Animals

Predators like hawks and eagles are getting sick and dying from consuming poisoned rodents. Advocates say there are alternatives that don't put animal health at risk.

A new study out of the University of Vermont quantifies just how much migrating female whales do to sustain ocean ecosystems. The answer is: a lot.

Conservation groups are intervening in a case they say could have implications for current speed rules that are intended to protect North Atlantic right whales from collision with ships.

Through urine, feces, placentas, carcasses, and sloughing skin, whales bring thousands of tons of nitrogen and other nutrients from high-latitude areas like Alaska and Antarctica to low-nutrient tropical grounds like Hawaii and the Caribbean, according to a new study.

Bears have been emerging from hibernation earlier in recent years, and biologists are asking Vermonters to take down bird feeders, secure garbage and put up electric fencing.

Butterflies are declining rapidly across the contiguous United States, including in Massachusetts. Research published in the journal Science found reductions in both species diversity and overall numbers.

The Mystic Aquarium says Chappy the gray seal suffered from a condition in which his intestines were twisted, cutting off the blood supply to a large portion of his gastrointestinal tract. The aquarium says its staff is devastated.

The most substantive changes are to the state’s deer hunting regulations and include allowing hunters to use rifles and shotguns to kill does. Currently, only bucks can be hunted with firearms during the regular fall season.

Scientists are tracking the abundance of these fish in local waters. You can help.

"When he first came in, he was pretty malnourished, and we just wanted to make sure we were giving him all the supportive care he needed," said Allie Cojocaru, an animal rescuer. "So we did tube feed him for the first few days that he was here, kind of a gruel, a fish smoothie."