Wildlife

Evolving Immunity

Several species nearly sent into extinction by a killer chytrid fungus appear to have evolved with resistance to the pathogen. Their populations in Panama alone have now rebounded to previous levels.

A hybrid strain of the fungus has been responsible for numerous die-offs of amphibians worldwide since the 1980s. It’s believed to have emerged because of the global trade in amphibians.

While not all species have evolved quickly enough to survive, the deep croaks of frogs and toads are returning to some of the once-quiet streams in Panama, according to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh.

But they caution that the amphibians are still infected with the fungus; they are just better able to limit its growth and damage.

Japanese Whaling Season Ends

Japan’s whaling fleet returned home after slaughtering 333 of the marine mammals since November.

The fleet of five ships operated this season without interference from anti-whaling groups for the first time in seven years, allowing the hunt for minke whales to proceed without disruption or confrontation.

The most aggressive of the campaigners, Sea Shepherd, announced last year it was taking a break from its efforts to thwart Japan’s whaling by clashing with the fleet in the Southern Ocean.