Category: animals

Spider Venom Could Be the Miracle Cure for Heart Attacks

Research has found that the venom of spiders—occasionally the cause of seizures and even death—could actually be life-saving for those suffering from heart disease. Heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death in the world. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly 60,000 Australians suffer a heart attack every year, with heart…


Dead Livestock Litter Parts of Central China After Flood

Widespread flooding in central China has devastated farmers’ livelihoods, and their lost livestock are now a potential pathogenic threat. Waterlogged animal carcasses and temperatures over 90 degrees Fahrenheit have combined to create the risk of airborne diseases. Floods hit cities, towns, and villages in Henan Province on July 20 and not long after, photos of…


Photographer Spots Little Black Bird Trying to ‘Surf’ on Osprey Just Trying to Eat His Lunch in Peace

Florida can dish out some turbulent, unpredictable weather—but also offer some intriguing avian behavior. For photographer Ken Rohling, what seemed like a torrential downpour ruining his day at the lake one Saturday afternoon turned into sunny skies—and a rare shot of a red-winged blackbird “surfing” on an osprey. Don’t believe it? He’s got the photos…


2 Rare Sumatran Tigers Recovering After Catching COVID-19

JAKARTA, Indonesia—Two rare Sumatran tigers at the zoo in the Indonesian capital are recovering after being infected with COVID-19. Nine-year-old Tino became ill with shortness of breath, sneezing, and a runny nose on July 9. He also lost his appetite. Two days later, 12-year-old Hari was showing the same symptoms. Swabs were taken and results…


Florida Zoo: Man Injured by Jaguar After Crossing Barrier

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—A man was injured by a jaguar at a Florida zoo after climbing over a barrier and moving too close to the animal’s enclosure, officials said. The attack occurred Wednesday at the Range of the Jaguar display at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the Florida Times-Union reported. The man was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries,…


Tourists Fined $500 for Touching Hawaiian Monk Seals

HONOLULU—A woman from Louisiana who was honeymooning in Hawaii has been fined $500 after a social media video showed her touching an endangered Hawaiian monk seal, U.S. authorities said. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration launched an investigation last month and found the woman violated the Endangered Species Act, said Dominic Andrews, a spokesperson for…


VIDEO: Quick-Thinking Family Cat Sees Toddler Reach for High-Rise Balcony Rail, Takes Adorable Action

In footage filmed by an amused parent, a protective family cat displays altruism when its owners’ infant son reaches riskily for the balcony railing of their high-rise apartment. In the eyes of the cat, the family baby reaching for the rail spells danger, and instinctively it sits poised, ready to prevent the potential calamity. Watching intently…


Loyal Goose Woefully Watches Injured Mate Undergo Surgery Through Window of Wildlife Hospital

A loyal Canada goose, concerned for her mate as he underwent surgery, surprised veterinary medics when she showed up at their clinic. Tapping at the glass door, she stayed and watched until her mate woke from his sedation before reuniting with him at the door. It was a first for staffers at New England Wildlife Center in…


Can You Spot the Lost Dog Trapped on This Mountainous Cliffside in Idaho?

Can you spot the lost pup on the side of this seemingly barren cliffside in Idaho? That was the task laid before the Wood River Fire and Rescue in early July when a stray dog named Honey Bear somehow found her way trapped on the side of Della Mountain. Fire crews were dispatched after 6…


Ocean Researchers Capture Deep-Sea ‘Glass Octopus’ on Video—and It’s Out of This World

An oceanic expedition recently sighted an incredibly rare deep-sea specimen—with see-through skin and eight legs—among a number of other extraordinary sights in the central Pacific. On July 8, research vessel Falkor completed the 34-day voyage through the remote Phoenix Islands Archipelago, according to a press release from the Schmidt Ocean Institute (founded by former Google…