Kamea, an 11-year-old orca at SeaWorld San Antonio, has tragically died. Born into captivity, she spent her entire life trapped in a concrete tank – never knowing the feel of the open ocean, never swimming free with her pod. Her story is not unique. It’s the story of every marine mammal trapped in SeaWorld’s tanks, […]
Inside the chimpanzee medicine cabinet: we’ve found a new way chimps treat wounds with plants
As it turns out, chimpanzees make pretty good doctors. For decades, scientists have been studying what chimpanzees do when they fall ill. This search has led to the identification of medicinal behaviour, which often involves the ingestion of plants with chemical or physical properties that can help the animal’s recovery. My team’s recent study in […]
Three Sri Lankan elephants killed in blow to conservation efforts
At least three wild elephants were found dead across Sri Lanka on Friday, officials said, a day after six young rescued elephants were returned to the jungle under a conservation drive. Wildlife officials said one elephant was run over by a passenger train in the island’s northeast, while two others were found shot dead in […]
Canada Takes Action to Protect North Atlantic Right Whales from Ship Collisions
Canada is stepping up efforts to protect the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, a species that now numbers only about 370 individuals. According to Patrick Whittle from the Associated Press, Transport Canada confirmed on June 27 that new protective measures will be enforced this summer to address the ongoing threats to the whale, especially […]
Hopes high as hundreds of critically endangered frogs survive release into wild in Victoria
Hundreds of captive-bred, critically endangered frogs are managing to survive after being released at a fast-flowing mountain stream near Mount Beauty in Victoria, with some moving a “considerable distance” from the release point. More than 600 spotted tree frogs have joined dwindling wild populations in the Kiewa River, as part of a Zoos Victoria conservation […]
Concern over ‘cruel’ fox traps on Black Mountain
A wildlife conservationist has spoken of his “heartbreak” after finding makeshift fox traps on Belfast’s Black Mountain. Aaron Kelly said the traps were made out of old shopping trollies and hidden on privately-owned land overlooking the city. One was baited with a dead magpie on a lever which would slam the trapdoor shut behind any […]
SpaceX Rocket Debris Is Polluting a Turtle Nesting Beach in Mexico
A peaceful stretch of beach in northern Mexico is now a dumping ground for rocket debris—some of it from one of the world’s most powerful private space companies. According to CNN, melted plastics, steel fragments, and blue adhesives from recent SpaceX launches are littering Bagdad Beach in Tamaulipas. This area is home to Kemp’s ridley […]
Rescuers use drones to search for Alaska hiker who “couldn’t walk” after grizzly bear attack on popular trail
A woman was mauled by a grizzly bear while hiking on a popular trail near Anchorage, officials say. The hiker, who has not been identified, was on the Basher Trail in the Chugach Mountains in Anchorage at around 2:30pm on July 22 when the bear attacked, according to The Anchorage Fire Department. The bear reportedly […]