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USA Today
01-08-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ariel and Moana are racing to see who swims farther. Disney is tracking them.
Hundreds of spectators gathered near Disney's Vero Beach Resort in Florida over the weekend for a very special send-off. They waited patiently as one by one, a green sea turtle named Ariel and a loggerhead turtle named Moana slowly made their way back to the ocean on July 26, after laying eggs on the beach the night before. Freshly affixed with transmitters to track their location and other data, Ariel and Moana joined the nonprofit Sea Turtle Conservancy's annual Tour de Turtles, a friendly competition to raise awareness about issues impacting these species. Over the next three months, the Disney-sponsored turtles will race against sea turtles swimming on behalf of other organizations to see who travels the furthest. Fans can follow along on the tour's website, but Disney and its partners hope the public's care for these creatures continues long-term. Where do sea turtle nest? Disney's Vero Beach Resort sits along the southern end of the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, a roughly 20-mile stretch of beach that U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service describes as the 'most significant area for loggerhead sea turtle nesting in the world and the most significant area for green turtle nesting in North America.' 'If you go back several decades, these turtles were really in bad shape. Their populations were really struggling,' said Disney Conservation Director Dr. Zak Gezon. Disney has helped monitor and protect sea turtles near its Vero Beach Disney Vacation Club property since 2003. 'We've estimated that over 1.8 million sea turtle hatchlings have come out that we've been monitoring there over this time,' Gezon said. 'This year, we already have over 1,000 nests.' What are the different kinds of sea turtles? Three different sea turtles species nest near Disney's Vero Beach Resort: leatherbacks loggerheads and green sea turtles, like Crush and Squirt from 'Finding Nemo.' All of them are protected under the Endangered Species Act, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Mark Penning, vice president of Disney's Animals, Science & Environment, said turtles who come to Vero Beach likely hatched there, too. 'It's why, for us, it's important that we're not just protecting these sea turtles from hatching out and going to the sea,' he said. 'We're protecting this coastline so that those babies can come back in 30, 40, 50 years from now and lay their eggs as they need to continue the cycle.' What are the things that harm sea turtles? Humans are among the greatest threats to sea turtles, whether directly through boat strikes, fishing entanglements and harvesting meat and shells or indirectly contributing to pollution and threats to sea turtle habitats. Each Tour de Turtles competitor represents a different sea turtle cause. Ariel, who's sponsored by Disney Cruise Line, is helping raise awareness for beach erosion. Moana, who is sponsored by Disney Conservation Fund, is drawing attention to light pollution. "If you watch 'Moana,' her connection to the ocean and nature begins with her as a toddler out on the beach, helping a sea turtle get back out to the ocean,' Gezon said. 'And then as an adult ... she's a master wayfinder, navigating open oceans by looking at the stars and the moon, and she wouldn't be able to do that if there was huge amounts of light pollution.' During nesting season, Disney's Vero Beach Resort uses dimmed lighting to avoid confusing hatchlings who rely on the moonlight to guide them to the water. 'Just think if there was a light up at the hotel that looked like the moon. Then they're going to go the wrong way ... and probably not survive their journey," Penning said. Story continues below. Where do sea turtles go? Like fellow sea turtles in the wild, Tour de Turtles competitors go where they please after laying their eggs. 'Of course, the turtles don't know they're in a competition of any kind,' said Sea Turtle Conservancy Executive Director David Godfrey. 'They're just doing their thing, and we're watching them.' There are actually two different races in the tour: a leatherback race and a hard-shell race. Disney is taking part in the hard-shell race. They're broken up by category because leatherback nesting is earlier and leatherbacks travel further, by nature, so would always win. "They never really stop swimming," he said. "All the other hard-shelled species of sea turtle typically goes to a primary foraging ground, and takes up residency there." Godfrey noted it doesn't really matter who wins. "People are logging onto the Tour de Turtles website, and they're learning about these animals, and we're feeding them information about the threats they face." A Disney-sponsored sea turtle, Ebb, won last year's hard-shell race. While Gezon was proud to finally win, he said, "Being able to have a positive impact on nature and have fun and be an inspiration, that's what it's all about." How to protect sea turtles Beachgoers can help protect sea turtles by taking care of the beach, picking up litter, clearing obstacles like sandcastles that could encumber hatchlings, and not using bright lights near the shoreline at night during nesting season. For beachgoers lucky enough to see a sea turtle coming up to nest, Penning suggested staying away. "Let her do her thing and be respectful of the fact that this is a very important event for her. Let's leave her to it.' Godfrey said people who care about sea turtles can also support businesses and organizations that support these creatures. He recommended using Charity Navigator's website to find top-rated charities. 'There are small, local organizations that work with turtles. There are larger organizations. People can do their own research online and find out what groups are doing,' he said. Disney Conservation Fund has funded Sea Turtle Conservancy for 25 years and donated millions of dollars to supporting sea turtle conservation worldwide. Not just for thrills: The real-life magic Disney is working to save animals What's the best time to see sea turtles? Florida's sea turtle nesting season runs from March through October, according to Florida State Parks. Leatherback turtles nest on the early side while hard-shell sea turtles like loggerheads and green turtles nest later. Eggs hatch about two months after they're laid, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which maintains a list of public sea turtle walks and state-approved sea turtle facilities for people interesting in viewing. Penning said the Tour de Turtles is the best time to see sea turtles at Disney's Vero Beach Resort because guests can 'come up close and know you're not doing any harm.' Disney World guests can see loggerhead and green turtles all year-round at EPCOT's Seas with Nemo & Friends. Is Vero Beach close to Disney? Vero Beach is about 100 miles away from Walt Disney World, on Florida's Atlantic coast.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Don't touch that plant. 6 vines, bushes, shrubs to avoid this summer in Michigan
If you're heading outdoors this summer, it pays to know the difference between poison ivy, poison oak and other rash-producing plants that will leave you itching and scratching — or worse. Most Michiganders are familiar with poison ivy in its various forms, but plants such as poison sumac grow in swampy areas, and invasive giant hogweed and wild parsnip can cause more significant, long-lasting health problems, according to state's Invasive Species Program. "It can be difficult to determine whether you're looking at hogweed, hemlock or parsnip, but all of these plants have several things in common: contact may cause unpleasant, potentially deadly, reactions," the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. Poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak can cause a red, bumpy rash from its transferred oils called urushiol. Ingesting other native Michigan plants, the nightshade plant for example, can be deadly in small doses, according to Michigan State University's Extension. As residents explore the outdoors, here are six poisonous or toxic plants to identify and avoid: The plants may be identifiable by their large size — they can grow up to 14 feet tall. Hogweed is native to Asia and typically grows in open areas, but can be spotted in various habitats, according to Michigan's Invasive Species Program, a joint effort of the departments of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Natural Resources; and Agriculture and Rural Development. Hodgweed is an invasive species in Michigan, but has become established in the state, the website notes. The plants contain toxins called furanocoumarins. These are mostly found in the sap as well as throughout the plant's tissues, according to WebMD. If you come in contact with the plant's sap, it can cause an allergic reaction called photo dermatitis or photo sensitivity: Your skin becomes sensitive to sunlight and may blister when exposed to light. WebMD says you can develop symptoms in as little as 15 minutes. Severe cases can cause scarring for up to six years. Getting the sap in your eyes can cause permanent blindness. "The toxin is most problematic if it gets into your eyes. Immediately wash your eyes for 15 minutes straight if you think that they've been exposed," WebMD says. Here's how to identify: White flowers in an umbrella-shaped cluster up to 2.5 feet across. Plant is 7 to 14 feet tall. Stems are green with purple splotches and visible, coarse, white hairs. Leaves are up to 5 feet wide, lobed and deeply incised. In Michigan, there are two types of poison ivy growing throughout yards and forests: eastern poison ivy, which grows throughout the Lower Peninsula, and western poison ivy, which grows mostly in northern areas, including the Upper Peninsula, according to Michigan State University's Extension. All poison ivy contains an oil called urushiol in the leaves, stems and roots of the plant, the Mayo Clinic said. When touched, the oil creates an allergic reactions in the form of a red rash. All poison ivy (western and eastern species) has certain qualities, MSU Extension and the American Museum of Natural History say, including: The stalk of the middle leaflet is much longer than the stalks of the two side leaflets. Surface of the leaves can be glossy or dull. There are three leaflets, and the edges can be smooth or coarsely toothed. Some have a prominent "thumb-like" lobe. The leaf arrangement alternates. In the fall, leaves turn turn red with some yellow. Greenish flowers appear with five petals about 3 millimeters in diameter. Flowers appear in loose branching clusters and arise from where the branch or leaf attaches to the stem. Berries/fruits appear in loose drooping clusters and contain a single seed, and are hard and whitish. Western poison ivy grows upright and does not have aerial roots. The plants grow in patches on the ground. Eastern poison ivy grows as either a plant on the ground or as a vine on trees or buildings with aerial roots to secure itself around trees or other objects. Poison oak is a relative to poison ivy that contains the same oils and is extremely common in California. There are two types of poison oak plants, Pacific poison oak and Atlantic poison oak. Pacific poison oak grows in the western U.S. in a wide range of habitats ranging from grasslands to forests. Atlantic poison oak grows in southeastern U.S. and is usually found in open woodlands and sandy thickets. Neither type typically grows in Michigan. Poison oak's leaves resemble an oak leaf, but at times have jagged edges, according to the Santa Lucia Conservancy, based in Carmel, California. Like poison ivy, its leaves have a alternate leaf pattern. It can grow as a shrub, bush or vine. In the spring, poison oak's leaves appear shiny with reddish or green colors that can curl inward. As the plant grows, the leaves increase in size and are bright to dark green. In late spring they bloom small, star-shaped, yellow flowers in clusters on its stem. Like giant hogwood, wild parsnip is an invasive species in Michigan and has been detected in the state, according to Michigan's Invasive Species Program. The plant is a flowering herb that grows up to 5 feet tall with yellow-to-green flowers shaped like umbrellas that grow in clusters. It has toothed leaves with leaflets that grow across from each other from the smooth, green stem. The flowers bloom in June and July. When touched the plant's harmful chemicals can cause a rash and blisters, and can cause the infected area to become sensitive to sunlight. "Wild parsnip spreads aggressively through seeds carried by wind, water and equipment. Stem, leaves, and flowers contain chemicals that can increase skin sensitivity to sunlight and cause severe rash or blistering. Plant chemicals are known to reduce weight gain and fertility in livestock that eat wild parsnip," according to the invasive species website. If you find wild parsnip growing in Michigan, state officials urge you to report the sighting through the Invasive Species Information Network online reporting tool. A relative to poison ivy, poison sumac is a flowering shrub or woody plant that contains the same oil. However, it is considered more allergenic, causing a very inflamed, painful and itchy rash. Poison sumac has alternate compound leaves with pointed, shiny leaflets and a red stem. The woody plant grows to 15 feet tall and has bark that is a dull gray. Sumac has a red stem sprouting from a grey bark stem. In June, clusters of small, green flowers bloom, based on MSU's Department of Entomology. Poison sumac is typically found in fens and indicates wet soil, MSU said. It can be found in swampy areas throughout most of the Lower Peninsula. Poison hemlock can be extremely poisonous to animals and humans if ingested. All parts of the plant are poisonous and made up of toxic compounds called "conine, g-coniceine and related piperidine alkaloids," according to the U.S. Agricultural Research Service. This plant is also referred to as deadly hemlock, poison parsley, spotted hemlock, European hemlock, and California or Nebraska fern. It blooms in the spring (when they are particularly toxic) throughout the U.S. Here are some ways to identify the plant: White flowers that grow in small erect clusters — each flower develops into a green fruit with seeds. Grows along fence lines, in irrigation ditches, and in other moist waste places. Leaves are delicate, like parsley, and have a white taproot — the main root of the plant. Can grow to be 6.5 to almost 10 feet tall. Hollow stem usually marked with small purple spots. Contact Sarah Moore @ smoore@ This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Poisonous plants in Michigan: Hogweed, poison ivy, sumac, more
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Colorado cactus removed from endangered species list after nearly 50 years
DENVER (KDVR) — A cactus in Colorado is recovering, and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service was able to take it off the endangered species list after it was considered a federally threatened species for nearly 50 years. The Colorado hookless cactus is a small, barrel-shaped cactus with pink flowers that bloom in late April and early May. It is usually found around the Gunnison River basins and canyons in western Colorado. While these cacti are usually found in Colorado — they thrive in semi-arid, high-elevation desert environments — there wasn't exactly a surplus in the state. Bobcat suprises deputies after sneaking into Ken Caryl home Since 1979, the service said it was federally listed as a threatened species. That is, until the service announced on Wednesday that it had removed the cactus from the federal list of endangered and threatened plants due to its recovery. The service said threats to the cactus were eliminated or reduced, and the species no longer meets the definition of a threatened or endangered species. Recent scientific data also shows the species is 'more abundant than previously known at the time of listing.' Fact or Myth? Common thunder and lightning phrases you may still believe 'This decision is based on the best available scientific and commercial information and reflects ongoing conservation efforts and improved scientific data on the species,' the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said in a press release. The service said this is thanks to the help of the recovery partners, which include the Bureau of Land Management, the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and the Denver Botanic Gardens. While the species is no longer considered threatened or endangered, the service said it will continue to work with partners to monitor the species' long-term stability. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
Six of the ‘world's most endangered' wolves are born at TN zoo. See them snuggle
Six of the 'world's most endangered' wolves were born in Tennessee, bringing renewed hope for their species. An adorable video posted on Facebook shows the red wolf pups snuggling after making their debut at Zoo Knoxville. 'There are only about 20 red wolves known to remain in the wild, and fewer than 300 in managed care,' Terry Cannon, curator of carnivores and Kids Cove at the zoo, said in a May 8 news release. 'Every birth is critical. These pups are part of the future of the species.' The little ones were born to mom Cirilla and dad Buckeye. The two were paired together to try to 'ensure genetic diversity among the small population of red wolves remaining,' according to the wildlife park. Red wolves, which can grow to be about 80 pounds, have been called the most endangered wolf species on Earth. They once lived across parts of the southern and eastern United States but nearly disappeared at one point, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. 'After being declared extinct in the wild in the 1980s due to habitat loss and hunting, they were reintroduced in limited numbers in North Carolina,' the zoo wrote. 'Despite decades of conservation efforts, red wolves remain critically endangered, facing ongoing threats and confusion with coyotes in the wild.' As part of the zoo's effort to protect the rare species, it welcomed its litter of pups on Earth Day, April 22. The video shared on social media showed the newborns getting their medical checkups, and some Facebook users said they couldn't get enough of the cuteness. 'The pups were closely monitored during their first week to ensure healthy development and weight gain, but now the animal care team is stepping back to let the parents raise them,' the zoo wrote. 'Cirilla, who had one previous litter before coming to Zoo Knoxville, has shown strong maternal instincts.' As of May 8, zoo visitors aren't yet able to see the babies in person. 'They're currently living in the wolf dens under the care of both mom and dad,' JJ Jones, media manager for the zoo, told McClatchy News via email. 'They're still quite small and have just started to open their eyes, so they're not visible to the public at this time. We have six pups in total — three boys and three girls. They have not been named yet, and it's still too early to share any insight into their individual personalities.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists haven't seen this Michigan plant in years. What to know about monkeyflower
This spring, keep an eye out for endangered Michigan monkeyflowers — rare, aquatic wildflowers — if you're heading to northern Michigan. Michigan's only fully endemic, or native, plant, the Michigan monkeyflower is a federally recognized endangered species, according to Michigan State University Extension. Limited numbers of the plant, a member of the figwort family, have been reported in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula and southern Upper Peninsula in recent years. Here's what to know. What is the Michigan monkeyflower? The Michigan monkeyflower is an aquatic to semi-aquatic wildflower, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. When does the Michigan monkeyflower bloom? The perennial typically flowers between mid-June and August and sometimes lasts until October, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service says. A monkeyflower plant in bloom. Where has monkeyflower been found in Michigan? The Michigan monkeyflower is only found in northern Michigan, around the Straits of Mackinac and Grand Traverse areas along the Great Lakes shorelines, said the Michigan Natural Features Inventory of Michigan State University Extension. In the Lower Peninsula, Leelanau County along Lake Michigan in the northwest, there were three reported occurrences of plants, with the plant last observed in 2022. Nearby Benzie County has one reported occurrence, last observed in 2018. Farther north, Charlevoix County reported five occurrences, last observed in 2023. The nearby Emmet County saw four occurrences, with the plant last observed in 2022. Adjacent to the east, Cheboygan County had five occurrences, last observed in 2022. In the Upper Peninsula, Mackinac County reported four occurrences, with the plant last observed in 2023. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed, the MSU Extension said. A 2012 report from the USFWS found the plant growing in 23 sites. What does the Michigan monkeyflower look like? The Michigan monkeyflower has rounded, opposite leaves with course and toothed edges, and tubular flowers with yellow petals and a red-spotted lower lip, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service said. Dark green shaded areas show where Michigan monkeyflower has been located. In what habitat does the Michigan monkeyflower grow? The aquatic to semi-aquatic plant lives in cold, calcareous (containing calcium carbonate or chalky) springs, seeps and streams water among northern white-cedar trees and at the base of bluffs near the Great Lakes shorelines, MSU Extension said. The Michigan monkeyflower grows in sand and mucky soil amid cold, flowing spring water, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website says. More: It's tulip time in Holland. What to know before you visit How did the Michigan monkeyflower become endangered? The Michigan monkeyflower is a federally recognized endangered plant species in the U.S., according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The plant joined the federal list of endangered species in 1990, the University of Michigan Herbarium said. Threats to the Michigan monkeyflower include road construction and development that could disrupt the plant's habitat, the Michigan Nature Association said. Other threats include groundwater pumping, diversion, storms and high lake levels, iNaturalist noted. The Michigan monkeyflower's small population and many of the plants being on private property can complicate conservation efforts, the Michigan Nature Association said. In addition to Michigan and U.S. designations, the plant's global rank is critically imperiled. Contact Jenna Prestininzi: jprestininzi@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Monkeyflower is endangered. Where it might be found in 2025
