All articles tagged with #wildlife
Punch, a seven‑month‑old Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Chiba Prefecture, Japan, was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and is being raised with a stuffed orangutan; he has gone viral for dragging the plush around his enclosure and seeking comfort, with zookeepers and older monkeys reacting in various scenes captured in Reuters/Storyful photos.
Punch, a baby macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan who was raised with a stuffed orangutan after being abandoned at birth, went viral after a video showed an adult monkey dragging him. The zoo says Punch is resilient and learning to socialize with other troop members, urging the public to support him rather than pity him. IKEA Japan donated stuffed animals to Punch, and officials note ongoing progress in grooming and interactions within the troop, despite occasional scolding.
Experts say outdoor lighting disrupts nocturnal wildlife and pollination, so dimming or using motion-activated, warmer lights can protect insects, birds, bats and plants. Embracing evening gardening with moon gardens or night-blooming plants keeps the outdoors usable after sunset, boosting biodiversity and garden health.
Australian ecologist Tim Henderson photographed a Siberian peregrine falcon near Alice Springs—the world’s fastest animal, capable of about 186 mph in a dive—marking the first Siberian peregrine sighting in Australia’s arid interior, likely drawn to wetlands created by recent heavy rainfall.
A global wildlife photo roundup this week features a mother and baby sloth in Costa Rica, iguanas immobilized by cold in Florida, a rescued hedgehog, and a variety of other standout moments from polar bears and finches to manatees, highlighting wildlife resilience and the power of nature photography.
Wildlife Photographer of the Year’s Nuveen People’s Choice Award 2026 shortlist features 24 images, including a sika deer carrying the head of a rival after a fight and a playful lynx; voting is open worldwide and the winner will be announced March 25, with the exhibition at London’s Natural History Museum.
A record cold front left green iguanas frozen in South Florida yards, streets, and driveways, prompting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to open five drop-off sites so residents can humane-kill or transfer cold-stunned iguanas without a permit.
A wild bull elephant named Oyewan killed a 65-year-old Thai tourist at Khao Yai National Park in central Thailand, the third fatality linked to the same animal; the wife escaped as rangers scared the elephant away. Officials will decide soon whether to relocate or modify Oyewan’s behavior. Thailand’s wild-elephant population has surged toward 800, contributing to more than 220 deaths since 2012, and authorities are using contraceptive vaccines on females to curb growth.
South Florida residents found cold-stunned green iguanas in yards, streets, and driveways after near-freezing temperatures. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission opened five drop-off sites to collect live iguanas for humane killing or, in some cases, transfer to permittees for live-animal sales elsewhere.
A young black bear attempts to prey on a moose calf, but the calf’s defense comes from an 800‑pound mother moose who charges in, allowing the calf to escape. The incident highlights the formidable defense of moose mothers and notes that, in parts of Alaska, black bears are significant predators of moose calves (roughly 40% kill rate in those areas).
A 2-year-old, 77-pound mountain lion that had been prowling San Francisco's Pacific Heights was located, tranquilized, and captured; officials released the animal back into the wild, noting that mountain lions generally avoid people but can wander into urban areas, with multiple sightings prompting safety reminders.
A young mountain lion roamed San Francisco’s Pacific Heights at night, prompting a citywide response. It wedged between two apartment buildings and was tranquilized by a coordinated team from animal care and control, police, fire department, and the zoo. The 77-pound male was examined, immobilized, and released back into the South Bay habitat, marking another unusual wildlife moment in the city.
A rediscovered coastal marten (Humboldt marten) in northern California is estimated to number about 500 individuals, occupying roughly 5% of its historic range. Researchers used 135 remote cameras and 285 hair snares over 400 square kilometers to gather data, finding 28 males and 18 females and a density of about one marten per three square kilometers. The species favors complex, high-canopy forests with large trees, snags, and hollow logs. Habitat loss, climate change, and logging threaten its survival, underscoring the need for forest protection and continued monitoring.
A tourist was mauled by a snow leopard in Keketuohai UNESCO Geopark, Funyun County, northern China, while trying to take a selfie. The injuries were serious but not life-threatening, and bystanders intervened to separate the animal. Local staff suggested the leopard may have descended from higher elevations due to cold weather and scarce prey; snow leopards are rare and tend to avoid humans, though sightings can occur nearby.
A Southern California whale-watching group spotted about 20 transient orcas patrolling the shoreline near a Channel Island, hunting sea lions in under 20 feet of water in a rare, spectacular sight, documented with video and hydrophone audio.