A shark that attacked two people on a remote New South Wales beach – killing a woman and wounding her partner – is unlikely to pose an ongoing threat, experts say. Police are reviewing GoPro footage from the scene, which may shed more light on how the attack unfolded. A Swiss couple were swimming at […]
How Pangolins Became the World’s Most Trafficked Mammal
Pangolins, often described as walking artichokes or modern-day dinosaurs, are extraordinary creatures that have roamed the Earth for millions of years. Despite their unique evolutionary adaptations and gentle nature, these remarkable mammals now face an existential crisis. Each year, tens of thousands of pangolins are poached from the wild, pushing all eight species toward extinction. […]
Central America’s forests are crucial for migrating birds: Study
As winter closes in across much of North America, migratory birds are heading south to warmer climes and more abundant food. But until recently, scientists didn’t have a good understanding of exactly where they went. Researchers from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology U.S. analyzed observations from eBird, a global […]
Think toads are ugly? Think again – as these stunning beauties will change your mind
Who said toads were ugly? If ever one of these much-maligned amphibians was destined to become a prince, then surely one of the stubfoots (or harlequins) from the genus Atelopus of South and Central America could be it, says Stuart Blackman. These startling creatures are every bit as eye-catching as the region’s more celebrated poison […]
Raccoons Are Quietly Evolving In Our Cities And It Says A Lot About Us
Urban raccoons have always been little legends of the night, popping open bins, trotting across rooftops and giving us that startled wide eyed look when we flick on a light. But a fascinating new study suggests these bold visitors may be changing in ways that go far beyond funny videos or viral sightings. According to […]
Puffin numbers down by almost a quarter on Farne Islands, annual survey shows
A survey of puffins on the internationally important Farne Islands has shown a drop in numbers of almost a quarter. The National Trust which looks after the islands off the Northumberland coast said the long-term trend needed to be monitored and cautioned against interpreting it as a sudden population decline. The number of breeding pairs […]
1,500 Year-Old Reindeer Trap and Hunting Equipment Uncovered in the Ice of Norway’s Mountains
A hiker in Norway discovered a one-of-a-kind wild reindeer trap that Iron age inhabitants would have used to catch their dinner en masse. Alongside the large wooden trap was a trove of hunting supplies and other artifacts, revealing a wealth of information about the culture and organization of early Norwegian society in the far north. […]
Ocean’s most powerful, ruthless killers: The world’s top 9 marine predators that rule the waves
In the ocean, everything relies on tiny plankton.These provide nutrients for animals at the bottom of the food web which are eaten by larger species, and so on. At the top of the food chain, large predators (often with huge teeth) have perfected their hunting strategies for millennia, giving them the best possible chance to […]