The newly-discovered species belongs to Trichothraupis, a genus that was established in 1851 and, until now, included only one species: the black-goggled tanager (Trichothraupis melanops). These forest-dwelling birds live in pairs or in small groups, and feed on fruit and arthropods, regularly feeding on army ant swarms. They are common in the Atlantic Forest, where […]
Their brazen chip-snatching, swooping and aggressive squawking has earned seagulls a reputation as the scourge of seaside towns, terrorising unsuspecting tourists and enraging residents alike. And as the marauding birds have ventured inland and established urban colonies, towns have deployed spikes, netting and even birds of prey as deterrents. Now Worcester city councillors appear to […]
New Jersey’s annual black bear hunting season has begun, sparking debate over the state’s wildlife management practices. Officials say the hunt is necessary to control the rising bear population, which has led to increased human-bear encounters. However, Conservation groups argue that hunting is not the solution to the issue. The first phase of the hunting […]
Adrián Caballero and his colleagues released tracking dogs late one February morning in the hilly jungle terrain of San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and from there, the chase was on. “Machete en mano,” they sometimes ran along thin game trails, sometimes sliced their way through thick foliage, following the sound of the dogs’ barking as […]
A five-person team of expert shooters will soon target feral cats in New South Wales national parks as the state steps up efforts to control the pest animals. The intensive ground operation is being deployed in response to increased cat numbers, according to National Parks and Wildlife Service deputy secretary, Atticus Fleming. “Intensive, well-targeted ground […]
They’re Australia’s own underwater punks in leopard print. Spotted handfish are an endangered species of fish that prefer to “walk” instead of swim, thanks to their unusual pectoral and pelvic fins; have a fluffy dorsal fin on their head that looks almost like a mohawk; and live in the waters off south-east Tasmania. Now CSIRO […]
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 […]
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 […]