Nature

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World Penguin Day

  Penguins are sadly one of the most threatened groups of seabirds, with half of the 18 species listed by Birdlife as either Vulnerable or Endangered. While penguins are well adapted to their environments, human impacts are hitting their homes too hard and too fast for them to cope. The threats are numerous, including habitat loss, pollution, disease, and reduced food availability due to commercial fishing. Climate change is of particular concern for many species of penguin, as the sea...

Earth Day 2024…..Planet vs. Plastic

  EARTHDAY.ORG’s founders created and organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, EARTHDAY.ORG has been mobilizing over 1 billion people annually on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet. Forbes states: Over the past 60 years, around eight billion tons of plastic has been produced, according to a recent study in the journal Science Advances — 90.5 per cent of which has not been recycled. As a result, this year’s Earth Day...

All about dolphins

In the US, April 14th is National Dolphin Day when the focus is on these highly intelligent creatures. Here are some facts about dolphins you might not know… DifFerences between dolphins and sharks Although they’re commonly referred to as “cuties” by all who adore them, baby bottlenose dolphins are actually called “calves.” Male dolphins are called “bulls,” females are called “cows,” and a group is a “pod.” A bottlenose dolphin’s outermost skin layer may be replaced every 2 hours. This...

New report: Rising slaughter of small whales and dolphins

Killings of small whales, porpoises and dolphins are rising, with more than 100,000 of these marine mammals slaughtered each year, according to a new report from German and British NGOs. Many regions report increased catches driven by demand for dolphin meat as food and shark bait in areas impacted by economic crisis and dwindling fish stocks. Failure to address unsustainable exploitation of small cetaceans exacerbates ecological imbalance and heavy metal toxicity risks to humans who eat them, according to the...

return of the Easter Bilby

Last year we had the BILBY instead of the Easter bunny – this was successful in proving a chocolate treat as well as highlighting the plight of the endemic Australian Bilby    This year, 2024, the Bilby is back – in red!...

Manatee Appreciation Day

Manatee Appreciation Day (last Wednesday in March) focuses the world’s attention on an herbivore with no known natural enemy. Also known as the sea cow, manatees are a vulnerable species due to their contact with humans. Boating and pollution, as well as other external forces, threaten the manatee. Manatees are sometimes called sea cows, and their languid pace lends merit to the comparison. However, despite their massive bulk, they are graceful swimmers in coastal waters and rivers. Powering themselves with...

Creature feature | striped possum

  The striped possum is most commonly found in New Guinea and several small islands including the Solomon Islands. In Australia, it lives in Australia, in tropical rainforests and eucalypt eucalypt woodland along the east coast of Cape York Peninsula and as far south as Townsville, but is otherwise uncommon and rarely seen elsewhere in Australia. Like many species of wildlife in Australia – no-one knows how many there are / might be, since surveying the areas where they live...

World Water Day 2024 – “Water for Peace”

This year’s theme is ‘Water for Peace’, which focuses on the critical role water plays in the stability and prosperity of the world. When water is scarce or polluted, or when people have unequal or no access, tensions can rise between communities and countries. More than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, out of 153 countries that share rivers, lakes and aquifers with their neighbours, only 24 countries report having cooperation agreements for all...

Pandas actually have unique features

March 16th is National Panda Day ; March 23rd is World Bar Day Here are some things about these iconic creature you might not  know…… The giant panda’s distinct black-and-white markings have two functions: camouflage and communication. Most of the panda – its face, neck, belly, rump – is white to help it hide in snowy habitats. Like domestic cats, giant panda bears have vertical slits for pupils. Cubs are very well protected in their first month – Mother pandas...