BIZARRE: 2 - You Need To See This

In 2015, a storm flooded and destroyed a Virginia wildlife refuge beach parking lot; now officials are moving it 2.5 miles north so dunes and saltmarsh can reclaim the old site

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is relocating its beach facilities to a more secure northern position following significant storm damage. This proactive approach not only aims to cut future repair costs but also accommodates the natural shifts of the island. While new parking arrangements will be established, the former site will…

The Times of India · Aug 19

A Florida couple bought a 45-acre swamp to save it from development; 15 years later, 275 wood storks were nesting there in a thriving wildlife haven

A Florida couple purchased a cypress swamp to protect its wildlife habitat. They actively managed the land, creating a thriving sanctuary for many species. Their efforts established a significant wood stork rookery, which is now a protected area. This private conservation initiative highlights the importance of private landowners in habitat…

The Economic Times · Aug 18

A Florida couple bought a 45-acre swamp to protect it from development; 15 years later, 275 wood storks were nesting there in a thriving ecosystem filled with wildlife

A Florida couple made an unusual decision more than a decade ago when they bought a 45-acre cypress swamp beside their home in Tallahassee, Florida, rather than allowing the land to be cleared or developed. Jim Stevenson and Tara Tanaka purchased the swamp in 2007 after recognising its importance as…

The Times of India · Aug 17

Oregon's Siletz Bay is restoring 37 acres of tidal wetland this summer, digging new channels where more than a century of diking turned marsh into pasture

Efforts are underway to restore thirty-seven acres of wetlands at Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge. By filling in outdated drainage ditches and excavating new tidal channels, the project is set to enhance both habitat quality and water conditions for the local wildlife. The initiative seeks to revive historical floodplain areas,…

The Times of India · Aug 12

In 2016, a biologist entered a remote Pacific Atoll five years after its rats were removed; she documented a 5,000% explosion in native tree seedlings

The successful removal of invasive rats from Palmyra Atoll marked a significant milestone after years of strategic planning. This pivotal action fostered an impressive surge in the population of native tree seedlings, leading to a vibrant rise in young native trees across the forest floor. The ecological ripple effect also…

The Times of India · Aug 11

In 1901, two young Oregon photographers documented nine offshore rocks: Their campaign helped Theodore Roosevelt create the West’s first national wildlife refuge

In 1901, photographers Finley and Bohlman captured striking images of wildlife exploitation at Three Arch Rocks, which compelled President Theodore Roosevelt to create the refuge. This area marked the first National Wildlife Refuge west of the Mississippi River, now home to Oregon's largest seabird colony and a pivotal sea lion…

The Times of India · Aug 11

In 1976, a 26-year-old biologist camped alone beneath a 35-foot artificial eagle nest: One chick she raised went on to father around 70 more

In 1976, Tina Morris embarked on an ambitious project at Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, implementing a hacking technique to raise young bald eagles. The initiative aimed to restore eagle populations that had plummeted over the years. One remarkable eagle, M3, thrived for thirty-five years and contributed numerous descendants, marking a…

The Times of India · Aug 9

A Georgia biologist built artificial trees in a flooded pond; the wood stork colony expanded from 18 nests to a record 484

Biologists created artificial nesting structures for wood storks at Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge. These structures replaced dying trees in a flooded nesting pond environment. The innovative approach led to a significant increase in wood stork nests. This conservation effort contributed to the species' downlisting from endangered to threatened. The…

The Times of India · Aug 9

Some fish swimming in the Great Lakes could be upward of 400 years old, new study finds

Previous research had put the ‘living dinosaur’ fish’s life expectancy at 150 years

The Independent UK · Aug 7

Two baby giraffes went missing from a Virginia zoo. The feds say a double-crossing informant helped keep them hidden

Exclusive: ‘I was a confidential informant,’ animal handler Patrick Robinson, who is now the subject of a federal probe, told The Independent. ‘... I was in [the investigation] from the ground up.’

The Independent UK · Aug 6