Scavengers
Southern African vultures subject to poisonings, extinction
Certain species of vultures are critically endangered in southern Africa. Recently, some mass killings of vultures in Botswana and South Africa have led to concern over the vulture population. But conservationists are working to increase their numbers.
In Bulgaria, vulture a critical part of local economy, sanitation infrastructure
Vultures, yes vultures, are increasingly important to the economy and health and safety of a poor, rural area of Bulgaria. The vulture of the Eastern Rhodope Nature Reserve not only dispose of local dead animals, preventing disease, but also are a powerful tourist draw.
Pollution problem in Uganda leads to explosion in scavenger stork population
Uganda has a trash problem. Basically, it doesn’t get rid of it. So that’s been a boon to the Marabou stork population, which thrives off of garbage and scraps. So that trash problem, which is still there, has morphed into a bird problem. Scientists say the only way to solve it is to take out the trash.
Scientists turn to dogs to track, protect endangered animals
Tracking endangered animals is a tough task. But some scientists from Washington state have an unlikely ally in highly trained, and hyper-active, dogs. The animals smell out skat, which the scientists can then analyze to make determinations about the health of a species in a given area.
Hagfish Slime Could Provide Fibers for Future Eco-Friendly Clothes
Hagfish are eel-like creatures. They defend themselves from predators by producing a thick, suffocating slime. Scientists in Canada have found that this slime contains natural fibers that may offer clues to making the eco-friendly clothing of the future.