Jenny was only a calf when she and the much older Shirley were performing elephants in the Carson and Barnes Circus. After their stint with the circus, the two were taken to separate zoos and wouldn’t see each other for 22 years. In 1999, Shirley’s handler Solomon took the crippled elephant on a long trip […]
Australia’s spiky, shuffling, egg-laying echidna evolved in ‘extremely rare’ event, scientists say
Australia’s burrowing echidna evolved from a water-dwelling ancestor in an “extremely rare” biological event, scientists said in a new study of the peculiar egg-laying mammals. With powerful digging claws, protective spikes and highly sensitive beaks, echidnas are well suited to a life shuffling through the forest undergrowth. But a team of Australian and international scientists […]
The US government’s war on wildlife, explained in 3 charts
An obscure arm of the federal government killed almost 2 million wild animals last year using a variety of methods, including firearms, poisons, and traps that ensnare an animal’s neck, feet, or entire body. Carried out by the US Department of Agriculture’s euphemistically named Wildlife Services department, the 2024 body count included over 2,000 green […]
Petition: Urge Disney to Retire Dolphins to a Sanctuary, Not Another Theme Park
While Disney announced plans to retire three beloved dolphins from an EPCOT attraction, the seemingly good news hides the dark reality. Rainier, Calvin, and Malabar are being sent to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, where they will continue to be forced to work in entertainment and shows. While Disney wanted us to think this was a […]
Scientists hope sequencing genome of tiny ‘functionally extinct’ frog could help save it
Scientists have sequenced the genome of the critically endangered southern corroboree frog – one of Australia‘s most threatened amphibians – in hope that the information could be used to aid its recovery. The striking alpine frog, which has distinctive yellow and black markings, is so threatened by disease and the drying of its habitat due […]
Barefoot Man Wrestles Giant Alligator in Florida Highway Median
“Only in Florida . . .” jokes the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office in a social-media post sharing a video of a barefoot man wrestling a giant alligator on the side of a highway. “Just another totally normal day in the Sunshine State.” Mike Dragich, the Blue Collar Brawler, is the barefoot man who stepped in to […]
Petition: Stop the Mass Killing of Dingoes in Victoria Before It’s Too Late
The Victorian government in Australia recently made a reckless decision that puts dingoes at risk of extinction. A government order has extended the right to kill dingoes across large parts of eastern Victoria until 2028, threatening the survival of this keystone species. Sign the petition to urge the Victorian government to rescind the harmful order […]
Sand groomers v turtles: how wildlife is falling foul of the demand for Insta-perfect beaches
In the summer months in Puglia, southern Italy, the battle for the beaches begins before dawn. Armed with tractors, beach owners flatten every imperfection from the sand, dragging it to sift out anything large enough to be considered waste. As the sun rises, tourists flood the coastline, often unaware of what lies hidden beneath their […]