A circus lion escaped and was seen roaming around heavily populated streets for hours in a suburb of Rome on last Saturday, before it was sedated and captured by authorities.

Alessandro Grando, mayor of the seaside town of Ladispoli, on the western fringe of the Italian capital, confirmed in a Facebook post just before 10:30 p.m. (4:30 p.m. ET) that the lion had been caught, hours after the alarm had been raised.

The operation to bring the animal back into captivity involved Italy's state police, local police, the Carabinieri military police force and local volunteers. Grando said it had been "hours of great learning."

Footage shot from a police helicopter using an infrared camera showed the lion, named Kimba, strolling around a grassy area. Mobile phone footage posted to social media, which has not been verified by NBC News, shows the animal quickly but calmly walking down a residential street, ignoring the cars and houses on either side.

Rony Vassallo, animal handler at the Rony Roller Circus, told the AFP news agency that eight-year-old Kimba was not a threat to the public.

"He met with people in an environment he wasn’t used to... and nothing happened, he didn’t even for a second have the instinct to attack a person,” he told the news agency.

Grando added that he hoped the incident helps bring an end to the practice of circuses keeping animals in captivity.

"I hope this episode can raise some conscience, and that we can finally put an end to animal exploitation in circuses," he said.

While still legal in Italy, it has been banned in more than 20 European countries. Lawmakers in the lower house of Italy's parliament have passed a law that would ban live animals in circuses, but it has not yet been implemented.

This story comes four months after a rather more chaotic hunt for an escaped lion in Germany. After hundreds of police officers spent hours of searching using thermal imaging cameras and helicopters, police finally admitted that there was in fact no lion and grainy mobile phone footage that triggered the panic likely showed a wild boar.

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On November 9, Mid America Pet Food recalled all Victor, Eagle Mountain, Wayne Feeds, and two Member's Mark dog and cat food products with a best-buy date of October 31, 2024. The products are potentially contaminated with a specific strain of salmonella, a bacterium that can cause severe illness in children, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.

The recall involves dog and cat food products sold online and in retail stores nationwide and expands on the company's previous September 3 and October 30 pet food recalls regarding products potentially contaminated with the bacterium.

According to the CDC, seven people likely became infected with salmonella Kiambu after touching either the recalled pet food, feeding bowls, or the feces and saliva of animals who consumed the tainted food. Six out of the seven people sickened were infants one year of age or younger.

Investigators from the South Carolina State Department of Agriculture and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control analyzed a retail sample of Victor brand Hi-Pro Plus dry dog food. They found salmonella matching the strain that sickened all seven people.

Although no deaths have occurred, the CDC and FDA report one hospitalization related to the outbreak.

States reporting illnesses potentially related to the pet food recall include California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Alabama, Florida, and Hawaii.

The FDA and CDC say anyone with these pet foods in their homes should stop feeding them to their pets and dispose of the product immediately in a secure container where other animals cannot access it. Moreover, consumers should not donate the recalled food.

In addition, to minimize health risks, consumers should clean and disinfect all pet food bowls, storage containers, food prep utensils, pet bedding, litter boxes, toys, and any surface or item that may have come into contact with the food or pet.

The FDA and CDC also advise pet owners to clean up pet feces in areas where animals or people may be exposed and thoroughly wash their hands after handling the recalled food or potentially contaminated items.

Consumers who have these products are advised to contact their healthcare provider if they think they or their child has symptoms of salmonella, including diarrhea with a fever higher than 102°F, bloody diarrhea, diarrhea lasting more than three days, and excessive vomiting.

In addition, people should contact a veterinarian if their pets show signs of salmonella infection. Symptoms in animals include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, loss of appetite, and decreased activity.

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Blackhead Peak, Colorado – On October 30, a hunter made a chilling discovery in the Lower Blanco drainage basin near Blackhead Peak’s summit. According to Taos Search and Rescue, 71-year-old Rich Moore, who had been missing since August 19, was discovered and his dog Finney, was by his side.

On November 7, the search and rescue group made a public Facebook post about the discovery: On October 30th, the body of missing hiker 71-year-old Rich Moore of Pagosa Springs has been found, along with his dog, who was found alive and with his body. Moore and his dog had been missing since August 19, disappearing after leaving with a plan to summit Blackhead Peak, which is located just east of Pagosa Springs.

The search and rescue team was flown into the area to retrieve Moore’s body. TSAR member Delinda Vanne-Brightyn along with her certified K9 AkioYodasan responded to the initial search. Delinda writes: “We searched from just under the peak-top and directly West, searching down the mountain toward where his car was located. Winds were directly from the West/Soutwest. It was so steep, we were inserted in by a helicopter. He was found 2.5 miles East of the mountain-top beneath where we were inserted.” Finney was taken to a veterinarian for an exam and care and then reunited with family.

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West Columbia, Texas – A reward is being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of whoever shot a cat in the face with an arrow in West Columbia. As reported by Click 2 Houston, the injured cat was found at the Magnolia Manor Apartments on November 1.

When Susan Dancer, a certified animal cruelty investigator with Texas Blessings Rescue, arrived at the apartment complex, she was told by Animal Control that the cat was going to be euthanized. Instead, the cat was taken to a veterinarian at the Matagorda Vet Clinic to see if she could be saved.

Amazingly, the arrow impaled the cat in such a way that she managed to survive and she is expected to recover. The cat was surrendered to the Texas Blessings Rescue which is trying to find the person responsible.

The agency said:

We believe the best tool we have to find the person responsible for shooting this cat with a bow and arrow in West Columbia, Texas is to offer a substantial reward. If you are willing to pledge toward a reward (not actually donate at this point), please message us and let us know.

Adding:

Identifying the person who drew back a bow string and sent an arrow flying thru the head of this sweet, innocent 10 month old kitten is critical to the protection of our citizens. She may be “just a cat” to you, but she may be target practice for bigger things to come: you, your pet, your children.
Help us stop them now.

The reward fund has climbed to $1500. Please call the West Columbia Police Department if you have any information about this case.

Help Put Animal Abusers Away! Sign A Petition To Fight For Animal Justice. www.animalvictory.org

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Clearwater Marine Aquarium presents ArtSEA Conservation, an art exhibit featuring international, national and community artists to show the connection between art and marine conservation.

At Clearwater Marine Aquarium we are dedicated to conservation in everything we do. We see it as an art. Our staff – comprised of dedicated men and women who are researchers and scientists – have decades of experience.  They are committed to marine life and the conservation of animals in the water that surrounds us.

CMA has partnered with artists and organizations that are aligned with the CMA mission and deeply committed to conservation. 

The aquarium’s fourth floor is transformed into an art gallery where illuminated marine animal paintings, sculptures and aquariums with art are on display along with videos featuring Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute’s fieldwork. Guests can see the beauty and value of protecting these incredible creatures.

For more information visit www.cmaquarium.org

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Morris Animal Foundation on Wednesday announced a call for research proposals, opening opportunities to leverage data and biological samples from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. This call does not include funding.

The Foundation is particularly interested in collaborative projects that maximize the potential of the longitudinal study design. Available samples include whole blood, serum, DNA, urine, feces, hair and toenails.

All proposals must be submitted by 4:59 p.m. ET, Jan. 10, 2024. Interested researchers can begin applying on the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study request for proposal page. Any inquiries can be directed to the data team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study is an innovative initiative composed of owner and veterinarian-reported data and annual biological samples from a cohort of privately owned dogs living throughout the lower 48 United States.

The Study's primary objective is to identify the incidence and risk factors for osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma, lymphoma and high-grade mast cell tumors. The Foundation is also closely monitoring the incidence of histiocytic sarcoma as it has emerged as a cancer of interest.

Secondary goals include studies of all other cancers and common significant diseases, including hypothyroidism, epilepsy, allergy disorders, hip dysplasia, congestive heart failure and renal failure.

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The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) announced the results of a HABRI-funded feasibility study that suggests fostering a shelter cat may contribute to alleviating loneliness and improving mental health in older adults living independently alone. This study, published in the Journals of Gerontology, Series B, was conducted by researchers at the University of Georgia and Brenau University.

The research team, led by Dr. Sherry Sanderson, DVM, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, explored the impact of fostering a shelter cat on loneliness and well-being in older adults living alone. The research also investigated whether these older adults would express interest in adopting their foster cat after common barriers, such as access to veterinary care, were removed.

“The ill-effects of loneliness and social isolation, particularly for older adults, are well-documented, and more strategies are needed to improve health outcomes for this population,” said Dr. Don Scott, MD, MHS, Campus Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Care and Associate Professor of Medicine at August University-University of Georgia Medical Partnership, and co-investigator on this research project. “This project shows that fostering cats can make a measurable difference in the lives of older adults living alone.”

“Our results show that by removing some perceived barriers to pet ownership, including pet deposit fees, pet adoption fees, pet care supplies and veterinary support, we can not only help older adults live healthier, happier lives but we can also spur the fostering and adoption of shelter cats into loving homes,” added Dr. Sanderson.

Study participants were recruited through in-person presentations and flyers posted at The Athens Community Council on Aging (ACCA), regional community organizations, senior living facilities and local and regional publications. Participants completed health surveys before placement with cats and completed follow-up surveys at 1-month, 4-months, and 12-months post-adoption. Participants were given supplies to ensure they could care for the cat for the duration of the study, and received monthly check-ins and veterinary care to ensure human and feline participants remained in good health. All cats were spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed and treated for fleas and microchipped before entering the study. Shelter cats were provided from either the Athens Area Humane Society or Campus Cats Rescue.

 Findings from this feasibility study reveal that when adjusted for physical health, loneliness scores were observed to significantly decrease at the 4-month mark after the cat fostering began. A similar 4-month improvement that approached statistical significance was observed for mental health. Almost all (95.7%) of study participants decided to adopt their foster cat at the completion of the study. At the 12-month follow-up, loneliness scores were no longer statistically significant. It is theorized that the 12-month follow-up results were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in a substantial proportion of older adults experiencing elevated levels of loneliness and social isolation during that time.

 “HABRI is proud to support this first-of-its-kind research which provides promising evidence that a cat fostering program for older adults has potential to create a lasting human-animal bond that benefits both human and cat health,” said Steven Feldman, President, HABRI. “We’re thankful for the tireless efforts of Dr. Sanderson and her research team who faced significant challenges in completing this important project during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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The AKC® National Championship presented by Royal Canin has a new record-breaking entry. A grand total of 5,762 dogs will compete for the title of America’s National Champion on December 16 and 17, 2023 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Combined with the other weekend events, including the AKC®/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, the AKC® Agility Invitational presented by YuMOVE, the AKC® Obedience Classic, the AKC® National Owner-Handled Series Finals, the AKC® Fast CAT® Invitational and the Junior events, the overall show entry totals top a staggering 9,807 entries, remaining the largest dog show in North America.

“We are thrilled that the AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin continues to maintain its status as one of the world’s leading dog events, and that is in large part to the knowledgeable breeders, exhibitors and judges who are the heart and soul of America’s National Championship,” said Dennis B. Sprung, AKC President and Show Chairman. “Along with our important Agility, Obedience, AKC Fast CAT, NOHS and Junior competitions, it is sure to be an exciting week in December.”

2023 Highlights:

Best in Show: Judge Mr. Clay Coady of Paradise Valley, AZ will select the AKC National Championship Best in Show (BIS) winner. The owner(s) of the BIS winner will receive $50,000.

Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show: Mr. Terry Stacy of Durham, NC will judge Best Bred-by-Exhibitor in Show from 1,272 entries and the owner(s) of the winner will receive $15,000. This competition is for dogs that are handled by their breeder/owner.

Best in Stakes at the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes will be judged by an elite panel: Mr. Clay Coady, Mr. Terry Stacy, and Mr. Dennis B. Sprung. These esteemed judges will determine the winner from 1,717 entries to be crowned the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed (Puppy/Junior) of the Year.

AKC National Owner-Handled Series Finals: The AKC NOHS Finals Best in Show competition will be judged by Mr. Dennis B. Sprung on Saturday, December 16. This invitation-only competition is open to the top ten ranked dogs in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series in each breed/variety from the 2023 qualifying year and drew an entry of 875 dogs. The NOHS Group Finals will also be streamed live on AKC.tv.

Viewing Coverage: There will be extensive live coverage on AKC.tv throughout the Championship week starting on Tuesday, December 12th with the first of three All-Breed dog shows. Also streamed live on AKC.tv will be the AKC Obedience Classic, the AKC Agility Invitational presented by YuMOVE, the AKC National Owner-Handled Series finals, the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes, the Best Bred-by-Exhibitor groups, Best in Miscellaneous, Junior Showmanship, and the evening group competitions. AKC.tv is available online, on the AKC.tv app which is on the Apple Store and Google Play and Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV.

AKC NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BY THE NUMBERS

• All 200 AKC-recognized breeds are entered to compete
• 5,762 entries in the AKC National Championship
• The largest entries include:

o             147 Golden Retrievers

o             137 Dachshunds

o             130 Australian Shepherds

o             113 French Bulldogs

o             103 Labrador Retrievers

o             90 Chihuahuas

o             87 Rhodesian Ridgebacks

o             74 Poodles

o             69 Whippets

o             65 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

o             59 Doberman Pinschers

o             56 Biewer Terriers

• 875 dogs are entered in the AKC National Owner-Handled Series (NOHS) Finals
• 153 junior handlers, ages 9-17, who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based on year-round competition, will compete in Junior Showmanship
• 1,717 puppies (6-12 months) and junior dogs (12-18 months) are entered in the AKC/Royal Canin National All-Breed Puppy and Junior Stakes
• 1,272 Bred-by-Exhibitors in competition
• 435 dogs entered in the AKC Fast CAT Invitational

OBEDIENCE CLASSIC AND AGILITY INVITATIONAL BY THE NUMBERS

• 217 dog and handler teams in the two-day AKC Obedience Classic, including 55 breeds from 35 states.
• 9 Junior Obedience entries and 17 Junior Rally entries in the AKC Obedience and Rally Junior Showcase, including 14 breeds and 4 All-American dogs from 10 states.
• 701 entries in the AKC Agility Invitational, including 168 breeds and 6 All-American dogs from 41 states and Canada.
• 74 entries in the AKC Junior Agility Competition (Friday, Dec. 15th).

To get more information about the show, visit us at https://www.akc.org/sports/akc-national-championship/ or on Facebook and Twitter.

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When driving on turnpikes, some people mount E-ZPass transponders to their car windshields so they can use special lanes that allow drivers to pass through without stopping at traditional highway tollbooths. The car transponders are radio frequency devices that are detected by antennas underneath the E-ZPass signs vehicles travel under. As they enter and exit the lanes, travel information is recorded by the transponders.

In the Great Lakes, populations of fish are managed in a similar way.

Chris Vandergoot, an associate professor in Michigan State University’s Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, is the director of the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System, or GLATOS.

He said acoustic telemetry allows fish to be tracked and monitored using sound. This process occurs using two pieces of equipment: acoustic transmitters surgically tagged within fish, and acoustic receivers stationed underwater.

“We’re putting transmitters in these fish — some are as small as a Tic Tac, and some are as large as a double-A battery,” Vandergoot said. “The other component to acoustic telemetry, unlike other telemetry systems, is receivers are deployed underwater. Whether they’re in a river or a lake, they’re sitting there listening for fish to swim by and for that transmitter code to go off.”

After tagged fish swim by the receivers, data is collected and stored by the receivers for researchers to analyze.  Founded in 2010, GLATOS operates underneath the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. It’s a research collaborative made up of fishery organizations from the U.S. and Canada, including academic, First Nation, provincial and state sectors.

Tracking fish movement allows researchers to better understand not only how fish behave in the Great Lakes, but also how to manage and stock their populations.

The network of projects worked on through GLATOS allows for ample opportunity for data to be shared among members. If members have questions about their project or are interested in comparing data from other projects, they can use the data portal and obtain information from projects that’ve been previously uploaded. They can also connect with collaborators directly.

“That’s another function of GLATOS — in addition to facilitating this online database, we also try to link researchers up,” Vandergoot said. “For example, if somebody is working with one type of fish population in a lake and somebody else is tracking a different type, one (population) may be a predator, and one may be a prey. So, our members can collaboratively work together to monitor how their fish interact.”

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The World Dog Alliance (WDA) is pleased to announce a significant milestone in the fight against the dog meat trade in South Korea. Following a bipartisan letter from members of the U.S. Congress, sent to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on Aug. 7, 2023, urging the country to ban the consumption of dog meat, South Korea is making substantial progress towards enacting legislation to ban this barbaric practice.

Within just one month of the U.S. congressional letter, South Korean First Lady Kim Keon-hee attended a press conference organized by local animal welfare organizations, publicly endorsing legislation to ban dog meat consumption. This endorsement underscores the proactive steps being taken by the South Korean government to expedite the legislative process. Bills to ban dog meat consumption have received broad support from both the ruling and opposition parties. It is anticipated that this legislation will be passed in early December this year.

Since 2014, the World Dog Alliance has been actively involved in global efforts to protect the rights of dogs. Our work in South Korea, a nation where the dog meat industry has been prevalent, has been particularly noteworthy. In 2014, the WDA’s founder Genlin traveled to South Korea to film a documentary titled “Eating Happiness,” shedding light on the grim reality of the dog meat trade and urging global attention to the issue.

In 2016, the World Dog Alliance launched an online petition on the UK Parliament website, calling on the UK to exert diplomatic pressure on the South Korean Government to stop dog meat consumption, especially in light of the 2018 Winter Olympics. The campaign garnered over 100,000 signatures from UK citizens. This significant public outcry raised awareness about the issue and played a pivotal role in shutting down Moran market, the biggest dog meat market in South Korea, marking crucial progress in the effort to abolish the dog meat trade.

In 2017, the WDA organized a symposium in the South Korean parliament titled "Explicit Legislation to Ban Dog Meat," inviting South Korean lawmakers to discuss the formulation of laws to prohibit the dog meat trade.

In 2018, the WDA hosted a large-scale event at Seoul City Hall with the theme "I Am Not Food," aimed at raising awareness about the issue of dog meat. At this event, Tory, the beloved dog of then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in, made a special appearance. Genlin's letter, appealing for the end of the dog meat industry, was personally delivered to President Moon, catalyzing the subsequent government actions.

The World Dog Alliance commends the South Korean government for taking action to address the dog meat issue, a move that significantly enhances the country’s international image.

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GlobalVetLink is pleased to announce that its Compliance Assistant Platform now includes EU Transit Certificates, further simplifying the international pet travel process for veterinarians and practice staff. An EU Transit Certificate is required for any pet traveling through an EU country before arriving at their destination. This new feature of the GVL Pet TravelPass will guide veterinarians through creating an EU Transit Pet TravelPass after completing the Pet TravelPass for the final destination.

"Navigating the complexities of international pet travel can be daunting for pet owners and veterinarians," acknowledged Stacey Noe, Director of Product at GlobalVetLink. "We are thrilled to announce our latest product enhancement, the EU Transit Pet TravelPass feature, designed to simplify this intricate process for our valued veterinary customers. This addition is a direct response to the requests from our customers, and we are excited to integrate it into our platform, making international pet travel more seamless than ever."

Designed with the veterinarian in mind, the GlobalVetLink Compliance Assistant is an all-inclusive platform that simplifies certificate creation and record keeping. The platform increases productivity and reduces errors by monitoring applicable state, federal, and international regulatory requirements. Through the GVL Compliance Assistant, veterinary clinics can more efficiently generate accurate and compliant animal health and movement documents. With this new feature, the GVL Pet TravelPass will ask if the pet is transiting through an EU country. If the veterinarian answers yes, the platform will guide them through completing the required European Union documentation.

"Empowering veterinarians to enhance their team's productivity is central to our team's goals," remarked Steve Adamson, Chief Technology Officer at GlobalVetLink. "We recognize the pivotal role technology plays in achieving this goal. Continuously innovating, the GlobalVetLink team diligently crafts new features to integrate into the workflows of veterinary professionals seamlessly. Our latest offering, the EU Transit Pet TravelPass feature, exemplifies our commitment to simplifying processes for our valued customers."

For more information about the GVL Compliance Assistant platform, please visit the company's website at www.globalvetlink.com/compliance-assistant. GlobalVetLink customers with questions about the EU Transit Pet TravelPass feature can chat with the Customer Support team when logged into their GlobalVetLink account.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping signaled late Wednesday that China will send new pandas to the United States, calling them “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.”

“We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples,” Xi said during a dinner speech with business leaders.

The gesture came at the end of a day in which Xi and President Joe Biden held their first face to face meeting in a year and pledged to try to reduce tensions. Xi did not share additional details on when or where pandas might be provided but appeared to suggest the next pair of pandas are most likely to come to California, probably San Diego.

The bears have long been the symbol of the U.S.-China friendship since Beijing gifted a pair of pandas to the National Zoo in Washington in 1972, ahead of the normalization of bilateral relations. Later, Beijing loaned the pandas to other U.S. zoos, with proceeds going back to panda conservation programs.

The National Zoo’s three giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji, eight days ago began their long trip to China. After their departure, only four pandas are left in the United States, in the Atlanta Zoo.

“I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off,” Xi said in his speech. He added that he learned the San Diego Zoo and people in California “very much look forward to welcoming pandas back.”

Xi is in California to attend a summit of Indo-Pacific leaders and for his meeting with Biden. He made no mention of the pandas during his public remarks earlier in the day as he met with Biden.

When bilateral relations began to sour in the past few years, members of the Chinese public started to demand the return of giant pandas. Unproven allegations that U.S. zoos mistreated the pandas, known as China’s “national treasure,” flooded China’s social media.

The National Zoo’s exchange agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association had been set to expire in early December and negotiations to renew or extend the deal did not produce results.

The San Diego Zoo returned its pandas in 2019, and the last bear at the Memphis, Tennessee, zoo went home earlier this year.

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The Hooded Warbler flits through shrubby understories in eastern forests, flicking its tail to show off its white tail feathers. But those flashes are not the only thing that will draw your attention. The male's bright yellow cheeks and forehead surrounded by a black hood and throat will surely capture you. Females lack the bold black hood, but their yellow cheeks still stand out. Listen for their characteristic song on the breeding grounds and their metallic chip on the wintering grounds in Mexico and Central America. The narrow peninsula of Fort Morgan, Ala., is a crucial pit stop on migration flights.

This warbler generally hangs out in the understory of forests, which makes it easier to find than those canopy-loving warblers. On the breeding grounds, listen for their song and watch for quick movements in the understory. They frequently twitch their tail to reveal white tail flashes that can help you locate and ID them. They tend to use forests with a well-developed understory, so be on the lookout for shrubby areas in treefall gaps or along edges.

Hooded Warblers do not visit feeders and may only stop off in your yard during migration, but a bird-friendly backyard full of native trees and shrubs provides an excellent food-rich place for warblers and other migrants to stop and refuel.

• Both male and female Hooded Warblers are strongly territorial on their wintering grounds, despite using different habitats at that time of year. Males are found in mature forest, and females in scrubbier forest and seasonally flooded areas.
• Individual male Hooded Warblers each sing a slightly different song. They learn to recognize their neighbor's song based not only on the song itself, but also on where the song is coming from. Their ability to recognize their neighbor may mean that they have to spend less time on territory defense.
• The white spots on a Hooded Warbler's tail help them capture more insects, possibly by startling the insects into taking flight. An experimental study conducted in Pennsylvania found that birds with temporarily darkened tail feathers were less successful at capturing insects than those with white spots on their tails.
• Male Hooded Warblers often return to the same breeding spot year after years—in one 7-year study in Pennsylvania approximately 50% of banded males returned to the area to breed again.
• The oldest recorded Hooded Warbler was a male, and at least 8 years, 1 month old when he was recaptured and rereleased during banding operations in Louisiana in 2004.

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Iceland's south-western peninsula could face decades of volcanic instability, warns the Icelandic Met Office (IMO).

Earthquakes and fears of an impending eruption have led to the evacuation of the small fishing town of Grindavik. After an 800-year hiatus, eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula began again in 2021, which may mark a new "eruptive cycle", the IMO's Matthew Roberts says. "We expect to see volcanic eruptions along the peninsula, not just repeatedly in the same location." This instability, he adds, could last decades.

Dr Roberts, who is a managing director in the IMO's Reykjavik headquarters, takes us into a room where staff are intensely monitoring seismic activity 24 hours a day. Last Friday, the team were shocked to realise magma was coursing into the ground, fracturing rock over a distance of 15km (nine miles).

It cut beneath Grindavik "almost like an underground freight train", says Dr Roberts. A phenomenon unknown in modern times. The order was quickly given to evacuate, and soon after stark images began emerging of severely cracked roads and damaged houses following repeated earthquakes. The town will continue to subside, Dr Roberts says, exacerbating damage to buildings and roads. The western part of Grindavik has sunk by more than a metre (3.3ft) since last Friday, and continues to do so at a rate of about 4cm (1.6in) a day.

If there is an eruption, there could be significant damage to local infrastructure and a release of toxic fumes. Fascinatingly, aerial photographs suggest that the magma is running underneath a previous, centuries-old, visible fissure. "The magma intrusion is exploiting this exact same location again," says Dr Roberts.

Iceland is very used to volcanic activity because it sits over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Eurasian and North American plates are pulling apart from each other, a few centimetres each year.  But this kind of evacuation of an entire community has not happened in 50 years. In 1973, a fissure started spouting molten red lava on Heimaey, the largest of Iceland's Westman Islands.  Currently, within the Reykjanes Peninsula, it is estimated that the magma is now sitting about 800m (0.5 miles) beneath the surface.

Residents may have to wait for weeks, at least, before it is clear whether they can return to the area. "We're not expecting an explosive eruption," says Dr Roberts, although that is not necessarily a good thing. A low-intensity eruption could mean lava pouring from a series of fissures over weeks and weeks.  "If that were to occur there would be lava flow to the south - possibly towards Grindavik - and also possibly north and westwards" towards the Svartsengi power station and Blue Lagoon, says Dr Roberts.

Contingency plans include protective barriers - known as "levees" - which are being built near the geothermal plant while the famous Blue Lagoon spa remains closed. Iceland has all sorts of ingenious ways to fight lava, says Dr Roberts, but "nature always wins if the eruption is long enough".

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A pet company has recently shared new data revealing the No. 1 sports-inspired dog name, and it is one that you likely know "all too well."

The name "Kelce" has taken over one of the top spots for trending dog names in America — an increase of 135%, according to data released by Rover, a Seattle, Washington-based platform that connects pet parents with pet sitters and animal day care providers.

The Kelce brothers, Jason and Travis Kelce, are well-known NFL players; but the youngest of the two, Travis Kelce, has made headlines after news broke that he was dating superstar Taylor Swift.

The Kelce brothers' podcast, "New Heights," has attracted 300,000 new members since going public with Swift, a recent Bloomberg article reported.

The brothers also played against one another in Super Bowl LVII, with the Kansas City Chiefs beating the Philadelphia Eagles by three points.

Swift and Travis Kelce's relationship may have played a role in the uptick of the Kansas City Chiefs tight end's surname being adopted by dog owners, Rover shared in its report. "Whether the name is silly or serious, most pet parents are influenced by names that remind them of their favorite things or trending pop culture moments," Rover shared in its recent release.

With categories ranging from television and movies to royals and politics, it was sports that the name Kelce fell under.

Kelce falls into the sports category along with other big names including Dunn (representing Crystal Dunn, an American female soccer player), which is up 147%. The name Celtic has an increase of 364%, Rover noted.

The throwback trend to the 90s that has been seen in fashion and even baby names, has also found its way in the pet-naming world. Names like Alanis (Morissette) rose to 547% and new additions this year include "Leonardo Dogcaprio," Shania Twain and Richard Gere – to name a few.

The most popular dog names in America include Luna (No. 1), Bella (No. 2), Milo (No. 3) and Teddy (No. 4), Rover reported.

Luna and Bella have only gotten more popular this year as they continue to hold the top spots for most popular girl dog names in 2022 and 2023. If the name Kelce (or his and Swift's budding romance) doesn't go "out of style," fans could see the surname continue to trend in dog names in 2024.

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A bear in Poland's Carpathian Mountains mauled an eco-activist who was trying to prove the animal's den was abandoned due to logging.

The man, of German nationality, was airlifted to hospital following the attack and was said to be in a serious but stable condition, as reported by The Telegraph.

The activist had travelled to the bear's den along with another activist from the Wild Carpathians Initiative to check if the area had been affected by logging. The pair had expected the lair to be empty but the animal pursued them through the woods. The activist stumbled and fell before being mauled.

Footage of the bear emerging to attack was captured by a camera set up to monitor the lair. It was shared online by Michał Gzowski, a spokesman for the Polish forestry service, who described the incident as an "irony of fate."

"Pseudo-ecologists were attacking foresters, mountain rescue and policemen, and now these people are saving their lives," he said.

The Wild Carpathians Initiative admitted their activists shouldn't have disturbed the mammal, which was getting ready for hibernation in the Bieszczady Mountains, which form part of the Outer Eastern Carpathians.

The spokesman said there had been an attack on a forester in the same location last year. Despite that, the forestry service failed to prevent further deforestation there, Jakub Rok said.

The Wild Carpathians Initiative is described as a community that protects the wildlife of the Carpathians, which is home to brown bears, wolves and Eurasian lynxes.

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