擱淺或因老人癡呆所致

科學家於三種擱淺海豚的大腦中發現了阿茲海默症(俗稱老人癡呆症)的標記，而這三隻海豚也有衰老的跡象，如牙齒磨損或脫落等。 若海豚也會像人類一樣患上老人癡呆症，那生病的海豚有可能因錯誤判斷方向而帶領同伴到淺水區擱淺。

Markers of Alzheimer’s disease had been discovered in the brains of three different species of stranded dolphins,and these three dolphins also displayed signs of being old like worn or lost teeth. If dolphins also suffer Alzheimer’ like human, then it’s possible that the sick dolphin would lead the group into shallow water and get stranded.

https://www.sciencealert.com/stranded-dolphins-show-signs-of-alzheimers-disease-in-their-brains

https://times.hinet.net/news/24327095

抗犬瘟熱基因令皮毛變黑

研究發現，黑色皮毛的灰狼基因具有一種免疫力，能夠更有效抵抗犬瘟熱病毒。黑狼於犬瘟熱爆發較多的地區更為常見。黑色皮毛亦可讓同類識別牠們具有這種特有基因，有助繁殖出有抗體的後代。科學家認為這種突變是在 1700 年代從馴養的狗傳到灰狼群的。

Research discovered wolves with black fur have immunity in their genes and can survive canine distemper virus (CDV) better. black wolves are more common in areas where more CDV outbreaks occur. The black coat can also allow them to identify wolves with that gene and have a better chance to produce disease-resistant offspring. This mutation is believed to be introduced to the wolves from domesticated dogs back in the 1700s.

https://www.usu.edu/today/story/new-research-finds-color-of-wolf-coat-a-signal-for-immunity-to-distemper-virus

帶過千蝙蝠回家拯救

上月於美國德克薩斯州，大量蝙蝠受突如其來的寒冷天氣影響； 牠們因體溫過低而掉到地上。 一名野生動物康復者把約 1600 隻凍結的蝙蝠帶回了她的閣樓拯救，其中 900 多隻被救回並放歸野外。

Mexican free-tailed bats suffered from the sudden freezing weather in Texas last month; many became hypothermic and fell on the ground from their roosts. A wildlife rehabilitator rescued around 1600 frozen bats and brought back to her attic. Over 900 of them were recovered and released back to the wild.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/01/us/bat-rescue-storm-texas-scn-trnd/index.html

鼓勵公眾記錄失蹤甲蟲

約 10-20 年前，聖誕甲蟲於澳洲的夏季非常普遍，但近年難見牠們的蹤影。研究人員認為，這可能是棲息地喪失所致。這些甲蟲以桉樹為食，而幼蟲則食用當地草本植物的根莖。 為了解牠們的數量及下降因素，研究人員鼓勵公眾當遇見這些甲蟲時，透過拍攝及上傳圖片來幫助收集數據。

Christmas beetles used to be very common during summer months in Australia around 10-20 years ago, but they seems to disappeared. Researchers believe this might be due to habitat loss as these beetles feed on eucalyptus trees and their larvae feed on native grass roots. Researchers are encouraging the public to help collect data by snap and upload pictures online when they come across these beetles, so they can learn more about their populations and find out more about their decline.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-64041547

希望禁捕沙鰻保護海鳥

英國政府希望禁止在英國水域捕撈沙鰻，以保護海鸚及三趾鷗等鳥類。沙鰻對海洋生態系統非常重要，是許多海鳥及海洋生物的重要食物來源。沙鰻被大量捕撈作餵養養殖鮭魚以及其他如豬及雞等牲畜。

UK government wants to ban sandeel fishing in UK waters in order to protect birds like puffins and kittiwakes. Sandeel has an important role in the marine ecosystem and is a critical food source to many seabirds. They are heavily harvested to feed farmed salmons and other livestocks like pigs and chicken.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/16/uk-may-ban-sandeel-fishing-in-move-to-save-threatened-seabirds