Posts by Ellen Jakubowski

Animals that go to War

With our unparalleled ability to plan, organise, and wield weaponry, it seems like humans are uniquely gifted in the art of war. However, there’s nothing on our battlefields that Mother Nature didn’t think of first. From insect suicide bombers to violent monkey revolutionaries, our non-human counterparts can sometimes be every bit as strategic, coordinated, and … Continued

How do you stop a legendary Japanese wildcat from becoming roadkill?

Since big cats get the lion’s share of fame worldwide, you may have never heard of the Iriomote cat, also known as the Iriomote–yamaneko. The size of a large house cat, this cryptic and resourceful wild feline exists only on a tiny Japanese island and numbers a mere 100 or so individuals. Whether or not … Continued

Bring on the beach! 5 nature-friendly activities for the whole family to enjoy

The beach is where sea, sky and land intersect and where families come together. It’s got something for everyone: open space to stretch your legs, living things to inspire curiosity, wind and waves to ignite the senses, breathtaking views to soothe the soul. It’s where the inner child in everyone is free to come out … Continued

Slave, Partner, Pest or God: What do we see in Asian elephants?

In a well-known Buddhist parable, a group of blind men are introduced to an elephant. Each man touches one part of the elephant’s body, getting acquainted with the trunk, leg or tail, but none of them gains an understanding of the animal as a whole.    In the same way, examining a single facet of … Continued

Have you met nature's greatest Olympians?

Olympic athletes have to go through a lot. They train seven days a week, every week for years on end, pushing their body past its limits time and time again, all so that—every four years—they can compete against their peers for a chance to become ‘the best’ in the world. But what if they had to compete for Gold … Continued

Banning beads not enough to solve the Great Lakes’ plastic problem

Together, North America’s Great Lakes make up the largest body of fresh water in the world. Over 30 million people rely on them for drinking water as well as agricultural, industrial and recreational uses. They also provide habitat for wildlife ranging from mussels to lynx. Now, thanks to the abundance of plastics in modern life combined … Continued

Larger than life: Graham Spence, co-author of The Elephant Whisperer, reflects on the achievements of charismatic conservationist Lawrence Anthony

When Lawrence Anthony decided to save the lives of seven ‘troublesome’ elephants by giving them a home on his South African reserve, he wasn’t sure what would follow. But he knew it would be a great adventure. Anthony’s exploits with the elephants on ‘Thula Thula’ have been immortalised in the page-turning bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer. … Continued

Quiz: What were scientists thinking when they named these 10 new species?

You might think that the discovery of a new species is a rare occasion, but it happens with stunning regularity: about 18,000 times a year. An estimated two million species are currently known to science, but millions more remain to be found. Unfortunately, scientists may be running out of time to uncover them. We’re in … Continued

Shark researchers race to name new species before they are lost to science

A team of researchers from the Pacific Shark Research Center in California is racing to name newly-discovered species before they are wiped out by overfishing. The Center’s director Dr. David Ebert and graduate students Jessica Jang, Kristin Walovich and Victoria Elena Vásquez have turned to the crowdfunding site experiment.com in search of backing for their … Continued

Leopard-attack survivor shares a creative solution to India's human-wildlife conflict

There’s no denying that violent encounters between humans and wild animals make for exciting video content. You might, for example, recall watching on the edge of your seat as men grappled with a leopard at a Bangalore school in this viral video last February. One of these men—the one that gets bitten on the arm—is … Continued

Remembering Fukushima: Japanese daguerreotypist Takashi Arai links past, present and future by creating these timeless images

A partially-submerged ship. An abandoned rice field. The solemn faces of fishermen and farmers. Japanese photographer Takashi Arai hopes these carefully-captured images will connect with present and future generations, prompting them to reflect on the events of March 11th, 2011. It is now just over five years since an earthquake and tsunami took the lives … Continued

Long live the king: Steps to curtail trophy hunting after Cecil’s death won't yet save Africa’s lions

While legions of people right across the world were outraged by the slaughter of Cecil the lion at the hands of dentist Walter Palmer in July 2015, many also hoped that the international attention would translate into positive change and a brighter future for Africa’s imperilled lions. In the wake of ‘Cecil-gate’, the US and … Continued

Urban birding: Expert David Lindo explains how and why to take up this 'sexy' pastime

David Lindo spends his days urging urbanites to open their minds and see their cities in a new way. When he’s not gazing at birds from the roof of a London skyscraper or trotting cities around the globe, the Urban Birder (as he’s also known) is reaching out to city dwellers through his writing, photography, … Continued

The many different industries animals can get a job in

Are you a non-human animal looking to break out of a humdrum routine of survival and reproduction? Good news: many employers are recruiting candidates just like you. Scroll through (if your appendages allow) and find your dream job. Landscaping If you’re a goat who’s hungry for a opportunity, a juicy position in lawn care might … Continued