Zoo's First Baby of 2011

The San Diego Zoo welcomes its first baby of 2011. The baby is a leaf-tailed lizard who gets its name from the horns over its eyes. It is called satanic gecko (Uroplatus phantasticus). Native to Madagascar, the satanic gecko is a camouflage specialist. Some have patterns that mimic tree bark or moss, while others have beards or their tails look like a dead leaf. The average size of this species is 3.5 inches making it the smallest of the gecko species. They also range in color from yellow to purple. Click here to read more about the satanic gecko and to see a picture.

Thousands of Birds Fall From the Sky

Over the past several days thousands of birds from all over the United States have been dying with no certain cause. Some blame power lines and others blame fireworks. The mystery remains unknown as investigators are trying to determine the cause of death. Click here to read more.

Texas Parks Director Speaks Out

Texas Parks executive director, Carter Smith, spoke with The Texas Tribune on the $13 million land acquisition along Devils River, threats from invasive species and the budget shortfall. Click here to read more.

Keeping Bollworms Out of Cotton Fields

USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists found an innovative way to keep bollworms out of cotton fields and to reduce insecticide spraying and the threat of resistance to genetically modified crops. Their solution is made up of the use of Bt cotton and releasing sterile versions of bollworms. Click here to read more.

Professor Receives Award for Invasive Species Work

Hugh Maclsaac, professor at the University of Windsor's Great Lakes Institute of Environmental Research, will receive the Frank H. Rigler award for his work on invasive species in the Great Lakes. This award is given each year to the best aquatic scientists in Canada. Click here to read more.

10 Invasive Species that Changed the World

Click here to view a slide show of ten invasive species that changed the world forever.

Animal Pests Cause Damage

Animal pests are of high priority to the Department of Agriculture and Food because they are common across southern agricultural areas. These pests consists of deer, hogs, birds, rabbits, etc. They cost around $620 million annually in economic losses and another $122 million for expenditure. The Department is also concerned with emerging pest species. Click here to read more.