Yeah I really do love bats. All kinds from the very large fox bat, to the itsy, witsy bumblebee bat (look how it fits on a single segment of one's finger!). And the little brown bat of New England is a particular favorite of mine. So here's the latest exciting news: they sing love songs!!!

File under: We are still only just beginning to ( Read more... )

Vietnamese appetites driving their native animal species to extinction...

(Complete article:)
Vietnam species 'risk extinction'

Experts in Vietnam have warned that the Vietnamese could be eating a number of wild species into extinction.

The chairman of the Vietnam Zoology Association said animals at risk included the rhinoceros, the white- ( Read more... )

While doing research today I found:

Sea otters holding hands while sleeping

And, Sea otter nursing.

A Conversation With Stuart L. Pimm Asking ‘Why Do Species Go Extinct?’"

Founded own NGO Saving Species. They work with local conservation groups to create land corridors between pieces of isolated habitat, teach indigenous peoples how to use GPS to help them lay legal claim to the lands on which they hunt and fish, and sell 'symbolic' carbon off- ( Read more... )

Last Thursday I finally made it to a local animal shelter, Northeast Animal Shelter, to donate clean but (mostly gently) used bedding, towels, and dishtowels. More than six large boxes worth (I filled the backseat!) with the help of donations from my father and a friend. The people who work and volunteer at the shelter were very happy to see the ( Read more... )

Turns out even Japan is recognizing the dire situation -- and likely imminent collapse -- of ALL tuna species on the planet.

Tuna fishing suspended in Japan

If you know anything about Japan and its culture (and having lived there 2 1/2 years, I think I know a few things) then you recognize just how immense -- and likely urgent -- this move is ( Read more... )

Randy Pausch a man who actually lived up to his hype, died on the 25th after battling pancreatic cancer. A verbally persuasive and insightful teacher, he was full of energy and hope and honesty. His overriding message can be summed up as "Carpe Diem!" but with a lot of persuasive anecdote for encouragement. Although his passing is a thing of sad ( Read more... )

Hmmph. I just finished reading an article in the Wildlife Conservation Society magazine, about their on-going study of Diamondback Terrapins, their efforts to support the species, and the two greatest threats to the turtles -- habitat loss and pollution (no surprise those), and commercial crab fishing. Why crab fishing? Because crab pots -- if ( Read more... )

Puffins spend the winters at sea, floating, swimming and diving for food, coming to land only during the nesting season. In the winters they catch fish, squid, worms and other much smaller marine organisms, which means they are more flexible feeders than other seabirds. "So whatever the problem is, it's got to be a widespread one," said Professor ( Read more... )

At home Saturday at dusk I looked up into the sky and saw Little Brown Bats! I counted three -- usually it's pretty easy to count a dozen in my vicinity (no I'm not exagerating, it's simply that the habitat here is ideal for them), but three is good. Given recent horrible events, three is hope and the promise that more will be born. So I am happy ( Read more... )