Venomous bites and first-of-its-kind births: See latest animal 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 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 animal interactions:
Beachgoers watch stranded sea creature give birth in first-of-its-kind sighting
On a beach in Calafell, Spain, beachgoers witnessed an extraordinary event as a stranded spinetail devil ray gave birth to a 'clumsy' pup. The rare and unusual sighting provided scientists with valuable insights into the reproductive behavior of this endangered species. The mother and pup were safely returned to deeper waters, marking a significant moment in marine biology. | Published April 28 | Read More |
Satellites find rare predator returning to south Finland forests for first time
In Finland, the elusive wolverine, once nearly extinct, is making a remarkable comeback to its historic habitats in the south. Researchers used satellite imagery and footprint tracking to confirm the presence of this ferocious predator in mixed-tree forests. This discovery underscores the importance of conservation efforts and the resilience of wildlife. | Published April 25 | Read More |
Person cleaning their freezer in Peru bitten by venomous creature hiding inside
In northwestern Peru, a person was unexpectedly bitten by a baby Bothrops barnetti, a venomous pit viper, while cleaning their freezer. The incident occurred in Piura province, and the snake, locally known as 'macanchillo,' was identified by a university biologist. Fortunately, the snake was rescued unharmed, and the victim received prompt medical care. | Published April 24 | Read More |
Two pets found on island in Vietnam turn out to be critically endangered species
On Hon Lao Island, Vietnam, scientists discovered two critically endangered Vietnamese pond turtles being kept as pets by local residents. Known as Mauremys annamensis, these freshwater turtles are native to central Vietnam and face threats from wildlife trade. The finding suggests that the island may be a natural habitat for this rare species, prompting calls for further conservation measures. | Published April 25 | Read More |
Rare creature appears on trail camera in Thailand — then its family follows
In the lush forests of Thailand, a rare sighting of a wild gaur, the world's largest living cow, was captured on a trail camera. This vulnerable species, known for its impressive size, was seen with its family in Huai Kha Khaeng Forest, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. The sighting, celebrated by conservationists, highlights the success of efforts to protect this majestic creature. | Published April 29 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of the most unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
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Miami Herald
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Students locate ancient Roman army camp beyond empire's northern border. See it
A team of university students sifted through chalky dirt in the Netherlands looking for artifacts or other traces of ancient Roman activity. For years, they'd been piecing together the site's history, and this dig offered the final confirmation. They'd located a 'rare' ancient Roman military camp — beyond the empire's northern border. But the project didn't start in the field. It started at a desk when Jens Goeree, a student with Saxion University of Applied Sciences, 'developed a computer model' to predict the location of ancient Roman military camps, Saskia Stevens, an archaeologist and professor with Utrecht University, told McClatchy News. Goeree's model predicted a Roman camp might exist near Hoog Buurlo, so professors and students with the Constructing the Limes research project decided to investigate. The team, led by Stevens, involved students from Saxion University of Applied Sciences and Utrecht University, according to a May 26 news release. First, students took aerial photos of the Hoog Buurlo area and scanned the site with laser pulses, a process known as a LiDAR survey, Stevens told McClatchy News via email. Sure enough, the scans and photos showed traces of ancient Roman walls, a moat and several entrances. Next, the team searched the area 'using a metal detector' and excavated 'several trial trenches,' Stevens said in the release. Photos show the dig process and a military harness fragment uncovered at the site. 'Few artefacts were found,' Steven said, but the traces confirmed Hoog Buurlo had once served as a temporary ancient Roman military camp, likely around 1,800 years ago. 'What makes this find so remarkable is that the camp lies beyond the northern frontier of the Roman Empire,' Stevens said in the release. The empire's northern border, known as the Limes, was roughly 15 miles south of Hoog Buurlo. Utrecht University described the newly found campsite as 'rare.' Dozens of temporary camps have been found in Germany and hundreds have been found in the United Kingdom, but 'only four such temporary Roman camps are known in the Netherlands,' Stevens said. Roman soldiers typically stayed at temporary camps for a few days or weeks before continuing marching. The Hoog Buurlo camp may have 'served as a stopover en route to another camp at Ermelo-Leuvenum, about a day's march away,' the university said. 'Through the (Constructing the Limes) project, we are particularly interested in these kinds of camps because they provide valuable insights into Roman military presence and operations in frontier regions,' Stevens said. 'They help us understand the routes taken by Roman troops and show how the Romans made extensive use of territories beyond the formal boundaries of their Empire.' Hoog Buurlo is in the central Netherlands and a roughly 50-mile drive southeast from Amsterdam.
