Animals
Conservation efforts Help Push Mountain Gorilla Population Up by 12%
The world's population of mountain gorillas has gone up from an estimated 786 in 2010 to 880 today. The WWF says that new census numbers from the Uganda Wildlife Authority show that the numbers of the critically endangered species, Gorilla beringei beringei, have increased by more than 12% in two years. The survey was carried out by Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National ...
Transgender Bird Spotted in New Zealand; First-of-its-Kind
Have you seen one of these before? Chances are that you haven’t. This species is considered the first of its kind - this bellbird is neither male nor female. Yes, folks, a first-of-its kind transgender species has been found. Experts are yet to observe the bird during its mating period, and they have concluded that this new species is neither a ...
Costa Rica Fully Bans Shark Finning
Costa Rica has officially declared a blanket ban on shark finning. Shark finning is a process where the sharks’ fins are sliced off and left in the ocean to die. Costa Rica has rules to protect sharks, but they had many a loophole. In an effort to close those loopholes, President Laura Chinchilla has signed an executive order preventing shark finning ...
Bird Extinction Rate Rising Alarmingly
Human activities have made hundreds of bird species disappear from the face of the earth. Around 279 bird species and subspecies have already been wiped off the earth’s surface during the past 5000 years, a new study suggests. The extinction rate was on the rise in the early 1900s and slowly started to decline. But according to the new research, it ...
Fish Size Shrinking Due to Global Warming
It is common knowledge that the fish population, all over, is shrinking. But as per a new study, along with the fish population, the fish themselves are also shrinking. Under the influence of global warming, the body of around 600 types of marine fish will probably decrease. Pollution, decrease in habitat, and food sources also contribute to this disaster. The researchers ...
Mammoth Fragments Found in Russia Raise Cloning Hopes
An international researchers’ team from Russia’s North-Eastern Federal University have discovered mammoth remains in the northeastern province of Yakutia. They hope that the remains may contain the necessary source to clone the woolly mammoth. The researchers found the remains from Ust-Yansk area of the Yakutia region in Russia's Arctic coast. They have uncovered mammoth hair, soft tissues, fur and bone marrow along with ...
Genetically Engineered Goats to Produce Human Breast Milk Substitute
We all know there is no substitute to human breast milk. It nourishes and keeps infants healthy. Unfortunately, low breast milk supply is a common problem among mothers. They are most of the time made to undergo medication to increase the level. What if goats are genetically engineered to produce enzymes and proteins found in breast milk? Animal scientists at the ...
Hong Kong Airline Stops Shipping Shark Fin
Following pressure from environmental groups, Hong Kong Airlines has banned shark fins from its cargo flights. It is estimated that the airline flew 650 tonnes of shark fin into Hong Konge very year. It has now decided to end shipping of unsustainably sourced sharks and shark-related products. The airline will not enter into new contracts in this regard. The main reason ...
Rome Zoo Serves Meat-Flavored Ice Lollies to Help Animals Beat the Heat
With torrid heat hitting Rome, and bringing the temperature to 40C this week, the authorities at the Bioparco Zoo are looking for new methods to protect the 1000 animals living there from the heat wave. In that bid, they have prepared giant meat-flavored ice lollies to feed tigers and lions. Monkeys are served with yogurt filled bamboo canes, frozen fruit ...
Animal Welfare Group Four Paws Demands Ban on Bull Run in Spain
Animal welfare group Vier Pfoten (Four Paws) has urged the Spanish authorities to put an end to the gruesome tradition of Bull Run. The famous Pamplona Bull Run is one of the major attractions of Spanish tourism and has played a major role in establishing and in the growth of the tourism industry in the country. In a bull run, bulls ...
