Climate change is causing problems for puffins
Maine's Atlantic puffins took a big hit this year. Chicks' survival rate plummeted after a record-setting "marine heatwave" disrupted food supplies.
Animals
Catch limits imposed on menhaden have sparked a population rebound
Along the Northeast coast, seals, whales and tuna feast on menhaden, fish that rebounded after regulators limited the catch. The oily fish are a foundation of coastal ecosystems from Florida to Maine.
Susan Orlean writes about her fascination with all kinds of creatures in 'On Animals'
Orlean's descriptions of the animals on the Hudson Valley farm where she once lived may evoke a warm feeling — but those of donkeys in Fez and others in her essays may conjure other emotions.
Opinion: A gorilla's life and death, in 2 viral photos
NPR's Scott Simon remarks on the death of Ndakasi, the gorilla who went viral for a photobomb a few years ago. A picture taken of her last moments in her caretaker's arms also went viral this week.
A drop in Yukon River salmon has hurt Alaska communities' food supply
NPR's Scott Simon talks to Serena Fitka, executive director of the Yukon River Drainage Fisheries Association, about this year's dramatic scarcity of Yukon River salmon and its effect on communities.
Fan appears to be OK after Seattle Seahawks mascot claws his head
The mascot named Taima normally flies around the stadium then alights on its handler's padded arm. But at Thursday night's game against the Rams, Taima ended up on a fan's head.
Researchers found a new species of water bear fossilized in a hunk of ancient amber
Research into the evolution of tardigrades has been severely hindered by a lack of fossils. This new discovery could offer researchers insight into how the creatures lived millions of years ago.
A mega-drought is hammering the US. In North Dakota, it's worse than the Dust Bowl
Ranchers in North Dakota have been forced to sell off their herds at historic rates. Now they're worried they won't have enough feed to keep their remaining cows alive this winter.
Fat Bear Week has a champion: All hail 480 Otis
Who is the fattest bear of all? For the fourth time, the answer is 480 Otis, a brown bear who didn't let his lack of two canine teeth stop him from packing on the pounds.
Researchers study very smart dogs for their grasp of human language
The researchers spent more than two years studying six dogs, and found they recognized the names of up to 100 toys. The study shows how much language dogs can absorb.