Animals

A stowaway frog triggered an alarm at Harrisburg's International Airport

7:28am February 07, 2023

A TSA official said the amphibian, which was found inside a piece of checked luggage, would be forgiven. The traveling public was reminded that live animals should never go into checked luggage.

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An Eurasian eagle-owl named Flaco has escaped New York's Central Park Zoo

6:41am February 06, 2023

Flaco got out after his enclosure was vandalized. He's been spotted on a Fifth Avenue sidewalk and around Central Park. The Zoo is attempting to lure the large owl back with some favorite treats.

People look at a dead gray whale at Ocean Beach in San Francisco, Calif., in May 2019, a year when 122 gray whales died in the U.S., according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Last year, 47 of the whales died.

An unusually high number of whales are washing up on U.S. beaches

5:03am February 05, 2023

by Bill Chappell

The unexpected deaths are hitting humpbacks and North Atlantic right whales on the East Coast and gray whales on the West Coast — populations that were already under watch.

First graders from The Friends School of Atlanta share their hopes for the world.

We asked for wishes, you answered: Send leaders into space, free electricity, dignity

5:00am February 05, 2023

Send leaders into space for perspective, tap solar power to offer electricity for all, make "dignity" a priority — those are some of the wishes readers have for 2023.

People work around the carcass of a dead whale in Lido Beach, N.Y., Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.

Environment

Experts explain why humpback whales are washing up on the East Coast

6:04pm February 03, 2023

by Jojo Macaluso

Humpback whales are washing up on east coast beaches. Boats, fish, and their growing population may be to blame.

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Bobi, a 30-year-old livestock guardian dog from Portugal, evaded death when he was born. Today, he is considered the world's oldest dog ever.

A Portuguese pooch that was almost killed at birth has become the world's oldest dog

11:51am February 03, 2023

by Juliana Kim

At 30 years and 266 days and counting, Bobi, a purebred Rafeiro do Alentejo, has broken the century-old world record for oldest dog ever, according to Guinness World Records.

Bobbi Wilson holds her collection of spotted lanternflies as she is honored at the Yale School of Public Health on Jan. 20.

Yale honors the work of a 9-year-old Black girl whose neighbor reported her to police

10:15am February 03, 2023

by Vanessa Romo

Bobbi Wilson went on a mission to save New Jersey's trees, capturing spotted lanternflies. That frightened her neighbor, who called the cops. Now, her bug collection is part of a Yale museum.

Humans and dolphins work together to fish in southern Brazilian city, ecologist says

1:43pm February 02, 2023

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Mauricio Cantor, behavioral ecologist at Oregon State University, about his study on how humans and dolphins work together to fish in a southern Brazilian city.

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The entrance to the Dallas Zoo in Dallas is pictured on June 3, 2008. Two monkeys were taken from the Dallas Zoo on Monday, the latest in a string of odd incidents at the facility.

National

The Dallas Zoo saga serves as a reminder to remain vigilant, national accreditor says

12:13pm February 02, 2023

by Jaclyn Diaz

The disappearance of two emperor tamarins was the culmination of suspicious events at the Dallas Zoo in recent weeks. The CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums calls it a learning moment.

Rory Szwed, left, and Kent Rowan watch the festivities while waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to make his prediction at Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., early Thursday morning.

How Groundhog Day came to the U.S. — and why we still celebrate it 137 years later

8:23am February 02, 2023

by Rachel Treisman

Punxsutawney Phil predicts more winter ahead. Groundhogs may not have a great track record when it comes to weather forecasts, but experts say the tradition sheds light on our culture and environment.

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