Tourist learns the hard way never to approach a grizzly bear for photos – no matter how cute it looks

Tourist learns the hard way never to approach a grizzly bear for photos – no matter how cute it looks

Bears prefer to avoid close contact with people, but will defend themselves if they or their young are threatened Bear naturally prefer to avoid close encounters with people, and will typically leave an area if they know you are coming (hence the advice to talk and make noise when hiking through their territory). However, they […]

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Madagascar lemurs, tortoises seized in Thai bust reveal reach of wildlife trafficking

Madagascar lemurs, tortoises seized in Thai bust reveal reach of wildlife trafficking

In May, authorities in southern Thailand arrested six people for illegally transporting 48 lemurs and more than 1,200 critically endangered tortoises, all of which had reportedly been obtained from the wild in Madagascar. The seizure is the latest in a string of illegal wildlife trade busts in Thailand. Red pandas (Ailurus fulgens), monitor lizards, snakes […]

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New Online Database Highlights Dangers of Keeping Exotic Animals in Captivity

New Online Database Highlights Dangers of Keeping Exotic Animals in Captivity

World Animal Protection Canada has launched an innovative online database to raise awareness about the risks associated with keeping exotic animals in captivity. According to wildlife campaign manager Michèle Hamers, many people misinterpret incidents involving captive wildlife as isolated or amusing occurrences, overlooking the serious dangers they pose. Through her fieldwork, Hamers has observed numerous […]

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‘Explorer elephants’ in transfrontier conservation area offer solution to tree damage

‘Explorer elephants’ in transfrontier conservation area offer solution to tree damage

Elephants are known to be “ecosystem engineers,” altering habitats to suit their own needs, but this sometimes comes at a cost to other species. Hedging, or stem snapping, is the term used to describe how elephants (Loxodonta africana) reduce dominant trees to low-level shrubs, bringing the trees’ leaves within easy reach of mother-and-calf herds while […]

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How Wombats and Their Burrows Offer Refuge to Animals During Wildfires

How Wombats and Their Burrows Offer Refuge to Animals During Wildfires

In the wake of Australia’s catastrophic 2019-2020 Black Summer wildfires, a fascinating ecological discovery was made regarding the burrows of wombats. While initial reports inaccurately claimed wombats were herding other animals to safety, the reality, though less dramatic, revealed a vital role these creatures play in supporting biodiversity during such disasters.  Source: Wicked Wildlife/YouTube […]

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