Free Republic

Intricate color patterns are a defining aspect of morphological diversity in the Felidae. We applied morphological and single-cell gene expression analysis to fetal skin of domestic cats to identify when, where, and how, during fetal development, felid color patterns are established. Early in development, we identify stripe-like alterations in epidermal thickness preceded by a gene expression pre-pattern. The secreted Wnt inhibitor encoded by Dickkopf 4 plays a central role in this process, and is mutated in cats with the Ticked pattern type. Our results bring molecular understanding to how the leopard got its spots, suggest that similar mechanisms underlie periodic...

A zoo has given its latest arrival, an endangered monkey, a name which is dying out among humans - Nigel. Staff at Drusillas Park in East Sussex said they chose the name for the cotton-top tamarin monkey because it was "disappearing". The name Nigel has become increasingly rare in the UK, and the species of monkey is also critically endangered. Head keeper Gemma Romanis said: "It made me feel a little sad that these names are disappearing. "I thought it could be a fun tradition to give our most endangered animals names that no one chooses anymore."

The year of the tiger is giving way to the year of the rabbit in China. But it appears the tiger isn’t ready to let go… “On Jan. 21, in Linfen, North China’s Shanxi Province, Linfen Zoo held the ‘tiger-rabbit handover’ ceremony. Two staff held the rabbit and tiger cubs in arms, but no one expected the little tiger went up to bite the rabbit. Fortunately, the two cubs are safe.”

DENVER — Former Denver Broncos defensive lineman Derek Wolfe posted on his Instagram account Thursday that he had killed a large mountain lion “wreaking havoc” in a rural Colorado neighborhood. Labeling the kill “predator control,” Wolfe said he stalked and killed the big cat that had already killed two dogs and was living under the porch of a resident in the undisclosed neighborhood.

Gray and her colleagues caught the animal and brought it back to their office, where it weighed in at a 2.7 kg (6 pounds). Gray’s colleague, senior park ranger Barry Nolan, told Reuters the animal was euthanised due to its “ecological impact” — the usual fate for the toads across Australia. Cane toads were introduced to Australia in 1935 to control cane beetles and other pests but their population exploded and with no natural predators they have become a threat to Australian species, Nolan said. Toadzilla’s body was donated to the Queensland Museum for research.

A one-year-old dog swept away in California floodwaters was rescued and returned to his owner thanks to firefighters – and technology. Seamus, an Australian shepherd, was on a walk with his owner in San Bernardino and broke away Monday, the fire department said in a news release. His owner tried to catch him, but Seamus went into a storm drain and began to float away.... ...An employee at an RV facility stopped a fire crew, saying they heard a dog barking and then saw one floating down a channel....

Emperor penguins need sea ice to breed and are located in areas that are very difficult to study because they are remote and often inaccessible and can experience temperatures as low as −76°F (−60°C). Previous discoveries of emperor penguin colonies show gaps between them, leading scientists to suspect that groups like to keep at least 60 miles (100km) between themselves. They spotted 11 new emperor penguin colonies, three of which were previously identified but never confirmed. At the time it was estimated the continent had between 265,500 and 278,500 breeding pairs.

A study published in Scientific Reports has uncovered the genes that likely enabled whales to grow to enormous sizes compared to their ancestors. The research has identified four genes that appear to enhance large body size while also reducing the associated negative consequences such as increased cancer risk. New research reveals the genes that likely allowed whales to grow to giant sizes compared to their ancestors, reports a study published today (January 19) in the journal Scientific Reports. The findings highlight the role of four genes (called GHSR, IGFBP7, NCAPG, and PLAG1), and suggest that they promote large body sizes...

Ahighly contagious strain of bird flu has been detected in three grizzly bears in Montana, the first time the disease has been found in grizzlies. The three bears tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in fall 2022, and were found to be suffering from neurological issues, including disorientation and partial blindness, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) said in a January 17 statement... ...Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that as of January 11, over 57 million poultry across the U.S. were infected by HPAI, most of which have died or been culled, while nearly...

The “Tiger King” star’s ex-husband, Don Lewis, has been found alive in Costa Rica, but the discovery is just now going viral — over a year later. During a November 2021 interview with ITV’s “This Morning” talk show, Baskin, 61, revealed that her ex, who was declared legally dead in 2002 after disappearing a few years before, is actually alive and well. The Big Cat Rescue owner alleged that the Department of Homeland Security has been in touch with her former lover. “One of the really exciting things that came out of ‘Tiger King 2’ is that they produced a...

Chris Heller was walking his two dogs in the woods near his house on Jan. 7 when his 8-year-old malamute mix Hunter was shot by a deer hunter, his wife Jennifer Heller said in an online post. Chris Heller rushed to get the pup to an emergency vet but he didn’t make the trip. Hunter died on the way, she said. “Hunter was an incredibly sweet and intelligent dog — gentle with the Hellers’ young grandchildren, immediate best buddies with the other animals in the home, and a loving companion who would do anything for a good piece of cheese,”...

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — A Florida man was among eight people accused of snake trafficking, authorities said Thursday. Paul Miller, 48, of Cape Coral, was issued a notice to appear for second-degree misdemeanor violations that included cage or secondary containment, unsafe or unsanitary conditions for captive wildlife, improper cage labeling and cage or secondary containment, according to WGCU Radio reported. Nearly 200 snakes consisting of 24 species from seven different regions were purchased by the eight people cited, WBBH-TV reported. “Some of these snakes are among the most dangerous in the world,” Maj. Randy Bowlin said in a statement released...

In a case of odd bedfellows, environmental groups and Republican politicians are calling for a pause in offshore wind farm development following a string of whales washing up dead on New Jersey and New York beaches. Seven whales have turned up dead in little over a month. The latest victim, a 20- to 25-foot juvenile Humpback whale, turned up in Brigantine, New Jersey on Thursday afternoon, close to a Coast Guard station. "The wave of dead whales is the ocean sounding the alarm, and we must heed the warning,” said Cindy Zipf, executive director of Jersey-based Clean Ocean Action, after...

A missing clouded leopard was found safe Friday afternoon after she escaped from her Dallas Zoo enclosure hours earlier, zoo officials announced. The clouded leopard, named Nova, “was located very near the original habitat, and teams were able to safely secure her just before 5:15 p.m.,” the zoo tweeted. Dallas police launched a criminal investigation Friday after it was determined the fence in Nova’s enclosure was intentionally cut, police and the zoo said. On Saturday, police said a cutting tool was used to create an opening in the fencing of the leopard’s habitat. A similar cut was also found at...

U.S. — After urging from environmental activists, the World Economic Forum, and Bill Nye the Science Guy, Arby's has changed its slogan to "We Have The Bugs." "We felt it was time for us to shed our archaic, meat-centric image and promote a more environmentally-friendly cuisine," said Samber Rothborg, the new Chief Diversity Officer for Arby's. "It's important that we acknowledge our shameful past while charting a course forward into a more sustainable future for all of us." Rothborg's eyes then glazed over and she seemed to shut down like an android. Arby's will now offer roast mealworms, roast crickets,...

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) -Florida Fish and Wildlife officers have arrested a Collier County man for five misdemeanor charges related to violations against endangered or threatened species. Officials say the incident occurred on Jan 9, on Marco Island. Officers say Renardo Stewart accelerated and ran a golf cart through a flock of black skimmers resting on the beach. Marco Island Police Department detained Stewart and he admitted to driving the golf cart through the flock of birds. The black skimmer is protected by the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is also protected as State Threatened by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened...

A UK woman’s relaxing fishing trip turned out to be anything but when she was berated by a swim-pinionated passerby — who called her a “vile b****” who should be “drowned” for enjoying the leisure sport. A video of the cod-blocker’s unhinged tirade is making a splash online. “It took me completely in shock,” Elsa Joan, 24, told South West News Service of the wild encounter, which occurred Sunday, Jan. 8, while she was casting lines in Brooklands Lake in her hometown of Dartford, Kent. The Brit had just landed a prize carp and had a tripod set up to...

Students sometimes pull an all-nighter to prepare for an exam. However, research has shown that sleep deprivation is bad for your memory. Now, neuroscientist Robbert Havekes discovered that what you learn while being sleep deprived is not necessarily lost, it is just difficult to recall. Together with his team, he has found a way to make this "hidden knowledge" accessible again days after studying while sleep-deprived using optogenetic approaches, and the human-approved asthma drug roflumilast. His team examined whether amnesia as a result of sleep deprivation was a direct result of information loss, or merely caused by difficulties retrieving information....

After a meeting between representatives of the Bolivian Aviation airline (BOA), the Authority for the Regulation and Supervision of Telecommunications and Transport (ATT) and the owner of the lost cat Tito, it was agreed that the state company must return all the expenses incurred by the affected in the search for your pet. In two more days it is a month since the loss of the cat Tito, who disappeared without a trace of the kennel in which he had to travel from Tarija to Santa Cruz. Tito the cat lost by BOA. Bolivia.comThe Government hired an interspecies communicator to...

Katrina Boyle filmed her son-in-law, Will Thornton, as he stepped in to help a marsupial crossing the Gold Coast Highway in Burleigh Heads, Queensland.