Wild animals are not the most dangerous thing about hiking in remote regions, but they are definitely worth bearing in mind. Here we look at the main species you need to take account of. Given the preponderance of large predators – big cats, especially – in Africa and some parts of Asia, we’ve assumed people will not […]
Tag: rattlesnake
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, […]
Scorpion Venom May Provide the Next Breast Cancer Breakthrough
Scientists in Brazil are currently testing to see if the venom of an Amazonian scorpion could be used to poison breast cancer tumors. Researchers at the University of São Paulo’s Preto School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FCFRP-USP) have long worked to clone and express proteins from rattlesnake and scorpion venom with hopes of transforming these powerful […]
The growing exotic pet trade drives illegal sales online and a push for tighter rules
A growing exotic pet trade has conservationists calling for stronger regulations to protect the reptiles, birds and other animals in the wild that are increasingly showing up for sale on internet marketplaces and becoming popular on social media. The two-week Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is scheduled to […]
Hiker dies after being bitten by rattlesnake he picked up in Tennessee state park
A man has died after being bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking in a Tennessee state park. Authorities say the hiker was about a half mile along a trail in Savage Gulf State Park in Grundy County on Friday, August 8, when he picked the rattlesnake up. The snake bit him in the hand. Rescue […]
Blind Senior Dog Saves Volunteer from Rattlesnake
A senior dog named Moogan, despite being blind, has earned the title of “hero” for saving a volunteer at Utah’s Best Friends Animal Sanctuary from a potentially hazardous rattlesnake encounter. Dan Fishbein, the volunteer, was guiding Moogan along a sandy trail when the incredible event unfolded. Although Moogan relies on Fishbein to help him navigate […]