Norway is poised to move forward with plans to mine for seabed minerals along its continental shelf despite public opposition. On June 26, the Norwegian Ministry of Energy released a proposal for the first licensing round for mining of seabed minerals, setting out areas where companies could eventually apply for licenses. The proposal included a […]
A ‘scent fence’ that targets elephants’ sensitive nostrils could stop herds from trashing crops and trees
Elephant numbers are surging in southern Africa, with fewer natural predators, reduced hunting pressure and feeding by farmers and tourist operators. While this is good for elephants, it’s making life harder for humans who live near them. These huge herbivores can raid crops and destroy large trees in national parks with impunity, causing problems for […]
Petition: Help Reduce Bat Deaths from Wind Turbines
Every year, tens of thousands of bats fall victim to wind turbines across Australia – but it doesn’t have to be this way. We can easily protect both the environment and these special animals, with just one simple change. Recent studies have shown that just increasing the wind speed that turbines use when they start […]
Stressed bees make pessimistic choices and may experience emotion-like states, new research suggests
Stressed bees are much more likely to make pessimistic choices and lack a buzz in life, new research has revealed. Scientists at Newcastle University, UK, have found that bumblebees have a response to an adverse event resembling human emotions. Findings published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B show that bees reduce their expectations of […]
‘We Are Reaching Points of No Return’: WWF Report Finds Wildlife Has Declined 73% in Half a Century
According to the Living Planet 2024 report — compiled by WWF and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) — Earth’s wildlife populations have plummeted by 73 percent on average in half a century. The highest declines — 95 percent — were seen in the Caribbean and Latin America, the report said. A 76 percent decline […]
Raccoon Takeover Shocks Washington Woman and Authorities
A woman near Poulsbo, Washington, recently faced an unusual and overwhelming problem—her home was overrun by raccoons. She called authorities after being unable to enter her property due to nearly 100 raccoons gathering outside, all “demanding food.” Kevin McCarty, a spokesperson for the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office, explained that the woman had been feeding the […]
Chunky Grazer’s “fur-midable” reign continues as the grizzly wins Fat Bear Week again, beating opponent who killed her cub
Fat Bear Week 2024 drew to a close yesterday, with last year’s chonky champ taking the crown once again. For the second year in a row, enthusiastic viewers voted for the impressively rotund 128 Grazer to take all in the annual bracket-style contest live streamed from Alaska’s Katmai National Park. “Grazer’s fur-midable reign continues! Let […]
Herd of tauros to be released into Highlands to recreate aurochs effect
A herd of beefy, long-horned tauros are to be released into a Highlands rewilding project to replicate the ecological role of the aurochs, an extinct, huge herbivore that is the wild ancestor of cattle. The tauros have been bred in the Netherlands in recent years to fill the niche vacated by the aurochs, which once […]