Belize is turning to its deep waters to fulfill its pledge to protect 30% of its ocean and achieve the sixth milestone of its Blue Bond agreement. A draft marine spatial plan submitted on Sept. 8 for government approval proposes closing the final gap to 30% by establishing three offshore marine protected areas (MPAs). Officials […]
Why do cats purr? It’s not just a sign of happiness…
Do all cats purr? Purring is not only seen in domestic cats. Cats can be divided into those that can purr and the cats that roar. These sounds are mutually exclusive due to the structure of the larynx – often known as the voice box. In smaller cat species, such as cheetahs, cougars, domestic cats, […]
Comebacks for wild tigers, tuna and sea turtles prove nature loss can be reversed, scientists say
Conservation comebacks for wild tigers, tuna and green sea turtles prove that global nature loss can be reversed, scientists have said. But a report warns food production must be the next “positive tipping point” if the world is to avert biodiversity collapse. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) analysed nearly 36,000 animal populations and more than […]
“It seems to be a lively business…” Just how do sharks mate?
Sex is a staple of wildlife documentaries, to the point that the ins and outs of the love lives of a multitude of mammals, birds, reptiles and invertebrates have been revealed in all their intimate detail. And yet the private lives of fish have remained largely just that – private. There are at least two […]
World Octopus Day: new discoveries about the world’s smartest invertebrates
Happy World Octopus Day! Every Oct 8, the world celebrates one of the more unusual creatures of the sea. Octopuses are well-known for their eight legs and ability to squirt ink when frightened. They’ve also been known to use tools, a sign of intelligence, and can shape-shift to mimic the colors and texture of their […]
Scientists listened to the rumbles of elephants on the African savannah. Here’s what they discovered
Roaming the open bush and scrublands of sub-Saharan Africa, African savannah elephants communicate with each other through low-frequency rumbles, often occurring in overlapping choruses. This cacophony of sounds can be tricky to analyse – but a new study now reveals its intricacies and purpose. The research was led by scientists from ElephantVoices and Earth Species Project, with collaborators from […]
Sri Lanka elephant found with a gunshot wound. How can tuskers be protected?
COLOMBO –- Wildlife enthusiast Pathum Bandara watched Kavantissa, believed to be Sri Lanka’s tallest living tusker, moving gently through the landscape on Sept. 20 around Galgamuwa in the island’s northwestern dry zone, a well-known human-elephant conflict zone. The following day, Bandara noticed that the elephant was limping. A closer look revealed a gunshot wound on […]
66 million years ago, the dinosaurs died – but ants thrived. Scientists just figured out why
Ants are the most species-rich family among social insects, with more than 15,000 species worldwide. They originated around 140 to 168 million years ago but didn’t rise to ecological dominance until 66 million years ago, when an asteroid ended the age of dinosaurs. Scientists now know exactly what allowed ants to triumph after this mass […]