animals
🌳 Rainforest wildlife returns to abandoned farmland within 30 years
A study from Ecuador shows that biodiversity in tropical rainforest recovers to more than 90 percent of its original level within three decades. Three-quarters of the animal and plant species typical of untouched primary forest return to abandoned agricultural land during the same period.
🌊 Montana tribes restore their rivers after historic water agreement
The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes are restoring the Jocko River and other waterways in Northwestern Montana following a historic water compact with the state. Restoration work has already resulted in more bull trout returning to their native streams.
😺 The number of cats euthanized in American shelters has decreased by 75 percent in ten years
Ten years ago, the chance of a cat surviving a shelter was roughly fifty-fifty. Today, cats are being saved at record levels. The number of cat adoptions has increased by 20 percent over the past decade, and Generation Z has had the biggest impact on the increase.
🐂 European bison have increased from 60 to 9,000 – now the species expands in Spain
Nine European bison have been released in the Iberian Highlands in Spain as part of an international research study. The number of European bison has increased from just over 2,500 to around 9,000 individuals over the past decade.
🐖 Gene-edited pigs resistant to classical swine fever
Gene-edited pigs remained healthy when exposed to the deadly classical swine fever virus. The same gene editing may provide resistance to similar viruses that infect cattle and sheep.
🦑 With AI we are learning to understand animal language
AI technology makes it possible to analyze large amounts of animal sounds and detect patterns that were previously impossible to identify.
🐳 AI has been used to identify a phonetic alphabet in sperm whales
CETI is a research project aimed at understanding whale communication. Sperm whale vocalizations show a structure similar to human language. They have now discovered 156 distinct coda types instead of the previously known 21.
🐳 Researchers begin to understand the basics of sperm whale language
Scientists have identified the fundamental components of sperm whale communication. Through the analysis of over 8,700 clips of sperm whale clicks, a complex communication system resembling a phonetic alphabet has been revealed.
🐦 Europe’s most endangered bird is making a comeback
Once critically endangered, the Azores bullfinch is showing signs of recovery. Two decades of habitat restoration has brought back the bird's numbers.