Cecil the Lion, Victim of Poaching

Cecil the Lion lived in Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe, which was supposed to be safe and protected. Walter Palmer is accused of poaching the lion after paying $50,000 to be able to shoot it down with a bow and arrows. Cecil was just 13. His brother, Jericho, and the cubs in the lion pack are what is left in Cecil's family. But it's not only one lion. Cecil is the 23rd lion to be killed in Zimbabwe by poaching. Lions remain to be a victim of poaching, and all it takes is a man with money to break the rules and not get punished. In fact, 800 lions have been killed between 1999 and 2009. We need to push for stronger enforcement and do all we can to protect these lion. It is thought that there may be as little of 500 lions remaining in Zimbabwe. In Africa, lion populations have dropped by more than 80% in the century. It is estimated that about 665 lion trophies are exported every year. We need to do all we can to push for the protection of lions just like Cecil. Lions are in danger of extinction, and we need to stop that before its too late.
   

Wolves and Bears Making Comeback in Europe

Wolves and bears have been in danger all around the world for a very long time. The negative side is that the great lakes wolves have returned to the endangered species list. The positive side is that wolves and bears are making a comeback in Europe. The population of wolves is now doubled the amount in the US. In fact, they are making a comeback near densely populated cities. The more effort we put to protecting animals like these, the more we can guarantee their safety.

World's Largest Earwig becomes Extinct

You may know what an earwig is. An earwig is an insect found all throughout the world. They have 2 pincers on their abdomen and is nocturnal. One specific species of earwig is the topic. The st. Helena giant earwig, the world's largest earwig (8cm), was declared extinct. The earwig has been endangered since 1960, when deforestation forced them to move. Now, because we didn't take the appropriate response to the problem, they have become extinct.

Life in Mariana Trench Revealed

On December 6, researchers at the University of Aberdeen put a camera at the bottom of the mariana trench, over 5 miles deep. What they saw was very peculiar. Watch the video to find out what lurks down there.

Bald Eagle Nest Cams

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/03/140306-animals-bald-eagle-cams-environment-endangered-species/

Decorah, Iowa: The Raptor Resource Project has been watching this nest since 2009, and has observed 17 eaglets. There are currently three eggs in the snow-covered nest, the third one laid on March 2.

Brookfield, Maine: Cameras allow a glimpse of nature in the raw, which can be unforgiving. Last year one of two cameras in Brookfield transmitted images of a dying eaglet that raised concern from online watchers. Conservationists advise not interfering with birds, even when they are in harm's way.

Ft. Meyers, Florida: Located on private property farther south than many other eagle cams, this nest is home to a 10-week-old bird that spent much of February strengthening its wings. Soon the young bird will take its first flight.

Mount Berry, Georgia: Keeping an eye on a pair that nested very late in the season last year, Berry College has used interest in the camera to help educate the public about bald eagles. They hosted an hour-long Q and A with Berry College professor and eagle expert Reneé Carleton, who answered questions from email and Twitter such as, "Why did the dad bury the unhatched egg?"

Redding, California: Liberty and Spirit, the pair nesting in view of this camera in northern California's Turtle Bay Exploration Park, are unusual because Spirit is the second male to mate with Liberty. Her previous mate, Patriot, died last year.

New Species of Wasps Discovered

Apanteles albanjimenez, a parasitic wasp, was discovered in Área de Conservación Guanacaste, Costa Rica. This wasp wil lay its eggs with other insects. When the eggs hatch, the wasps eat the other insect. Almost 200 of this species were discovered. Very little is know about these wasps. Scientists believe that it eats aphids.

Badger Culling Starts in England

5000 Badgers are about to be culled because they spread bovine TB. After many debating, they finalized it, and decided to cull, not vaccinate. Many protests occurred in London saying to vaccinate the endangered animal, but the UK government won't change their decision. Is culling really the only way to help the world. No. Stand up against the badger culling. Vaccination, not culling.

More Technology, Less Animals

Some people would say that technology is bad for the environment, but in this case, technology will save the lives of many chimpanzees. Technology has gotten so advanced, that scientists believe that we can start  doing tests on gadget instead of chimpanzees. for now, this is only happening in the US, but the amount of chimpanzees being used for bio-medical engineering will be cut drastically. Chimpanzees are used for testing because their body is very alike to our own. So, instead of risking ourselves to test a medication, they test chimpanzees first. They see the results and then try it on humans. It is cruel and many chimpanzees die in the process. Now we will be testing on technology which will not only save the lives of many chimpanzees, but also get more accurate results. Not all the chimpanzees will be removed from testing, but this is one step closer from getting rid of animal testing entirely.

5 Tons of Ivory to be destroyed in Philippines

For the first time, the Philippines will destroy 5 tons of ivory that they confiscated from poachers. They will become the world's first ivory-consuming nation to destroy their national ivory stock. Most of the ivory comes from elephants. People are hoping that this act will enforce the end of wildlife trade. Elephant poaching is very common, and most do it only for the ivory in their tusks. Wildlife should be stopped. It is cruel and inhumane. Wildlife trade has contributed to the extinction of many animals, and because of it, many animals are either endangered or threatened. Tigers, elephants, lions, rhinos, and bears are in big trouble because of poaching. The destruction of ivory is the first step to saving and preserving nature.

First Bear to go Through Brain Surgery

Champa, an Asiatic black bear has become the first bear to go through brain surgery. Champa had it done to cure her of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a brain disorder when fluids swell your brain from birth. The disorder, since it's in your brain which controls many movements, can ruin many organs. Champa is still recovering from the surgery, but vets have gotten rid of hydrocephalus. This shows that we have the power to help animals. We just have to use that power.

Lion Meat Ban

Lion meat? Most people have never heard of it, but sadly, it is true. There are some restaurants where they sell lion meat, and sometimes other wild animal meat, like bears. Many states have tried to ban lion trade, and others have proposed, but none have stopped it completely. In Meso, Arizona, a restaurant called Vinaio, sold lion patty burgers. Lion trade must be stopped. Not just lions, but all wild animals. Urge the people who can stop this to enforce this rule. It is needed if we want to save the Earth.

Biggest Crocodile in Captivity Dies

Lolong, a 20.14 ft. long and 2370 pound saltwater crocodile, died at Bunawan Eco-park and research center in the Philippines. Lolong was captured in September of 2011, and when he was measured, he was put in the Guinness World record book as the largest crocodile in the world (the previous record was an australian saltwater crocodile that measured 17.97 feet long). No one knows the cause of Lolong's death. It is very sad that this mighty animal has died, but it is also sad that it lived in captivity. Animals deserve to live free and in the wild. So long, Lolong.

Massive Falcon Massacre Uncovered

During an annual 2 week migration in Northern India, 120,000-140,000 Amul Falcons were killed. The people trapped them in nets to be eaten or sent to unknown markets. Scientists believe that this is the largest flock of Amul Falcons in the world. Unfortunately, most were killed on their way to South Africa. The Indian Government has sworn to protect them on their upcoming 2013 migration.

The Most Legged Animal Has Been Found

The most legged animal lives right here in Silicon Valley. Illacme plenipes is the name of the millipede. The female millipede has 750 legs and the male millipede has 550, but it is about the size of a pinky and usually, millipedes have 80-100 legs, not 750. This bug was first recorded in 1928, but went unrecorded for 84 years. But now, it has been found again. Even stranger, this bug makes its own clothes. The millipede spins silk, and coats itself in it. This bug has fascinated scientists, and scientists are starting to look into the life of Illacme plenipes.

Croc Jaws Have More Than Strength

New research shows that a Croc jaw not only is super powerful, but it is also super sensative. In fact, it's even more sensitive than human fingertips. The master of surprise, which is mastered by crocodiles, is caused by super sensitive bumps on the snout and all around the mouth. So, if anyone puts anything in a Croc's mouth, it's gone.

The Result of Sandy

Hurricane Sandy has not only left humans stranded and in danger, it has left many animals stranded. The coastal birds were hit the hardest. When the hurricane hit, the birds were very confused and many had leave their nest and children. A lot of birds flew towards the south to keep away from the storm. But, some birds were hit hard, especially those who have nests on the ground or in holes. The endangered Barrel Owl and Piping Plover live on the ground. The birds didn't drown, but they were left in a tricky situation. It is our job to help not only the people who got hit, but also the helpless creatures.

New Coelacanth Discovered

Coelacanths are the oldest type of fish. They are long fish that move very slowly. Scientists found a fossilized skull at Fort Worth, Texas. The skull is 100, million years old, and the youngest skull found in Texas. The bones of this ancient fish is under examination right now.

Old Mice Made "Young"

If you've read Mrs.Frisby and the Rats of NIMH well, this is the exactly like how the rats of NIMH could live so long. Scientists have injected  muscle-derived stem cells into the mice, which allows them to live three times longer. Scientists think this could also work on humans. To test it, they put a disease (progeria) which makes its life shorter. That disease works like some human diseases. After that, they put the stem cells in. Amazingly it worked. This could be used on humans to allow us to live longer. 

Hybrid Silkworm Spin Spider Silk

Spider silk is stronger than you think. If you have enough of it, you can make a super-strong material, but still be lightweight. As we get more technologically advanced, we get closer to making spider silk. But until then, scientists have found a way to make spider silk from silkworms. They have grown genetically modified silkworms that produce stronger silk, or in other words, spider silk. What they did was extract the spider silk gene from spiders and put it in the silkworm. The silk was still 96-98% silkworm though. But the silk is stronger and more durable. this is good enough until we can be able to produce it ourselves.

New Crab Species Discovered

A new species of Yeti Crabs were found near hot, mineral-rich hydrothermal vents in an ocean off the coast of Antarctica. Researchers had a submersible, camera-equipped robot, which allowed them to film barnacles, anemones, octopus, and crabs. The camera had found big groups of Yeti Crabs. Male Yeti Crabs live nearest to vents to feed on swarms of bacteria. The females are farther, because they have to protect their embryos. If you know what a Yeti is, it's not that hard to tell what the crab looks like.