over the past weeks, i’ve had two little microbat guests:
i’ve been asked to take care of a female and male nathusius pipistrelle (pipistrellus nathusii), both foundlings from the neighbourhood.
with the rising temperatures, there should be enough food (winged insects) in the air, so they were released last night.
to get an idea of these two grown-up bats, take a look at the following pictures (and click to enlarge):
my mom spotted a small group of beautiful, unfamiliar birds in a tree today.
they turned out to be bohemian waxwings (bombycilla garrulus, de: seidenschwanz).
bohemian waxwings usually live in the northern regions of the world, such as scandinavia and the taiga, so i assume that these were just passing through.
fun fact: in some species of polychaetes, the removal of a female’s brain causes it to change into a male worm.
my usual response to this kind of information:
“that may be, but one man’s orgasm could theoretically get every woman in the USA1 pregnant!”
there’s a brand-new entry on the kakapo recovery programme website:
11 March 2009
The chick tally rises to 14 this season, pushing the kakapo population into three figure territory with a grand total of 105 and counting. The kakapo team and its numerous dedicated volunteers are excited to hit the 100 milestone. Celebrations have been brief though as the team focus on ensuring the good health of the new arrivals, and continue to monitor the remaining 23 fertile eggs.
source: kakaporecovery.org.nz
Austria, Hungary keep their GMO bans
EU environment ministers defeated a proposal on Monday that would have forced Austria and Hungary to lift their bans on growing certain genetically modified crops.
…
But there has been a bitter debate over genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, which are widely used in U.S. agricultural products. Most GMO products are banned in Europe, for fear that their seeds will accidentally spread and alter natural surroundings.
The EU Commission proposal was rejected by 22 of 27 member states on Monday, meaning the two nations can maintain their bans.
France and Greece also have imposed similar “safeguard” bans on the MON810 variety, citing studies that find it unsafe to the environment. Their bans also are facing scrutiny from the EU Commission.
source: iht.com
without a doubt, genetically modified organisms have a great potential for medicine, agriculture etc..
in my view, there’s just a big difference between corporations making more money and enslaving farmers (such as monsanto and syngenta), and addressing the world’s most significant nutrition problems (such as vitamin A deficiency and golden rice).
partly related: GloFish was the first genetically modified animal to be available in pet stores (2002).
Canadian Senator Mac Harb Introduces Legislation To End The Seal Hunt
For the first time ever, a Canadian poliician has introduced legislation to put an end to the largest remaining marine mammal slaughter in the world: Canada’s commercial seal hunt.The Honourable Senator Mac Harb (Liberal) successfully introduced Bill S-229, casually referred to as the “Harb Seal Bill”, for first reading in the Canadian Senate. The bill would bring an end to the commercial hunting of seals in Canadian waters, while protecting the rights of aboriginal peoples to hunt seals.
source: blog.stopthesealhunt.com
there’s an email campaign from the IFAW that could really make a difference.
meanwhile, in other parts of the world: [more...]
this is an exciting time for the kakapo recovery programme:
Kakapo population boosted by two, more chicks on the way
The Kakapo Recovery effort is one step closer to bringing the world’s kakapo population to 100 after the successful hatching of two kakapo chicks.
The latest additions bring the small but increasing population to 93, and lots more chicks are expected in the coming weeks.
As well as the 25 confirmed fertile eggs yet to hatch, there are another eight to be checked and seven more females are ready to nest.
…
“It will be awesome to bring the kakapo population to more than 100 and all signs are indicating that could very well happen. If this breeding season produces 30 to 40 chicks it will be a huge step in the recovery of this species,” Deidre Vercoe said.
source: kakaporecovery.org.nz
a kakapo chick photo is available at stuff.co.nz.
there’s also a new ranger’s diary entry by deidre mussen.
