Animals

A pet cow named Veronika has demonstrated flexible tool use by selecting different parts of a brush to scratch various body areas, according to researchers. This marks the first documented case in cattle, challenging assumptions about their intelligence. The findings appear in a study published in Current Biology.

March 25, 2026 Reported by AI

Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have found ethanol in the nectar of most plant species examined, meaning pollinators like bees and hummingbirds consume alcohol daily. An Anna's hummingbird drinks an amount equivalent to one human alcoholic beverage per day, yet shows no intoxication. The findings, published March 25 in Royal Society Open Science, suggest evolutionary tolerance to low-level ethanol.

A dog hit by a car in Miramar, Havana, was rescued by neighbors and received temporary care, but died from severe pelvic and hip injuries. The owners were located via a Facebook post, though the damage proved irreversible. The case highlights the absence of animal protection laws in Cuba.

March 04, 2026 Reported by AI

The Federal Court in Rio de Janeiro has condemned three defendants for smuggling, mistreatment, and obstruction of environmental oversight in the irregular importation of 18 giraffes from South Africa in November 2021. Four animals died shortly after arrival, and the 14 survivors are under Ibama's custody. Defenses have announced appeals against the ruling.