Latest news with #EndangeredSpecies
Associated Press
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Endangered Species Awareness Campaign Welcomes Pygmy-Owl
NEW YORK, July 21, 2025 /3BL/ -The cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl is the latest animal in the LG Endangered Species Series campaign, which highlights vulnerable species selected by the community. This threatened bird is now being featured on LG's 3D anamorphic billboard in Times Square. Launched in 2024 by LG Electronics USA in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the LG Endangered Species Series aims to educate K-12 students and raise awareness on biodiversity, wildlife conservation and climate action, while reinforcing LG's broader commitment to environmental responsibility and its global brand promise, 'Life's Good.' This series brings to life LG's partnership with NBC's The Americas, a 10-part nature documentary series showcasing the wildlife and wild places of North and South America, including the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl and other vulnerable and endangered species. The series is streaming on Peacock. Listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl stands just six inches tall (about the size of a soda can) and is native to southern Arizona, Texas and parts of Mexico. This small, fierce owl faces growing threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, invasive species and climate change. Previous endangered species featured in the campaign include the snow leopard, bald eagle, Galapagos sea lion, red wolf, monarch butterfly and West Indian manatee. The cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl was selected by the public through online and in-person voting conducted earlier this year, reflecting strong community interest in raising awareness for lesser-known species. Additional animals will be revealed throughout 2025. 'At LG, we believe 'Life's Good' means creating a better, more sustainable future for all,' said Jeannie Lee, director of Corporate Marketing at LG Electronics USA. 'Through our Endangered Species Series and our partnership with The National Wildlife Federation and NBC's The Americas, we're using the power of immersive storytelling to help inspire people to care for and protect the natural world we all share.' She said, as part of its continued partnership with the NWF, LG Electronics has launched an educational initiative to engage K-12 students in conservation efforts. The program offers interactive content that highlights the importance of at-risk and endangered species in ecosystems, while empowering students with practical steps to protect biodiversity and habitats. These free resources are available online for educators, students and families. The NWF has published a blog spotlighting the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl – featuring unique behavioral insights and the species' ecological role. Students and nature enthusiasts can also test their knowledge through an interactive quiz designed to foster a deeper understanding of the pygmy-owls and other owls. LG's commitment to sustainability extends beyond the classroom through its support of NWF's EcoSchools U.S. and EcoLeaders programs, which equip students, educators and communities with tools for real-world environmental impact. To help drive these efforts, LG has pledged $170,000 to NWF to inspire the next generation of conservation leaders and advance the protection of wildlife and wild places. The Americas is now streaming on Peacock. Explore The Americas watch kits from NWF, which features educational activities, amazing animal facts, and actions families can take to help protect wildlife like the cactus ferruginous pygmy-owl and more. Visit to learn more about LG's commitment to conservationism and environmental stewardship. ### Contact: LG Electronics North America John I. Taylor +1 202 719 3490 [email protected] Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from LG Electronics USA
BBC News
7 days ago
- General
- BBC News
West Midlands Safari Park welcomes red panda cub twins
Red panda cub twins have been born at a safari park in a milestone moment for the endangered species, keepers had been suspected at West Midlands Safari Park that mum Mei Lin was having twins on 16 June, when staff heard squeaks from a nest box.A few days later, keepers confirmed there were two cubs, when she was seen moving one to a different next box before going back to collect the Sewell, head keeper at the Worcestershire park, said the team was "absolutely thrilled", adding the births were "incredibly special", not just for them, but for the wider conservation of the species. She said it is thought the wild population has less than 10,000 individuals, adding that every successful birth helped to secure a future for red Sewell said: "Although it is still early days, we look forward to sharing their journey with our visitors as they grow." 'Truly magical' Keepers will monitor the cubs and Mei Lin from a safe distance for the next few weeks, so that she can adapt to becoming a will not be clear whether the cubs are male or female until they are about 16 weeks old and start to venture out of the nest boxes and, at which point keepers will choose their names. One park visitor said they had caught a glimpse of the cubs."Not only did we get to see the red pandas, but we also caught the first glimpses of the new cubs, which was truly magical," Mari Mascarenhas, a GP from Perth in Western Australia, said after taking her daughter to the park. Keepers said the park had been enjoying a "baby boom" this year, with the birth of tiger cub triplets, an Indian rhino calf, lion cub triplets, barasingha fawn and blesbok calves. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- General
- CTV News
'A bitter pill': Leamington council moves ahead with $640K chimney swift habitat, but questions priorities
Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) Leamington is going ahead with building new housing, but it's not for people. On Tuesday night, council discussed a $640,000 plan to build habitat for chimney swifts, a threatened bird species that's been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the town's former high school on Talbot Street West. The building is scheduled to be demolished, but the chimney can't come down unless a replacement habitat is built first. It's the law, and council knows it, but that doesn't mean they're happy about it. 'You could build a pretty nice home. You could house some people who are facing housing precariousness with an expenditure like that,' said Mayor Hilda MacDonald. 'And here we are building a place for birds?' Leamington chimney Chimney swifts have been nesting in the tall brick chimney of the former high school on Talbot Street West in Leamington, Ont., on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor) The chimney swift is protected under both federal and provincial endangered species legislation. The small, fast-flying bird migrates between Canada and South America each year and relies on older chimneys like the one at the old high school for nesting and roosting. According to Ontario's Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, the main threats to the species include habitat loss and declining insect populations, which make up their food supply. Insecticides may be playing a role in both. The birds have been listed as threatened in Ontario since 2009. That status means they're not endangered yet, but could be, if steps aren't taken to protect them. 'Chimney swift and its habitat are protected in order to support its conservation in Ontario,' ministry spokesperson Gary Wheeler said in a statement to CTV News. Leamington is planning to build three new habitat towers along a public walking trail near Oak Street, or could face a million dollar fine. One tower will match the 17-metre height of the school's existing chimney, and two smaller towers will offer additional nesting options. The site will also include benches, native plants, and signs explaining the project to the public. All of it must be built by the end of 2025 to meet the terms of a federal permit. 'When you're weighing in the importance of creating habitat for migratory birds or housing individuals who need a roof over their heads, in my estimation, the human housing is more important,' said Mayor MacDonald. She says the town recently requested $300,000 from a funding partner to hire more social workers to deal with homelessness and is frustrated by how quickly and strictly the chimney swift rules are being enforced in comparison. 'It just seems to be an unfair requirement at this point in time when we're dealing with a human crisis,' she said. 'We're not against the environment. We're not against taking care of endangered birds. It's just... this requirement seems quite heavy-handed.' 'We have to do it,' she added. 'We're plugging our noses… before we do it.' Local residents are also expressing frustration. 'That's a lot of money just to preserve the birds,' said Delvin Maxwell. 'Some of that money would do well with the homelessness here in Leamington.' 'It's a waste of money,' added Joe Testani. 'We're having problems in this town already, the homeless, the drugs, everything. And we're spending it on a bunch of birds?' 'That's crazy! To spend my money on that for birds? Come on,' he said. 'It's better to spend it on the homeless. At least help somebody out. Somebody or something. Anything.' Still, the project has to move forward. The town plans to monitor the new site for up to five years to see if chimney swifts start using the new towers. If they do within the first three years, the monitoring period can end early. Construction is expected to begin later this year.
South China Morning Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Panda diplomacy: a boost for China-Japan ties amid US tariff anxiety?
Panda diplomacy is back in play as Japan seeks to charm visiting Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng with hopes of securing one or two of the endangered bears on loan. The gesture could help soothe bilateral ties and signal regional unity amid growing unease over US trade policy under President Donald Trump, analysts have said. He, a close adviser to President Xi Jinping, is scheduled to attend the the World Expo in Osaka for 'national pavilion day' at the Chinese pavilion on Friday. The Yomiuri newspaper reported on Sunday that Hiroshi Moriyama, secretary general of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and chairman of the Japan-China Parliamentary Friendship League, would meet He in Osaka and request the loan of at least one panda for a Japanese zoo. There was an outpouring of sorrow when four pandas kept at a wildlife park in Wakayama prefecture, central Japan, were returned to their homeland in June . At present, there are only two pandas in the country, at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, and those are due to return to China in February. Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng is scheduled to attend the World Expo in Osaka on Friday. Photo: Reuters 'Japanese people love to see pandas and they are deeply symbolic, but it goes beyond that at a time like this,' said Hiromi Murakami, a professor of political science at the Tokyo campus of Temple University.
E&E News
01-07-2025
- Science
- E&E News
Feds do a 180 and now deem a Tennessee fish to be endangered
A tiny Tennessee fish called the Barrens darter has now wiggled closer to securing protections under the Endangered Species Act. Pressed by litigation, the Fish and Wildlife Service said it has changed its opinion and determined that the species is endangered. The ESA course reversal will be published Tuesday in the Federal Register. 'The greatest threat to the Barrens darter is competition and hybridization with the fringed darter, which has expanded its range in the Collins River drainage over the past several decades,' FWS reported. Advertisement The agency added that other major threats include habitat loss from degradation of stream banks, deterioration of water quality, and habitat fragmentation and isolation.
