Animals

December 2, 2024

Pack of Gray Wolves Has Been Detected Near California National Park for the First Time in 100 Years

Native gray wolves, once nearly driven to extinction in California by game hunters in the 19th and 20th centuries, are making an extraordinary comeback. Recently, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) discovered a rare pack in Sierra Valley, about 50 miles north of Lake Tahoe. This exciting discovery marks a significant milestone in the species’ resurgence, as they reclaim their ancestral territory.

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November 24, 2024

New Study Reveals Dolphins ‘Smile’ to Signal Playfulness

Have you ever seen a photo of a dolphin grinning, almost posing for the camera? It turns out that ‘cheesy' expression isn't a coincidence. A recent study published in iScience found that bottlenose dolphins often exhibit open-mouth expressions during playful exchanges. When one dolphin observes another making this “smile,” it often mimics it—a behavior known as rapid facial mimicry.

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November 19, 2024

Birders Shatter World Record by Documenting Over 7,800 Species of Birds Within a Single Day

Within the birding community, the “big year” challenge serves as an informal goal to encounter as many species of birds as possible within a calendar year and specific geographic area. This past October, however, the yearly challenge was compressed into a single day. Birdwatchers from more than 200 countries joined the October Big Day 2024 challenge, shattering world records by documenting over 7,800 species within just one day.

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November 12, 2024

College Football Analyst Kirk Herbstreit Gets Choked up While Honoring Late Service Dog Ben on Live TV

Embed from Getty Images In 2023, an adorable sight appeared on ESPN's college football broadcasts—a cheerful golden retriever named Ben. As analyst Kirk Herbstreit‘s emotional service animal, the pair traveled the country together, melting the hearts of those at the games and those following from home. Sadly, Ben recently passed away due to cancer complications.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.