Animals

August 20, 2020

Researchers Rediscover Elephant Shrew in Africa After 50 Years

Researchers have “rediscovered” an elusive species of elephant shrew (or sengi) in Djibouti. Last documented in 1968, researchers presumed that the Somali sengi was a “lost species.” However, local communities in the African nation of Djibouti have reported sightings in the rocky environment. A recently published study in the journal PeerJ documents a 2019 expedition to study sengis in Djibouti.

Read Article

August 17, 2020

Kenya Is Having an Elephant Baby Boom With Its Population More Than Doubling

We recently had some good news about tigers thriving in India and now we can look to Africa for another animal comeback. Reports out of Kenya's Amboseli National Park state that there's currently an elephant baby boom underway. This is great news, as the country continues to strengthen its anti-poaching legislation and take care to ensure that its elephants are safe. Over the past 30 years, Kenya's elephant population has flourished.

Read Article

August 4, 2020

Giant Andean Condor Can Fly Without Flapping Its Wings for Over 5 Hours

Looking at an Andean condor, one might wonder how such an enormous bird flies at all, let alone achieves an altitude of over 16,000 feet (5,000 meters). This giant species of vulture can have a wingspan of 10 feet and a body weight comparable to a human toddler, between 20 to 30 pounds. Recently, researchers at Swansea University collaborated with scientists in Argentina to study the flight of Andean condors in their habitat.

Read Article

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.