Animals

If You're Brave Enough — An Injection Of Pufferfish Toxin Could Treat 'Lazy Eye'

4:52pm September 14, 2021

by Jon Hamilton

The visual impairment known as "lazy eye" can be treated in kids by covering their other eye with a patch. Scientists may have found a way to treat adults with the condition using a pufferfish toxin.

Macaques check out a camera in Galtaji Temple in Jaipur, India. Monkeys have been known to sneak into swimming pools, courts and even the halls of India's Parliament. One attorney told author Mary Roach about a macaque that infiltrated a medical institute

Monkey Thieves, Drunk Elephants — Mary Roach Reveals A Weird World Of Animal 'Crime'

2:35pm September 14, 2021

by Dave Davies

Roach researched animal misbehaviors for her new book, Fuzz. Though animals are all but charged with crimes when they run afoul of human values, she learns, they often have the last laugh.

Queue Listen Now

Jontu, an Indian rhino, wanders around his enclosure at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquariumin in Omaha, Neb. Last week, an improperly closed gate allowed him to wander a little farther.

National

A Hungry Hungry Rhino Escaped His Pen At An Omaha Zoo To Munch On Grass

2:26pm September 14, 2021

When your penmates have eaten all your snacks, what's a guy to do? Workers at the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium found 13-year-old Jontu, an Indian one-horned rhino, chowing down just behind his barn.

Dog Steals The Ball — And The Show — During A Cricket Match In Ireland

6:10am September 14, 2021

The match was underway when a dog named Dazzle ran onto the field and snatched the ball. Dazzle's owner tried to chase the pup who found its way to one of the players for some snuggles.

Code Red At Omaha Zoo: A Rhino Was On The Loose

7:50am September 13, 2021

A 13-year-old Indian one-horn rhino recently escaped from his enclosure at Omaha's Henry Doorley Zoo and Aquarium. There were hundreds of visitors that had to shelter in place.

A Stray Cat Survives A Fall Inside A Miami Football Stadium

5:33am September 13, 2021

The cat made its way to the top level of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. As it clung by one paw to the upper deck, fans below grabbed an American flag — which they used to catch the falling feline.

Health & Safety

Why Caring For Your Pet's Health Is So Expensive

8:41am September 12, 2021

Veterinary care has become often too expensive for owners with injured or ill animals. NPR's Lulu Garcia-Navarro talks with Karen Leslie, of The Pet Fund, about the reasons why.

A starling sits in the cherry tree blooms along the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. Researchers say some starlings has seen an increase in bill size.

World News

Climate Change Is Making Some Species Of Animals Shape-Shift

5:39pm September 09, 2021

by Jonathan Franklin

Just like humans, researchers say animals also have to adapt to climate change. The shifts for some warm-blooded animals are occurring over a far shorter time period than would usually happen.

A reconstruction of the Titanokorys gainesi, a new species of extinct sea animal discovered in Canada.

A Football-Shaped Animal Species Is Discovered In A 500-Million-Year-Old Shale

1:52pm September 09, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

The Titanokorys gainesi, which is now extinct, was a 1 1/2-foot-long sea animal — gigantic for its time — with a large protective shell over its head, a toothed mouth and a pair of spiny claws.

Care staff celebrate with Humboldt penguin Mochica as he turns 30 years old. He was hatched in 1990.

Science

Mochica, One Of The World's Oldest Penguins, Dies At 31

6:00am September 09, 2021

by Joe Hernandez

The flightless bird with an outsize persona personally greeted thousands of guests in his lifetime and was said to prefer the company of humans over his fellow penguins.