lone hero cares for abandoned animals of Fukushima The untold human suffering and property damage left in the wake of the Fukushima disaster in Japan has been well-documented, but there’s another population that suffered greatly that few have discussed – the animals left behind in the radioactive exclusion zone. One man, however, hasn’t forgotten – 55-year-old Naoto Matsumura, a former construction worker who lives in the zone to care for its four-legged survivors. He is known as the ‘guardian of Fukushima’s animals’ because of the work he does to feed the animals left behind by people in their rush to evacuate the government’s 12.5-mile exclusion zone. He is aware of the radiation he is subject to on a daily basis, but says that he “refuses to worry about it.” See more about his work and what he has seen in the exclusion zone below! More info: Facebook (h/t: vice, bbc, aplus) Naoto Matsumura is the only human brave enough to live in Fukushima’s 12.5-mile exclusion zone “They also told me that I wouldn’t get sick for 30 or 40 years.
Hokkaido Island In Japan Is Home To 7 Unique Animals Hokkaido, the large island at Japan’s northern end, is home to populations of adorable little critters that can’t be found anywhere else in Japan. There are seven cute little critters in particular that you will absolutely fall in love with! Some of these are just subspecies of other more widely-spread critters, while others are unique natives. All of them, however, are cute. Whether it’s for the winter sports, natural sights, unique culture or cute animals, Hokkaido is definitely worth a visit if you’re ever in Japan. More info: Twitter (h/t: rocketnews24) Ezo Momonga The adorable ezo momonga is a type of flying squirrel unique to Hokkaido. Shima-Enaga The Shima-Enaga is a type of long-tailed tit that lives only in Hokkaido. Hokkaido red fox The Hokkaido red fox is simply a sub-species of the common red fox, but we really love foxes, so we won’t miss the opportunity to post a few more. Hokkaido red squirrel Ezo Naki Usagi Iizuna Ezo Fukuro The Ezo Fukuro is a local sub-species of the Ural Owl.
Chimps, Like Humans, Act Out When They Know They're Right by Monica Joshi Chimpanzees are marvelous creatures. Jane Goodall has spent her whole life trying to understand them. As chimps share over 98 percent of our DNA, they have been known to make and hunt with spears. Researchers at Georgia State University, Agnes Scott College, Wofford College, and the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York have discovered that chimpanzees not only are capable of metacognition, but also can adjust their behaviour based on this metacognition. Published in the journal Cognition, their findings suggest that this reflects a form of cognition control that underlies intelligent decision-making across species. Humans are able to report confidence in a few different ways such as: using an oral reportage of confidence or lack thereof, numerical rating scales, and body language. In the course of the study, three chimps were tested using a series of computerized tests. Audrey Parrish, researcher from Georgia State pointed out that:
Earth - Rats will save their friends from drowning Saving another person from a life-or-death situation is something many of us do instinctively. But it's not unique to humans. Many primates will also help each other out. They are our closest relatives, so it's likely that our ape-like ancestors behaved in similar ways. In other words, our willingness to save others is an ancient trait, which modern humans have inherited. This trait may go back a surprisingly long way. When one was soaked in water, another rat quickly learned how to operate a lever that would allow it to escape to a safe and dry area. They did so even in the presence of a tempting chocolate treat, foregoing the lever that would release the food in favour of the one that would save the drowning rat. The rats therefore engage in helpful "prosocial behaviour" even if there was no apparent reward. Past experience played a role too. But when there was nobody to save, or the distressed rat was replaced with an inanimate object, the rats no longer pressed the lever.
Incredible Photos Of Mongolian Tribe Show Deep Bond With Animals The Dukha tribe from Mongolia are one of the few remaining “lost” tribes that have completely escaped the realities of the modern world. They are best known as reindeer herders, but their connection with the animal world goes beyond reindeer. The magical photographs were taken by Hamid Sardar Afkhami who travelled to Khovsgol, Mongolia to photograph one of the few Dukha families that remain. Matadornetwork.com reports: The children of the tribe are raised surrounded by reindeer, and they build a close connection. The Dukha do not typically eat the reindeer unless the animals are no longer capable of helping them hunt or travel.
Disappearing Rusty Patched Bumble Bee is One Step Closer to Getting Protection Conservationists have been pushing for protection for a bumble bee that’s disappearing at an alarming rate and are now hopeful that it will get the help it needs as the first bee species to be protected under the Endangered Species Act. The rusty patched bumble bee, which can be identified by a rust-colored patch on its abdomen, was once a commonly seen pollinator from the midwest to the east coast, but scientists believe that it has disappeared from 87 percent of its historic range and that its population has declined by a startling 95 percent in just the past few decades. According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation their main threats include pesticides, habitat loss, climate change and disease, but one of their biggest problems now may also be attributed to the spread of pathogens from bees who are raised and sold commercially to wild bumble bees. In 2013, the Xerces Society the U.S.
Incredible Nurse Cat From Poland Looks After Other Animals At Animal Shelter Radamenes, an angelic little black cat in Bydgoszcz, Poland, has come through hell and high water to help the animals at the veterinary center there get better. After the veterinary center brought him back from death’s door, he’s returning the favor by cuddling with, massaging and sometimes even cleaning other animals convalescing from their wounds and operations. Radamenes has become a local attraction, and people have begun visiting him at the center for good luck! More info: tvnmeteo.tvn24.pl Radamenes, who survived a respiratory infection, now helps other animals at this Polish shelter get better He was so sick, the people who brought him thought he would have to be put down But when the vets heard him purr, they decided to save him When he miraculously got better, they were surprised to see him start hugging and cleaning other animals He was especially friendly with animals that’d had serious operations The vets at the shelter jokingly say he’s a full-time nurse They call him their mascot
21+ Unlikely Sleeping Buddies We've already established that animals can form some of the most unlikely animal friendships we've ever seen, but when we catch them napping together, it takes their cuteness to a whole new level. A nap is a wonderful thing to share with a loved one – no matter your species. If you have an adorable picture of two unlikely animal buddies sleeping together, please add it to this list – and vote for your favorites, too! Show 50 more Add Image Recent submissions to this list Brothers Kruopa And Yogurt. Cat And German Shepard Georgia And Reggie Having A Nap Bo And Topaz Chiara (cat) & Renato (dog) Drag Image Select File Rules: 1) no ugly watermarks 2) no borders 3) no low quality images Ooops!
5 Great Reasons to End Dolphin Captivity Whale and dolphin advocates have been fighting against captivity for a long time. Since the documentary Blackfish started making waves, the plight of captive cetaceans has reached a much wider audience and has forced us to take a hard look at whether or not this is something we should be supporting. In a series of new papers, Dr. Joan Gonzalvo, who has been studying dolphins in the wild for more than 15 years, examines some of the reasons why captivity needs to end and dispels some of the myths the industry uses to keep people coming back. Gonzalvo’s most recent paper, which was just released by the Born Free Foundation and the Italian animal protection organization, Lega Anti Vivisezione, challenges the captivity industry and highlights five of of the main reasons we shouldn’t be keeping dolphins in tanks: They Are IntelligentThey Are Social BeingsThey Are Far-Ranging PredatorsThey Are Psychologically and Emotionally SensitiveCaptivity Does Not Support Education or Conservation
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey CEO Will Breed Elephants The day that Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced that they would retire their performing elephants (within three years) was a huge victory for animal advocates. But a new interview with the circus’ ringmaster, also known as the CEO, casts a small shadow on that victory. An Inside Look Into the Center for Elephant Conservation Ringling CEO Kenneth Feld sat down with National Geographic to discuss the Center for Elephant Conservation, where the current performing Asian elephants will retire — if we can call it retirement. The relatively flat and treeless 200-acre Florida elephant center already houses 30 Ringling retired elephants. Feld will own the largest collection of endangered Asian elephants in the Western Hemisphere. Feld falls short of calling his elephant center a sanctuary and with good reason. Unlike other reputable sanctuaries, Feld breeds his elephants for a life of captivity. Captivity also takes a toll on the physical well-being of elephants. Take Action!