Your Dog Understands That Words Stand for Certain Objects, New Research Shows
We all say certain words to our pets on a regular basis, and they’ll often have consistent responses to them. How much do they actually understand the words themselves, though? A new study of dogs’ brain activity shows they may understand what the words themselves stand for. Research recently published in Current Biology aimed to see if dogs have object word knowledge, which the team says has not been identified in any non-human animals. To conduct the study, the researchers used electroencephalograms (EEGs) to measure dogs’...
Asha the Elephant Trapped in Solitude at Virginia Zoo Faces a Bleak Future
In the rolling hills of Virginia, a story unfolds that captures the complex intersection of animal welfare, legislation, and public sentiment. Central to this narrative is Asha, a 38-year-old African elephant, whose plight at the Natural Bridge Zoo has stirred hearts and ignited controversy. Photo: PexelsAsha, an African elephant, resides in solitary confinement at Virginia’s Natural Bridge Zoo. A Life of Isolation and Controversy Asha’s life at the Natural Bridge Zoo has been marked by solitude and an existence far removed from...
Overcrowded NYC Shelter Caring for Hundreds of Dogs Makes Desperate Plea for Help
Animal Care Centers (ACC) of NYC has three locations across New York and all are over capacity. Since the beginning of 2024, the shelter has taken in 1200 dogs. ACC has successfully found homes for hundreds of the stray and surrendered dogs, but hundreds more are still waiting. Screenshot: TikTok/@nycacc They are currently caring for 315 dogs in spaces that were built to house 185 dogs comfortably. This means that hallways, offices, and any open spaces are filled with dog kennels. “Our in shelter dog population is the highest it has...
Starving Manatees Push Wildlife Advocates to Sue Federal Agency
The manatee, a gentle giant of the marine world, faces a precarious future. These aquatic mammals, known for their peaceful demeanor and slow movements, find themselves at the heart of a growing environmental crisis. Delays in their reclassification as an endangered species have sparked a significant legal and conservationist outcry. Photo: PexelsManatees risk extinction due to severe habitat threats. Legal Battles and Bureaucratic Delays A coalition of environmental organizations and advocates has taken a stand against the sluggish pace at...
Big Boy Boulder Finally Finds Perfect Home
Boulder was overlooked by adopters due to his size and breed, but he has finally found the perfect home. He is proof that good things come to those who wait. The 5-year-old pit bull mix is a big boy, weighing 100 pounds. However, he is overweight and needs to lose roughly 20 pounds. While his size may intimidate some people, his caretakers shared that he is a “gentle giant” and a “big mush”. He loves people, children, and gets along with other dogs. Screenshot: TikTok/@humanebroward His handsome face was shared by...
Stray Cat Shows Up Just As Family Loses Their Two Beloved Senior Cats
This story was originally shared on The Animal Rescue Site. Submit your own rescue story here. Your story just might be the next to be featured on our blog! It was January, just a couple months after moving into this apartment, when my nearly 19 year old kitty Sebastian suddenly passed with no warning. As heartbreaking as it was, I still had my other 12 year old cat. CAT. PHOTO: PIXABAY / JOHANNA I was one of the residents who was helping feed some strays in the area, and one cat started showing up on a regular basis for food and some loving....
Critically Endangered Black Rhino Population Hits 1,000 in Kenya, But Work Remains to Save the Species
The black rhino population in Kenya fell to as low as 240 in the 1980s, according to the country’s wildlife service. Poaching and habitat loss were behind the near wipe out of the species within the country. However, cooperative conservation efforts over the past several decades have gotten the species on the right track. Now, they’ve reached an important milestone: a population of 1,000. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) recently shared the population update, around the same time they relocated 21 black rhinos to Loisaba Conservancy,...
Majestic Predator Penny, the Great White, Casts Shadow Over Sunny Florida
A Great White Shark known as Penny has captivated the attention of marine biologists and ocean enthusiasts alike. At 10 feet in length and tipping the scales at 522 pounds, Penny’s recent sojourn in the warm waters off Florida’s coast offers a unique window into the secretive life of these apex predators. Photo: PexelsPenny is a 10-foot Great White Shark circling Florida’s coast. Tagging Trails and Tracking Tales Tagged nearly a year ago by the ocean research organization OCEARCH, Penny became the 92nd Great White to be...
Mongolia’s Winter of Despair — Nearly 5 Million Animals Lost to Brutal Dzud
Mongolia faces an unprecedented crisis as its harshest winter in decades wreaks havoc on its wildlife and nomadic herders. The phenomenon, known as dzud, has led to the death of nearly 5 million animals, posing a dire threat to livelihoods and food security in the region. This catastrophic event underlines the urgent need for robust responses and adaptation strategies in the face of escalating climate challenges. Photo: PexelsMongolia is experiencing its harshest winter in 50 years. Understanding Dzud Dzud is a Mongolian term that describes a...
Whales Use Poop Clouds to Fend Off Orca Attacks in Dramatic Ocean Showdown
In the vast, blue expanse of the ocean, the dance of predator and prey takes many forms. Among these, the sperm whale, a leviathan of the deep, employs a unique strategy when faced with the ocean’s formidable predators, orcas. Off the coast of Western Australia, in a place known as Bremer Canyon, a remarkable encounter unfolded, highlighting the lengths to which these gentle giants will go to protect their own. Photo: PexelsSperm whales use a defense mechanism called “defensive defecation.” A Cloud of Defense When a pod of...
