Endangered species News

Only 55 adult Maui's dolphins are known to survive off the coast of New Zealand. A plan has been launched to try and save the few dolphins that are left.

Six endangered red wolves have been shot in the last month in North Carolina, prompting the federal government to advertise a reward made up of contributions from conservationist organizations.

Hoyerswerda - One of seven endangered Cuban crocodiles hatched at the Hoyerswerda Zoo was given the name "Fidel". Apparently his name has caused some problems due to associations with the Communist revolutionary, Fidel Castro, and has had to be changed.

Natal - Two new endangered species of the scarab dung beetles have been discovered by scientists in southern Africa. At one time the beetles were famous as the sacred beetle amulets and jewelry of ancient Egypt, similar to the cross worn by Christians of today.

In ancient Egypt, scarab beetles were revered and considered sacred. They were a symbol of hope and the restoration of life. Their images could be found on amulets, funerary objects and seals. The discovery of two new species are important finds.

Valencia - A 2-year-old female giraffe named Jerezana, was en route from Jerez de la Frontera to the Bioparc de Valencia, when a truck crashed into the convoy transporting the animal. She was severely injured in the accident and later had to be put to sleep.

Customs authorities in Zurich, Switzerland seized a man, apparently a bird specialist, who was smuggling the eggs of protected parrots in his underwear, whilst traveling the world and trading them.

Berkeley - Biologists based in California this week announced the discovery of four new species of legless lizards. Nothing unusual about that, you might think. But the discovery wasn't made thousands of miles away. Quite the contrary.

A new study shows that wild orangutans not only plan their travel routes in advance, but let others know about their trip ahead of time as well.

Despite being a member of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), Iceland ignored the ban on commercial whaling and has killed two endangered fin whales in just a few days.