Australia draws up plans for marine reserve the size of Germany
The Australian government intends to designate a marine reserve in the Southern Ocean the size of Germany, bolstering protections for millions of penguins and seals near Macquarie Island. Tanya Plibersek, the environment minister, stated that the government intends to increase the extent of the Read More...
Scientists discover surprising creatures 1,600 feet beneath Antarctica
Scientists seeking to study how the river in the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica has been impacted by climate change were surprised to find a lot more than they bargained for. While on the mission, the team (made out of professors and experts from a range of universities and organizations) found Read More...
Meet the animals that refused to go extinct
May 20th marks the 17th annual Endangered Species Day. Every year, thousands of people around the world join together in taking action to protect and celebrate endangered or threatened species. In solidarity with the lives of the wonderful creatures with whom we share Earth, The Optimist Daily Read More...
To watch out for predators, voles trim the grass around them
Here at The Optimist Daily, we commonly report on new ecological findings from animals all around the world. The more scientists uncover about the behavior and lives of the creatures we share the world with the better able we are to help them. Whether that’s uncovering snow monkeys incredible Read More...
Why your dog shouldn’t poop wherever it wants in nature
Interestingly, poop is a recurring theme at The Optimist Daily. From maintaining a regular bathroom schedule, aiding the search for a home for endangered owls, and fish poop feeding the world’s largest vertical farm. The latest addition to these poop-filled articles is a Belgium study Read More...
California pledges to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing
California has a rich array of wildlife; from seals to cougars and bears there are a number of beautiful creatures to spot. Although, for centuries wolves have not been seen around the state they used to wander freely. In January 2022, 87 million dollars were secured to create a wildlife Read More...
Rare white sperm whale spotted near Jamaica
A white sperm whale was recently spotted by sailors off the coast of Jamaica. This beautiful creature is normally grey, though this rarer form is famous for its depiction in the classic novel “Moby Dick." Why does the whale have a white color? These white giants lack color because of two Read More...
Study unveils effective way to address marine dead zones
Marine dead zones refer to areas of the ocean which are too low in oxygen to support life. In the Gulf of Mexico, runoff from agricultural operations, mostly nitrogen and phosphorus, travels down the Mississippi and Atchafalaya rivers, contributing to an overgrowth of algae and a widening dead zone Read More...
EPA moves to permanently protect Bristol Bay from mining operations
Alaska’s Bristol Bay is a rich fishing area home to 46 percent of the average global abundance of wild sockeye salmon. Following two decades of back and forth between the Pebble Limited Partnership, conservation groups, Tribes, and state and federal governments, the Environmental Protection Read More...
Florida is cracking down on the exotic pet trade
Reports of pythons eating local cats have become more and more common in Florida as exotic pet ownership has gone off the rails. Snakes, iguanas, and other reptiles are posing a serious ecological threat in the state where many people adopt exotic pets only to realize how difficult they are to care Read More...