Rare mussel species, nearly wiped out, gets rebirth in Virginia river
The James spinymussel was nearly wiped out along the James River, but wildlife biologists have brought it back.
By Dana HedgpethA turkey settled near her Minnesota home. Now she carries weapons.
In Coon Rapids, Minn., Rachael Gross said a wild turkey has placed her and her neighbors’ lives in turmoil.
By Kyle MelnickAn ant’s sense of smell is so strong, it can sniff out cancer
A new study on the insects' refined sense of smell points to the potential of someday using sharp-nosed ants and other animals to detect tumors quickly and cheaply.
By Dino GrandoniDolphins just spotted in New York City’s Bronx River: ‘Had me shocked’
“This is great news — it shows that the decades-long effort to restore the river as a healthy habitat is working," NYC Parks posted on Twitter.
By Cathy FreeDead, 20-foot-long humpback whale washes ashore at Assateague Island
A dead humpback came ashore at Assateague Island along the Delmarva coast
By Dana HedgpethBeagle finds plants that definitely weren’t tulips in family’s baggage at BWI airport, officials say
Beagle detects prohibited plants in family's bags at BWI airport
By Dana HedgpethAll hail, ‘Toadzilla’: Giant toad in Australia could be world’s largest
Kylee Gray, a park ranger in Queensland, Australia, stumbled upon a cane toad that's pushing the world record at nearly six pounds.
By Timothy BellaBears were mysteriously missing toes. These scientists cracked the case.
A Canadian biologist went on a half-decade quest to solve the mystery of the missing grizzly digits. PHOTOS
By Dino Grandoni40-foot sperm whale with open wounds found dead on Oregon beach
A young endangered sperm whale was found dead near Fort Stevens State Park. Experts conducted a necropsy and believe it died after a collision with a ship.
By Kelly Kasulis ChoWedding trends: Dogs and cats up for adoption at the reception
“We wanted to incorporate cats somehow in our wedding and help a few animals in need,” said bride Cassie Roth.
By Cathy FreeNoisy waters force dolphins to ‘shout’ to each other
A new study suggests ocean noise pollution may hamper dolphins’ ability to whistle and work together.
By Dino GrandoniNational Zoo is requiring advance visitor passes ‘indefinitely’
D.C. Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton raised concerns this week about access to the zoo’s online passes, a system that was implemented during the pandemic.
By Dana HedgpethThese dogs ride a bus like humans ‘and now the internet is in love’
"The puppy bus just took off," said Mo Thompson, who runs a dog walking business in Skagway, Alaska.
By Sydney PageThe turtle moms that ‘talk’ to their eggs before they hatch
Reptiles aren’t known for their parental instincts, but the giant South American river turtle is an exception. The discovery is spurring a race to save the chatty species.
By Dino GrandoniA 16-foot pet python was stolen in July. A dog walker just rescued it.
“I’m not a snake person,” said Patrick Fortune, who saved the snake with his girlfriend and a neighbor. “But I’m really glad she made it.”
By Cathy FreeHundreds of D.C. animals need new homes as adoptions drop, returns rise
D.C.'s Humane Rescue Alliance has a full house of dogs, cats, guinea pigs looking for homes, and they're waiving adoption fees through Jan. 5 for some animals.
By Dana HedgpethHundreds of freezing bats fell to the ground. She took them home to warm them.
“I’m excited to get them out of my attic and send them back into the wild," says wildlife expert Mary Warwick.
By Cathy FreePanda cub at National Zoo begins process of getting his own place
Two-year-old Xiao Qi Ji reached another milestone, taking his first trip to a new habitat area that could eventually be his home.
By Dana HedgpethAlligators, tigers and bears among animals taken from Md. roadside zoo
In a $200,000 logistical feat, rescuers saved a motley crew of exotic animals from a roadside zoo in Cumberland, Md.
By Dana HedgpethGood boys: Montgomery Co. dogs make great listeners for young readers
Montgomery County kids practice reading to an especially attentive audience — therapy dogs.
By Nicole Asbury