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 San Diego’s Institute for Conservation […]
Continue ReadingThe 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 13,000 people. About 5000 people […]
Continue ReadingCane toads appear to be evolving into “super toads” and growing larger, faster and smarter, as they hop their way into new territories in WA. Conservationists battling the toads say they have noticed a marked change in the animals’ behaviour and size as the toad front moves west and say to creatures now retreat from […]
Continue ReadingThe defining features of a successful predator are strength, speed and patience. Of course there are a whole suite of other features that assist in the strategies that successful predators use including camouflage, decoys and attractants, specialised anatomical features for capture and holding, hearing, smell, touch and usually superb eyesight. Some have even developed the […]
Continue ReadingIntensive (indoor) housing compromises the welfare of pigs of all ages. Pigs are often housed in barren environments, with concrete or slatted flooring and no substrate with which to perform natural, evolved behaviours, such as rooting and foraging. Inability to express highly motivated exploratory behaviours results in adverse behaviours, such as ear- and tail-biting (Van […]
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