Other Stories
Scientists 'Rediscover' Rare Angolan Birds
Angola went through a civil war for nearly 30 years, ending in 2002, and there was a great deal of poaching. Scientists who visited the north of the country earlier this year "rediscovered" three species of bird which had not been seen during that time.
Forests Grow, Owls Decline Under Plan
Medium to older national forests in the Northwest have grown by 606,000 acres since the Clinton administration plan to reduce logging was adopted in 1994. This has not stopped the decline of the threatened northern spotted owl, however. Nor have timber supply and timber job replacement been as high as expected.
Four More Canada Lynx Released in Colorado
About 190 of the endangered cats have been released since 1999. The first kittens were born to introduced lynx about two years ago.
Endangered Whooping Cranes Produce Egg
A pair of the whooping cranes that were taught to migrate led by ultralight aircraft as part of Operation Migration have produce an egg at a relatively young age. Unfortunately the egg was destroyed.
Rare Condor Chick Hatches at Oregon Zoo
A California condor chick has hatched at Oregon Zoo, bringing the known world population to 245. In the early 1980s only 22 were known to be alive. The chick is to be called Tatoosh, after the Yurok tribal thunderbird that shook the mountains with its flapping wings.
Expert: Apes May Be Key to Human Nature
The 8 bonobos which are to take part in a long-running experiment will arrive at the Language Research Center at Georgia State University in the next few weeks. They are to be given the opportunity to learn language, music and art, cook their own food or select it from vending machines, choose which visitors to allow in, and develop their own culture down the generations. They will communicate with researchers through computer touchscreens.
Zoo Keeps Gorillas Kosher for Passover
Gorillas at the Safari Park Zoo near Tel Aviv are accustomed to a slice of bread with cream cheese every morning. However, zookeepers and handlers cannot touch any leavened products during Passover, which begins Saturday night. The animals are therefore fed unleavened crackers called matzo during the festival - but not too many as they cause constipation.
No Criminal Charges for Chimp Owners
Two chimpanzees escaped and mauled a man, but the owners are not to be charged as the chimpanzees apparently worked out how to unlock their cage.
Elephants Rampage Through South Korea
Six elephants escaped from an amusement park and injured one woman and barged into a nearby restaurant before being recaptured.
Qatar to Use Robots As Camel Riders
Robots are to replace underfed boys as camel riders in endurance races. One has successfully undergone tests in Qatar and there are plans to build a factory to produce them. Human rights group have called for the end to the riders' conditions.
Radioactive Waste Leaves Colo. in Cleanup
The last shipment of almost 95,000 barrels of high-level radioactive waste has been shipped from Rocky Flats to a dump site near Carlsbad, New Mexico. The cleanup project has cost $7 billion. A similar clean up of the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state is still dragging on, and a cleanup of the Idaho National Laboratory is expected to be over by 2012.
West's Water Troubles Getting Worse
The west is entering its 6th year of drought, but even when rainfall returns to normal there may be a water shortage. Population has increased, and there are obligations to protect endangered species. It is not clear whether or when the dry spell will end, or if it is part of changing weather patterns due to global warming.
In contrast, the south may experience flooding because of El Nino.
N.M. Reaches Water Rights Settlement
The Navajo Nation and Gov. Bill Richardson have reached settlement over water rights in northwestern New Mexico, with the Nation having rights to about 56 percent of the available water. The agreement is dependent on Congress approval and funding, mostly for a major water pipeline.
Alaska's Mount Spurr Continues to Rumble
The volcano, which is 80 miles west of Anchorage, appears no closer to erupting but it experiences tiny earthquakes daily and emits carbon dioxide and noxious gases.
Woman, 90, Grabs Bobcat's Tail to Free Cat
A woman saved her cat by grabbing on to a bobcat's tail. The bobcat tested negative for rabies.
Recycling Worker Finds Tax Refund Check
It pays to recycle. A man didn't even realize he had received his $4,296 federal income tax refund check - it had got mixed in with junk mail that was sent for recycling. A recycling sorter spotted it and returned it to him.
House, Bush Focus on Energy Bill
The House of Representatives is debating an $8 billion energy bill. The bill focuses on boosting U.S. long term oil and natural gas supplies rather than short term gasoline prices or curbing demand. The bill would also protect oil companies from lawsuits concerning the water-polluting gasoline additive MTBE.
Specter Moving Ahead With Asbestos Bill
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairm
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