China deports ‘black hand’ foreigner over theft of thousands of wild plants

China has deported a foreigner for gathering protected plants, warning that external forces had infringed the country’s ecological security. In a post on its WeChat account on Saturday, the Ministry of State Security said the foreigner “illegally excavated and collected” China’s key protected plant species. “The foreigner was instructed by an overseas organisation to illegally … Read more

EU puts water resilience plan on hold as drought grips Spain, Italy – POLITICO

Green groups were aghast at the plan’s postponement.  “Why the European Commission is jeopardizing something as essential as water resilience in the face of a climate emergency is unfathomable,” said Sergiy Moroz, policy manager for water and biodiversity at the European Environmental Bureau.  Claire Baffert, senior water policy officer at WWF’s European office, said: “I … Read more

Spider webs catch more than prey. They’re also jam-packed with animal DNA

As It Happens6:05Spider webs catch more than prey. They’re also jam-packed with animal DNA Josh Newton probably isn’t very popular with spiders. After all, the Australian scientist has a tendency to go around undoing their hard work.  “I liken it to when Princess Fiona in Shrek makes some cotton candy for Shrek from spider webs, where … Read more

France axes tractor fuel hike, cuts red tape to appease angry farmers – POLITICO

Attal also promised to limit administrative hurdles for farmers by halving (from 4 to 2 months) the delay to launch a legal action against authorizations for farm works such as the expansion of a barn. He also pledged to increase existing financial support to farmers and also to speed up the disbursement of cash under … Read more

Scientists work to stop self-cloning crayfish in Burlington, Ont., pond after 1st detection in Canada

An invasive species of crayfish that reproduces by cloning itself was discovered last summer in a Burlington, Ont., park — the first time the marbled crayfish has been identified in the wild in North America. Since then, a group of experts has been working to stop the species from spreading.  The crayfish are in City View park, on … Read more

New study investigates threat of ‘watermelon snow’ to mountain glaciers

The Rocky Mountains conjure up images of grey rugged peaks capped with white. But within the upper reaches of the harsh mountain landscapes, a rosier hue often blooms. Watermelon snow, also known as glacial blood, is caused by algae that turns the snow a startling shade of red. The algae blooms in summer, forming on … Read more

In case you weren’t aware, outdoor cats are stone-cold killers

There are differing opinions on cats’ personalities and behaviour: They’re affectionate, they’re aloof, they love you, they hate you. Then there’s the undeniable fact of what they become when left to roam free outside: indiscriminate, stone-cold killers. A new study has found cats roaming free prey upon almost any animal, reptile, insect, and amphibian around the world … Read more

‘A story of hope’: Scientists find elusive golden mole for the 1st time in 87 years

As It Happens6:12Scientists find elusive golden mole for the 1st time in 87 years When a group of conservation scientists set off in search of a long-lost species of South Africa moles in 2021, their colleagues warned them not to get their hopes up. After all, the last time a scientist had seen a De … Read more