‘Rare' animal visitors — and words of warning. See latest creature encounters
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.
Learn more about some recent rare animal encounters from around the world:
Park employee looks up at tree — and finds 'rare' visitor staring back. See it
During a routine wildlife survey at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in the United Arab Emirates, a staff member discovered a rare long-eared owl, Asio otus, marking the first sighting of this species in the area in 22 years. The owl, with its pointy feathers and bright yellow eyes, was spotted roosting on a branch after a day of high winds and heavy rains. | Published June 20 | Read More |
Family's 'close encounter' with 'world's most dangerous bird' prompts warnings
In South Mission Beach, Australia, a family experienced a close encounter with a cassowary, often called the 'world's most dangerous bird,' due to its powerful legs and sharp claws. The incident, captured on a security camera, led to warnings from wildlife officials about the dangers of feeding these birds, which can become aggressive when expecting food. This encounter is one of several linked to unlawful feeding in the area. | Published June 24 | Read More |
Hidden cliffside nest of the world's largest flying bird discovered in Peru Andes
Researchers in the Andes Mountains of Peru discovered a hidden nest of the Andean condor, the world's largest flying bird, on a cliff in the Junin region. This marks only the fourth recorded nesting site in the country and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect this vulnerable species. The discovery was made using a drone, which revealed two adult condors and a chick in the nest. | Published June 24 | Read More |
Wild elephant keeps returning 'just to say hello' to the vets who saved his life
In Kenya, a wild bull elephant has been returning to visit the veterinarians who saved his life after being shot with an arrow. This touching behavior showcases the elephant's intelligence and gratitude, as he calmly approaches the Ithumba Unit stockades to greet his rescuers. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust describes this as a remarkable example of the bond between humans and wildlife. | Published June 25 | Read More |
Migrating sea creature gets 'lost' in Australia bay. Watch dolphin pod step in
In Koombana Bay, Australia, a pod of dolphins helped guide a lost humpback whale back to deeper waters during its migration. The whale, initially spotted by volunteers, appeared healthy and was soon joined by the dolphins, who playfully interacted with it and led it back on course. This heartwarming encounter highlights the cooperative nature of marine life. | Published June 25 | Read More |
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Miami Herald
9 hours ago
- Miami Herald
‘Rare' animal visitors — and words of warning. See latest creature encounters
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses. Learn more about some recent rare animal encounters from around the world: Park employee looks up at tree — and finds 'rare' visitor staring back. See it During a routine wildlife survey at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve in the United Arab Emirates, a staff member discovered a rare long-eared owl, Asio otus, marking the first sighting of this species in the area in 22 years. The owl, with its pointy feathers and bright yellow eyes, was spotted roosting on a branch after a day of high winds and heavy rains. | Published June 20 | Read More | Family's 'close encounter' with 'world's most dangerous bird' prompts warnings In South Mission Beach, Australia, a family experienced a close encounter with a cassowary, often called the 'world's most dangerous bird,' due to its powerful legs and sharp claws. The incident, captured on a security camera, led to warnings from wildlife officials about the dangers of feeding these birds, which can become aggressive when expecting food. This encounter is one of several linked to unlawful feeding in the area. | Published June 24 | Read More | Hidden cliffside nest of the world's largest flying bird discovered in Peru Andes Researchers in the Andes Mountains of Peru discovered a hidden nest of the Andean condor, the world's largest flying bird, on a cliff in the Junin region. This marks only the fourth recorded nesting site in the country and highlights the need for conservation efforts to protect this vulnerable species. The discovery was made using a drone, which revealed two adult condors and a chick in the nest. | Published June 24 | Read More | Wild elephant keeps returning 'just to say hello' to the vets who saved his life In Kenya, a wild bull elephant has been returning to visit the veterinarians who saved his life after being shot with an arrow. This touching behavior showcases the elephant's intelligence and gratitude, as he calmly approaches the Ithumba Unit stockades to greet his rescuers. The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust describes this as a remarkable example of the bond between humans and wildlife. | Published June 25 | Read More | Migrating sea creature gets 'lost' in Australia bay. Watch dolphin pod step in In Koombana Bay, Australia, a pod of dolphins helped guide a lost humpback whale back to deeper waters during its migration. The whale, initially spotted by volunteers, appeared healthy and was soon joined by the dolphins, who playfully interacted with it and led it back on course. This heartwarming encounter highlights the cooperative nature of marine life. | Published June 25 | Read More |
Miami Herald
10 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Hidden Japanese blades, ancient figurines and three more recent discoveries
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists. Throughout history, cultures have left behind a trail of breadcrumbs for archaeologists to follow. New sites and artifacts are found all the time, revealing forgotten secrets of the past. Here are some of the latest discoveries: Shallow hole turns out to be rare 1,600-year-old structure in Germany. See it Near Bentfeld, Germany, archaeologists discovered a 1,600-year-old wooden well, initially mistaken for a livestock watering hole. The well, along with other artifacts, offers insights into the region's ancient past. The site also revealed a Roman military belt and other burial artifacts. | Published June 17 | Read More | X-rays of 1,300-year-old sheath reveal first-of-its-kind blade inside. See it On the sacred island of Okinoshima in southern Japan, archaeologists used X-rays to uncover a unique blade hidden inside a 1,300-year-old gold sheath. The sheath, adorned with phoenix and tortoise shell designs, was likely a ceremonial offering. This remarkable find highlights the island's rich history of ritual practices. | Published June 20 | Read More | 6,000-year-old figurine found in Poland called discovery of the century. See it In Kołobrzeg, Poland, a 6,000-year-old limestone figurine, dubbed the Kołobrzeg Venus, was discovered. This Neolithic artifact, depicting a woman, is unique due to its stone material, as similar figurines are usually made of clay. The figurine will soon be part of a permanent exhibition at the Polish Arms Museum. | Published June 23 | Read More | Fossils found on island are far older than island itself. How? The ancient Romans On Morocco's Mogador Island, archaeologists found Early Cretaceous fossils mixed with Roman artifacts, despite the island's young geological age. These fossils, possibly brought by ancient trade networks, suggest a fascinating intersection of natural history and human activity. The discovery prompts further research into Roman trade practices. | Published June 24 | Read More | Ruins of ancient Roman camp seemed typical — then a very rare artifact emerged In Haltern am See, Germany, archaeologists unearthed a rare Terra Rubra pot fragment at an ancient Roman military camp site. This piece of Belgic Ware, a pottery style from northern Gaul, stands out among typical Roman military finds. The ongoing excavation aims to shed light on life in this historic camp. | Published June 26 | Read More | McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of intriguing archaeological discoveries from around the globe. Check back to see the latest finds.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Found a Lost Temple From a Civilization That Vanished 1,000 Years Ago
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: The discovery of an ancient Tiwanaku temple in Bolivia is helping researchers paint a more complete picture of what the society once looked like. The Tiwanaku civilization was considered one of the continent's most powerful civilizations at its height. It mysteriously collapsed around 1000 A.D., and was in ruins by the 15th century. Researchers discovered ancient temple ruins in modern-day Bolivia that may help us to better understand the mysterious fall of the Tiwanaku civilization—once one of the most powerful in South America. The international team of researchers scoured the Andes and found a temple complex roughly 130 miles south of Tiwanaku's established historical site on the top of a hill. In a study published in Antiquity, the team wrote that the temple discovery could provide new details about the civilization, which was one of the first in the Andes and a powerful precursor to the Inca empire—until, that is, it mysteriously vanished about a thousand years ago. 'Their society collapsed sometime around 1000 A.D. and was a ruin by the time the Incas conquered the Andes in the 15th century,' Jose Capriles, Penn State associate professor of anthropology and the study's lead author, said in a statement. 'At its peak, it boasted a highly organized societal structure, leaving behind remnants of architectural monuments like pyramids, terraced temples, and monoliths, most of which are distributed in sites around Lake Titicaca and, while we know Tiwanaku's control and influence extended much further, scholars debate how much actual control over distant places it had.' Searching over 100 miles from what was considered the center of Tiwanaku land mades sense when looking at the history, Capriles said. During the height of the civilization, the unassuming hill location on which the complex was found connected three main trade routes: from the productive highlands to the northern, the arid western, and the agriculturally rich eastern Andean valleys. Capriles said that people moved, traded, and built monuments in places of significance all throughout the arid mountain landscape. Once the team found an unmapped quadrangular plot of land, they started searching more diligently. 'Because the features are very faint, we blended various satellite images together,' Capriles said. Using photogrammetry via unmanned aerial vehicle to create a 3D approximation, the researchers spot stone alignments that revealed an ancient temple 410 feet long by 475 feet wide (roughly the size of a city block). According to the study, the site included a large, modular building with an integrated, sunken courtyard. 'The complex represents a gateway node that effectively materialized the power and influence of the Tiwanaku state,' the authors wrote. The layout also aligns with solar equinox rituals. On the ground, the team found numerous fragments of keru cups, which were used for drinking the traditional chicha (maize beer) during feasts and celebrations. The maize was not local, and was cultivated in the Cochabamba valleys to the east—not the high-altitude temple location. The find showcases the site's importance as a central hub for trade. Capriles said that the temple likely also served a religious purpose, which would have been common for the day. 'Most economic and political transactions had to be mediated through divinity, because that would be a common language that would facilitate various individuals cooperating,' he said. Ventura Guaravo—the mayor of Caracollo, where the site is located—said in a statement that the archaeological findings offer a view of local heritage that has been overlooked. The city is working with state and national authorities to ensure preservation and protection of the complex. 'With more insight into the past of this ancient site, we get a window into how people managed cooperation, and how we can materially see evidence of political and economic control,' Capriles said. 'There's still so much to discover that we don't know about, and that could be hiding in plain sight.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
