Animals
The bandicoot bandits causing a truffle kerfuffle
The unlikely gourmands are pilfering thousands of dollars of farmed black truffles a night, but a PhD student has been working to get them to change their ways.
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Latest
Race, class, and goldfish: how a homemade footpath aquarium divided New York
The appearance of little fish swimming around a shallow basin quickly became a neighbourhood curiosity. Then came a fish rescue operation which has sparked a roiling debate.
- by Jake Offenhartz
Yes, there are more rats in Docklands than usual. Here’s why
Exterminators say demand for their services is declining as businesses cut back on spending, leading to an increase in rats, and unsafe baiting practices.
- by Angus Delaney
When crocodiles attack: Why people become prey
Crocodiles were almost wiped out but have rebounded since protections were introduced in the 1970s. How common are crocodile attacks and how many people are killed?
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
The Great Barrier Reef keeps bleaching. Why are we told corals are thriving?
Australia’s unique marine wonder is under increasing pressure from rising temperatures, but the science is still being questioned.
- by Mike Foley
Updated
Animal attacks
Crocodile attack victim identified as ‘incredible’ doctor, father of three
David Hogbin was on a camping trip with his family when he fell into a river. His wife says he saved her life in his final moments.
- by Jessica McSweeney
Big-hearted project tracks cardiovascular disease in great apes
When you need to monitor the heart health of a 150-kilogram gorilla, who do you call? A children’s cardiologist.
- by Bianca Hall
The Australian enterprise trying to curb the methane belched by livestock
Methane has 28 times the global warming impact of carbon dioxide, but a start-up with a solution has caught Bill Gates’ eye.
- by Colin Kruger
The other national road toll: Cars kill 10 million native animals each year
Can cars that make barking noises, flashing lights and sirens and AI-assisted road signs help reduce roadkill?
- by Caitlin Fitzsimmons
Italian town that used bears to promote tourism kills bear that attacked French man
The International Organisation for Animal Protection said the bear was about 22 years old and had three cubs that would struggle to survive on their own.
- by Keith Weir
Sharks test positive to high levels of cocaine off the coast of Brazil
Marine biologists tested 13 Brazilian sharpnose sharks from coastal waters near Rio de Janeiro and found high levels of cocaine in their systems.
- by Nick Squires