All articles tagged with #wild animals
Animals have evolved extraordinary ways to sleep in risky environments, such as penguins taking micro-naps, seabirds sleeping with one brain hemisphere while flying, and seals sleeping during deep dives, demonstrating the remarkable flexibility of sleep adaptations in the animal kingdom.
Wild chimpanzees in Uganda and Côte d'Ivoire consume fermented fruit containing about 0.3% alcohol, which amounts to roughly two human cocktails per day, highlighting their natural exposure to alcohol through diet.
A rabid bat was found in Portland, Maine, marking the fourth rabies case in the county this year, prompting health officials to advise pet vaccinations and caution around wild animals.
A cat in North Stonington tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to advise the public to avoid approaching wild or stray animals due to the deadly nature of the virus, which can infect all warm-blooded animals including humans.
A bat tested positive for rabies in East Lyme, prompting health officials to advise the public to avoid feeding or approaching wild animals, as rabies is a deadly virus that can infect humans and animals through bites or contact with infected saliva.
The New Mexico Department of Health has confirmed two cases of rabies in bobcats, one in Grant County and the other in Sierra County. A man was attacked by one of the bobcats and is receiving preventive rabies shots, while a dog attacked by the second bobcat is being monitored despite being up to date on its rabies vaccine. The DOH advises keeping pets vaccinated and on a leash, considering rabies vaccinations for livestock, avoiding contact with wild animals, and seeking medical care if bitten or exposed to wild animal saliva. Reporting sick or abnormal wild animals to local authorities is also recommended.
A rabid fox that bit two people in Peekskill, Northern Westchester, has been killed after testing positive for rabies. The victims are receiving preventive rabies treatment, and residents are being warned to stay away from any animal showing strange behavior. Health officials advise reporting any animal suspected of having rabies and taking precautions such as securing trashcan lids and not leaving pet food outside to avoid potential rabies exposure.
A bat found in a parking lot in Savannah's midtown area has tested positive for rabies. The Chatham County Health Department warns residents to avoid contact with wild animals and ensure their pets are up to date on their rabies vaccine. Symptoms of a rabid animal include changes in behavior, aggression, and foaming at the mouth. If bitten, seek medical care immediately and contact Chatham County Animal Services.
A pet dog in Wichita Falls, Texas, was found playing with a rabid bat, marking the second positive case of rabies in the city this year. The dog will be isolated as required by state law. City officials advise residents to avoid contact with wild animals, particularly bats, raccoons, skunks, coyotes, and foxes, as they are the primary carriers of rabies in the state. To reduce the risk of infection, pet owners are urged to keep their animals vaccinated and away from wild animals. Residents are also encouraged to securely cover garbage cans and avoid activities that attract wild animals to neighborhoods. In case of a bite or scratch from an unfamiliar or wild animal, individuals should seek immediate assistance from a physician or the local health district.
A study conducted in the Gunung Leuser National Park in Indonesia investigated the factors influencing curiosity in wild orangutans. The researchers tested the impact of age-sex classes, the presence of association partners, and prevailing habitat food availability on novelty responses and exploratory tendencies. They found that immature orangutans showed higher levels of neophilia and exploration, while the presence of association partners reduced neophobia and increased neophilia and exploration. Additionally, low food availability in the habitat led to increased exploratory tendencies, decreased neophobia, and increased neophilia. The study provides insights into the factors influencing curiosity in wild orangutans and contributes to our understanding of the evolution of complex cognition.
A bat found in Salt Lake City has tested positive for rabies, prompting health officials to warn residents to avoid contact with wild animals. While only a small percentage of bats carry rabies, residents should avoid contact as rabies can only be confirmed with a laboratory test after an animal has died. Healthy bats generally avoid people and pose no threat to humans, but rabid bats may behave unusually and be weak, dehydrated or unable to fly, making them more approachable than usual.
Mink in three Polish farms tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, carrying a strain not seen in humans in the region for over two years, suggesting another unknown species may have been harboring and spreading the virus. Researchers suspect that wild animals, such as martens, feral cats, or escaped mink, could have cryptically spread the virus and introduced it to the mink farms. The finding highlights the risk of viral "spillback," where the virus could periodically move back to humans from an animal population that could become a new reservoir.
Wisconsin deputies and a conservation officer successfully removed a bobcat from a resident's car with the help of a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation warden. The bobcat was safely returned to the wild.
Georgia District Two Public Health warned residents in Banks County of a rabid bobcat found in the area this week. Since the bobcat sighting, residents have been advised to maintain current rabies vaccinations for pets and to keep them away from wild animals to protect them from the disease. Health officials added that in addition to staying up to date with shots, humans should leave wild animals alone and not try to capture or feed stray cats. Rabies is a viral infection transmitted in the saliva of infected mammals, and it is almost always fatal.
Two tigers were captured after escaping from their enclosure at Pine Mountain Safari in Georgia due to a tornado-spawning superstorm that caused extensive damage to the park. The tigers were found and safely returned to a secure enclosure. The park sustained damage, but no animals or employees were hurt. A tornado watch is in place in Troup County until 1 pm on Sunday, and a flood watch until Monday.