(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
(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
(ANIMAL DISCOVERY) Researchers on the lookout for a nocturnal bird in Indonesia have accidentally stumbled upon a new owl species believed to exist nowhere else in the world. Unique to the island of Lombok, the Rinjani Scops owl was first identified in 2003 but the discovery was not published for 10 years due to the large amount of work needed to verify the finding. Read on to learn more about the endemic species and its distinct whistling song. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL WELFARE) Hunting with lead ammunition might soon be a thing of the past in the state of California. Three animal organizations are gearing up to push a bill that would put a statewide ban on using lead ammunition during hunting. Although a partial ban is already in place it looks like a change is necessary since lead ammunition is still causing the endangered California condor, bald eagle, and other birds to die from lead poisoning after consuming animals shot by hunters. Animal advocates are proposing that a switch be made to copper bullets, which are more environmentally-friendly. Unfortunately, the NRA is resistant to this plan. Read on to find out why it’s essential to make this change in order to save these majestic birds. — Global Animal
(ANIMAL RESCUE) A great horned owl managed to avoid becoming roadkill after being wedged between an SUV’s front grille and radiator in a 140-mile overnight road trip. The ordeal began when Sonji Coney-Williams was driving her Ford SUV along Florida’s Turnpike between her Central Florida home and South Florida with plans to visit her son. She noticed the bird standing in the middle of the dark road near Yeehaw Junction and initially believed it was a buzzard. Read on to learn more about this lucky bird’s miraculous tale of survival. — Global Animal
(WILDLIFE) Russian President Vladimir Putin led endangered Siberian cranes on a flying expedition last week, à la the 1996 film Fly Away Home. But it wasn’t a full success. Putin’s latest stunt left two birds dead, despite the focus of his expedition on species protection. While on the surface, the goal to teach Siberian cranes how to migrate appears to be a good idea, this comes at a time when the birds’ traditional wintering grounds have become polluted with poaching, creating a real threat for the already endangered birds. Putin reportedly recognized this, but the project has not only been relatively unsuccessful, but also harmful and even deadly for the birds.— Global Animal
(BIRD SCIENCE) Some species of birds have their own way of honoring the dead according to new research. Scientists discovered that when a western scrub jay dies, other jays will gather round the individual and make noise. The funeral-like behavior also serves as a warning against whatever danger might have killed their friend, and the birds tend to avoid the place for the next 24 hours. And this isn’t only a bird phenomenon. Recently a grief-stricken giraffe refused to leave her dead baby’s side, reminding us that many animals have the capacity to feel the same emotions as humans. Read on to find out more about bird funerals.—Global Animal
(ANIMAL WELFARE) This week, a giant black market bust left 4,000 people arrested and over twice that number of animals rescued. There was no hiding for these criminals, as officials were determined to save the tropical birds and put an end to their illegal trade. Many of these trafficked species are endangered, so this raid left animal advocates hopeful for the restoration of exotic European birds. Read on for more about the black market trade dangers and how much this operation has helped wildlife. — Global Animal
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