One Species of Toad Tops the Food Chain
Cane toads were taken from the state of Hawaii in 1935 and brought over to Australia in the hopes of controlling the native grey-backed cane beetle. The native species were noted to be detrimental to sugar cane crops, one of the main source of income for Australia because they feed on the…
The Resistance & Demand for Rhino Horns
There are five species of rhinoceros and they are in danger of being hunted to extinction for their horns. South Africa is home to around 20,000 white rhino (about 80% of the world's population) and 5,000 black rhinos. South African courts have repealed a 2009 act that prohibited the poaching and…
The Small Island Nation of Palau
[caption id="attachment_918" align="alignleft" width="486"] Photograph from iExplore[/caption] Small developing island nations are experiencing climate change impacts the most. The low-lying archipelago of Palau is a paradise of prodigious biodiversity with over 1,300 species of fish, about 700 species of hard and soft corals, and marine lakes that host hordes of…
Animal Tracking Technology: Its Evolution, Uses, and Misuses
[caption id="attachment_902" align="aligncenter" width="271"] A warbler with a tracking device via birdlife.org[/caption] Early on, to track migration patterns of animals, one had to follow discreetly with a pair of binoculars and a camera. Innovative technology has advanced our means for animal tracking and has made it possible to do so…
Sting of an Environmental Crisis: Honey Bees
The global honey bee population is feeling the sting of a global environmental crisis. From April 2015 to April 2016 beekeepers have lost 44 percent of their honey bee colonies. This threatens agriculture as the honey bee contributes to a third of the country’s food supply. In recent news, Buzz the…
What Phenology Is Telling Us About Spring 2017
[caption id="attachment_838" align="alignright" width="476"] Feb. 2, 2017, Groundhog Club handler John Griffiths holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 131st celebration of the holiday in Punxsutawney, Pa.Gene J. Puskar/AP[/caption] February 2nd, 2017, Phil the Pennsylvanian groundhog, saw his shadow and predicted 6 more weeks of winter. Phil, it…
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Animal Testing
The U.S. cosmetic industry is largely increasing, estimated to amount to about 62.46 billion U.S. dollars in 2016, yet the cosmetic industry has been using outdated practices that are costly and, at times, inhumane. According to PETA, around 100 million animals are burned, crippled, poisoned, and abused every year in…
Eat Less Meat
Health conscious eating behavior is no new phenomenon. People worldwide are turning to more plant based diets to thwart health issues and diseases like high LDL cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. There are also people adjusting their eating styles for animal justice and cruelty means. Then there are people who, for…
Silent Forest: The Extinction of Primates
A new research study has found that around 60 percent of the 500 known primate species are on the verge of extinction. With around 75 percent of all species declining in numbers, this new discovery sparked an uproar in the scientific community who are now calling to raise global awareness of the…
Shark Fin Soup: Sustainable Recipe Below
In January 2017, Air China had announced it commitment to banning the transport of shark fin. Many animal conservationists approve of Air China's leading move, but why are shark fins so controversial? Shark fin has been used traditionally for decades as the main ingredient to Shark Fin Soup, an…