The way that whales react to sunlight can shed new light on the human ageing process, say researchers.
Some species react by getting darker with UV exposure in the same way as humans get a tan.
Others though, protect from themselves from sun burn by turning genes on and off.
The work, which is published in the journal Scientific Reports, could lead to new anti-ageing treatments in humans.
via BBC News – ‘Tanned’ whales’ sun response gives clues to human ageing.
David Good’s parents come from different countries – hardly unusual in the US where he was raised. But the 25-year-old’s family is far from ordinary – while his father is American, his mother is a tribeswoman living in a remote part of the Amazon. Two decades after she left, David realised he had to find her.
Read this amazing story on the BBC website: BBC News – Return to the rainforest: A son’s search for his Amazonian mother.
Before the winners of Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 are announced on 15 October, enjoy these two commended images, chosen from thousands of international entries to this year’s competition.
Revealed: two commended photos from Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2013 | Natural History Museum.
The British Ecological Society has awarded the winners of its annual photography competition. Zoe Davies was named the overall winner for her shot of black-browed albatrosses greeting each other on the Falkland Islands. 2013 year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the society founded to encourage ecological research.
BBC Nature – In pictures: Photo competition celebrates ecology.
Tourism Australia has been hit with a faceful of hate from Facebook users after it posted – and censored – a full frontal shot of a kangaroo on its Facebook page. The photo had the caption: “Enjoying a lazy afternoon at Featherdale Wildlife Park. *Censored for Facebook”.
The post got an instant reaction with thousands of comments flooding in – many of outrage.
Censored Kangaroo Causes Facebook Outrage for Tourism… | Stuff.co.nz.
We all wanted to encounter this most fascinating wild animal of the tropics, the third largest cat in the world. Now here it was, slowly walking toward us. Two little boys, visiting from England, could hardly contain their excitement. On our ride over we had encountered an abundance of wildlife, but spotting our first jaguar was more exhilarating than all the monkeys and macaws put together…
via A jaguar safari in the wilds of Brazil – Latin American & Caribbean Travel – MiamiHerald.com.
UK tour operator Reef and Rainforest Tours who pioneered jaguar watching in Brazil have launched their new venture: Puma watching in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. Expert trackers and a demanding programme of early starts and lots of walking mean that sightings of this most elusive of big cats are virtually assured. Read Nigel Richardson’s excellent article in the Saturday Telegraph and see the first few groups here.
This is the terrifying moment an angry female elephant charged a photographer as he took pictures from an open safari jeep.
Jagdeep Rajput was travelling through the Corbett National Park in India in an open safari jeep when he came within feet of a female Asian elephant who saw him and decided to charge.
Accompanied by her calf, the elephant and her previously peaceful herd began thundering down the track towards him.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2385973/Moment-elephant-charged-wildlife-photographer-caught-photo.html#ixzz2bMZ2yboL
At the first available moment, Lynn heads to the kitchens to ask what had happened to the 6lb of butter that had gone missing. The supply truck is not due for another 48 hours and the lack of butter is playing havoc with her menu. Quiche and cakes are staple camp fare, and with no butter, plus dik-diks raiding the vegetable garden, she’s in dire straits… Running a safari camp with quiche, cake, and pasted-on smiles – Telegraph.
