The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a decision on Tuesday to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies after years of warnings from environmentalists that populations are shrinking and the beloved pollinator may not survive the climate crisis. Officials plans to add the butterfly to the threatened species list by the end of next year […]
Rare Invasive Insects Intercepted at Dulles Airport Pose Economic Threat
In a surprising discovery, Customs and Border Protection inspectors at Dulles International Airport recently encountered two exotic insects not typically seen in the Washington, D.C. area. On October 7, during a routine inspection of a flower shipment from South Africa, officials identified two potentially harmful species that could pose significant threats to local agriculture. […]
As Wolf Populations Rebound, an Angry Backlash Intensifies
Next month will mark the 30th anniversary of a landmark wildlife experiment: the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. The gray wolf had been nearly extirpated throughout the northern Rockies and had been federally listed as endangered since 1974. Diane Boyd, a wildlife biologist who had started collaring and tracking wolves that entered northern […]
Why birdsong matters more than you think
Imagine you’re walking across rolling hills that stretch for miles, with warm sunshine and the chirping of birds all around. This peaceful and serene scene is an increasingly rare one in the modern world. Our natural soundscapes are falling silent as bird populations decline. Humans are interacting less with nature, in what is sometimes referred […]
Debate Over Fish Farming in the Gulf of Mexico Heats Up as Trump’s Presidency Nears
Plans to develop large-scale floating fish farms in the Gulf of Mexico are gaining renewed attention as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has identified five areas in the Gulf for potential offshore aquaculture, part of a decade-long federal push to expand fish farming in U.S. […]
Illegal cockfighting threatens endangered sea turtles across Central America
Cockfighting has been illegal in Costa Rica for more than a century, but this violent tradition persists underground across the country. To make the birds deadlier, their owners often tie razor-sharp blades to their legs, known as gaffs or cockspurs. Aside from the roosters, which get seriously injured or killed during fights, another species has […]
Rabies in Cats: Causes, Symptoms and Prevention
Rabies is a viral infection that affects humans and animals, including cats. The virus attacks the nervous system, which may cause death in infected humans. Vaccinated cats may have lower risks of getting infected by rabies. However, there’s still a chance that they can get infected or possibly be carriers of the virus. The risks […]
The Burmese python problem: how 20ft predators are wreaking havoc on the Everglades
An invasive predator that can grow up to 20ft, weigh over 100kg and devour prey six times its size – it is enough to make anyone’s skin crawl. That’s what residents of southern Florida have been struggling with for the past few decades, with the rapid growth of the Burmese python population in the Everglades. […]