It’s been almost 100 years since the California common murre chicks have hatched on the Channel Islands, but researchers have discovered the that bird species has re-established its former southern range on far oft Prince Island, a small islet off San Miguel Island. Ecologists from the USGS and NPS are gushing like proud parents about […]
A milestone was celebrated recently at the Chula Vista Nature Center with the release of 26 endangered light-footed clapper rails into local marshes — the big event marked the 300th bird released in the 10-year breeding program. The Clapper Rail Recovery Program started when biologist and clapper rail champion, Richard Zembal, along with the Nature Center, decided […]
For the second time this year, a sperm whale has been seen off the Southern California coastline – and this rare encounter was witnessed by leviathan-lovers aboard a local whale watching excursion who will NOT be asking for their money back any time soon. According to Pete Thomas Outdoors: …Natalie Booth-Massey and others aboard the […]
It’s all right here, people. Honestly, is there anything that Griffith Park doesn’t have? Concerts, zoo animals, observatory, playground, merry-go-round, train rides, bike paths, jogging trails, golf courses… Keep reading; we’re going to add to that litany. Comprised of 4,310 acres, L.A.’s biggest park – heck it’s the one of largest urban parks in the […]
A host of critters will have more roaming room that can’t be found on a GPS, thanks to a recent land acquisition by the Bureau of Land Management this week. Situation about 50 miles northeast of San Diego in northern San Diego county, this 400-acre land parcel was arranged through the Conservation Fund with the […]
Comparing the waterways around the Channel Islands to a freeway (shades of Carmageddon!), scientists are surveying the oceanscape in small research planes with the aim of providing data that will keep whales and ships far, far apart.
In June, we reported that animal rights groups were maintaining that the current stock of wild horses that roam on public lands are descendants of native horses that roamed the area about 1.5 million years ago. Armed with DNA and archeological data, these groups want these ‘native’ horses to get the cred they deserve as […]
It’s not every day that zoo staffers get the chance to return a wild animal back to the wild. Back in May, we reported that the L.A. Zoo has joined in the effort to repopulate the San Jacinto Mountains near Palm Springs with the native, and horribly endangered, mountain yellow-legged frog, a little amphib […]
Chances are, you have seen a brown widow spider a few times a week, or maybe a day, or (shudder), maybe every hour. These invasive pests, originally from southern Africa, were first observed here in SoCal about eight years ago — and they can not only creep you out, but make life painful. University of California […]
Learn about the big mammals of Griffith Park, snorkle with sharks and admire native butterflies this month.
“Respect the claw” is the current motto at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium where a mutant Dungeness crab is showing off more than just its regular two pincers. For whatever reason, this X-Man Wannabe crustacean has grown a third claw that sticks out from the back of its right claw. While an impressive appendage, this claw doesn’t function normal. It’s stiff with the pincers frozen in a V-shape at the top. However, having an extra claw could come in handy when a good swing around could knock out your enemy.
Quick: at first blush, who do you think is the turtle’s closest kin in the big critter-pot of life? Birds? Crocodiles? Lizards? Fluffy kittens?