Animals
Latest Stories
Oregon man who illegally imported/exported live scorpions sentenced
An Oregon man who illegally imported and exported hundreds of live scorpions was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday for violating the Lacey Act.

In a place with little sea ice, polar bears have found another way to hunt
An isolated population of polar bears in southeast Greenland has learned to hunt on freshwater glacier ice. That means they may be able to survive longer as climate change makes sea ice scarce.

State says Washington’s wolf population grew 16% last year
“Washington’s wolves continue to progress toward recovery, with four new packs documented in four different counties of the state in 2021,” Fish and Wildlife Director Kelly Susewind said in a news release.
Special rescues help ailing owners find pets’ next home
Who will take your pet when you die?

Oregon-born gray wolf dies after ‘epic’ California trek
An Oregon-born gray wolf that thrilled biologists as it journeyed far south into California was found dead after apparently being struck by a vehicle.
Why no tusks? Poaching tips scales of elephant evolution
Scientists have pinpointed how years of civil war and poaching in Mozambique have led to a greater proportion of elephants that will never develop tusks.

Abandoned sea otter pup finds permanent home at Oregon Coast Aquarium
Earle is currently in quarantine and training for life as an adult. He’s also having lots of fun.

Forest pesticides found downstream in coastal Oregon waters
Researchers from Portland State University found traces of a dozen unique pesticides used for forest and land mangement in downstream rivers and estuaries.

To help black oystercatchers, groups push for education — and a few new rules
Seen throughout the Oregon Coast, black oystercatchers are shorebirds that nest high up on large rocks. But as more visitors flock to the Coast, these birds face threats from human disturbance. Advocates think education — and in some places, new restrictions — will help.

Can Oregon stem the loss of complex kelp ecosystems?
Kelp’s leaves and stems grow in coastal waters, sheltering all sorts of organisms — even tiny shrimp eaten by whales. But kelp has been depleted on parts of the Pacific Coast. Now, proposals to update Oregon’s policy for its rocky shores aim to replenish those kelp forests.