Animals

State wildlife officials say more than 70 gray wolves could be in California – up from 44 last year — and new packs exist. But their future is uncertain.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Oktoberfest lasts all fall in Huntington Beach, where a small German neighborhood hosts annual dachshund races from June to December.

from KCRW Features

Cailtin O’Connell, author of “Wild Rituals: 10 Lessons Animals Can Teach Us About Connection, Community, and Ourselves,” shares insights into the ways in which elephants relate.

Here’s what ‘Wild Rituals’ author Caitlin O’Connell learned from the elephants

Cailtin O’Connell, author of “Wild Rituals: 10 Lessons Animals Can Teach Us About Connection, Community, and Ourselves,” shares insights into the ways in which elephants relate.

from Life Examined

HBO’s “Chimp Crazy” revolves around a woman who’s trying to raise a primate in Missouri. She unsuccessfully fights PETA’s legal efforts to move the animal to a sanctuary.

‘Chimp Crazy’ reveals ethical issues of humans trying to raise apes

HBO’s “Chimp Crazy” revolves around a woman who’s trying to raise a primate in Missouri. She unsuccessfully fights PETA’s legal efforts to move the animal to a sanctuary.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A UC Davis scientist is trying to bioengineer cow microbes so they produce less methane.

Getting cows to release less methane: CA scientist turns to CRISPR

A UC Davis scientist is trying to bioengineer cow microbes so they produce less methane.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Along the California-Oregon border, the largest dam removal project in U.S. history finished today. Native tribes spent years pushing for it.

How much salmon will return to Klamath River after dam removal?

Along the California-Oregon border, the largest dam removal project in U.S. history finished today. Native tribes spent years pushing for it.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Ron Howard reflects on a recent trip to Thailand where he had the chance to observe wild monkeys in their natural habitat.

Skillfully adapted Thai monkeys leave Ron Howard awestruck

Ron Howard reflects on a recent trip to Thailand where he had the chance to observe wild monkeys in their natural habitat.

from The Treatment

Some equestrians are opposing the O.C. Fair’s new, more expensive rental agreement at the Equestrian Center.

Horse owners protest new rent hikes at OC Fair

Some equestrians are opposing the O.C. Fair’s new, more expensive rental agreement at the Equestrian Center.

from KCRW Features

Cell Dogs rescues canines from local shelters and facilitates pup training programs at correctional facilities.

Cell Dogs offers second chances for inmates, rescued canines

Cell Dogs rescues canines from local shelters and facilitates pup training programs at correctional facilities.

from KCRW Features

Ben Hyman explains the impact of federal fishery regulations that have closed all salmon fishing in California.

What does a California ban on salmon mean for the livelihood of fishermen?

Ben Hyman explains the impact of federal fishery regulations that have closed all salmon fishing in California.

from Good Food

Animal shelters in LA are overcrowded, so to find new homes for dogs, volunteers are turning to pack walks, baths, and “adopt me” vests.

Dogs crammed in shelter kennels get a moment in the sun

Animal shelters in LA are overcrowded, so to find new homes for dogs, volunteers are turning to pack walks, baths, and “adopt me” vests.

from KCRW Features

Great white sharks call Southern California shores their home. Carlos Gauna, a photographer and drone pilot, documents the hot spots and shares safety tips.

You’re swimming with sharks. Why great whites love SoCal

Great white sharks call Southern California shores their home. Carlos Gauna, a photographer and drone pilot, documents the hot spots and shares safety tips.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

CSU Long Beach researchers are investigating two local incidents of sharks biting humans, but they say the attacks are rare and movies often misrepresent the marine predators.

Shark incidents in SoCal: Real risk or media hype?

CSU Long Beach researchers are investigating two local incidents of sharks biting humans, but they say the attacks are rare and movies often misrepresent the marine predators.

from KCRW Features

Sea otter 841 went viral last summer for stealing surfboards and evading authorities. Now she’s returned to the Santa Cruz waters where she made her name.

Santa Cruz’s outlaw sea otter is back in action

Sea otter 841 went viral last summer for stealing surfboards and evading authorities. Now she’s returned to the Santa Cruz waters where she made her name.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

A breeding program and wildlife corridor are helping boost the population of the Palos Verdes blue butterfly, one of the rarest butterflies in the world.

Rare Palos Verdes blue butterfly gets lift from volunteers

A breeding program and wildlife corridor are helping boost the population of the Palos Verdes blue butterfly, one of the rarest butterflies in the world.

from KCRW Features

Volunteers spent days cataloging the wildlife around the U.S. southern border during the annual Border BioBlitz to establish the region as a biodiversity hotspot.

Community catalogs wildlife to change borderland reputation

Volunteers spent days cataloging the wildlife around the U.S. southern border during the annual Border BioBlitz to establish the region as a biodiversity hotspot.

from KCRW Features

The California coast spans 840 miles and boasts diverse flora and fauna. Pat Krug’s new book explains why these creatures live where they do, and gives tips on how to spot them.

How CA got its unique coastline, what cool creatures live there

The California coast spans 840 miles and boasts diverse flora and fauna. Pat Krug’s new book explains why these creatures live where they do, and gives tips on how to spot them.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Construction has begun in Agoura Hills on the world’s largest wildlife road crossing. How do you get animals to cross over the busy 101 freeway?

Will animals cross one of the nation’s busiest freeways?

Construction has begun in Agoura Hills on the world’s largest wildlife road crossing. How do you get animals to cross over the busy 101 freeway?

from KCRW Features

The World Health Organization is warning of the dangers of bird flu, should it jump from animals to humans. Last month, a second person in the U.S. contracted the disease.

WHO warns of bird flu outbreak in mammals, CDC downplays it

The World Health Organization is warning of the dangers of bird flu, should it jump from animals to humans. Last month, a second person in the U.S. contracted the disease.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been fostering abandoned sea otter pups for later release into the wild.

Saving orphaned sea otters: Aquariums in Long Beach and Monterey team up

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has been fostering abandoned sea otter pups for later release into the wild.

from Press Play with Madeleine Brand