Author: OMN AI

Kenyans are mourning the loss of Craig, a famed “super tusker” elephant whose life in the wild symbolized the country’s growing success in protecting its elephants from poaching. Craig, who lived in Amboseli National Park, passed away on Saturday at the age of 54, the Kenya Wildlife Service confirmed. A Giant of Amboseli Craig was renowned for his enormous, ground-sweeping tusks and calm, dignified presence. The Amboseli Trust for Elephants said he died of natural causes and expressed gratitude to everyone who helped him live out his life naturally. Local media described him as one of the last remaining super…

UK ecosystems continue to decline or show little improvement, according to 2025 biodiversity indicator data.The indicators, published annually since 2007, track progress toward national and international biodiversity targets.Scientists at UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology contributed key species trend analyses.The report was published by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee and Department for the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs.Most indicators show long term declines, though some trends have stabilised in recent years.Data from Butterfly Conservation show over half of monitored butterfly species have declined since 1976.Scientists say volunteer monitoring is essential and encourage public action to support wildlife locally.

Despite being no larger than a Post-It note, tiny fiddler crabs can ingest and break down microplastic particles, researchers report. Scientists reveal these small crabs play an unexpected role in reducing plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems. Crabs thrive amid plastic pollution A new study in Global Change Biology monitored fiddler crabs in a highly polluted mangrove forest on Colombia’s northern coast. Years of urban and agricultural expansion have damaged the mangroves, producing some of the world’s highest plastic concentrations. Researchers discovered that the crabs are thriving despite these harsh conditions. The animals ingest and break down significant amounts of microplastics…

Hundreds of plant species are blooming in winter across the UK, alarming scientists.Researchers say the phenomenon is a visible sign of climate breakdown. Data from the annual New Year Plant Hunt show warmer winters are shifting plant cycles.An analysis by the Met Office links higher temperatures to increased winter flowering. For every 1C rise in late-autumn temperatures, 2.5 more species bloom in winter.In 2025, volunteers recorded 310 native plants in flower. That figure far exceeds the usual expectation of around 10 species.Including non-native plants, 646 species were found flowering. The Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland called the trend a…

Wind power has surged across Europe, raising concerns about billions wasted through weak grid investment. Many countries now produce more clean electricity than their systems can handle. Last year marked a major win for the UK renewable sector. Project approvals reached record levels. Offshore wind farms delivered almost 17 per cent of national electricity output. On 5 December 2025, wind generation hit a historic peak. Turbines produced 23,825 megawatts of electricity. That output could power more than 23 million homes. Yet Octopus Energy, one of Britain’s largest suppliers, says much of this power never reached consumers. The company created the…

Adorable grey seal pups have been photographed at Donna Nook Nature Reserve on the Lincolnshire coast.The reserve near Louth attracts hundreds of visitors during the pupping season each year. Grey seal pups are usually born between October and December.This year, 1,924 pups were recorded at the site. That total is 274 higher than last year, which saw a notable decline.According to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, all adult seals have now returned to sea. Twelve pups were still visible from the viewing area earlier this week.

Tracking seabirds off Cape Point On a small boat in the Atlantic, about 50 kilometers from South Africa’s Cape Point, bird watchers scan the horizon. They call out names of seabirds: “Atlantic yellow-nosed! Black-browed albatross!” The tour boat takes visitors from Cape Town to see endangered seabirds, including albatrosses, which rarely appear on land. It’s a warm summer day with clear blue skies, perfect for spotting birds. The skipper speaks on the radio, searching for fishing trawlers. Soon he spots one and steers directly toward it. As the boat—run by Cape Town Pelagics, a non-profit—approaches, more seabirds emerge. Hundreds trail…

The Illinois Fighting Illini secured a thrilling 30–28 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2025 Music City Bowl. The closely contested game kept fans on edge until the final minutes, highlighting the intensity of college football postseason play. Illinois trailed early but quickly found its rhythm. The team’s offense executed precise plays, balancing passing and rushing attacks to gain momentum. Key drives in the second half helped the Fighting Illini catch up and take control. Tennessee put up a strong fight throughout the game. The Volunteers capitalized on early opportunities, building a narrow lead by halftime. Their offense, led…

Beaked whales remain among the least understood mammals on Earth. Scientists now use underwater sound to identify these secretive deep divers. The approach opens a rare window into lives hidden far below the surface. On a bright, calm day in early June 2024, Elizabeth Henderson stood aboard a boat off Baja California. She scanned the glassy sea with powerful binoculars. Her team balanced halfway up the mast and searched patiently. They hunted for beaked whales, animals famous for extreme diving. Some dive nearly three kilometres below the surface. They stay underwater longer than any other mammal. When they surface, their…

Young Atlantic salmon have been recorded in three north-west England rivers for the first time since 2015.The critically endangered species was spotted in the Mersey, Bollin and Goyt rivers. The sightings confirm the fish successfully migrated from Arctic feeding grounds to spawn.Salmon return to freshwater gravel beds after two to three years at sea. The Environment Agency described the discovery as a significant environmental turnaround.Officials plan a new distribution study using eDNA sampling in early 2026. Atlantic salmon populations in Britain have fallen by 30–50% since 2006.Climate change, pollution, invasive species and river barriers remain major threats. Water quality improvements…