All articles tagged with #wildlife
Guardian's Readers' Best Photographs gallery invites readers to submit their images; the piece showcases a wide range of shots—including a hare camouflaged in the grass, a composite eclipse progression, a Gaia sculpture, alpacas in Ireland, and a sunset at Tomales Bay—highlighting wildlife, landscapes, and everyday moments captured by readers around the world.
A 10-year-old girl was bitten by a beaver at Seneca Creek State Park, part of a string of rabid beaver attacks in Maryland this summer that also hit Cunningham Falls and Hunting Creek Lake. A dead beaver tested positive for rabies, and authorities are searching for other sick beavers while closing affected park areas. Officials caution visitors to keep a safe distance from wildlife and report unusual animal behavior; there is no confirmed outbreak link established yet.
Colorado is seeing a historic surge in bear sightings and conflicts as drought leaves bears searching for food, pushing them into urban areas. Colorado Parks and Wildlife logged 6,129 reports through Aug. 13—nearly double last year and on track to be the highest since 2019 digital tracking began. Incidents range from a bear biting a man in Aspen to a bear entering a Steamboat Springs home and a bear on the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins. The trend echoes in New Mexico, which has seen deadly and injurious bear encounters tied to drought. Officials urge residents to secure trash and grills, remove bird feeders, hike in groups, carry bear spray, and avoid approaching or feeding bears to keep wildlife wild and reduce conflicts.
Kala, a moon bear rescued from an illegal Lao farm by Free the Bears, spent nine months hiding in her den and avoiding the outside world before cautiously stepping beyond her cave; now she regularly explores the forest with other rescued bears at the sanctuary, showing growing confidence and a hopeful path to freedom.
Proposed rollback of the 2001 Roadless Rule would open nearly 59 million acres of inventoried roadless national forest to road construction and logging, risking wildlife habitat, watershed health, and drinking water for millions of Americans, including areas like Alaska’s Tongass; a 30-day public comment period is required and lawmakers are considering amendments to permanently remove protections, sparking debate between conservationists and industry.
A Pasadena mail carrier is under investigation after video appears to show him striking a neighborhood peacock with a stick before driving away. The bird, known locally as Sugar, was found injured and is being cared for by the Pasadena Humane Wildlife Center, which reports minor wounds but no broken bones; USPS confirms it is reviewing the incident and authorities are seeking additional footage to aid the investigation.
Bexar County confirms its first rabies-positive dog in more than 10 years after a Husky mix displayed concerning symptoms, as officials note a wildlife rabies uptick and urge pet vaccination, avoiding wildlife, and reporting encounters; a free rabies clinic is planned for Aug. 22 in San Antonio.
A wave of elephant deaths in Kenya has been blamed on pesticides, but experts cited by the BBC remain doubtful about the pesticide link, leaving investigation into the cause ongoing.
Firefighters battled a second‑floor blaze at Forest Middle School in Bedford County, Virginia, and found an 8‑foot python in a classroom; officials say the snake escaped its tank, knocked over a heat lamp, and contributed to the fire, while the owner/teacher insists the incident was accidental and not the snake’s fault. A tortoise was killed and eight classrooms suffered water damage as crews neutralized the flames and shut off the sprinkler system.
Researchers photographed bottlenose dolphins off Queensland’s Great Sandy Marine Park using shells as tools to trap fish, including an adult female and its calf. The footage, captured between July and October 2025, appears to be the first official recording on Australia’s east coast and suggests maternal social transmission of this tool-use behavior rather than learning from peers.
Shark selfies are criticized as dangerous for both humans and sharks. While unprovoked shark attacks are rare, incidents linked to people filming close to sharks are rising, and stress from close contact can weaken sharks and trigger defensive bites. Studies noted pushy behavior by photographers and a growing bite risk during swim-with-wildlife tours. Experts urge avoiding filming with sharks to protect people and wildlife and to respect safe distances.
The article spotlights Gizmodo’s picks from the Ocean Photographer of the Year Awards finalists, showcasing dramatic marine scenes—from orca hunts and octopus courtship to seal pups, sea turtles, and tiny reef life—while also noting how human activity impacts ocean ecosystems.
A pair of bald eagles in Florida built the largest known bird nest on record, spanning about 2.9 meters across, 6 meters deep and weighing more than 2 tonnes; these massive aeries are constructed high in trees near water, reinforced each breeding season, and can be used for decades by successive generations.
When Jackie the bald eagle died, fans turned their scrutiny on the Ojai Raptor Center, flooding wildlife professionals with questions about her care. The piece highlights Americans’ long-standing emotional attachment to bald eagles, notes the ongoing grief of caretaker Christian Weaver, and shows how public demand for transparency can clash with institutional updates.
A bear broke into a Kentucky home, shattered a glass table, and stole the resident’s leftover dinner—leftovers reportedly attracted the bear as the woman slept—prompting wildlife officials to advise residents to secure food sources and avoid leaving attractants outside.