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Wildfires in France and Spain exposed millions to health-damaging air pollution over the last few days, scientists said on Thursday. Smoke plumes spread high levels of fine particulate matter across the region. "We know that this has a really major health effect," said climate scientist Theodore Keeping regarding the dangerous smoke.
Wildlife biologist Dr. Peter Sharpe risked cliff falls and eagle attacks to monitor bald eagle chicks in California. By 2018, the Channel Islands had 20 breeding pairs. This effort helped the birds recover after they disappeared in the 1960s. Now, these eagles are once again the region's dominant apex animals.
Animals like crows, tigers, and elephants show behaviour that resembles revenge. Research showed crows recognise people who hurt them and teach their young to mob them. Elephants and primates also hold grudges after conflicts. While scientists are cautious, many stories suggest these animals remember and punish those who wronged them.
In 2003, Helio da Silva started planting trees on abandoned land in São Paulo. He used his own money to transform the neglected area into a lush space. Two decades later, the site became Tiquatira Park, a massive urban forest that now hosts thousands of trees and many bird species.
In 1997, Galápagos conservationists used sterilised, radio-tracked "Judas goats" to help restore the islands. After more than 140,000 goats were removed by 2006, native plants and wildlife habitat began recovering. This project used clever tracking methods to find hidden herds, which finally allowed the unique island ecosystem to grow again.
The Delhi Jal Board introduced a performance-linked payment system for sewage treatment plant operators on Thursday. Water minister Parvesh Verma said, "The extent of treatment will determine payment." Operators now get paid based on the quality of treated water. This move aims to clean the Yamuna by monitoring drain pollution.
Animal adoptions rose at Visakhapatnam’s Indira Gandhi Zoological Park during the last financial year. The zoo recorded 80 adoptions, a 60% increase from the previous year. Curator G Mangamma said, "People are gradually looking for meaningful ways to celebrate important occasions." Many families now support wildlife instead of buying gifts.
Anita Roy went on a twilight stroll in Wellington, Somerset, to search for glowworms near Longforth Farm. July has been one of the hottest months on record, leaving plants and trees struggling. While she did not find the beetles, she saw how wildlife adapted to the extreme summer weather.
Researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography want dissolved oxygen added to the Planetary Boundaries framework. Oceans lost roughly 2% of their oxygen since the mid-20th century. Warmer water, stratification, and nutrient pollution drive this decline. Experts warn that these changes threaten marine life and the global economy for centuries.
A spot check on Monday found 10 illegal dyeing units operating without treatment plants in Faridabad’s Harkesh Colony. These units dump untreated waste into drains flowing to the Yamuna. HSPCB officials said they sealed 100 units since 2023, but many operators quickly resume work from new, hidden rented premises.
Greater Noida deployed field teams to fix flood-prone spots after rainfall on Tuesday morning caused waterlogging. Officials said they cleared clogged drains and used pumps to restore traffic flow. CEO NG Ravi Kumar said, “Our focus is to ensure that rainwater is drained quickly and public movement is not affected.”
A massive wildfire in France created the country's first recorded fire cloud, a storm formed by heat and smoke. Nasa called it the "fire-breathing dragon of clouds." The fire burned 42,000 hectares, forcing many to leave. Officials said that extreme heat and drought helped these dangerous fires spread across Europe.