Have you ever wondered why the number of extant mammal species is so imprecise? Consensus seems to have the number at around 4500, others say 4000 is about right while some would have the true total at somewhat more than 4500. Why is it that after nearly 300 years of […]
The vet profession celebrates 250 years!
This year the world celebrates the 250th anniversary of the start of the veterinary profession. Veterinarians owe the birth of their profession to Claude Bourgelat, a French equestrian expert and keen scientist. Living in the French city of Lyon, Bourgelat was a director of the Lyon Academy of Horsemanship. Apart from […]
Pachyderms’ secret vocabulary explored
Elephants are renowned for their intelligence and long memories, but that they also frequently communicate with each other, using a sophisticated language largely undetectable to the human ear, has only recently been identified. A team of scientists at the San Diego Zoo, led by acting Director of Behavioural Biology at […]
Caring in a crisis
The devastating impact of the March 11 Japan earthquake, ensuing tsunami and nuclear crisis has prompted three not-for-profit groups to form a coalition focusing on the welfare of animals. Japan Earthquake Animal Rescue and Support (JEARS) was formed a day after a magnitude 9.0 quake and tsunami killed more than […]