Animals

National

'A fabulous ambassador' Flaco, the beloved New York owl, died after building collision

Juliana Kim

Flaco, who fled the Central Park Zoo, thrived in New York City on his own for about a year before his death.
Guinness World Records posthumously strips Bobi of his title of 'oldest dog ever'

Diba Mohtasham

Bobi's owner said the dog had lived a record-breaking 31 years and 165 days old when he died in October 2023. But a review by Guinness World Records found that evidence of his age was inconclusive.
Cougar attacks five mountain bikers on a trail in Washington state

Diba Mohtasham

Cougars are solitary animals rarely seen in the wild, but on Saturday, five people were attacked by one on a trail in Washington. No one died, but at least one of the cyclists was hospitalized.
Environment

A small fish is at the center of a big fight in the Chesapeake Bay

Katherine Hafner

Recreational fishermen and conservation groups worry overfishing for menhaden threatens the Chesapeake Bay. Industry says current data doesn't support shutting down the more than century-old fishery.
Environment

Across the world, migrating animal populations are dwindling. Here's why

Nathan Rott

In a landmark U.N. study, researchers found nearly half of the world's threatened migratory species have declining populations. More than a fifth of the assessed animals face extinction.
Science & Technology

California sea otters nearly went extinct. Now they're rescuing their coastal habitat

Ari Daniel

California sea otter populations have rebounded in recent decades. New research finds that by feasting on shore crabs, these otters are helping to protect their coastal marsh habitat against erosion.
International

A seafood firm wants to farm octopus. Activists say they're too smart for that

Bill Chappell

Octopuses are seen as smart and solitary. A seafood company plans to farm them commercially. Octopus garden? Sure. Octopus farm? No way, say the animal's advocates.
Living

2 horses die from injuries at San Diego training center

City News Service

Adventuresome and Exceed Speed Limit are the ninth and 10th horses to die from racing or training injuries at California tracks this year, according to the CHRB
Health

Do your kids want a dog? Science may be on their side

Maria Godoy

Kids who have dogs get significantly more physical activity, compared to kids who don't. Researchers followed 600 children over three years, and found young girls got the biggest exercise boost.
National

Phil. Chuck. Jimmy. Here's why many Groundhog Day prognosticators are male

Bill Chappell

There is a simple reason for male groundhogs to seize the Feb. 2 holiday. But the handlers of female groundhogs say their animals are more accurate than Punxsutawney Phil.