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zoology

New ape discovery ‘reshaping’ understanding of evolution

New ape discovery ‘reshaping’ understanding of evolution

By Stephen Beech The discovery of a new ape species that lived in Egypt 17 million years ago is "reshaping" the understanding of evolution. The fossil find suggests that the closest ancestors to modern apes may have emerged in northern Africa rather than in the traditionally studied regions

Bozeman ponds face invasive species threat from released pet goldfish and turtles

BOZEMAN, Mont. — Local ponds and waterways are facing a growing problem as household pets are being released into the wild. Goldfish, red-eared sliders and other pets are showing up in Bozeman's aquatic environments. When these household pets are introduced into the wild, they can become invasive species.

Great blue herons return to Deer Lodge Valley rookery for spring breeding season

Great blue herons grace the skies, trees and streams in the Deer Lodge Valley as the birds return each spring to breed. Herons typically build nests high in the trees, which holds true for the regional rookery. “Male great blue herons collect much of the nest material, gathering sticks from

Goat vs gecko: A tiny Caribbean island faces wildlife showdown

Goat vs gecko: A tiny Caribbean island faces wildlife showdown

The tiny Caribbean island of Terre-de-Haut boasts pristine turquoise waters and deserted coves. It also has goats, hundreds of them. There are as many goats as humans on the island and, while they charm the tourists as they roam on the beaches and graze in the gardens, there

Exotic pet trade thrives in China despite welfare concerns

Exotic pet trade thrives in China despite welfare concerns

Pet lovers eagerly gathered around a container to snap photos of meerkats at a Beijing animal fair, each selling for $320, while nearby a raccoon nervously paced in a cage only slightly bigger than itself. Throngs of people from across China packed into the cavernous exhibition halls for the annual

'Hero' Australian dog who saved 100 koalas retires

'Hero' Australian dog who saved 100 koalas retires

An Australian dog credited with saving over 100 koalas from bushfires is retiring after a decade of service. Bear, an 11-year-old Australian Koolie, was one of the first dogs in the country to be trained on the scent of koala fur. The International Fund for Animal Welfare called

Mammals cannot be cloned infinitely, mice study discovers

Mammals cannot be cloned infinitely, mice study discovers

There is a limit on how many times a mammal can be cloned before suffering "mutational meltdown", Japanese scientists have discovered, after making 1,200 clones over two decades that started off with a single mouse. The 58th generation of mice did not survive, establishing for the first