Animals

Alien fever dreams fuel Peruvian grave robbings

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Alien fever dreams fuel Peruvian grave robbings

Leandro Rivera discovered a cave in Peru’s Nazca region containing pre-Hispanic artifacts, including human bodies with elongated heads and three fingers on each hand. Rivera was convicted of assault on public monuments for excavating the artifacts, which ended up in Mexico and sparked debates on UFOs. Peru is struggling to control the trafficking of archaeological items, which have become popular on the online black market during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite efforts to repatriate stolen artifacts, demands from private collectors in the US and Europe persist. Authorities in Peru face challenges in preventing looted items from leaving the country and repatriating smuggled remains.

Stray dog shelter in Nicosia set to expand

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Stray dog shelter in Nicosia set to expand

Authorities in Nicosia announced plans to enhance and expand a dog shelter serving six municipalities. The shelter, managed by Simba Animal Aid, is Cyprus’ sole municipal shelter for stray dogs.

Scientists investigate thousands of dead Antarctic penguins for bird flu

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Scientists investigate thousands of dead Antarctic penguins for bird flu

Researchers are investigating if bird flu has caused the deaths of hundreds, if not thousands, of penguins in Antarctica. The H5N1 virus is suspected to be the cause, but field tests were inconclusive. Samples are being sent to labs for further analysis. The disease has spread rapidly in wildlife since arriving in South America in 2022 and has now reached Antarctica. Penguins, including threatened species like Adelie and emperor penguins, are at risk of being impacted by the virus.

Wider bird flu spread raises concern for humans, animal health body says

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Wider bird flu spread raises concern for humans, animal health body says

The spread of bird flu to a growing number of species and regions has increased the risk of humans being infected by the virus, according to the head of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). The U.S. reported cases in dairy cows and a person in Texas, with concerns about potential transmission between cows. The virus has led to culling of millions of poultry globally, mainly carried by migrating wild birds. The virus has spread to new regions, affecting a variety of animals, including foxes, cats, tigers, seals, dolphins, and bears. The concern is the higher viral load and potential contamination of humans. There have been outbreaks of bird flu causing serious infections in people with close contact with infected animals, but no sustained human-to-human transmission observed. Scientists warn of the risk of the virus mutating to be transmissible between mammals, including humans, potentially leading to a large-scale pandemic.

Eating chocolate really might be good for you

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Eating chocolate really might be good for you

Chocolate, specifically cacao, contains compounds that can have medicinal effects on the body, such as improving heart health and mood. Consuming dark chocolate with high cocoa solid content may provide health benefits, but it is important to be cautious with chocolate consumption in pets and for individuals prone to kidney stones.

Minister sets sights on boosting agriculture, ’s share in Cypriot GDP

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Minister sets sights on boosting agriculture, ’s share in Cypriot GDP

Fact: Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou stated that the ministry’s goal is to increase the sector’s contribution to the country’s GDP, enhance sustainability, and promote Cypriot products in new markets.

Limassol gallery welcomes Calls and Songs

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Limassol gallery welcomes Calls and Songs

Cypriot artist-photographer Stelios Kallinikou will host his second solo show titled Calls and Songs at Eins gallery in Limassol. The exhibition explores how humans have changed the environment through technology and how they relate to recording devices.

‘Adopt a penguin egg’ Easter campaign helps endangered African birds [PHOTOS]

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‘Adopt a penguin egg’ Easter campaign helps endangered African birds [PHOTOS]

– A South African conservation group, SANCCOB, is incubating over 200 eggs of the endangered African penguin that were previously rescued from two colonies.
– The African penguin population has decreased to less than 10,000 breeding pairs in 2024, with extinction projected by 2035.
– The main threat to the penguins is commercial fishing, which has depleted their food sources of sardines and anchovies.
– SANCCOB is soliciting donations to help cover the costs of incubating and raising the penguin eggs until they can be released back into the wild.