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Can These Bees Save Lives?

May 20, 2013

(ANIMAL SCIENCE) A group of unlikely heroes are currently being trained to prevent future land mine tragedies. Croatian researchers are training sugar-craving honeybees to find unexploded mines littering their country—all of which have been responsible for about 2,500 deaths since the beginning of the Balkan wars in 1991. Because bees have a perfect sense of smell which can efficiently detect the scent of explosives, identifying their food source with the scent of TNT has proved to be a successful way to safely unveil dangerous hidden mines. Read on for more on the ways in which these everyday insects can potentially make a huge difference in Croatia. — Global Animal

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Two Tangled Eagles Take To The Tarmac

May 17, 2013

(SKIES) MINNESOTA — The Duluth International Airport received two unscheduled layovers a few days ago, when a pair of bald eagles crash-landed on to the tarmac. Although fighting for territory is customary among bald eagles, incidents like this are extremely uncommon. The two birds of prey fell to the ground when their talons became intertwined. But fear not, bird lovers—both animals are expected to make a full recovery. Continue reading below to find out how these two birds were saved. — Global Animal

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20,000 Bees Safely Evacuated From Tree

May 15, 2013

(ANIMAL RESCUE) Last week in England, a tree surgeon named John Joinson was sent to the village of Childer Thornton to remove a tree that was in danger of falling into the road. When Joinson arrived at the tree, he discovered that a large colony of bees was living in it. Rather than resorting to the easier maneuver of spraying and killing them, Joinson phoned a beekeeper for help and managed to drive 20,000 bees out of the hive and into a box before cutting down the tree. Continue reading for more on the miraculous rescue mission. — Global Animal

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Disney’s ‘Wings Of Life’ Soars High

April 24, 2013

(MOVIE REVIEW) Originally released in France under the title Pollen in 2011, Disneynature’s Wings of Life has finally made it to worldwide audiences. Much like the 2012 film Chimpanzee, Wings of Life is short, but particularly sweet. Coming in at only 77 minutes, the documentary uses its time proficiently in order to deliver its increasingly important message. The opening title card of the film reads: “Life depends on little things we take for granted,” a theme that rests at the core of Wings of Life. Focusing on the vital relationship between flowers, and the animals that interact with them, the documentary explores a complex world often taken for granted. Read on for more on Wings of Life and see the trailer for yourself. — Global Animal

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Never Fear, Cicadas Are Here

April 17, 2013

(INSECTS) They’re baacckk! This spring, the Eastern Coast of the United States is set to receive billions of winged guests. The cicadas of Brood II will make their first appearance in 17 years, visiting a number of towns between North Carolina and New England. Continue reading to find out what the cicada reemergence means for you. — Global Animal

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Fungus Makes Cave Dwellers Go Batty

April 10, 2013

(ANIMAL WELFARE) Hibernating gray bats, native to cave systems in Alabama, have received a rude wake-up call.  Already suffering from endangerment, these gray bats are just one of seven species, who have contracted a life-threatening fungus. The fungus, known as white-nose syndrome, specifically targets cave dwelling bats, and is thought to have derived from Europe. Precautions to prevent the further spread of the disease westward, includes the desired closing of caves around the Rocky Mountains. Continue reading to find out what people are doing in order to protect uninfected bat populations. — Global Animal

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Glasswing Butterfly on Yellow Flower

Springtime Means Amazing Butterflies! (GALLERY)

April 5, 2013

(PHOTO GALLERY) Springtime is here and along with beautiful weather it brings…butterflies! Feast your eyes on this picture gallery of amazing winged beauties, from the common to the rarest of butterflies. Then act like they do and stop and smell the flowers! — Global Animal

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Yellow-Billed Birds Get A Break

March 22, 2013

(BIRDS) Many are unaware of the devastating impact the global animal trade has had on wild bird populations, particularly parrots. With parrots being the largest group of captive wild animals in the nation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the popular yellow-billed parrot as “threatened” under the Endangered Species Act. Continue reading to learn about the rules being implemented to control the harmful global trade in birds. — Global Animal

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