Vultures lured back to Germany
Vultures are slowly returning to Germany, driven out long ago by an unwelcoming populace. At the behest of conservationists, loosened “carcass regulations” in Europe have …
animals
Flipper Fail: Dolphins May be Dumber Than We Think
For decades, it’s been common knowledge that dolphins are among the world’s smartest species. Now some researchers — and a new book — argue the …
The Second Cooing: Raising Passenger Pigeons from the Dead
The world has been without passenger pigeons since 1914. Now, scientists want to bring them back. Geneticist Ben Novak has embarked on the project and …
Preservation in a Petri Dish: Scientists Hope Cloning Will Save Endangered Animals
Biotechnicians want to use cloning to save endangered species, but they are having only limited success. Critics say that the push toward a new era …
Papua New Guinea’s Royal Trophy: Are Collectors Key to Saving Giant Butterfly?
Papua New Guinea is home to the world’s largest butterfly, but oil palm plantations are threatening the rare species’ habitat. Conservationists and local residents alike …
A Passion for Bigfoot: Hiking the Redwoods with California’s ‘Squatchers’
Amateur researchers in the United States continue to eagerly search for the mysterious creature known as Bigfoot, staking out California’s redwood forests at night in their …
Help for the Disabled: Trained Monkeys Proving Trusty Companions for Those in Need
Specially-trained Capuchin monkeys in the US are helping physically disabled people with the housework by performing tasks such as removing garbage, fetching the telephone or …
The Twilight Saga: Duck-billed Platypuses are Shift Workers
If you are a male duck-billed platypus, all that matters is what the other guys do. Strategies to handle the competition are far more variable …