Pittsburgh wildlife centers are seeing a rise in birds showing signs of West Nile virus. The disease, spread by mosquitoes, is affecting both birds of prey and common urban birds like crows. Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center reports a notable increase in young birds arriving with symptoms of the virus. Red-tailed hawks, great horned owls, and even an American kestrel have been admitted in the last few weeks. Many of the birds are very young and have weaker immune systems, making it harder for them to fight the infection. Katie Kefalos, director of wildlife rehabilitation at the…
Author: Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers
Andrew Rogers is a freelance journalist based in the USA, with over 10 years of experience covering Politics, World Affairs, Business, Health, Technology, Finance, Lifestyle, and Culture. He earned his degree in Journalism from the University of Florida. Throughout his career, he has contributed to outlets such as The New York Times, CNN, and Reuters. Known for his clear reporting and in-depth analysis, Andrew delivers accurate and timely news that keeps readers informed on both national and international developments.
Shanghai has issued the first major update to its local list of protected wild animals since 1993. The move is part of efforts to stop illegal hunting, reduce wildlife trade, and raise awareness about conservation within the city. The revised “List of Provincial Key Protected Wild Animals in Shanghai” works alongside the national protection list. While the national list provides countrywide coverage, Shanghai’s version focuses on local species that need special protection within the city’s ecosystems. The new update reflects almost three decades of changes in wildlife numbers, habitats, and conservation needs. Authorities say it will help create stronger laws,…
The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Omaha, Nebraska, has opened its doors to four new residents. The arrivals are not ordinary guests but endangered Mexican spider monkeys rescued from wildlife traffickers. Their journey has been long and difficult, but now they have a safe place to grow and thrive. The four monkeys—Lily, Chicharra (known as Chichi), Rosa, and Tito—are all juveniles. They represent one of the most endangered primate species in the world. After spending months in recovery, they are now adjusting to their new home in the zoo’s jungle exhibit. Jeff Ewelt, Chief Zoological Officer at the zoo,…
The title of fastest insect flyer is surprisingly hard to pin down. Early claims were wildly exaggerated: in 1926, one entomologist suggested a deer botfly could fly at 370 m/s (1,330 km/h) — faster than the speed of sound, which is clearly impossible. More reliable tests have only been done on a few species in wind tunnels. Locusts have been clocked at around 33 km/h, while the tobacco hornworm hawkmoth can reach about 36 km/h. There are anecdotal reports of monarch butterflies keeping pace with cars and dragonflies rivaling light aircraft, but these may be influenced by wind conditions. The…
A herd of Highland cattle at Taverham Mill nature reserve near Norwich has become an unexpected social media phenomenon, drawing thousands of visitors this summer. Videos of the flame-haired cows racked up hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok, prompting fans to travel from across the country to see them in person. Reserve manager Harry Waye-Barker described the influx as “bonkers,” noting that the herd, previously a quiet summer attraction, has seen unprecedented attention. Visitors have driven from as far as Devon to catch a glimpse of the cattle, which are known for their striking appearance and gentle temperament. The…
Florida officials are reviewing the issuing of permits that allow the capture of endangered marine species after a viral video showed a giant manta ray being netted off Panama City for an Abu Dhabi aquarium. The footage, filmed by dolphin tour operator Denis Richard, shows the exhausted ray being pulled onto a boat by contractors working for SeaWorld Abu Dhabi under a legal permit held by Dynasty Marine Associates. The giant manta ray, the world’s largest ray with a wingspan of up to 26ft, is federally listed as endangered, with commercial fishing as its greatest U.S. threat. The species is…
A new survey shows overwhelming support for the 30×30 biodiversity target, which aims to protect 30% of the world’s land and marine areas by 2030. Conducted across eight countries—Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and the United States—the study found that 82% of respondents back the initiative. Despite nearly 200 nations agreeing to the target in 2022, only 17.6% of land and 8.6% of seas are currently under protection, with many countries lagging behind. Political and economic concerns, such as restricted land access and halted resource extraction, have slowed progress. The survey revealed the highest support in Brazil…
Labour can stop the badger cull by 2029, but only with a Covid-style focus on testing and vaccinating, according to a new government-commissioned report. Sir Charles Godfray, who authored the review, warned ministers have only a “small chance” of eradicating bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in England by 2038 without increased investment. Badgers are culled because they can spread bTB to cattle, which costs taxpayers and the cattle industry around £150m annually. More than 210,000 badgers have been killed since 2013. Godfray said badgers do pose a risk of spreading bTB, but stopping the cull is possible with non-lethal measures, including vaccinating…
The Lancashire Wildlife Trust (LWT) has begun a drive to reintroduce the large heath butterfly, bog bush cricket and white-faced darter dragonfly, species once common across Lancashire and Greater Manchester’s peat bogs. These insects depend on lowland peatlands, 96% of which have been lost to human activity. LWT has been restoring habitats by rebuilding water systems and replanting specialist vegetation, and is now appealing for £20,000 to complete the project. The insects play crucial roles in the ecosystem: the butterfly pollinates plants, the cricket aids decomposition and feeds birds, and the dragonfly preys on smaller invertebrates to balance populations. Senior…
New Zealand is racing to protect its critically endangered birds, including the flightless kākāpō, from the deadly H5N1 avian influenza ahead of spring migration, which could bring the virus to its shores. With fewer than 250 kākāpō left, even a single outbreak could be catastrophic. In a world-first trial, the Department of Conservation vaccinated up to 10 captive birds from five endangered species, including the kākāpō, takahē, kakī, tūturuatu, and a type of kākāriki. Using a licensed poultry vaccine (H5N3), four species developed strong antibodies lasting at least six months, offering hope for captive breeding populations and managed offshore islands.…