Latest news with #GoodNewsNetwork
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Experts celebrate as head-turning bird species makes impressive comeback from brink of extinction: 'A remarkable turnaround'
Years of conservation work are finally paying off for Tasmania's orange-bellied parrot, whose numbers once dipped to just 17 known individuals in the wild. Today, that number is estimated to be in the low hundreds, according to the Good News Network, which summarized the conservation success. Since 1994, the Orange-bellied Parrot Tasmanian Program, managed by the state's Natural Resources and Environment Department, has been releasing captive-bred individuals into the wild. It recently released a group of 28 juvenile parrots to join an adult breeding and nesting colony. Madeleine Ogilvie, secretary for the department, told Australia's ABC News that its wildlife experts predict more than 200 orange-bellied parrots will migrate north — a critical journey for the species — this breeding season. "That's a remarkable turnaround compared to the 2015-16 breeding season, when only 15 nestlings were produced, and an estimated 35 birds migrated north," she told the news outlet. Orange-bellied parrots are one of only three migratory parrot species in the world, according to the Victoria state government. These birds help sustain the environment in a number of ways — for instance, birds play a critical role in seed dispersal through their droppings. And according to the National Audubon Society, bird poop is also an important fertilizer. This is one of many wildlife conservation success stories in recent years. For instance, conservationists announced that lion cubs had been born for the first time in 150 years in South Africa's Zululand. And Argentina's Patagonian coast has welcomed back sei whales thanks to global bans on commercial whaling that have allowed these animals to slowly recover their population over the past century. In Australia, "the release [of captive-bred birds] … is a critical component towards maintaining the population and ensuring the species doesn't go extinct," independent bird ecologist Eric Woehler told ABC News. Still, the species' gene pool remains extremely limited, so scientists are considering cross-breeding to save them from extinction, reported. "Capturing several specimens and breeding them would lead to more birds, but their gene pool would still be too shallow to allow them to overcome diseases once they were released into the wild," the site explained. "The only way to save them … is to diversify their genes." 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. 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.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Newborn pups bring hope to endangered species as sanctuary sees birth success: 'Taken measures to ensure the safety of all the pups'
An Indian wildlife sanctuary is celebrating the appearance of wolf pups inside their boundaries as the group works to increase the population in the region. The Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary in Karnataka, India, announced the birth of eight Indian wolf pups inside the sanctuary's boundaries, according to Good News Network. The Indian wolf is smaller than its Himalayan counterpart and has short fur. It is among the subcontinent's most endangered species, with just 3,000 remaining across the country, with smaller isolated populations found in Afghanistan and Pakistan as well. They survive in a variety of climates, ranging from desert to forest hills, and have been protected in the country since 1972. Despite being on the endangered species list for over 50 years, there are just two wolf-centric sanctuaries in India. The Bankapur Sanctuary has only been designated as such for four years, but it is already home to leopards, porcupines, peacocks, and blackbucks. The Indian wolf is the oldest lineage of gray wolf in the world, according to the International Wolf Center, and they are the most endangered and genetically distinct population of gray wolves in the world. Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre credited the Forest Department staff for creating a safe environment for the pups to be born. "The sanctuary hosts the Indian grey wolf species, and one of the wolves recently gave birth to eight pups. Typically, only 50% of the wolf pups survive, but forest officials have taken measures to ensure the safety of all the pups," Khandre said, per Good News Network. "The Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary now has around 35-40 wolves including the newborn pups." Global conservation efforts have shown significant success at preserving species around the world, which is essential for biodiversity and a functioning food web — which even benefits the human food supply. In Brazil, the golden lion tamarin has seen its numbers surge due to conservation efforts, while the California bighorn sheep has seen its population stabilize after a prolonged dip. And in the Caribbean, over a dozen species have been brought back from the brink of extinction thanks to the efforts of conservationists in the region. 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. 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.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cities launch world's first toilet paper made from an unexpected material: 'Paper supplies are expected to decline'
Most people don't think twice about where their toilet paper comes from — but what if it used to be a diaper? In a groundbreaking recycling effort, the cities of Shibushi and Osaki, Japan, in partnership with Poppy Paper Company, are turning used diapers into toilet paper, proving that even the most unexpected waste can find a second life, reported Good News Network. Disposable diapers make up a staggering amount of household waste, often heading straight to incinerators or landfills. To flip the script, Shibushi and Osaki launched an ambitious program in April 2024, intercepting diapers before they hit the trash. Instead of adding to Japan's growing waste problem, the used hygiene products are collected, sanitized, bleached, and shredded into pulp, then blended with recycled paper to create an everyday essential — yes, toilet paper. In just a year, this initiative processed 98 tons of used diapers, transforming them into what's now called the Shibushi-Osaki toilet paper rolls. The Poppy Paper Company's facility in Fukuoka Prefecture churned out 30,000 rolls in the first two months alone. On top of that, these toilet paper rolls are cheap at just $2.70 per dozen, making it easier than ever for eco-conscious consumers to make the switch. Which of these factors would most effectively motivate you to recycle old clothes and electronics? Giving me money back Letting me trade for new stuff Making it as easy as possible Keeping my stuff out of landfills Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This initiative could help diversify the ways to secure raw materials, especially as used paper supplies are expected to decline with the rise of paperless systems and a shrinking population," said Satoshi Yoshida of Poppy Paper's sales department in an interview with The Mainichi. Japan has never been one to shy away from inventive sustainability solutions, but this one is next-level. And the repurposing of diapers doesn't stop at toilet paper. Researchers have found that used diapers can also be transformed into a concrete additive, offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to sand-based mixtures. The Shibushi-Osaki initiative is proving that waste doesn't have to be the end of the line — it can be the start of something entirely new. "Please support this eco-friendly product, which aims to promote a sustainable society by reusing local resources," said Takumi Obo of the Osaki Municipal Government's SDGs Promotion Council, which is leading the initiative. If this program takes off, it could spark a global rethinking of what we toss and what we transform. Turns out, the future of recycling might just be right under our noses — or, well, under something else entirely. 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.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Unusual spectacle draws crowds to community beaches: 'One day, there were none, and the next day there were 200'
Picture this: A beach with no seals suddenly becomes home to 200 of them overnight. That's exactly what happened at Orford Ness in Suffolk, England, where a thriving grey seal colony has emerged from nowhere, reported the Good News Network. The seal surge marks a stunning turnaround for Britain's east coast. At Horsey Beach in Norfolk, 1,200 seal pups were born by Christmas Day, with experts expecting that number to rise to 2,500 before the breeding season ends. "One day, there were none, and the next day there were 200. Since then, they've come back each year, and the juveniles have stayed," Matt Wilson, a National Trust countryside manager, told the Guardian. 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 beaches have become what seal warden Richard Edwards called "Britain's wildlife safari," per the Guardian. Even in one of Earth's most densely populated regions, these coastal spots offer scenes worthy of nature documentaries: thousands of grey and white seals sprawled across miles of protected shoreline during winter breeding months. The community has stepped up to protect these new residents. Friends of Horsey Seals, a local volunteer group, built fenced areas where seals can retreat during storms, which can sweep young pups out to sea. Their efforts are working: more pups now survive than die each year. What's behind this remarkable return? Experts point to two key factors. Offshore wind farms create surfaces where shellfish thrive, strengthening the marine food chain. Plus, over the past decade, reduced pollution on non-tourist beaches has led to cleaner waters. The transformation goes beyond numbers. These beaches now draw visitors hoping to glimpse what Wilson and his team witness daily: a once-absent species reclaiming its home, bringing new life to Britain's shores. The story of Orford Ness shows how quickly nature can recover when given the chance. Where there were no seals just a few years ago, 600 pups were born in 2024 alone, a living reminder that positive change can happen faster than we think. 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.
