#wildlife-conservation

#wildlife-conservation

PORCUPINES ARE WALKING PINCUSHIONS. Their permanently unkempt hairdo is actually a protective fortress of some 30,000 quills. But their body armor can be a liability, too - porcupines are known to accidentally quill themselves. "They're big and dopey and slow," said Tim Bean, an ecologist at California Polytechnic State University who has collared porcupines as part of his research. They waddle from tree to tree, usually at night, to snack on foliage or the nutrient-rich inner layer of bark.

This year's experience includes new themes - explore the future of Oakland, learn about coexisting with wildlife, swim through the reef to see colorful underwater creatures, go on a safari through the savanna to spot iconic African animals, meet some interesting bugs that are all around us, and end the night by taking the train through the reptile world. Finish your experience with a train ride through an Avian Odyssey, with our winged, feathered friends from parrots to puffins!

The attacks seemed to come from nowhere. At first, the tigers snatched guard dogs on the edge of villages in Russia's far east, emerging from the forest at night to prey. Others went for livestock, going after horses and cattle. Then the attacks on people began. In January, an ice fisher was mauled at night and dragged away by a big cat, just weeks after a forester had been killed. In March, another man was attacked and partly eaten by a tiger.

AP has taken the lives of nearly a quarter of southern sea otters over the past three decades. But the chances for this otter's survival were not shrouded in fear and uncertainty as they were for countless earlier otters. Knowledge about this deadly disease where it comes from, how it spreads, and ultimately, how to treat it has come a long way in the past few years.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

A mourner holds a photo of Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga outside his house after his death Photograph: Simon Maina/AFP/Getty Images Firefighters try to extinguish a fire in a residential district of Las Pinas, where close to 100 families have been left homeless Photograph: Francis R Malasig/EPA Relatives of one of several people who died in a fire gather outside the garment factory where she worked Photograph: AFP/Getty Images

Visitors can stroll the park's boardwalk-a one-third-mile stretch from the St. Johns River to the headspring-and watch from above as manatees float peacefully below, socializing or nursing their calves in the clear, warm water. It is not only a rare chance to observe these gentle giants without disturbing them, but also a conservation success story: When research began in the 1970s, around 36 manatees visited the park. Now, there are well over 700.

San Jose families have a perfect opportunity to celebrate the spooky season sustainably with Green Halloween at Happy Hollow Park & Zoo on October 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual event turns the zoo into a hub of Halloween excitement, where visitors can watch animals engage with themed enrichments like pumpkins filled with treats. Happy Hollow offers a welcoming space for all ages to enjoy the festivities while supporting local wildlife conservation efforts.

On Sunday 22 September, The Savoy's historic Lancaster Ballroom was taken over by Condé Nast Traveller and the award-winning Indian single malt Godawan for a resplendent dinner to inaugurate its new limited-edition, Godawan 173, which is made in Rajasthan and highlights its unique environment, wildlife, art and craftsmanship. CNT's global editorial director, Divia Thani, and Diageo's interim CEO, Nik Jhangiani, hosted the evening - a highlight of which was Bollywood star Sonam Kapoor's receiving the first bottle and pledging funds towards the conservation of the endangered bird after whom the drink is named (Godawan is also known as the Great Indian Bustard and was once a contender for India's national bird).

While trying to use bear spray, he sustained "significant but not life-threatening injuries to his chest and left arm," according to officials. National Park Service medics responded to the scene, and the victim was able to walk with them to the trailhead, where he was loaded into an ambulance and taken to a nearby clinic. From there, a helicopter flew him to a hospital. He was released Wednesday.

A vaccine has been approved to help protect koalas against chlamydia, a measure researchers are hailing as a world-first in fighting the disease that is a leading cause of death for the beloved marsupials.

Spain is a top destination for eco-conscious travelers. The country is home to the most biosphere reserves in the world, is a global leader on Blue Flag beaches and is working towards protecting 30 percent of its marine areas by 2030. And, with the second-longest high-speed rail network in the world, low-impact travel between Spanish destinations is easier than ever.

The ACK Deer Management Project aims to reduce the deer population through hunting and provide venison to alleviate food insecurity, with the potential to supply 75,000 meals. The large deer population is causing ecological strain, spreading diseases, and leading to frequent collisions on the island's roads. Wildlife officials recognize the necessity of expanding the deer harvest to manage ecosystems effectively and support the community.

The 2025 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition celebrated its 22nd year by showcasing breathtaking images that reveal the delicate beauty of the natural world. Western Australian photographer Ross Gudgeon won top honors with a mesmerizing macro shot of cauliflower soft coral, praised for its originality and use of advanced underwater technology.

Whereas previous Tamagotchi devices felt like they bestowed a personal challenge on players to keep individual characters alive and in their care as long as possible, Tamagotchi Paradise places more of an emphasis on populating, rewarding you for nurturing a revolving door of new characters that you will ultimately release to the peaceful wild. In a sense, Tamagotchi Paradise completely reimagines the classic toy not as a pet-keeping experience, but something more akin to wildlife conservation. It's really cool.

Best friends Eva Wishart and Emily Smith had become devoted to harvest mice, and were upset, a couple of years ago, to find out the species is threatened in England due to farming practices and habitat loss. The two girls took matters into their own hands and decided to replenish local harvest mice stocks themselves. In the two years since, they have bred dozens of the tiny rodents in their garages and on Wednesday they released 250 of them into a nature reserve near Wishart's home.

The first sight of the hotel is always the most exhilarating. An unfamiliar slice of paradise which is soon to become home, if only for a week or two, reviving you from the depths of drowsy, disoriented travel. My journey from London to Islas Secas resort had exceeded the 24-hour milestone (including a leisurely overnight stay in Panama City). The final leg involved climbing into a compact, 15-seater Twin Otter plane, exclusive to resort guests, and zooming over to our island home.

The Trust for Public Land purchased the 5,843-acre Coast Dairies property in 1998 for $44.5 million, preserving its rural character for public enjoyment.

Violeta, an 18-month-old Mexican spider monkey, was poached and smuggled into California. Handlers at the Oakland Zoo are teaching her essential monkey behaviors.

Rep. Troy E. Nehls introduced a resolution to halt a plan to kill 450,000 barred owls over three decades, aimed at protecting threatened spotted owls.

Arnav Singhal and Parham Pourahmad, both 15, lead the Silicon Valley Wildlife Group, which focuses on education and coexistence between humans and local wildlife.

"We have to respond to the widespread and prolonged dry weather affecting our region. In our case, this means a hosepipe ban for our customers in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to protect the health of our amazing chalk streams, which as one of the rarest habitats on Earth has been compared to the Amazon rainforest."

"Dollars that come from tiger safaris must go into the surrounding communities," he said.

In the early 1900s, tourists flocked to Yellowstone National Park for a grotesque spectacle: grizzly bears raiding cafeteria scraps from landfills, posing risks to humans.

The construction of a massive airport in the Everglades was halted in 1970 due to public outcry over environmental degradation being caused by human development.

The recent census revealing that India’s wild lion population has increased to 891 is overshadowed by child safety concerns and human-animal conflicts that remain unresolved.