Animals

National

A highly contagious and lethal bird flu strain is spreading across parts of the U.S.

7:45am March 23, 2022

by Katie Peikes

Bird flu is an increasing threat to poultry producers and backyard chicken owners. They're preparing for the worst as wild birds' spring migration peaks in a few weeks.

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How to stop feral hogs from causing millions of dollars in damage each year

5:05am March 22, 2022

by Seth Bodine

Some states encourage hunting to control the hogs, but others believe banning hunting is the way to go to keep hog populations down. (This story originally aired on Morning Edition on July 7, 2021.)

National

Hunting moose to help save them: some states are giving it a shot

4:29pm March 17, 2022

by Abagael Giles

In New England, shorter, warmer winters mean moose face a bigger threat from winter ticks. Some states are trying a new strategy of hunting more moose to try and save them.

Florida's Montverde Academy swim team finds an alligator in their pool

5:58am March 16, 2022

The three-foot gator was chilling at the bottom of the pool. Despite alligators' notable speed, the little guy did not make the team. A sheriff's deputy was able to get him out of the pool.

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Joro spider, first discovered in Georgia, makes its way to neighboring states

5:10am March 16, 2022

by Sean Saldana

The joro spider has managed to make its way to the United States from Japan. Those spiders can grow to be about 3 inches long, including a large bulbous body with bright yellow stripes.

National

Why manatees are dying at an alarming rate in Florida

5:12am March 15, 2022

by Amy Green

An unprecedented die-off of manatees in Florida is now projected to last years. Saving the manatees will mean restoring a distressed lagoon, where the loss of seagrass has left them starving.

Researchers suspect humans gave COVID to deer. And it once spilled back into a person

4:40pm March 11, 2022

by Ari Daniel

Two studies still out for review show the latest evidence for COVID spillover from humans into white-tailed deer. The strains in the animals had been circulating for months, picking up mutations.

Nizar Ibrahim speaks at TEDYouth, November 15, 2014, Session 1, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, New York. Photo: Ryan Lash/TED

Nizar Ibrahim: How did we unearth the largest predator in history?

9:47am March 11, 2022

The largest predator in history was bigger than a T. Rex and longer than a school bus. And it swam. Paleontologist Nizar Ibrahim shares his quest to uncover the Spinosaurus.

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Which came first: dinosaurs or octopuses? The answer might surprise you

5:55am March 11, 2022

Scientists in Montana recently found a fossil of an early ancestor of modern octopuses. It lived about 330 million years ago — before the age of dinosaurs.

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Jaqueline Castro plays with a Schnauzer named Paola at the Support Hospital of Brasilia, Brazil, on Nov. 24, 2016, as part of program set up to help patients with chronic diseases or recovering from trauma.

Therapy dogs can help relieve pain in the ER

9:33pm March 10, 2022

by Rina Torchinsky

They have offered comfort at nursing homes, schools — even disaster sites. Now, a study shows that a 10-minute visit from therapy dogs can help relieve emergency room patients' pain.