreme Court has ordered an inquiry into Vantara, a sprawling private zoo in Gujarat founded by Anant Ambani, son of Asia’s richest man. The 3,000-acre facility claims to be the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” but critics say it’s less about rescue and more about prestige — with more than 150,000 animals housed […]
“He Got What He Deserved”: Yellowstone Visitors Enjoy Satisfying Moment Tourist Is Handcuffed For Bison Incident
Park rangers have been extremely busy lately. Not only are many parks experiencing a peak in visitors, but due to a staffing shortage affecting almost all protected areas, working for the NPS has become quite challenging. Crater Lake National Park is now operating with just over half its staff, and Fort Barrancas at Naval Air […]
Petition: Stop the Killing of Lions in Zimbabwe – End Trophy Hunting Now
Nearly a decade after the heartbreaking killing of Cecil the Lion, it’s happened again. Blondie – a beloved, GPS-collared lion being tracked by Oxford researchers – was lured out of protected territory and shot dead by a trophy hunter. Just like Cecil. Zimbabwe allows up to 100 lions to be hunted every year, most often […]
Tropical bird numbers plummet due to more days of extreme heat, study finds
Tropical bird populations are crashing as temperatures soar. That’s according to a new study that found abundances of tropical birds were 25-38% lower than they would be without human-driven climate change and the rising temperatures it has caused. This temperature impact on birds is greater than declines attributed to deforestation. “It’s a staggering decrease. Birds […]
Oregon Zoo Owner Faces Hundreds of Animal Neglect Charges
A disturbing case out of Oregon has once again highlighted the dangers of privately run roadside zoos that put profit over the welfare of animals. According to ABC News, the owner of the West Coast Game Park Safari in Bandon has been indicted on 371 charges, including more than 300 counts of animal neglect, after […]