Lionfish Attacking Atlantic Ocean Like A Living Oil Spill
Scientists say they have few weapons to wield against the poison-spined lionfish, which is gobbling up reef fish in the Bahamas and other habitats.
Animals
Monitoring the Monarchs
Last month monarch butterflies began an annual northward journey from their overwintering habitat in Mexico. Monarch expert Lincoln Brower discusses the dwindling monarch populations, and explains how habitat loss in Mexico and a decline in milkweed plant numbers in the U.S. may be harming the familiar orange and black fliers.
Fair Or Foul? Pigeon Shoots Ruffle Feathers In Pennsylvania
Animal-rights activists in Pennsylvania are fighting to end pigeon shoots in the state. The tradition includes shooting at the birds after they're sprung from boxes into the air. Opponents call the practice "cruel," but hunters and sportsmen are wary of any step toward more regulations.
Starving Baby Sea Lions Flood Southern California Shores
More than 1,000 sick and dying sea lion pups have been found stranded since the beginning of the year, from Santa Barbara to San Diego. As scientists try to figure out why, one animal rescue worker says that in nearly three decades on the job, he's never seen anything like it.
Spring Blooms, And So Do The Creepy Crawlies
Springtime means bug time. Michael Raupp, professor of entomology at the University of Maryland, has the story of a big brood of cicadas that is set to emerge up and down the East Coast. We can also expect the largest infestation of stink bugs this year. USDA entomologist Tracy Leskey talks about the bugs with guest host Jacki Lyden.
African Leopard Tortoise Cashew Was Never Stolen
The National Mississippi River Museum announced last week that Cashew had been stolen. Instead, the animal had gotten wedged behind a museum wall. Embarrassed about losing track of a tortoise, a staff member popped Cashew into the elevator to make it appear she'd been returned by a thief.
Searching For The Roots of 'Right' And 'Wrong'
In The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates, primatologist Frans de Waal explores traits like empathy and fairness in our closest relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees, and argues that human morality is not the product of rational thought or religion, but evolved long ago.
Some Deep-Sea Microbes Are Hungry For Rocket Fuel
Some of the tiniest critters inside the harsh, otherwordly vents at the bottom of sea are unlike almost anything on Earth. They don't need oxygen to thrive — they can use rocket fuel. The discovery is a hint that our planet's first microbes probably sucked up whatever chemicals they could to survive.
The Buzz On Bees: Why Many Colonies Are Collapsing
Bees have been dying off in increasing numbers over the past few years. Experts say that habitat loss and disease are the biggest culprits, and some believe that pesticides are to blame. NPR science correspondent Dan Charles explains the possible causes and what is being done to stop this trend.
German Prince Plans To Put Bison Back In The Wild
The prince's dream of reintroducing European bison, or wisent, into Germany's most densely populated state will soon be reality. It will be the first time in nearly 300 years that these creatures will roam Western Europe. But not everyone is as excited as the prince.