Posts by Amber Dowling
Man skinny dips in shark tank at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada
This guy has brought a whole new meaning to the term “swim with the fishies,” and everybody is talking about it. Thirty-seven-year-old David Weaver had quite the weekend in Toronto recently. According to authorities, the Nelson, B.C. native started his night out at Medieval Times, where he assaulted a 34-year-old man and smashed in two … Continued
For some reason this guy thought it was a good idea to ride a crocodile
We’ve heard of some really random animal attacks. And we’ve also heard of some completely dumb instances where people were lethally attacked by animals in situations that totally could have been avoided. Still, it just seems like some folk never learn. How else would you describe 22-year-old Danish man Niels Jensen, a guy who was filmed … Continued
A “miracle tiger” has been released back into the wild
We’re constantly hearing awful stories involving poachers or animals being put on the endangered list, so when we get a win it’s kind of nice to celebrate, isn’t it? Well celebrating is certainly what a group of rescuers should be doing now that a “miracle tiger” has been released back into the wild, nearly two … Continued
A tree kangaroo just hopped back into existence after 90 years
Usually we hear stories about animals going extinct or being put on endangered lists thanks to habitat loss, hunting, poaching, and global warming. So it’s especially nice when the opposite is true and an animal actually comes back from the brink. That’s the feel-good tale of the rare Wondiwoi tree kangaroo, which has hopped back … Continued
Scientists got octopuses high with some pretty amazing results
The brain is an amazing thing, especially when you stop to think about how it dictates our social behaviours. Neurologists are proving that once again with one of the most random, potentially controversial studies we’ve heard of in a while—one in which they gave octopuses ecstasy to see how it affects their behaviour towards one … Continued
Biologists have discovered a White Shark Café
Bleary-eyed humans flock to Starbucks and Tim Hortons when they need that next “hit” to keep them going; great white sharks dive to the remote Pacific. At least that’s what scientists are theorizing as the reason why so many sharks are frequenting a secret layer of the ocean now dubbed the White Shark Café: they … Continued
10 of the most unethical pets to take home
If you’re an animal lover, odds are you’ve got a critter at home to call your own. And while the debate continues to rage over whether it’s ethical to keep any animals as pets, there’s no denying that some creatures are a lot less ethical to “domesticate” than others. With the appetite for exotic pets … Continued
7 animals that have survived natural disasters
Whenever a natural disaster like a hurricane or a tornado is about to strike, it seems like news outlets go a bit nuts covering it. Case in point? The recent path of Hurricane Florence, which hit down on North Carolina and left a flooding crisis in its wake. In the days leading up to Florence … Continued
13 ways to fight the war on plastic
If you stop and think about it, mass-produced plastic products have really only been around since the mid-1900s, when companies began looking for ways to use it post-World War II in order to maintain their production facilities. Just a few short decades later and we’ve got the North Pacific Garbage Patch, which is now roughly … Continued
Scientists discover world’s first omnivorous shark
Shark Week, Shark diving, Jaws, Baby Shark… our insatiable fascination for the coolest fish around knows no bounds. So it’s slightly surprising that we’re still discovering things about the various shark species out there, especially when it comes to their notorious diets. We’ve long known sharks to be carnivores, although some types have more blood-thirsty reputations … Continued
18 giraffe products that are harming the population
Environmentally conscious buyers may be more savvy when it comes to not shelling out bucks for endangered-animal products like rhino, elephant, and turtle, but apparently that’s just made poachers even more creative in terms of the animals they’re hunting. A recent undercover investigation by the Human Society of the United States and Human Society International … Continued
There’s a scientific reason why dogs are so friendly
They say dogs are a man’s best friend, and if you’re a dog person then that’s a statement you can probably get behind. How else do you describe a faithful animal that’s always happy to see you, follows you around with doggy kisses, and at the end of the day just wants to be loved? … Continued
Turns out the laziest animals may inherit the Earth after all
Need another excuse to put off those chores and deadlines and snuggle in for a nap and some Netflix instead? Science may have your back. While we’ve always subscribed to Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest, it seems like survival of the laziest… or sluggish, may be more likely—at least when it comes to … Continued
8 meat and fish products animal lovers should really avoid
It’s no secret that 2018 has been the year of the vegan, what with so many people turning to plant-based diets for their health and for the environment. Unfortunately it isn’t that easy for many of us to just go cold turkey (pardon the pun) and give up meaty mains and cheesy snacks. Still, knowledge … Continued
French beach closes thanks to a horny, pent-up dolphin
You and me baby ain’t nothin’ but mammals… Let’s just file this one under headlines that sound fake but are actually true, shall we? Apparently even dolphins need to get their jollies. That fact became a little too evident recently when a beloved creature at a popular tourist beach in northwest France grew too horny for … Continued
7 ways humans can help orcas
Sometimes it takes a heartbreaking situation to make us finally stand up and take notice of a problem we’ve been ignorant of for far too long. The story of an endangered killer whale pushing her dead newborn calf along 1,600 kilometres of ocean for more than two weeks certainly falls into that category. The mother, … Continued
19 incredible animal tattoos that make us want to get inked
To ink or not to ink… that is the question. While some people swear by artistic tattoos, sleeves and yes, even lower-back bullseyes, getting a tattoo isn’t necessarily for everyone. But that doesn’t mean we can’t all appreciate a beautiful piece of body art when we see one. Well we’ve scoured the web and we … Continued
12 animal-friendly clothing companies for the animal lover in you
The international fashion industry is a trillion-dollar business that may look pretty, but underneath those fancy frocks and designer digs it’s also an industry that kills millions of animals for its fur-trimmings, leather finishes and wool garments. If that doesn’t sit well with you, don’t toss on a paper bag just yet. These days there … Continued
9 amazing gifts for wildlife lovers
Finding that perfect gift is a tricky confluence of knowing the recipient, figuring out a surprise element, and gifting something the person would probably never purchase for themselves. It’s a hard task, but when you actually nail it there’s no greater feeling. Of course the hardest part in all of that is finding the great … Continued
10 incredible facts about elephants
There’s no denying elephants are pretty majestic creatures. Thanks to their large size, their sensitive disposition, and their incredible plight from poachers and ivory hunters, these animals are quick to capture headlines and animal-loving hearts alike. Ready to find them even more fascinating? Here are 10 slightly random but totally incredible facts about our favourite … Continued
7 tips to train your cat like a dog
There are (mostly) two types of people in this world: dog people and cat people. And while dog people will expound on the merits of being able to train their trusty pets, they may be forgetting one small thing: you can train a cat, too. Sure, felines may not as readily beg, sit, speak, or … Continued
8 amazing travel adventures for wildlife lovers
We all need a vacation once in a while, whether it’s a staycation, lounging around on a beach, or booking a tour to see all of a city or country’s most popular tourist spots. Or, if you’re a wildlife lover who wants to avoid the canned vacation experience altogether, then you could break that mould … Continued
Feral cats are accidentally killing off one of Earth’s rarest seals
Let’s file this one under “here’s another reason to spay or neuter your cats.” As pregnant women everywhere know, “kitty litter parasite” (a.k.a. Toxoplasma gondii), is a very real thing. The toxoplasmosis-causing parasite has long been the reason expecting mothers aren’t supposed to scoop the family cat’s litter box, but now it seems like “toxo” … Continued
Fingerprints could actually save the world’s most endangered species
File this one under simple ideas that are so genius, it’s a wonder we didn’t start using them sooner. We’ve been solving crimes with fingerprinting techniques since the 1980s, so it was really only a matter of time before someone thought of applying the science to the world of wildlife crime, too. Especially when it … Continued
Poachers could soon face the death penalty in Kenya
It’s no secret the illegal pet trade and poaching is a huge problem in Asia and Africa, but perhaps some countries are a little more serious about solving the issue than others. Or at least that’s one takeaway from the news that Kenya is hoping to soon implement the death penalty for those who poach … Continued
8 animals that may be key to curing human diseases
There are plenty of good reasons to preserve wildlife and their ecosystems, but if you need one major motivator to step up the conservation game, it’s certain animals’ relationships to western medicine. Thanks to genetic similarities, inspiring biological makeups, and naturally occurring chemicals, there are plenty of animals out there that could be key to … Continued