Far out in the dry badlands of South Africa’s Karoo Basin, fossils have been unearthed by paleontologists that rewrite the book on prehistoric survival and extinction. The fossils are those of Inostrancevia, a giant saber-toothed predator known to science only through Russian fossils until now. The tiger-sized gorgonopsian proto-mammal with reptilian traits somehow traveled an ...
How wildlife managers are trading shotguns for drones and why buzzing UAVs outperform bear dogs in Montana’s grizzly country. The Bear Whisperer’s Dilemma In 2017, Wesley Sarmento became Montana’s first prairie-based bear manager a job that often put him face-to-face with 600-pound grizzlies. His mission is to prevent conflicts while these protected predators reclaim Great ...
Johnson Atoll, a remote Pacific island chain and vital seabird sanctuary, is at the center of a heated debate. The U.S. Air Force’s proposal to establish rocket landing pads for SpaceX Starships on the atoll has sparked concerns among conservationists. They warn that the project could undo decades of restoration efforts and threaten the fragile ...
Arizona is experiencing a concerning rise in rabies cases among wildlife, prompting officials to issue warnings to pet owners and the public. The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and the Department of Health Services have reported a significant increase in rabies incidents, emphasizing the importance of vaccinations and preventive measures to safeguard both pets ...
Pharmaceutical pollution is an emerging global issue, with over 900 active substances detected in waterways worldwide. Recent studies reveal that even trace amounts of drugs, such as the sedative clobazam, can significantly alter the behavior and migration patterns of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). These findings highlight the far-reaching consequences of human activity on aquatic ecosystems. ...
Human activities such as agriculture, logging, and urbanization are increasingly encroaching on the habitats of great apes. While these species have shown remarkable behavioral flexibility in adapting to anthropogenic disturbances, their new behaviors often come with significant risks. Recent studies highlight the complex interplay between survival strategies and the challenges posed by human interactions. Behavioral ...
Some of history’s biggest question marks have not fallen to genius plans or perfectly funded expeditions. They have been cracked wide open by a storm, a construction dig, a bored technician double-checking a sample, or a curious local stumbling on something odd in the mud. Over the last decade, chance has repeatedly ambushed the past, ...
New research reveals why young puffins are drawn to artificial lights like moths to flames and how simple fixes could save them. The Puffin Patrol: Newfoundland’s Midnight Rescue Squad Every August in Witless Bay, Canada, volunteers armed with butterfly nets and flashlights scour the coastline for stranded pufflings baby Atlantic puffins that should be at ...
As urbanization continues to reshape landscapes, wildlife is adapting to thrive in human-dominated environments. This phenomenon, known as synurbization, highlights the resilience of certain species and their ability to coexist with humans. From foxes in ancient cities to dolphins near coastal power stations, these adaptations reveal the dynamic interplay between nature and urbanization. What Is ...
In June 2024, researchers aboard the R/V Pacific Storm near the coast of Baja California, Mexico, experienced a milestone in marine science: the first confirmed photographs of the elusive ginkgo‑toothed beaked whale (Mesoplodon ginkgodens) living in its natural habitat. Until this expedition, the species had only been documented as stranded carcasses — making this moment ...
