Strict laws saved the country’s wolves from extinction. Now conservationists believe their relaxation could embolden vigilantes
High on a mountain pass near the town of Cocullo in central Italy lay six black sacks. Inside were nine wolves, including a pregnant female and seven youngsters – an entire pack. They had eaten slabs of poisoned veal left out a few days earlier, dying over the hours that followed, snarls of pain fixed on their faces.
Three griffon vultures and two ravens were also killed, probably alongside more animals that went into hiding, dying out of sight. Poison creates a succession of death, spreading through entire food chains and contaminating land and water for years.
Continue reading...
Breaking Waves: Ocean News
03/27/2025 - 00:00
03/26/2025 - 19:59
It doesn’t pass the sniff test
See more of Fiona Katauskas’s cartoons here
Continue reading...
03/26/2025 - 19:41
Analysis published by non-profit group Oceana comes amid fears over human health risks posed by the spread of microplastics
By 2030, Coca-Cola products will account for an estimated 602m kilograms of plastic waste entering the world’s oceans and waterways each year, according to a stark new analysis published Wednesday by the non-profit Oceana.
That is enough plastic to fill the stomachs of 18m whales.
Continue reading...
03/26/2025 - 19:05
A vast network of volunteers leap into action to save beached creatures in New Zealand, a global hotspot for strandings
On a blustery March day in Wellington, a group of would-be whale rescuers wearing wetsuits and hi-vis vests are waist deep in the chilly waters of Scorching Bay. Between them, a two-tonne replica of a pilot whale gently rocks in the swell.
On the sand, another group pours buckets of water over a replica dolphin, while some dig away the sand from beneath its fins. Occasionally, a trainer reminds students to stand back from the tail – if this were a real animal the tail could deliver an unexpected blow.
Continue reading...
03/26/2025 - 11:35
A new study has revealed that African Elephants have an extraordinary ability to meet their colossal food requirements as efficiently as possible. Data from over 150 elephants demonstrated that these giants plan their journeys based on energy costs and resource availability.
03/26/2025 - 11:30
Getting zapped with millions of volts of electricity may not sound like a healthy activity, but for some trees, it is. A new study reports that some tropical tree species are not only able to tolerate lightning strikes, but benefit from them. The trees may have even evolved to act as lightning rods.
03/26/2025 - 11:26
Humans are having a highly detrimental impact on biodiversity worldwide. Not only is the number of species declining, but the composition of species communities is also changing. This is one of the largest studies ever conducted on this topic.
03/26/2025 - 11:00
Günther Felßner says wife was ‘in fear of life and limb’ after animal rights group climbed shed and set off flares
The conservative pick for German agriculture minister has withdrawn his candidacy after animal rights activists stormed his farm, prompting cross-party condemnation.
Günther Felßner, a farming lobbyist who had won the backing of the conservative Christian Social Union (CSU), said his wife was “in fear of life and limb” when activists climbed on to the cattle shed she was in to hang a banner and light smoke-emitting flares on Monday.
Continue reading...
03/26/2025 - 11:00
Sweeping synthesis of 2,000 global studies leaves no doubt about scale of problem and role of humans, say experts
Humans are driving biodiversity loss among all species across the planet, according to a synthesis of more than 2,000 studies.
The exhaustive global analysis leaves no doubt about the devastating impact humans are having on Earth, according to researchers from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag) and the University of Zurich. The study – which accounted for nearly 100,000 sites across all continents – found that human activities had resulted in “unprecedented effects on biodiversity”, according to the paper, published in Nature.
Continue reading...
03/26/2025 - 07:30
Critics say industry threatens the endangered Maugean skate and laws were rushed through with ’no proper process’
Gina: the billionaire who wants to make Australia great
See all our Australian election 2025 coverage
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
Controversial legislation to protect the Tasmanian salmon industry has passed parliament after the government guillotined debate to bring on a vote in the Senate on Wednesday night.
Government and Coalition senators voted in favour of the bill, which was designed to bring an end to a formal reconsideration by the environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, into whether an expansion of fish farming in Macquarie Harbour in 2012 was properly approved.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email
Continue reading...
