A new study challenges a long-held theory about bottlenose dolphins in the Mediterranean, revealing that they are divided by offshore and coastal ecotypes rather than being split into east and west populations. “We thought that there was a general east-west split in their populations based on quite old genetic techniques that wouldn’t be used nowadays,” […]
Cuddling capybaras and ogling otters: the problem with animal cafes in Asia
The second floor of an unassuming office building in central Bangkok is a strange place to encounter the world’s largest rodent. Yet here, inside a small enclosure with a shallow pool, three capybaras are at the disposal of dozens of paying customers – all clamouring for a selfie. As people eagerly thrust leafy snacks toward […]
“Seeing them walk free was incredibly rewarding”: 50 giant tortoises released on island in the Seychelles
Fifty formerly captive Aldabra giant tortoises have been released onto an exclusive private island in the Seychelles. The move, which places the reptiles back in their native habitat, is a boost for biodiversity and a new chapter in the lives of these iconic gentle giants. North Island is a small, tropical landmass north-west of the […]
It’s ‘whack-a-mole’: Alarming rise in pet trade fuels wildlife trafficking into California
In October, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at California’s Otay Mesa border crossing noticed an odd bulge inside a man’s pants. Jesse Agus Martinez, a U.S. citizen who lives in Tijuana, repeatedly claimed the bump was “pirrin,” a Spanish word for penis. His history of smuggling birds into the U.S. prompted further examination, […]
Namibia loses bid to overturn ban on rhino horn trade
Namibia’s proposals to lift the ban on the international trade in black and white rhino horns have been rejected at a key conservation meeting. The result of the voting at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) earlier this week was adopted by the conference on Thursday in […]
Raccoons Are Adapting to City Life, And That’s Not a Good Thing
Raccoons might be getting a little too comfortable living alongside humans. According to KARK News, researchers at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock found that raccoons in urban areas are beginning to show early signs of domestication. After examining nearly 20,000 images, scientists noticed that city raccoons tend to have shorter snouts than their […]
“The tiny turtles’ perilous haul is akin to a marathon across the world’s most dangerous obstacle course.”
Ask any turtle biologist from any country as to the meaning of arribada and chances are their eyes will glaze over, before they begin gushing effusively about the synchronised transition from sea to sand of thousands upon thousands of marine turtles that have a sole purpose in mind. To those without the benefit of either […]