Author: OMN AI

Deer and Moose on the Move During Mating Season Wildlife experts are warning motorists to use extra caution on the roads this fall as animal movement increases across the country. Deer and moose are more active during their mating season, which peaks between October and December, leading to a spike in collisions. Officials say drivers are most likely to encounter animals at dawn and dusk, when visibility is lower and wildlife tends to cross highways and rural roads. Agencies Recommend Slower Speeds and Greater Awareness Transportation and wildlife departments in several states are reminding drivers to slow down, especially in…

They are called the “ghosts of the mountains,” and it’s no surprise that snow leopards are hard to find. Yet these majestic, thick-furred cats, living in the high mountains of Asia, are disappearing from much of their range. Their prey is declining, they face retaliation killings after livestock losses, and the illegal wildlife trade continues. Climate change, mining, and large infrastructure projects also destroy their habitat. In some places, however, the story is different: snow leopards are recovering, and their numbers are growing. On International Snow Leopard Day, attention turns to recent developments in India and Nepal. Snow leopards thriving…

Global coal consumption reached an all-time high in 2024, undermining efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions and keep global heating within safe limits, according to the latest State of Climate Action report. While the share of coal in electricity generation has declined due to rapid growth in renewables, overall demand for energy surged, driving total coal use to record levels. The report warns that the world remains far off track in phasing out coal and cutting emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. Clea Schumer of the World Resources Institute, which led the report, said: “We are doing the right…

Fining English water companies for spilling raw sewage will become faster and more straightforward, the government announced. New proposals would introduce automatic fines of up to £20,000 for minor offences and simplify penalties for more serious breaches. Stricter penalties for repeated breaches In recent years, monitoring equipment installed by the water industry has shown how often companies break rules on sewage spills. The Environment Agency has admitted it struggled to act consistently. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the government will now give the agency the power it needs to enforce the law. “New automatic and tougher penalties will deliver swift…

Cubs Confirmed After a Century For the first time in more than 100 years, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has verified cougar cubs in the state. Photographs taken on private land in Ontonagon County, released in March 2025, show two healthy cubs trailing an adult cougar. Wildlife officials confirmed the images as authentic, marking a milestone in Michigan’s long absence of confirmed reproduction by the species. The DNR has documented 132 verified cougar reports since 2008, with at least 21 confirmed sightings so far this year—its highest number on record. Wanderers From the West Despite the growing number…

Mosquitoes have been detected in Iceland for the first time, marking a significant ecological shift as global heating makes the once insect-free country more hospitable. Until now, Iceland and Antarctica were among the few places in the world without mosquito populations. But scientists have long warned that the island’s numerous marshes and ponds could become suitable breeding grounds as temperatures rise. The discovery of three specimens of Culiseta annulata — a cold-resistant species — was confirmed by Matthías Alfreðsson, an entomologist at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland. The insects, found in Kiðafell, Kjós, were collected by citizen scientist Björn…

The European Union faces growing pressure to tighten its wildlife trade laws as weak regulations keep it a major hub for trafficked species. Conservation groups and lawmakers demand stronger rules, including criminalising the import of illegally sourced wildlife and creating an EU-wide tracking database. Europe’s current system still allows loopholes. Species protected abroad often enter the EU and are sold freely once inside. Traffickers exploit this gap by labelling wild-caught animals as captive-bred, avoiding detection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). “Despite progress, the EU remains one of the world’s largest markets and transit hubs for…

In 2018, thousands of starved animals lay dead across the Oostvaardersplassen, a famed Dutch rewilding project. The sight sparked nationwide outrage. Was it nature taking its course, or was it cruelty? Train passengers travelling between Almere and Amsterdam froze at the view. Cow, horse, and deer carcasses littered the landscape. Oostvaardersplassen, known for its wild grazers and birdlife, had become a scene of devastation. From Nature Experiment to Controversy Since the 1980s, the Oostvaardersplassen followed a strict non-interventionist philosophy. Rangers allowed ecosystems to shape themselves naturally. This approach influenced rewilding projects across Europe. The philosophy failed during the winter of…

Six female water buffalo have been introduced to a 120-acre site at Tattiscombe on west Exmoor as part of a National Trust project to restore farmland into natural wetland. Known as “wetland architects,” the buffalo use their hooves to churn soil, create wallows, and keep ponds open — actions that slow water flow, reduce flooding, and improve drought resilience. “Buffalo are specialised wetland animals, and this site offers an ideal habitat for them,” said Murray Sharpe, the Trust’s West Exmoor farm manager. “Their grazing will help shape a wider range of habitats and create new niches for wildlife.” Originally from…

SINGAPORE, Oct 20 — Singapore’s National Parks Board (NParks) seized several endangered animals during coordinated raids earlier this month. Officers confiscated a leopard tortoise, a spiny-tailed monitor lizard, and 14 other wildlife specimens on October 9. NParks said in a statement to The Straits Times that enforcement teams raided six locations island-wide. The operation targeted individuals selling wildlife illegally through online platforms, including Telegram. Among the rescued animals were yellow-headed day geckos and an Argentine black-and-white tegu. NParks staff transported all the animals to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation in Lim Chu Kang, where veterinarians now provide care. Operation Targets…