Lizards, rodent and tree frog join over 17,000 others on 'Red List' of endangered speciesNovember 3rd, 2009 Over 17,000 species threatened by extinctionGENEVA — A rare Panamanian tree frog, a rodent from Madagascar and two lizards found only in the Philippines are among over 17,000 species threatened with extinction, a leading environmental group said Tuesday. The Rabb's fringe-limbed tree frog, only discovered four years ago, is one of 1,895 amphibian species that could soon disappear from the wild because of deforestation and infection, the International Union for Conservation of Nature said.
NY man charged with hanging girlfriend's 4-month-old kitten from door with belt, making videoNovember 3rd, 2009 NY man charged with torturing kitten, making videoSYRACUSE, N.Y. — Police are accusing a 22-year-old upstate New York man of hanging his girlfriend's four-month-old kitten with a belt and making a video of the animal struggling.
Norwegian snake smuggler nabbed for hiding reptiles under clothesOctober 26th, 2009 Norway snake smuggler nabbed in skin-crawling bustOSLO — A man has been arrested in Norway trying to smuggle two dozen snakes and geckos into the country by hiding them under his clothes. Customs agent Helge Breilid said Monday the 22-year-old Norwegian citizen was apprehended in the southern town of Kristiansand after getting off a ferry from Hirtshals, Denmark.
Norwegian ferry passenger accused of skin-crawling snake smuggling schemeOctober 26th, 2009 Norwegian accused of skin-crawling snake smugglingOSLO — A man has been arrested in Norway trying to smuggle two dozen snakes and geckos into the country by hiding them under his clothes. Customs agent Helge Breilid said Monday the 22-year-old Norwegian citizen was apprehended in the southern town of Kristiansand after getting off a ferry from Hirtshals, Denmark.
Land Cruiser is more eco-friendly than your dog!October 24th, 2009 LONDON - In a new research, scientists have determined that pets can play a large part in increasing greenhouse gas emissions, with calculations indicating that a Land Cruiser's eco-footprint being about 0.41 hectares, which is less than half that of a medium-sized dog. According to a report in New Scientist, the research was done by Robert and Brenda Vale, two architects who specialise in sustainable living at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand.
Five giant invasive snakes pose high risks to ecosystems in USOctober 14th, 2009 WASHINGTON - A US Geological Survey (USGS) report has determined that five giant non-native snake species would pose high risks to the health of ecosystems in the United States should they become established in the country. The USGS report details the risks of nine non-native boa, anaconda and python species that are invasive or potentially invasive in the United States.
Texan boy, 5, kills 800-pound alligator!October 2nd, 2009 LONDON - A five-year-old boy from Texas shot dead a 12ft alligator using his small shotgun. Imon Hughes was hunting with his dad on their 5,000-acre ranch, when they had an encounter with the 800-pound reptile.
163 new species, including technicolor gecko, discovered last year in Mekong River regionSeptember 25th, 2009 Fanged frog, 162 other new species found in MekongBANGKOK — A gecko with leopard-like spots on its body and a fanged frog that eats birds are among 163 new species discovered last year in the Mekong River region of Southeast Asia, an environmental group said Friday. WWF International said that scientists in 2008 discovered 100 plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, two mammals and one bird species in the region.
Jumbo Transformer, squeaking hamster among the toys on Toys R Us' holiday toy listSeptember 24th, 2009 Toys R Us makes its bets on holiday toysNEW YORK — The nation's biggest toy-store chain is placing its holiday bets — and because the stakes are high, the prices are lower. If Toys R Us' testing is any indication, a $10 toy hamster might be a runaway hit.
Scientists work to keep Terrapin turtle off endangered species listSeptember 23rd, 2009 WASHINGTON - University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers, exploring strategies for conserving the Diamondback Terrapin along Alabama's Dauphin Island coastline, are working to keep the once-celebrated turtle off the endangered species list. The Diamondback Terrapin has been a delicacy, a source of state taxes and a casualty of commercial development and victim of new predators, but now its prospects are improved by a UAB-based turtle hatchery that may accelerate the growth of the fledgling population.
New monkey malaria 'poses human threat'September 10th, 2009 WASHINGTON - An Indian origin researcher in Malaysia has confirmed the potentially deadly nature of an emerging new form of malaria, mainly found in monkeys, by identifying key laboratory and clinical features of the disease. Researchers at the University Malaysia Sarawak, led by Professors Balbir Singh and Janet Cox-Singh, showed that Plasmodium knowlesi, a malaria parasite previously thought to mainly infect only monkeys - in particular long-tailed and pig-tailed macaques found in the rainforests of Southeast Asia - was widespread amongst humans in Malaysia.
Ohio cat discovered alive in the rubble almost 4 weeks following building fire in OhioSeptember 10th, 2009 Cat in Ohio survives 26 days under fire debrisFRANKLIN, Ohio — A woman's pet cat has been found alive, buried beneath debris 26 days after an Ohio fire. Sandy LaPierre says she assumed 1-year-old Smoka had died from the Aug.
2-year-old yellow Labrador mix recovering after being shot in head, shoulders and neckSeptember 9th, 2009 Yellow Labrador mix survives being shot 4 timesKANSAS CITY, Mo. — A 2-year-old yellow Labrador mix is recovering at a Kansas City shelter after being shot four times.
FDA test shows either a frog or toad was in a Florida man's soda canSeptember 2nd, 2009 FDA test confirms animal was in man's soda canORMOND BEACH, Fla. — An FDA test shows that either a frog or a toad was in a Florida man's soda can.
FDA: Fla. man found frog or a toad in his soda can, unclear how it got thereSeptember 2nd, 2009 FDA says frog or toad was in Fla. man's soda canORMOND BEACH, Fla.
