In a cramped cabin in western Canada, Starr Gauthier’s mornings begin with a comforting routine. As the sun flits through stands of mountain evergreens, she brews coffee, chops wood and prepares food – for her co-worker and for the endangered caribou whose fate rests in her hands. “I get fired up every morning knowing that […]
Tag: Canada
With sea ice melting, glacial ice could be a lifeline for polar bears
When Kristin Laidre began working on a long-term project to study polar bears in eastern Greenland, she didn’t expect to find a new subpopulation of the species — and she certainly didn’t expect to find the most genetically isolated polar bears on the planet. There are 19 recognized subpopulations of polar bears (Ursus maritimus) living […]
That ‘killer’ spider story you read online? Fake news, most probably
The prevalence of political and scientific misinformation in the media is a hot-button topic these days, and rightfully so — it has serious negative consequences for society. Emerging research shows that not even the animal kingdom is safe from the dangers of misinformation: a new study has quantified the global spread of misinformation about spiders, […]
Should black bears be slaughtered to make the ornamental headpieces worn by the Queen’s Guard?
PETA is urging British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ban the use of actual bear fur by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The fur is utilized for the Queen’s Guard’s ornamental headpieces, while the ceremonial caps are made of beautiful imitation fur instead. The hats are fashioned from black bear fur harvested in Canada. There […]
How wildlife crossings in Canada are inspiring safer roads for global species
There once was a stretch of Trans-Canada highway so perilous it was known as “The Meat Maker.” The then-infamous section of road that transects Banff National Park, a breathtaking expanse of mountainous terrain and glacial lakes in the Canadian Rockies, averaged about 100 elk-vehicle collisions each year. In the early 1980s, a simple highway expansion […]
‘No easy fix’: polar bear capital of the world turns to electric buggies to save the bears
When tourists reach the north Canadian community of Churchill they have long been greeted by two sounds: the howling of sub-Arctic winds and the rattle of diesel engines. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of visitors have come to the “polar bear capital of the world”, in the hopes of spotting the predators. They journey […]
Harassers of resident orcas could face $1M fine, jail time
Boaters who don’t follow mandatory sanctuary and approach distances could be fined up to $1 million and face up to 18 months in jail. B.C.’s federal whale protection unit has warned boaters, drone pilots and paddle boarders to keep their distance from southern resident killer whales this summer. With only 75 animals left off B.C.’s […]
POLL: Fur farming has lost its social license due to the cruelty and health risks. Should it be banned?
IN THE WILD, MINK HAVE A NATURAL TERRITORY of up to 2,500 hectares, where they swim, run, hunt and socialize. In BC’s mink farms, they live their whole lives in small cages which many British Columbians view as inhumane. In the past year, health experts have raised alarms about the spread of viruses, including COVID-19. […]