Latest news with #Gila
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lake Roberts Boat Launch to close temporarily ahead of fishing derby
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The Lake Roberts Boat Launch and adjacent picnic area will be temporarily closed this week while crews from the Gila National Forest cut hazardous trees near the parking area and trim back excess vegetation. The boat launch and picnic area will be closed from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 5. The work is being done in preparation for Saturday's annual Aldo Leopold Kids' Fishing Derby. 'This fun, annual fishing derby is a favorite of Gila National Forest staff and families across Grant County,' Wilderness District Ranger Brian Stultz said. 'We look forward to seeing everyone this weekend' The annual fishing derby begins at 7 a.m. and wraps up at noon on Saturday. Event activities will be set up in the peninsula area east of the boat launch, rendering it unavailable for parking. Parking at the boat launch will be limited and preferably left available for people with disabilities or trailer turnaround, officials with the Gila National Forest said. During the fishing derby, visitors are also asked to refrain from parking along the narrow roadway to the boat launch, as to keep clear access available for emergency vehicles. Ample parking for participants is available in the day use picnic area. A path will be cleared to ensure ease of pedestrian access between the picnic area and lake shoreline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
Venomous lizards: Nature's hidden danger
Gila Monster's unique bite The Gila monster delivers venom by chewing, allowing it to flow through grooves in its teeth, causing swelling, nausea, and dizziness—not deadly, but medically significant. Source: Canva
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lazio defender Gila targeted by Bournemouth as Huijsen replacement
There are reports that Lazio defender Mario Gila has been targeted by Bournemouth as a replacement for Dean Huijsen after the €59.5m move to Real Madrid. The Cherries made a huge profit on Huijsen, who they had signed from Juventus only a year ago for €20m plus a cut of the future transfer fee. Dean Huijsen of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Everton FC at Vitality Stadium on January 04, 2025 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by) They now need a new centre-back, so Tuttomercatoweb and Mundo Deportivo suggest that Bournemouth are again looking towards Serie A, this time for Gila. Advertisement The Lazio defender turns 25 in August and was a product of the Real Madrid youth academy, making the move to the Stadio Olimpico for €6m in 2022. Bournemouth look towards Gila ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 23: Mario Gila of SS Lazio celebrates a opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between S.S. Lazio and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Stadio Olimpico on January 23, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi –) Gila scored two goals this season in his 42 competitive appearances between Serie A, the Europa League and Coppa Italia. His contract with Lazio runs to June 2027, but there have already been reports he could be tempted back to Real Madrid back in January. There were also links with Manchester City amongst others in recent months for the Spaniard. He received a call-up for the Spain national team in March along with Huijsen.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists raise alarm after disturbing shift in famed reptile's survival instincts: 'Particularly dire for the species'
Scientists discovered troubling news about the Gila monster, one of the most beloved reptiles in the Southwestern United States. A warming climate could make it much harder for them to survive, potentially pushing them toward extinction. According to a team of climatologists, ecologists, and conservation biologists found that Gila monsters could face unbearably harsh conditions in the Mojave Desert in the coming decades. Gila monsters are a species of venomous lizard native to northwestern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Due to their heavy bodies and slow metabolism, they don't travel far, preferring to stay close to home. They're most active at night to avoid the desert heat during the day and spend much of their time underground. These evolutionary mechanisms may have helped them adapt to the unforgiving desert, but rising global temperatures could threaten their survival in the future. In a study published in the journal Ecology and Evolution, the team found that in an ideal scenario where temperatures barely rise, Gila monsters will likely not be impacted much. But if the climate becomes too hot under a worst-case scenario, they could disappear from many parts of the desert by 2082. They could move to cooler areas, such as higher in the mountains or burrow deeper in the ground, but scientists said the lizards haven't indicated they're "capable of doing either." "We're not likely to see dispersals and establishment of populations in those [new] areas just because they're too far from where populations currently are," Steve Hromada, a conservation biologist at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, told Science News. "It suggests that those high emission scenarios could be particularly dire for the species." While Gila monsters are among the most venomous lizards, they are considered an iconic part of the desert landscape and hold cultural significance for many Native American tribes. Their venom has even been used in modern medicines for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, per 12 News. Gila monsters are also a crucial part of the desert ecosystem, as they help control populations of small mammals and reptiles. Their digging behavior aerates the soil and gives other desert creatures a place to cool off from the scorching sun. If the Mojave Desert becomes too hot, its population could drop significantly and upset the delicate balance of biodiversity. Even if they could migrate to cooler areas in the mountains, it's unlikely that many of them would survive the journey because of their limited range. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The team calculated that more than 90% of the existing and projected Gila monster habitat in the Mojave is protected, giving the species an advantage in the changing climate. "Maintaining those protected statuses — whether that's the national parks or the national conservation areas around these areas — can be really important for keeping the species on the landscape," Hromada said to Science News. Conservationists have helped save iconic desert species, such as the Joshua tree and the night parrot, from the brink of extinction by planting more trees and managing vegetation. Similar efforts could allow the Gila monster to thrive in a harsher climate. Individually, we can make a difference by donating to wildlife organizations or conservation groups and learning more about how our warming world is impacting Gila monsters. If you visit any parks where they live, make sure to report off-roading or other activities that could disturb their habitat. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Indian Express
12-05-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
These lizards can bite you– one of them even killed a man with its venom
When most people think of lizards, the image that comes to mind is usually harmless—perhaps a gecko on the wall or a chameleon slowly shifting colours on a tree branch. But a small, rare group of lizards stand apart for a far more startling reason: they can bite, and when they do, they deliver venom. Though venomous lizards are few in number, their biology, behaviour, and potential danger to humans have fascinated scientists and herpetologists for decades. Let's take a closer look at three remarkable species whose bites aren't just painful—they're potentially venomous. Found in the dry landscapes of the southwestern United States and parts of northern Mexico, the Gila monster (pronounced HEE-luh) is instantly recognisable thanks to its vivid black and orange skin, which looks like it's been dotted with tiny beads. But beneath that rugged exterior lies a unique and rather misunderstood defence system. Unlike snakes that inject venom through hollow fangs, the Gila monster chews its prey, allowing venom to flow from glands in the lower jaw into the grooves of its teeth. The result? A bite that's not just painful but can lead to swelling, nausea, and dizziness. Interestingly, while Gila monster bites rarely result in death, they can be medically significant. In a shocking case from 2024, a man in Colorado tragically died after being bitten by his pet Gila monster—reportedly the first such fatality in the U.S. in decades. It served as a stark reminder that exotic pets, however fascinating, carry very real risks. Closely related to the Gila monster is the lesser-known Mexican beaded lizard. Found in western Mexico's scrub forests, this lizard prefers to keep to itself, rarely venturing far unless provoked or disturbed. Like the Gila, the beaded lizard uses grooves in its lower teeth to deliver venom. Its bite, while typically not life-threatening, is painful enough to warrant medical attention—especially since its venom can affect the nervous system and cause muscle weakness. Despite its fearsome reputation, this lizard is shy by nature, avoiding confrontation whenever possible. Unlike its North American cousins, the Komodo dragon needs no introduction. As the world's largest living lizard—growing up to 10 feet long—this Indonesian native commands both fear and respect. For many years, it was believed that the dragon's deadly power came from the bacteria in its saliva. But recent research has revealed something even more fascinating: Komodo dragons are, in fact, venomous. Their venom contains compounds that lower blood pressure, prevent clotting, and induce shock—making their bite a lethal tool in hunting prey as large as deer or even water buffalo. Humans are not typically on the menu, but Komodo dragons have attacked people on occasion, particularly in areas where tourism or development has brought us closer to their shrinking habitats. While encounters with venomous lizards are rare, they often occur when humans step into wild territories—either for research, tourism, or exotic pet keeping. These creatures don't attack unprovoked; they simply defend themselves with the tools nature has given them. Rather than fearing them, it's more productive—and respectful—to understand these lizards for what they are: highly adapted survivors of a changing world. Conservation efforts, habitat protection, and responsible human behaviour all play a role in ensuring these species thrive in the wild where they belong.
