(ANIMAL SCIENCE) A new species of pit viper has been confirmed in the highland forests of Honduras. Named after late conservationist Mario Guifarro, the new species of snake could be an extremely rare occurrence in the wild. In fact, some scientists argue the new viper should be classified as critically endangered, as threats to the snakes’ limited environment are increasingly imminent. Continue reading for more on the details surrounding this new discovery. — Global Animal
(ENDANGERED SPECIES) For the first time since 1980, American officials are allowing a hunter to bring a slain African rhino back to the States as a hunting trophy. David Reinke, the CEO of Liberty Parts Team, reportedly killed a black rhino in 2009 with consent from the Nambian government—which allows five male black rhinos that are too old to reproduce to be shot each year—claiming his kill was an act of “conservation hunting.” This self-serving move has angered many within the animal protection and anti-hunting communities, who believe this decision will only further glorify hunting. Read on for more on Reinke’s illogical rationalization and what he plans to do with his new “specimen.” — Global Animal
(WILDLIFE) SOUTH AFRICA — Home to practically all rhinos on the continent, South Africa has deployed its military, political figures, and police force in an attempt to protect rhinos from the growing number of poachers. However, with more animals being killed than born each year, these efforts are not enough to save the species from extinction. Statistics show that the region is on track to lose over 800 rhinos to poaching this year, and if this continues at its current rate, more than 1,000 rhinos would be killed in 2014. Read on to learn more about how the National Park Service plans on training new rangers to fight in the bush. — Global Animal
(CIRCUS ANIMALS) Carol, the elephant who was shot at a show in Tulepo, Mississippi, is packing up her trunk and taking a hiatus after making a full recovery. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus elephant was injured in a drive-by shooting last week, prompting a $34,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Tupelo police are investigating the shooting, which took place around two in the morning at the BancorpSouth Arena. Police say a vehicle drove by the arena and fired at the 39-year-old animal. Read on to learn more about the details of this unfortunate event and sign the petition urging Ringling Bros. to retire Carol once and for all. — Global Animal
(POACHING) Given the surging demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam, an estimated 188 rhinos have been poached in South Africa since the start of the year, with 135 killed in Kruger National Park alone. On Wednesday, when park rangers were on patrol, they encountered a group of suspected poachers from Mozambique. When shooting ensued, three of the poachers were killed. Continue reading to learn more about the grand attempts to protect white rhino populations in South Africa. — 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
(WILDLIFE CONSERVATION) ANCHORAGE — By the early 20th century, wild wood bison had completely vanished for reasons still unclear to scientists. Yet, under an agreement announced last week, North America’s largest living land mammals could roam the Alaskan lower Yukon River area by 2014. Currently, Canadian officials have rebuilt their wild wood bison population to approximately 9,000. And while the animal is classified as threatened, the population will be managed by Alaska state wildlife officials, who ultimately plan to allow limited hunting. Read on to learn more about these conservation efforts. — Global Animal
(PANDAS) Although there are only 1,600 giant pandas currently left in the wild, scientists in China have nonetheless undergone efforts to manufacture giant panda blood and retrieve a potent antibiotic called cathelicidin-AM. Unlike other well-known antibiotics which take more then six hours to kill bacteria, cathelicidin-AM can do the job in less than an hour. Although the team of scientists have figured out a way to synthesize the compound artificially in a lab, the fact that this highly endangered species is being poked and prodded at for scientific means is not acceptable under any circumstance. Read below for more information on this issue and give us your opinion on exploiting animal resources for human benefits in the comments below. — Global Animal
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