Elephants Poisoned by Poachers

Elephants are getting poached much more recently, and now, poachers are poisoning them. In Zimbabwe, 41 elephants were killed. It is thought that the elephants were killed by cyanide salt pans, but people are unsure. But it is certain that this is by poachers. Poachers are terrible. These animals belong on Earth, not dead and lying in a house. 5 poachers have been arrested, but there might be more related to this. Poaching should be ended. The fate of animals depends on it.

New Species of Legless Lizards Discovered

At LAX airport, a new species of lizard was discovered. An airport doesn't seem like a place for an animal discovery. But, we discovered a legless lizard at the end of a runway. Legless lizards are very rare, an we found one at an airport? This lizard is shy, lives underground eating grubs, and is only 8 inches long. This lizard is a remarkable animal.

New Cave Snail Discovered

Many people would say snails are ugly and a pest. But a newly discovered snail is beautiful, tiny, and lives deep in the Earth. In Croatia, more than 3000 ft below in the Lukina Jama-Trojama cave stystems, Zospeum tholussum was discovered. Researchers trying to find the bottom of the cave stumbled upon this snail. The snail is only a few millimeters long, it has a see-through shell, and no eyes. It is a perfect animal adapted for caves. Caves usually show us many new species since caves also hold many weird and cool animals.

Skin-eating Fungus Wiping out Salamanders

Amphibians have been in danger for a long time. Their bodies are very fragile and with their thin skin that needs moisture, it is easily destroyed. Many frogs have been wiped out by fungus caused by an unstable environment. But now, a new fungus is threatening many species of salamanders in Europe. But it doesn't end there. The fungus has started to infect many reptiles too. These fungi are caused by dramatic environment changes, causing the animal to be more susceptible to fungi. These animals are in need of desperate help. Make sure that you keep the animal's environment nice and clean in order to keep welfare within the ecosystem.

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.

New Bird Discovered in Cambodia

Orthotomus chaktomu, also known as the Cambodian Tailorbird was finally indicated as a new species 2 days ago in Cambodia's capitol, Phnom Penh. It was first found in 2009 for an avian flu check, but it was not found to be a new species. After recent studies on the bird, they claimed it to be a new species because it has a different song than other tailorbirds. Tailorbirds are related to warblers, and like them, are songbirds. Tailorbirds make their nests by  weaving leaves together. Cambodian Tailorbird is a magnificent bird living in an unlikely place, the middle of a city.

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.

Asian Tigers in Danger

Tigers have been in danger for a long time and if we didn't help them, they would not have survived. They are going through the dangers of poaching and deforestation. But Asian tigers now face the threat of a virus that is carried by dogs known as canine distemper virus (CDV). CDV is a close relative of the measles and as evolved to not only infect dogs, but many other animals, including the tiger. The last time CDV has caused much damage was before the end of the thylacine, also known as the Tasmanian tiger. The tigers are in danger from a virus that is very hard to stop. The fate of the tiger cannot be the same as the thylacine.  

Mass Destruction of Bee Colonies in England

Bees are pollinators. They're needed everywhere. But, because of CCD, bees have been dying off in large numbers. But this year in England, CCD hasn't done the damage, but the weather. Beekeepers noticed hundreds of their bees dying. The winter was bad for the bees, but the summer has been worse. A third of all the bees didn't survive the harsh weather (the worst since 2007). To make it worse, the first of many to die were usually the queen. Without the queen, there's chaos in the hive, which leads to death. The bees are in trouble and must be saved.

Deadly Fungus threatens Amphibians

The African clawed frog had started the spread of the Chytrid fungus. The fungus was devastating to the world's amphibians. It is threatening many frogs worldwide. The fungus is responsible for destroying many species in Central America and North America. The fungus causes a thickening of skin, which prevents breathing and electrolyte balance. It can lead to cardiac arrest. But luckily, some frogs are starting to grow a natural defense system against the fungus. This fungus has caused catastrophic die-offs in little time.

Swine Flu is Back

Swine flu, also known as H1N1, first caused a fright in 2009, but now, research shows that it was found in Elephant seals living on the coast of central California. This is the first report of the Swine Flu virus being carried by a marine mammal. No one is certain where it came from, but people are advised that it is unsafe to go looking for animals at the coast without precaution.

New Fish Species Discovered

Near Antarctica in the freezing deep sea water, a new fish species was discovered. The hopbeard plunderfish, also known as Pogonophryne neyelovi, can live up to a mile under Antarctica's Ross Sea. A group of Ukranians tried to catch an Antarctic toothfish by baiting it with Peruvian squid. They flung it out into the sea and accidentaly caught the hopbeard plunderfish. It is a very unique fish qith barbs on the chin, and spiny fins. 

Lead Bullets Still a Major Threat for US Birds

Lead bullet fragments in dead game can be lethal to one of the most important birds in the American food chain: the condor. And especially the California Condor. The California condor is still in big danger. Lead can poison the carcass of the condor's food, and when the condor  eats it, it faces the same fate as its food. The use of lead bullets should be stopped. And even better, if hunting stopped all together, many important animals in our ecosystem can be saved. If we don't stop using lead ammunition, many animals will suffer the same fate as the California Condor

Should Badgers be Culled

Culling is the killing of a specific species. Sometimes it can be good, but in this current situation, it is a cruel thing to do. The RSPCA is trying to stop the EU from doing this horrible action. Badgers aren't much of a nuisance in Europe, but the European Union is deciding on whether it should happen. What do you think? Should the culling of badgers take effect?

Pesticides Could be a Major Reason for CCD

CCD, also known as Colony Collapse Disorder has been the cause for mass bee deaths around the world. Many people may despise bees, but those tiny pollinators play a key role in nature. No one is sure what is the cause for CCD, but scientists have many theory. One theory is cell phone signals, which interfere in a bees locating system. But scientists have found a new theory. Pesticides might be the main cause for CCD. Pesticides kill many bugs. Seems likely that this might be the key reason of CCD. A special chemical in pesticides called Neonicotinoid is the main culprit. We must be careful to protect nature's key pollinator, or the Earth may face consequences.

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.

Jurassic Park Come to Life

Can Jurassic Park come to life? Well, the answer to that is no. But can Ice Age Park come to life? The answer to that is maybe. Dinosaurs died hundreds of millions of years ago, so their DNA is very hard to get from fossils. But Ice Age creatures like the Wooly Mammoth can be resurrected. Also, many modern animal extinctions will be brought back to life, such as the Passenger Pigeon. The steps to bring back these animals are:

1) Find fossils of those animals and then find DNA.

2) Incubate and multiply the DNA with a host animal nucleus (ex: woolly mammoth and elephant).

3) Cells would start to form and multiply.

4) It will hopefully develop into an animal.

The top animals on the list are:

Woolly Mammoth (Extinct around 10,000 BC)

Gastric Brooding Frog (Extinct in the 1980's)

Passenger Pigeon (Extinct in 1914)

Thylacine or Tasmanian Tiger (Extinct in 1930's)

Pyrenean Ibex (Extinct in 2000)

Saber-Toothed Cat (Extinct around 10,000 BC)

Dodo Bird (Extinct around late 1700's)

Ground Sloth (Extinct around 10,000 BC)

Irish Elk (Extinct around 10,000 BC)

World's 1st Prosthetic Tail for an Alligator

Mr. Stubbs, an american alligator that lost its tail 8 years ago, is finally getting another chance at living on its own. It has been fitted with a 3 feet long prosthetic tail. The alligator just got the tail, and is still getting used to swimming on its own, and it will learn in time. This just shows that we have the power to save animals, we just need 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.

Endangered Sharks Return to Bahamas

The endangered Oceanic White-tip Shark, named for their unique white marks at the end of their tail,  are currently returning to their seasonal home in the Bahamas. They are headed to a marine protected area to help the sharks. These sharks have very powerful jaws and muscles and can be dangerous to humans, but there are very little attacks on humans by these sharks. These sharks are one of the most endangered of all the sharks. We need to help these animals. Not just this shark, but all the animals that are in trouble.

Poaching Spikes in Gabon

Poaching is very cruel. Thousands of animals die every year from poaching. But in Gabon, elephant poaching has reached its highest in 20 years. 11,000 elephants have died of poaching in Gabon since 2004. Gabon is home to half the amount of elephants in Africa. On the downside, elephants are highly prized for their tusks. Poaching is very high in Gabon currently. Although the government has put many laws against poaching, they are failing, and poaching keeps coming back. Most of the tusks have been going to illegal asian products such as jewelry and other ivory products. Poaching is very serious and must be put to an end, and it will be very crucial if we want to protect the african elephant.

UK Stops Shipment of Big Cats to Circuses

Circuses are made for entertainment. But, when there are animals that have been treated cruelly and forced to do stupid tricks, the show turns from entertainment to torture. Luckily, Uk has stopped using big cats in circuses. GBC, the Great British Circus, was the last to go into effect. But, not animals are taken out from circuses. Two circuses still use animals. Not using big cats is a start. But we still need to stop circuses from using animals. What do you think? Should animals be used, or should we get rid of them from circuses, and let them return to their natural lives?

South Georgia Prepares to cull Reindeer

On the island of South Georgia, reindeer have caused much problem to the fragile ecosystem. The 3000 reindeer that live on the island have caused havoc to the plants and animals. But how did the reindeer get there? Reindeer live in the arctic, not the antarctic, but when Norwegians came to Antarctica, they needed meat while on whaling missions in 1911. They brought 10 reindeer with them. The reindeer have multiplied rapidly. Because the Norwegians brought them there, they have the task of killing them. But, is the killing of animals ok, even in the worst circumstances. Tell me whether you think they should kill them, or not. Email me at ronaks@goanimals.org, or post a comment on this post.

Labradoodle Mistaken for Lion

As crazy as it sounds, a 3-year old labradoodle was just groomed by its owner to look a lion, and after running around, many people called 911 mistaking the dog for a baby lion. It may look like a lion, but the wouldn't hurt a fly.

Giant Squid Filmed in Natural Habitat

It is very rare to even see a giant squid in its natural habitat. Amazingly, some scientists managed to get this video.