Africa’s only resident penguin species is now officially critically endangered, according to a recent assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Over the past century, the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) has suffered precipitous declines in its population. In the mid-1950s, there were an estimated 141,000 breeding pairs of African penguins, or 282,000 […]
Giant spiders that can grow to size of human hand thriving in the UK
Thousands of giant spiders that can grow to the size of a human hand are thriving in the UK, thanks to a successful breeding programme from Chester zoo. The fen raft spider is a harmless arachnid that plays a vital role in aquatic ecosystems, but 15 years ago was on the brink of extinction because […]
Czechian Zoo Condemns Slovakia’s Bear Hunting Rules
The Tábor Zoo in Czechia is raising alarms over Slovakia‘s controversial decision to ease restrictions on the controlled shooting of bears. The zoo has filed a formal complaint with the European Commission, arguing that Slovakia’s actions violate laws meant to protect endangered species. Evžen Korec, director of Tábor Zoo, expressed his outrage in a statement […]
Animals consume alcohol more often than previously known: Study
What’s new: Humans know a thing or two about drinking alcohol, but accounts of animals turning to booze have often been discounted as accidental, unnatural or rare. Researchers now argue in a new study that animals drinking alcohol, or more specifically ethanol, might be more commonplace in the natural world than previously thought. “We’re moving […]
Mayhem at New York airport after raccoon falls through ceiling: ‘The most LaGuardia thing’
Passengers awaiting an early morning flight at New York‘s LaGuardia airport were surprised by the sudden arrival of an unexpected extra flyer: a raccoon who fell through a terminal ceiling and proceeded to cause mayhem at a departure gate. Video of the animal’s abrupt appearance at a Spirit Airlines gate inside the airport’s Marine air […]
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 […]
Droughts could change bird songs, creating new species, says study on Darwin’s finches
In the sunbaked Galápagos Islands, a male finch perches on a branch, hearing what sounds like another bird’s song. But something’s not quite right. The song is slower and simpler, like a familiar tune played at the wrong speed. The bird cocks its head, ruffles its feathers, but stays put. It’s just been fooled by […]
Iceland’s president urged to intervene over licence for Europe’s last whaler
A coalition of conservation and animal welfare groups are urging Iceland‘s president to step in and stop any plans the prime minister has to issue a whaling licence to Europe’s last whaler before the Icelandic election at the end of the month. Earlier this year, the country granted a one-year licence to Hvalur to kill […]