The Rappahannock Tribe has become the first tribal nation in the United States to successfully adopt a tribal constitution that recognizes the rights of nature, giving legal protection to the river it has lived alongside for thousands of years. The new constitution recognizes nine specific rights for the Rappahannock River, including rights to “naturally exist, […]
U.S. Proposes Listing Giraffes Under the Endangered Species Act for the First Time
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has proposed that giraffes be listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA) for the first time. The agency hopes listing the iconic tallest mammal on Earth will crack down on poaching, as the U.S. is one of the largest destinations of items such as rugs, boots […]
Bush Pilot’s Plane Strikes Flock of Birds During Takeoff in Alaska
In Alaska, a small propeller plane collided with a flock of willow ptarmigan, leaving the hull of the aircraft marked with blood and feathers. The incident occurred on September 26 as Mark Schwantes, a big game hunter and experienced commercial fishing captain, was preparing to take off for Anchorage. While getting ready for flight, Schwantes […]
Get away, grizzly: why scientists are chasing bears with drones
The first time that Terry Vandenbos watched a bear run from a drone, on a spring day two years ago, he was chasing the animal himself. After he saw the grizzly cross a road near his property, the Montana rancher hopped on his all-terrain vehicle, planning to scare it away from his cattle if needed. […]
Koala deaths almost double in housing developments in south-western Sydney, data shows
Koala road deaths have nearly doubled in a development hotspot in south-western Sydney, according to conservationists who are demanding the Minns government improve protection for the endangered species in new housing areas. In a letter – signed by more than 20 community and national environment groups – to the New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, […]
Tennessee Woman Shoots Vervet Monkey in Alleged Self-Defense, Animal Later Dies at Zoo
In Thrasher, Tennessee, a woman shot a vervet monkey who reportedly tried to attack her while she was feeding her cats. The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, said she had recently undergone hip surgery and struggled to evade the monkey, according to a statement from the Soddy-Daisy Police Department. To “defend herself,” she […]
Birdwatch: a close encounter with a flying rhino in Borneo
I’d never seen a flying rhino before. Then again, I’d never visited the lowland rainforest of Borneo. This is the main stronghold of the rhinoceros hornbill, one of the largest and most imposing of its bizarre family. So when a huge black-and-white bird flew out of the forest canopy, I was suitably impressed. I was […]
Shorebird populations drop globally, some by a third: Report
Sixteen shorebird species have been reclassified to higher threat categories as the global population of migratory shorebirds across the world saw a substantial decline, according to the latest update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Conservation partnership BirdLife International, which helps examine the status of the world’s birds for the IUCN Red List, […]