Monthly Archives: December 2023

Colorado has finally taken the plunge and begun reintroducing wolves to the state. The five wolves released recently are expected to carve out territory and bring the animals back to the areas from which they were driven. The first animals have been joined by another five, according to news reports. If their enemies permit. ColoradoContinue reading “Five Wolves First To Be Released In Colorado As State Begins Ambitious And Hotly Contested Reintroduction Effort”

Tigers and housecats share about 95 percent of their DNA. So the tiny cat curled on your couch remains a fierce predator. Another new study proves the point. It claims that roaming housecats kill billions of creatures a year. Housecat rampage is real and apparently obligate. Housecats, after all are impressive predtors. Tehey have keenContinue reading “Housecat Rampage: New Study Claims Wandering Pet Felines Kill Billions Of Birds And Small Animals Annually”

Bobcats, wolves and cougars were driven from Ohio in the 19th Century but Ohio bobcats appear to be making a return to parts of the state. According to MSN at least one family of Ohio bobcats is being tracked by biologists as they try to make a return to an old home. According to WDTN DaytonContinue reading “Ohio Bobcats Return To State After 100 Year Absence, Numbers Appear To Be Rising”

Spiders are commonplace all over the world. So, apparently, are sea spiders. A recently discovered sea spider haven off Scotland’s coast is bringing attention to the eight-legged relatives of our familiar web-spinners. According to the BBC the spiders have been found in or near  the Faroe-Shetland Sponge Belt Nature Conservation Marine Protected Area, which liesContinue reading “Sea Spider Haven Found Off Scottish Coast; Some Sea Spiders There Have 16-Inch Legspans”

Some months ago we reported on the growing fear that super pigs from Canada were beginning to cross the border into the United States. That advent would only increase the problems caused by wild pigs in much of the United States, Super pigs from Canada are given that name because they are the escaped products ofContinue reading “Super Pigs Are On The March; Canadian Invaders May Increase Greatly The Feral Hog Problem In The United States”

The search for our ultimate ancestor has been ongoing for centuries. New fossil research now suggests the earliest human ancestor has been found. It is not perhaps the most glamourous creature. After all it had no anus so it seems to have eaten and defecated out of the same orifice. It lived about 540 millionContinue reading “Earliest Human Ancestor Was A Tiny Ocean-Dwelling Gasbag: Meet Saccorhytus”

Wildlife Learning Center (WLC) has joined the new anti-trafficking organization designed to streamline the response to the rescue of captured smuggled animals. In its year-end news letter WLC Director David Riherd said WLC has already attempted to save one smuggled animal, although the effort failed. “WLC has already helped authorities by housing a young animalContinue reading “Wildlife Learning Center Joins Anti-Smuggling Effort; Continues To Rescue Animals And Says “Thank-You” To Supporters For Donations Large And Small”

When we think about hibernation we usually associate it with bears. Bears curl up during the worst of the winter and place themselves on hold until spring.But other animals hibernate, too. Arctic ground squirrels hibernation skills may hold lessons for humans to improve their health. According to PBS Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryi) may beContinue reading “Arctic Ground Squirrels Survive Harsh Winters And May Have Lessons To Teach Humans About Their Health”

Although they have been in the Pacific Northwest since the 1950’s barred owls are not native. In fact they are considered a big enough nuisance that a federal agency is planning a barred owl slaughter. Up to 500,000 of the birds are to be shot by hunters recruited for the task. Although the number isContinue reading “Barred Owl Slaughter: Federal Agency Plans To Recruit Hunters To Cull One-Half Million Invasive Owls In The Coming 30 Years”

Invasive species are one of the great challenges to conservationists and government wildlife agencies. Even people who are not animal defenders can be severely impacted. Efforts to control or remove invasive species can have dramatic impact. Recently, a Caribbean island being ruined by invasive goats and rats has been saved. According to The Cool DownContinue reading “Goats and Rats Nearly “Destroy” Caribbean Island; Removal Of Invaders Brings It Back To Life”