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Africa’s White Rhino Population Rebounds

In a exciting turn of events, Africa’s white rhino population has experienced a resurgence for the first time in a decade. At the close of 2022, there were 23,290 rhinos in total, marking a significant 5.2% increase from the previous year.

Rhinos are among the planet’s most iconic and endangered creatures. These massive herbivores are known for their distinctive horns, which have unfortunately made them prime targets for poachers seeking to profit from the illegal wildlife trade. There are two main species of African rhinos: the white rhino and the black rhino. Both face grave threats to their survival.

The primary reason behind the perilous decline of rhino populations is poaching. Rhino horn, made of keratin (the same substance as human hair and nails), is mistakenly believed by some to have medicinal properties, and it is also highly sought after for its use in ornamental carvings. This misguided demand has led to a tragic increase in poaching activities, with rhinos being killed for their horns at an alarming rate.

Habitat loss is another significant threat to rhino populations. As human populations grow and expand, rhino habitats are encroached upon, leaving these animals with less space to roam and find food.

Despite these challenges, the recent increase in rhino populations is cause for celebration and renewed hope. The protection and biological management initiatives implemented by conservation organizations have played a pivotal role in this positive trend. Both black and white rhino populations have shown promising signs of recovery, with black rhinos increasing by 4.2% and white rhinos by 5.6%.

Dr. Michael Knight, chair of the IUCN’s Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG), expressed his relief, saying, “With this good news, we can take a sigh of relief for the first time in a decade. However, it is imperative to further consolidate and build upon this positive development and not drop our guard.”

Nina Fascione, Executive Director at the International Rhino Foundation, emphasized that this rebound in rhino populations is not only a triumph for the rhinos themselves but also for the countless other species that share their ecosystems and the dedicated people who protect these lands.

The resurgence of rhino populations underscores the effectiveness of collaborative conservation efforts across Africa. Protected areas like Kruger National Park in South Africa have significantly boosted security measures to deter poachers, resulting in a decline in poaching incidents on their land. However, poachers have shifted their focus to smaller areas, such as the province-run Hluhluwe Imfolozi Game Reserve, which has borne the brunt of South Africa’s rhino poaching in recent years.

Efforts to combat rhino poaching extend beyond national borders. U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, during her visit to South Africa’s Dinokeng Game Reserve, emphasized the need to follow the money trail associated with poaching, treating it as seriously as other crimes. This approach can help disrupt the illegal wildlife trade networks that drive rhino poaching.

While the increase in rhino populations is undoubtedly promising, significant challenges remain on the horizon. Competition over water resources and the resulting conflicts between communities and wildlife may bring humans and rhinos into closer contact, potentially leading to more poaching incidents. Poverty resulting from the loss of crops and livestock can also drive individuals to poaching as a means of income.

To ensure the continued recovery of Africa’s rhino populations, it is vital to address these underlying issues and maintain unwavering commitment to conservation efforts. The rebounding rhino populations serve as a testament to what can be achieved when dedicated individuals, organizations, and governments work together to protect these magnificent creatures and the ecosystems they call home.

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Mother and Daughter Graduate Nursing School Side by Side—Two Years After Mom Donated Kidney to Save Her Life

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In a story of grit, love, and second chances, a mother and daughter crossed the graduation stage together this spring—just two years after one saved the other’s life.

Ambrealle Brown, 34, dreamed of becoming a nurse. But that dream came to a halt in 2016 when she was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare and progressive kidney disease that forced her to leave school and rely on daily dialysis treatments lasting up to 13 hours.

As her condition worsened, Brown’s optimism faded. She was exhausted—physically and emotionally. The long wait for a transplant weighed heavily on her, and hope felt increasingly out of reach.

But her mother, Nija Butler, wasn’t ready to let her daughter give up. Although doctors initially said she likely wasn’t a donor match, Butler quietly went in for testing. She didn’t tell her daughter—she didn’t want to raise hopes unless it was certain. Then came the call: Brown had a match.

“She told me she was getting a kidney,” Butler recalled. “And I told her, ‘It’s me.’”

In March 2023, surgeons at Tulane University performed Louisiana’s first-ever robotic kidney transplant, using a minimally invasive technique that helped speed recovery for both women. With her new kidney and a renewed lease on life, Brown returned to nursing school. Inspired by her daughter’s determination, Butler decided to join her.

For the next 16 months, they studied side by side, pushing each other through the grueling demands of their program at Baton Rouge General School of Nursing. And in April, they both graduated—together.

“I couldn’t have done it without her,” Brown said. “Nursing school is hard, and having her by my side made all the difference.”

Brown is now set to begin work in a burns intensive care unit. Butler, 48, will continue her work in psychiatric care.

The two women hope their story encourages others to never lose hope—and to consider the lifesaving power of organ donation.

“As parents, we always say we’d do anything for our children,” Butler said. “And I meant it—with all my heart.”

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Scientists Reveal ‘Olo’: A Never-Before-Seen Color Created with Precision Laser Tech

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In a stunning leap forward for vision science, researchers have unveiled a color no human has ever seen before. The new hue—named olo—is described as an intensely saturated blue-green that falls outside the boundaries of the natural human color spectrum.

Published in Science Advances, the study comes from a collaboration between scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Washington. At the heart of the discovery is a new experimental tool dubbed Oz, a laser-based system that allows researchers to stimulate individual photoreceptors in the human retina with unprecedented precision.

“The Oz system represents a new experimental platform in vision science,” the study states. It works by isolating and activating just one type of cone cell—specifically, the M cones responsible for detecting green light—while bypassing the other two (S and L cones, which are sensitive to blue and red light, respectively). This kind of targeted stimulation isn’t possible under natural viewing conditions, where any light usually activates multiple types of cones at once.

In controlled experiments using laser light directed into the eyes of five participants—all with normal color vision—scientists were able to generate a perceptual experience unlike anything in nature. By activating only the M cones, participants reported seeing a blue-green shade that felt completely novel and extraordinarily vivid.

“By activating only the M cones, we elicited a color beyond the natural human gamut,” the researchers wrote. They described olo as a color of “unprecedented saturation.”

This discovery doesn’t just expand our understanding of color—it could also have practical implications. The Oz platform may pave the way for more advanced research into visual processing, new treatments or diagnostic tools for color blindness, and potentially even new types of displays capable of showing colors previously thought impossible to reproduce.

As the study concludes, “This new class of programmable platform will enable diverse new experiments,” including deeper exploration into how flexible and adaptable human color perception really is.

With olo, the boundaries of the visible world just got a little wider.

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From Wheels to Wonder: Paralysed Skater Transforms Old Boards into Bold Sculptures

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When Nick Harding lost the ability to skateboard, he never imagined he’d find a new way to stay connected to his lifelong passion — through art.

In 2019, Nick was suddenly paralysed by Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), a rare auto-immune condition where the immune system attacks the nervous system. What started as a sore hamstring quickly escalated into a medical emergency. Within an hour of arriving at the hospital, he was on life support. He spent 13 weeks in intensive care at Southmead Hospital in Bristol and seven months in recovery, relearning how to walk and use his arms.

“Skating has always been a huge part of my life,” Nick said. “Having an outlet for that desire to play with my favourite toy is what brought the sculptures about.”

With his old decks stacked in a corner and his body still rebuilding strength, Nick began experimenting. His early attempts to make practical items were shaky — his hands lacked coordination — so instead, he focused on creating something beautiful. With no prior carpentry experience, he turned to YouTube tutorials, teaching himself to shape, sand, and finish colorful, psychedelic forms from the layered wood of worn-out skateboards.

The process helped rebuild his dexterity, but it also served as a mental anchor. “I just focused on doing a little bit every day,” he said. “It was the process that felt good when I was at my lowest.”

Now, Nick sells his sculptures through his Etsy shop Mobius Maples and has gained fans from around the world. His pieces — all carved from donated, broken, or retired boards — are abstract, swirling forms that capture the movement and spirit of skateboarding.

But for Nick, it’s not just about the art or even the recovery. It’s about staying connected to the Bristol skate scene that shaped him. He donates pieces to skate competitions and charity auctions and even hides small keychains around the city for his Instagram followers to find.

“It wouldn’t be anything if it was just me,” he said. “It’s also people who give me their old boards. Interacting with the art and letting me be involved with things is what’s kept it going.”

“I want it to be something that adds to the community, and I’m so grateful that I still have the opportunity to do that.”

Through creativity, community, and resilience, Nick Harding has transformed adversity into something both healing and inspiring — turning the boards that once carried him across pavement into lasting works of art.

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Community Petition Saves Wally the Beaver from Euthanasia

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Wally, a beloved beaver who became a community favorite in Northern Virginia, was saved from euthanasia thanks to the efforts of thousands of supporters who rallied together through an online petition.

Wally first gained popularity at Huntley Meadows Park in Fairfax County, where locals and visitors often saw him hard at work building dams. However, wildlife officials considered euthanizing him after concerns arose over flooding and tree damage caused by his dam-building activities.

The community swiftly stepped in, launching a petition that quickly gathered over 10,000 signatures. Advocates argued that the beaver’s positive impact on the ecosystem—creating wetlands and habitats for other wildlife—far outweighed any inconveniences.

Local officials eventually agreed, opting instead for a humane relocation effort. Wally will now be safely moved to a suitable habitat rather than being euthanized.

“This shows how much our community values wildlife,” said Julie Ames, the petition’s creator. “We’re thrilled our voices were heard.”

Residents celebrated the decision, highlighting how Wally’s survival symbolizes the growing awareness of peaceful coexistence with local wildlife.

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Third Eaglet Joins Big Bear’s Beloved Bald Eagle Family

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A third eaglet hatched yesterday in the much-loved bald eagle nest near Big Bear Lake, marking a delightful moment for the growing number of wildlife enthusiasts who have been closely watching the family online.

The nest, located in the San Bernardino National Forest near Big Bear, California, has been streaming live via the Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle cam. Observers were excited to witness the third chick hatch, a significant event considering that bald eagles usually lay two eggs, with three being somewhat unusual.

The parents, affectionately named Jackie and Shadow, are local celebrities among bird watchers. According to the Friends of Big Bear Valley, these parents have gained fame for their caring behavior, ensuring their chicks remain healthy and thriving despite the occasional harsh weather conditions.

“The hatch was smooth and perfectly timed,” said Sandy Steers, executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley. “It’s heartwarming to see this family continue to flourish.”

Wildlife experts emphasize the importance of maintaining a respectful distance, reminding the public that the best way to enjoy and protect these birds is by observing remotely via the eagle cam.

Viewers can continue to monitor the eaglets’ development, celebrating each milestone as the chicks grow into young eagles over the coming weeks.

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