Author: OMN AI

Rare brown hairstreak butterflies rebounded in south-west Wales after landowners reduced annual hedge flailing.Volunteers found more than 300 eggs near Llandeilo, marking record counts after years of decline.The butterflies lay eggs on blackthorn, which flailing often destroys during autumn cutting.Butterfly Conservation persuaded landowners to rotate hedge cutting every two to three years.Egg counts rose by 50% along the A40 after gentler management and new blackthorn planting.Nearby flailed hedges saw egg numbers collapse.Conservationists say less frequent cutting could save the species and help wider wildlife recovery.

Utah has received federal approval for its updated Wildlife Action Plan, setting the course for how the state will protect native species and ecosystems over the next 10 years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service signed off on the plan, clearing the way for Utah to continue managing wildlife locally while working to prevent more species from needing protection under the Endangered Species Act. Keeping Wildlife Management in State Hands The plan is designed to proactively protect vulnerable species and habitats, reducing the risk of future federal listings. According to Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials, this approach allows conservation…

Unexpected resilience in the Arctic Scientists expected polar bears in Norway’s Svalbard archipelago to suffer from declining sea ice. Instead, researchers found the bears have become fatter and healthier since the early 1990s. Sea ice steadily decreased due to climate change, yet the animals defied predictions. Polar bears depend on sea ice to hunt seals, which provide high-fat meals crucial for energy and insulation. Fat reserves also help mothers produce rich milk for cubs. Researchers weighed and measured 770 adult polar bears in Svalbard between 1992 and 2019. They discovered a significant increase in body mass and overall health. Adapting…

Environmental group Pan Europe found multiple pesticide residues in 85% of apples tested across Europe.Researchers analysed about 60 apples bought in 13 countries, including France, Italy, Spain, and Poland.Some apples contained traces of up to seven different chemicals.In 71% of samples, Pan Europe detected pesticides classed as the EU’s most hazardous.The study also found “forever chemicals” known as Pfas in 64% of apples.Pan Europe warned of health risks from combined pesticide exposure.The group urged consumers to buy organic apples or peel conventional ones.

Freshwater and Land Under Pressure A major review by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has highlighted a worrying state of the environment, warning of polluted rivers, failing soils, and collapsing wildlife. Around 40% of Welsh water bodies are in good condition, and salmon are expected to disappear from some rivers by 2030. Semi-natural grasslands, vital for plants, insects, birds, and small mammals, continue to decline, while half of marine species and habitats in protected areas are in unfavourable condition. The report blames pollution, unsustainable land use, and climate change for worsening pressures. Rising sea levels, more frequent storms, and droughts threaten…

A Window into Prehistoric Aotearoa Scientists from Australia and New Zealand have discovered a treasure trove of fossils in a cave near Waitomo on the North Island, shedding light on New Zealand’s wildlife from around 1 million years ago. Among the finds is an ancestor of the large, flightless Kākāpō parrot, along with fossils from 12 ancient bird species and four frog species. The research, published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, offers an unprecedented glimpse into ecosystems that existed long before humans arrived. “This newly recognized avifauna shows that our ancient forests were once home to a diverse…

A court in The Hague ruled the Dutch government discriminated against residents of Bonaire by failing to protect them from climate change.Judges said the Netherlands treated the Caribbean island differently from the European mainland despite clear climate risks.The court ordered the state to create a concrete climate adaptation plan for Bonaire.It also demanded tougher and legally binding national emissions targets.The case was brought by Bonaire residents with Greenpeace Nederland.Judges found the government breached human rights laws on discrimination and private life.The ruling said the Netherlands must cut emissions in line with its historical responsibility.

Lawmakers Call for Clear Rules and Investment MEPs from the European People’s Party are urging the EU to treat nuclear fusion not just as a research topic, but as a real opportunity to secure Europe’s energy future. On Tuesday, they released a declaration calling for a “clear, predictable regulatory framework” to attract private investment, noting the enormous costs involved in developing fusion technology. “Fusion has reached a turning point. European industrial capability and private investments are converging toward deployment,” the declaration states. Lawmakers including Tsvetelina Penkova (Bulgaria), Hildegard Bentele (Germany), and Pascal Arimont (Belgium) emphasized that fusion could strengthen Europe’s…

Scientists have launched an AI-powered app called DinoTracker to identify dinosaurs from fossil footprints.The system analyzes footprint shapes without relying on prior labels.Researchers fed the model 2,000 unlabelled footprint silhouettes.The AI grouped prints using eight key shape features.It matched expert classifications about 90% of the time.The study was led by researchers from University of Edinburgh and Helmholtz-Zentrum.The findings were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.Some results support earlier claims of birdlike dinosaur tracks.Scientists say more evidence is needed before rewriting bird evolution history.

Extreme temperatures disrupt matches Melbourne faced another day of scorching heat on Tuesday, pushing the Australian Open to its highest “heat stress” level.Thermometers recorded 42.7C, with forecasts suggesting temperatures could reach 45C.Organisers postponed the start of the wheelchair events, which feature British defending champions Alfie Hewett, Gordon Reid, and Andy Lapthorne, until Wednesday.Outdoor junior matches moved forward to 09:00 local time (22:00 GMT) and finished before the peak temperatures arrived.Matches in Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena, including four singles quarter-finals and multiple doubles contests, took place under retractable roofs. Retractable roofs protect top players The Laver Arena roof…