As part of its Predator Free 2050 initiative, New Zealand has announced plans to eradicate feral cats by 2050 to protect its native species. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka confirmed that feral cats, described as “stone cold killers,” will be added to the list due to their detrimental impact on birds, bats, lizards, and insects. Proposed eradication methods include poisoned sausage bait and poison spray devices. The decision follows a public consultation that overwhelmingly supported improved feral cat management, with an updated strategy scheduled for release in March, while explicitly excluding domestic pets from the target.
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Following a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination, UC San Diego’s Black Alumni Scholarship Fund has been rebranded and opened to all students, regardless of race. The lawsuit, filed by students and a right-leaning nonprofit, argued that the fund violated laws, including the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871. The plaintiffs claimed the university was illegally using a private entity to discriminate. The scholarship, now named the Goins Alumni Scholarship Fund, had previously been exclusive to Black students.
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A new global assessment reveals that over half of all bird species are experiencing population declines, largely due to habitat loss from deforestation and human development. The assessment, released before a biodiversity summit, shows a significant worsening of the biodiversity crisis, with a rise in declining bird populations compared to previous years. While conservation efforts have led to the recovery of species like the green sea turtle, Arctic seals face extinction due to the effects of climate change, specifically the loss of sea ice. Scientists emphasize the urgent need for governments to fulfill their commitments to protect nature and mitigate the effects of climate change.
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John Q. Hosedrinker