An initiative that would ban the hunting and commercial trapping of mountain lions and other wild cats will be on the statewide ballot in November. The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office said Wednesday that the measure backed by wildlife advocates had garnered more than enough signatures to qualify for the Nov. 5 election. Backers turned … Read more
As It Happens6:42When India’s vulture population collapsed, half a million human deaths followed: study Vultures may not be the most popular animal in the world, but the work they do is essential for human life, a new study has found. New research attributes 500,000 human deaths in India over the course of five years in the … Read more
Parks Canada wants everyone to know that despite the wildfire scorching Jasper National Park, Bear 222 is OK. “She looks like a very healthy grizzly bear right now,” the federal agency said on a social media thread. The bear, fitted with a radio tracking collar, has been followed since the blaze began last week. “Grizzly … Read more
As It Happens7:10Not only are Komodo dragon teeth razor sharp; they’re also iron coated Not only do Komodo dragons have serrated, razor-sharp teeth that constantly replenish themselves — they’re also iron-coated, according to a new study. It’s the same protective coating found in the mouths of beavers. But while the industrious dam builders use their … Read more
A new generation of birders is embracing the hobby and making it their own. Birding, bird watching, is the observation of birds in nature. Many participants also capture photographs or sound recordings of their sightings, and keep track of the species they’ve seen throughout their lives. In Sudbury, Ont., a Facebook group is providing a … Read more
Jasper National Park is beloved for its breathtaking mountain landscapes — and the special opportunity to see iconic animals such as elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, grizzly bears and, with luck, endangered woodland caribou. But this week, as thousands of visitors and locals alike fled raging wildfires that ripped through the park and its town, … Read more
Every year, invasive insects gnaw away at Canadian farms, gardens and wild plants, spreading disease and disturbing ecosystems. But tiny wasps that lay body-bursting eggs in invasive insects may be able to help B.C. berry growers protect their crops. “It’s like a free service nature is providing us to help control crop pests,” said Paul Abram, an … Read more
First Nations along British Columbia’s coast and the federal government have announced the designation of the country’s largest marine protected area. A statement from Fisheries and Oceans Canada says the ecologically unique ocean area is located about 150 kilometres off the west coast of Vancouver Island. It says the area spanning more than 133,000 square kilometres covers “extraordinary seafloor features,” … Read more
With a little help from the warming Gulf Stream, Nova Scotia beachgoers are encountering a strange creature with a balloon-like body whose sting packs a bigger punch than that of jellyfish. Last week, a Portuguese man-of-war appeared at a surfing hot spot on Lawrencetown Beach near Dartmouth, N.S. The animal, a species of siphonophore — … Read more
For rats in Ottawa’s Heron Park neighbourhood, Melanie Giroux has become something like the Grim Reaper. Giroux estimates she’s trapped and killed many hundreds of the rodents since her backyard became infested in 2021. That year alone, she bagged nearly 500 using black reusable traps. Despite that prolific record, Giroux said it hasn’t gotten any easier. “You … Read more
