Xyleborus seriatus
Photo courtesy of Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation
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Rare Beetle Found in Massachusetts Forest
A beetle from Asia new to North America has been found in a forest on Massachusetts. Unlike invasive species like the Asian longhorn beetle, the emerald ash borer and the hemlock wooly adelgid it does not appear to be a threat as feeds on fungi in dead or dying trees.
Got Smog? Cows Pollute Air,
Calif. Air Regulators: Cows Are Polluters
The San Joaquin Valley Unified Air Pollution Control District says that dairies are responsible for most of the smog-producing pollution in the valley. They estimate that a cow produces about 19.3 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs, organic chemical compounds that vaporize significantly under normal conditions) a year. This means that many dairies will need to apply for permits next summer. There is considerable disagreement about the research.
Crested Auklet
Photo courtesy of USGS
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Researcher: Bird Emits Mosquito Repellent
The crested auklet, a bird species found in Western Alaska, appears to produce a natural mosquito repellent similar to DEET. University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher Hector Douglas noticed that they smelt of citrus and did not have the same problem with ticks as other birds.
Pygmy Owl May Be Taken Off Endangered List
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to propose taking the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl in Arizona off the list of threatened and endangered species. Homebuilders have been fighting the listing in the courts.
Sea Lion Attacks Boy on Boogie Board
A 13-year-old boy on a Boogie board at Morro Strand State Beach, California was chased by a sea lion that attacked his board. A ranger said it was probably sick.
Washington's baby panda is a boy, zoo says
Washington's National Zoo has managed a sneaky check-up of their new baby giant panda, and determined that it is a healthy boy.
Ivory Bill's Doubters Convinced by Tapes
There were those who weren't sure that the fleeting video glimpse of a bird in an east Arkansas swamp was indeed the long-lost ivory-billed woodpecker, but audio clips sent out by the researchers have allayed many doubts. The researchers had 17,000 hours of audio recordings to analyze.
Russians Hungry for Australia's Kangaroos
Kangaroo sausages and meat have become so popular in Russia that Australia cannot keep up with the demand.
Worm Farming Gains Recognition in Oregon
Oregon's governor Ted Kulongoski has signed a bill making worms a tax-exempt farm product. They are used to convert garbage into compost and as fish bait.
Crackers and guns Elephant herding S.Lanka style
Rangers in Sri Lanka are using crackers and guns to gradually drive wild animals which have been causing problems for people towards a national park. A temporary electric fence is used to prevent them from turning back each night. The elephants have killed 9 people and flattened houses and crops. It would be too expensive to catch and transport each one. They should arrive in their new home in September.
Russian region culls birds after flu outbreak
Russia plans to cull 65,000 birds in the areas where the H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found. The owners will be compensated and helped to replace the stock. Local bans on wild bird hunting are also being considered.
Probe of Nuke-Detection Efforts Sought
A group of senators and representatives have called on the GAO to investigate whether at least five national laboratories funded by four different federal departments are sharing information about systems for detecting when nuclear materials are being smuggled into the country.
Please see the following message for the remaining stories. Sue [sysop in NewsForum, World Issues, All Animals forums] | 
