Latest news with #Réunion
Forbes
29-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
There Are Only 3 Extinct Falcons — A Biologist Tells Their Story. Hint: One Is Of Cuban Origin
More than 35 species of falcons roam the Earth's skies at present. But there used to be at least ... More three others. Here's the story of the confirmed falcon species lost to the world forever. Falcons are a thrilling species of bird. The peregrine falcon, for instance, owns the title of the world's fastest bird, reaching speeds of up to 240 miles per hour while diving for prey. Another illustrious falcon is the gyrfalcon. It is the biggest of all falcon species and is sometimes found in a majestic, all-white coloration. Other impressive falcons include Eleonora's falcon, the Mauritius kestrel, and the Eurasian hobby. Three falcon species that you won't find anywhere in the world are the Cuban kestrel, the Réunion kestrel and the Guadalupe caracara. Here's their story, from genesis to extinction. Cuban Kestrel The Australian brown falcon, pictured here, may hint at the Cuban kestrel's ecology, both had long ... More legs and likely hunted on the ground. The Cuban kestrel (Falco kurochkini) is the most recently described extinct falcon species, known only from fossil remains discovered in western Cuba. It likely vanished shortly after European colonization began in the 1500s. Unlike other kestrels, which are known for hovering while hunting, the Cuban kestrel had unusually short wings and long legs – traits suggesting it was more terrestrial than aerial. It likely hunted on the forest floor, preying on insects, small reptiles and possibly amphibians. This kestrel lived in an ecosystem that included now-extinct owls and a variety of forest birds. The arrival of Europeans introduced invasive predators like rats, cats and mongooses to the island, which likely decimated the ground-dwelling Cuban kestrel. Habitat destruction from agriculture and logging may have also played a role. Researchers believe the Cuban kestrel was flighted but adapted for short bursts of movement rather than sustained flight. It's a rare example of a falcon that may have been heading toward a more terrestrial lifestyle. Réunion Kestrel The Mauritius kestrel, pictured here, is a close island relative of the extinct Réunion kestrel. ... More Once down to just four individuals, it rebounded thanks to intensive conservation. The Réunion kestrel (Falco duboisi) used to roam Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean, part of the Mascarene Islands. It is known from only a single historical reference – an account from 167os that described it as a threat to domestic fowl and game. It was persecuted soon after and no further sightings were recorded. The exact date of extinction remains unknown. Subfossil remains discovered in 1974 later confirmed it as a distinct species of kestrel, separate from others in the region. Unlike the forest-dwelling Mauritius kestrel (a closely related species endemic to the nearby Mascarene Island of Mauritius), which has short, rounded wings suited to maneuvering through dense vegetation, the Réunion kestrel likely resembled Eurasian kestrels in both form and function – adapted for life in more open habitats. It was believed to hunt insects and small vertebrates. As with the Cuban kestrel and many other island birds, its extinction likely resulted from a mix of hunting, habitat loss, and the introduction of invasive predators, such as rats and cats. Its extinction probably occurred around the late 17th or early 18th century. Guadalupe Caracara The crested caracara, shown here, is a close relative of the extinct Guadalupe caracara. The Guadalupe caracara (Caracara lutosa), also known as the 'Quelele,' is the best-documented of the extinct falcons and the only one in this group not classified within the Falco genus (though it is in the Falconidae family). It was endemic to Mexico's Guadalupe Island, a remote Pacific island west of Baja California. This striking bird, a relative of the crested caracara, was a scavenger and opportunistic hunter, feeding on seabird eggs, carrion, and small animals. Sadly, it became the target of deliberate extermination efforts by 19th-century settlers and goat herders who falsely believed the bird was a threat to livestock. The introduction of goats severely damaged the island's vegetation, compounding the caracara's challenges. Combined with persecution, habitat degradation, and a limited range, the species rapidly declined. The last confirmed sighting was in 1903, when naturalist Rollo Beck shot the final known specimen during a collecting expedition. Its extinction stands as a tragic example of human-driven loss in the ornithological world. Unlike the other extinct falcons, we have photographs, skins and full skeletal remains of the Guadalupe caracara. Why Did These Three Falcons Perish While Other Falcon Species Thrived? One thing that each of these birds had in common was their habitat: each was native to an island. History has shown that birds that inhabit islands, especially isolated islands, are particularly susceptible to extinction. The dodo, Stephen's island wren, Lord Howe pigeon and Rodrigues solitaire are a few such examples. The reason for this is multifold. For one, a limited range means that extinction can happen quicker. Second, on some islands, there's simply a lack of good places to hide from threats and predation. Finally, island ecosystems can be particularly fragile, with the introduction of even one invasive species tipping the balance forever. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
New York Times
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Richly Imagined New Historical Fiction
Sing to Me Ever since their exploits were recorded in Homeric Greek, the warriors of the 'Iliad' have been fixtures of our cultural heritage. But in his latest novel, Browner prefers to focus on the unknown lives that were lost on the fringes of the Trojan War, on the damage years of fighting left behind. SING TO ME (Little, Brown, 213 pp., $28) takes place in an apocalyptic landscape of scorched fields and abandoned villages. Its hero is an 11-year-old boy who finds himself alone on the family farm with only a donkey for company. Setting off in search of his father and 6-year-old sister, long overdue after a desperate trek to the markets of the nearby city, Hani heads for 'the road everyone takes before they don't come back.' What he finds at its end is a vast smoldering ruin, abandoned by both its defenders and its attackers — except for one severely wounded Greek. An innocent confronted with unspeakable destruction, Hani struggles to understand what the future holds and what his place in it might look like. 'Now,' he thinks to himself, 'the only combatants left are a dying soldier and a boy with a sling. Is this what people mean when they talk about peace? Maybe peace is just war taking a rest.' The Rarest Fruit The island of Réunion, a French territory off the east coast of Africa, is known for its vanilla. Less well known is the story of the illiterate enslaved boy who figured out how to hand-pollinate vanilla orchids, allowing the wider world to experience a flavor that had been lost since the 16th century, when the Aztec empire was destroyed by the Spanish. Edmond Albius made his discovery in 1841, when he was only 12 years old. It was, as Bélem notes in THE RAREST FRUIT (Europa, 189 pp., $24), just one act in the 'tragicomedy' of a Black child adopted, then exploited, abandoned and finally rescued in adulthood by the white planter whose horticultural knowledge he absorbed without benefit of formal schooling. Told he must be content with toiling as a gardener rather than studying to be a botanist, Edmond 'makes do with what he has and what people deign to give him.' Translated from the French by Hildegarde Serle, Bélem's fictional account of Edmond's experiences is also an ironic portrait of a society in which the official abolition of slavery does little to improve the lives of the formerly enslaved: 'They were running toward freedom as if plowing headlong into a wall, Edmond first among them.' Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Vogue
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Kwir Nou Éxist: a narration of queer, Creole identities on the Reunion's island
Kwir Nou Éxist is a project by the artist couple Raya Martigny and Edouard Richard, born in 2020, documenting the LGBTQIA+ community on the island of Reunion. Investigating the construction of identity inside the insular context, this project aims to put in dialogue two realities, being queer and being Creole, by affirming their existence and the coexistence of these two identities. The duo collected testimonials and personal stories from the participants, contributing to creating an archive for Reunion's LGBTQIA+ community. Kwir Nou Éxist's will is to create a recognized community based on the island, despite the cultural struggles LGBTQIA+ individuals may face in the insular environment.
South China Morning Post
06-06-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
How champion surfer went from ‘inoperable' brain tumour to Olympic glory leading France
Jeremy Flores faced numerous challenges in the water as he carved himself a hugely successful surfing career, but nothing prepared the Frenchman for the tumultuous months that followed his retirement in 2021. Within months of stepping away from competition, Flores, the most successful male European in surfing history, was diagnosed with a brain tumour that turned his life upside down. He survived to tell the tale, after years of silence, in a new documentary, Dos au Mur ('Backs to the Wall'), which premiered in Paris on June 4. 'I told myself it was time to talk about it,' he says. 'I needed to get it off my chest, to send a message to my children and others who might need it. This was clearly the hardest ordeal of my life.' Flores rides a monster wave during the first round of The Quiksilver in Memory of Eddie Aikau invitational at Waimea Bay in Waimea, Hawaii on February 25, 2016. Photo: AFP Flores was born in Reunion, a French island in the Indian Ocean that is a paradise for surfers – in spite of the large number of sharks.
News.com.au
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
'Backs to the Wall' for surfing's cancer survivor Flores
Jeremy Flores faced numerous challenges in the water as he carved himself a hugely successful surfing career but nothing prepared the Frenchman for the tumultuous months that followed his retirement in 2021. Within months of stepping away from competition, Flores, the most successful male European in surfing history, was diagnosed with a brain tumour that turned his life upside down. He survived to tell the tale, after years of silence, in a new documentary "Dos au mur" ("Backs to the Wall") which premiered in Paris on Wednesday. "I told myself it was time to talk about it," he told AFP. "I needed to get it off my chest, to send a message to my children and others who might need it. This was clearly the hardest ordeal of my life." - Inoperable - Flores was born in Reunion, an island in the Indian Ocean which is a paradise for surfers - in spite of the large number of sharks. His father Patrick coached him from the age of three and he duly became one of the best in the world, competing for 15 years on the professional circuit, winning four prestigious championship tour events. Blessed with talent in the tubes, he was also quick with his temper. "I think I've got the most fines on the professional tour," he admits in the film which is directed by Julie and Vincent Kardasik. Yet in 2021, having become a father for the second time, he decided to retire without really explaining why. "For several years, I had a lot of migraines," he tells AFP. "I was always tired, unmotivated." A few months later, he was diagnosed with a tumour at the base of his brain. Worse yet, many surgeons considered it inoperable. "That explained why I wasn't feeling my best. The news shattered me," admits Flores. Brain tumour survival rates do not make pretty reading: just a third make it through five years although that figure improves for people under 40, according to medical figures in France. In theory Flores stood a fighting chance if he could find a surgeon who would operate. Fortunately he did. In 2022, he finally underwent brain surgery in Montpellier supervised by pioneering neurosurgeon Hugues Duffau. Flores was awake for all of it. "The operation went well," he recalls, still traumatised by the operation and the effects. "After that, it was a mission. I'd been warned. I had to relearn how to speak, write, and read. "I suffered significant memory loss. My children had become strangers to me." But with the constant support of his wife Hinarani de Longeaux, a model and former Miss Tahiti winner, Flores began to rebuild. He also had the support of the surf community, notably his old friend and rival Kelly Slater. "He called me almost every day, before, during, and after the operation," says Flores. "I was lucky to have great support." - Olympic gold - A little over a year after the operation, he was invited by the French Surfing Federation to manage the surf team at the 2024 Olympics: the event was to take place in Teahupo'o, Tahiti, where he had lived for several years. "I thought: why not? This will allow me to stimulate my brain, and surfing is what I do best," he says. The team consisted of four surfers who included his sister-in-law Vahine Fierro, and a young Tahitian Kauli Vaast who, according to Flores, was a natural on the pro tour. The veteran turned coach convinced them that they had what it took to win everything. And it worked. Fierro won the Tahiti Pro in 2024, the first French winner since Flores in 2015 while the team picked up two Olympic medals. Johanne Defay took bronze in the women's shortboard while Vaast went on to win gold in the men's shortboard, with Flores screaming his support from the water during every round. "It was truly special, the highlight of my career," says Flores. "He's my little brother, and I'm very attached to the notion of passing on the knowledge. I experienced it as a cycle." Three years after his operation, Flores' memory is "gradually returning". The tumour, however, is still there, a reminder of the dark days of 2021 even if it no longer haunts him. "I continue to monitor it with MRIs every three months," says Flores with a clear-eyed calm.
