Tag: Conservation
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Smooth Brains, Sharp Senses: How Manatees Defy Expectations With Unique Adaptations
A new study highlights how manatees thrive in challenging environments through their unique biology, including smooth brains and specialized sensory hairs. These adaptations enable them to navigate murky waters, detect subtle movements, and avoid predators. The research emphasizes the need for conservation efforts as threats to manatees increase due to habitat loss and boat collisions.
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Why Did The Owl Cross The Road? GPS Study Uncovers Clever Survival Tactics.
In the forests and suburbs of southeast Australia, the threatened powerful owl (Ninox strenua) face a common problem: how to cross the road. A new study using GPS trackers revealed how these threatened birds navigate human-built landscapes while avoiding danger. Researchers followed 37 powerful owls over seven years, uncovering surprising strategies that could reshape how…
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How Spanish Highways Became Rabbit Havens
In the farmlands of central Spain, a surprising wildlife mystery is unfolding: European rabbits, a species endangered in their native habitat, are thriving along motorways. A new study reveals how roadside slopes and nearby farmland create the perfect hideouts for these burrowing animals, but their success is sparking clashes with farmers. Slopes, Soil, and Snacks:…
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Nature’s Happy Hour: Chimps Share Boozy Fruit, Scientists Find
Wild chimpanzees in Guinea-Bissau’s Cantanhez National Park have been observed for the first time eating and sharing fermented fruits containing alcohol, according to a study recently published in Current Biology. Researchers found that these clever primates selectively consumed overripe African breadfruit, which naturally ferments on the forest floor, with some fruits packing up to 0.61%…
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Candid Cameras Catch Wildlife Being Wild
Using remote trail cameras, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has been capturing the hidden lives of wildlife. The candid images of bobcats, black bears, and elusive owls reveal fascinating behaviors while keeping human disturbance to a minimum. Great Horned Owl: Nighttime Ninja A great horned owl at Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge shows off…
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Fish Are Getting High On Anxiety Meds
Scientists recently discovered that anti-anxiety medication clobazam is leaching into waterways and affecting the migration of Atlantic Salmon. In a study published in Science, researchers found these fish passed through dams faster and seemingly with more focus than unexposed salmon. Field Experiment: Tracking Salmon in Sweden’s River Dal The scientists note that anxiety drugs like…
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These rescued sun bears got a second chance in the wild. Scientists tracked their fates.
In the lush rainforests of Malaysia, a team of scientists has uncovered the hidden struggles and triumphs of rescued and rehabilitated Bornean sun bears as they adapt to life in the wild. Using GPS collars, researchers tracked a dozen bears to understand their adaptation to the wild, uncovering both resilience and risks. The bears, rescued…
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These Rare River Dolphins Got Their First Health Check-Up. Here’s What Scientists Found.
Researchers have unveiled the first-ever health assessment of the Araguaian River dolphin, a rare grey and pink-colored species fighting for survival in Brazil’s rapidly changing waterways. These dolphins face threats from fishing, boat traffic, and habitat loss. But new findings suggest they’re holding their ground – for now. A Tale of Two Habitats Scientists carefully…