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The forest on Prickly Pear East, a tiny cay off the coast of Anguilla, used to be silent. Not anymore.

Now, it rustles with the sound of iguanas plopping off tree branches, scurrying through the brush, and digging burrows in the soil. And for a group of determined conservationists, that sound is a triumph.

Nearly a decade ago, there wasn’t a single Lesser Antillean iguana on Prickly Pear East. Today, there are more than 300.

“It’s something that’s ours,” said Devon Carter, a research officer with the Anguilla National Trust. “We don’t have lions, we don’t have elephants, but what we do have, we need to appreciate.”

The Lesser Antillean iguana, or Iguana delicatissima, is critically endangered, with fewer than 20,000 estimated to remain in the wild. The species once thrived across at least 10 islands in the eastern Caribbean but has vanished entirely from Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis and St. Martin, and largely disappeared from others including Guadeloupe, Martinique and St. Barts.

One of the biggest threats? Their close cousins, the green iguanas, originally from Central and South America. Introduced to the region in the 1800s, green iguanas spread further after Hurricane Luis struck in 1995. They outcompete native iguanas for food, produce more offspring, and — perhaps most damaging — interbreed with the Lesser Antillean species.

“If your genetics are diluted, your species as a whole can’t continue,” said Isabel Curtis, a conservation officer with Anguilla National Trust.

To protect the species from disappearing entirely, conservationists launched an effort in 2015 to relocate genetically pure Lesser Antillean iguanas from Anguilla to Prickly Pear East — a 40-hectare cay free from predators, invasive species, and human traffic.

The collection effort took a full year and involved hand-catching iguanas using long poles with nooses. Residents chipped in, calling in sightings or sending photos to help the search. By the end, 23 purebred Lesser Antillean iguanas had been found — believed to be nearly the entire remaining population on Anguilla.

After genetic testing, the first 10 were ferried to the cay in breathable cotton bags and tagged before release. Once scientists were confident the group had adapted, the remaining 13 followed.

“We were seeing babies, we were seeing their burrows where they were nesting,” recalled Farah Mukhida, executive director of Anguilla National Trust. “It was really encouraging that they were breeding.”

With success came new concerns. The founding population was small, and without enough genetic diversity, the colony would be vulnerable to disease and inbreeding. So the team reached out to Dominica — home to the largest known population of Lesser Antillean iguanas — to request more females.

The timing was complicated. The request went out during the pandemic, and Carter and others had to quarantine before making the trip. Once in Dominica, the team built shelters for the animals, fed them by hand when needed, and ran genetic tests to make sure none were hybrids. Carter remembers one in particular — nicknamed “Green” — who had to be fed with a syringe.

“Those are the ones you remember the most,” he said.

The newly selected iguanas were flown to Anguilla in pillowcases tucked inside ventilated boxes and then brought by boat to their new home on Prickly Pear East. Today, they’re thriving and breeding, adding much-needed genetic strength to the population.

The islet itself remains uninhabited but sees regular visitors thanks to its two small restaurants, which serve barbecued chicken, lobster and ribs — but not iguana. That’s strictly off the menu.

“This has become a beacon of hope for these gorgeous lizards,” said Jenny Daltry, Caribbean alliance director for the conservation groups Fauna & Flora and Re:wild. “It proves that when we give native wildlife the chance, they know what to do.”

The conservation team sees the effort not just as an animal rescue, but as a way to protect an irreplaceable part of the Caribbean ecosystem.

“Each species has a specific function,” said Curtis. “If we lose them, we’re weakening the whole system.”

For now, the Lesser Antillean iguanas are doing their part — scrambling, nesting, and bringing life back to a once-silent forest.

Matchmaking Project Revives Critically Endangered Iguanas on 'Love Island'

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Once a month in San Francisco, something quietly wonderful happens: local seniors gather at a rescue shelter to cuddle with older dogs, most with gray muzzles and plenty of life experience.

They call themselves the Cuddle Club. Some know it as “Seniors for Seniors.” But for the humans and dogs who show up, it’s simply about connection.

Hosted at Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, the gathering is part of a partnership with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, a nonprofit focused on reducing loneliness among older adults in the Bay Area. Anyone aged 62 or older is welcome — or nine, if you’re a dog.

“To be able to feel a warm body, a heartbeat, lots of kisses, that's absolutely terrific,” 77-year-old Kay Livingston told CBS News.

Each session offers a full hour of calm, joyful interaction. The dogs — all senior rescues — get attention and affection. The people get the soothing companionship of a furry friend, without the responsibilities that come with pet ownership.

Angela Di Martino, who leads community engagement at Muttville, said many Cuddle Club members are longtime dog lovers who can’t afford to keep pets of their own.

But for those who are open to adopting, Muttville makes it as easy as possible. Seniors over 62 don’t have to pay the standard $250 adoption fee. The rescue also offers a generous welcome kit that includes food, medication, a dog bed, a collar and leash, bowls, and even home modifications like doggy stairs or gates if needed.

Founded over 18 years ago by Sherri Franklin, Muttville has become a haven for older dogs who are often overlooked or euthanized in traditional shelters. To date, the organization estimates it has rescued around 13,000 senior dogs.

Its newest space is entirely cage-free and includes a full veterinary clinic and a living room where people and pups can simply spend time together.

“We changed the whole paradigm of what animal sheltering should be,” Franklin told the San Francisco Examiner. “Everything here was done with the idea of making this stress-free and feel-good for dogs and for humans.”

In a world that often moves too fast, the Cuddle Club slows things down — one snuggle at a time.

In San Francisco, Seniors are Finding Comfort — and Cuddles — with Elderly Rescue Dogs

Talker News

Dave Purchase just may be the most festive man in Britain this year — after singing Christmas songs nonstop for 42 hours in a record-breaking marathon that tested not just his voice, but his mind and body.

The 63-year-old from Gloucester powered through nearly two full days of Christmas classics, performing everything from Mariah Carey to Wham!, all in a bid to set a new Guinness World Record. By the end of his singathon on December 13, Purchase had sung 684 songs, cycling through a list of 38 tracks 18 times each.

He finished the feat at 6pm on Friday — exhausted but triumphant.

"I nearly gave up at about 4 o’clock on Friday morning," he admitted. “I felt like I was hallucinating from the lack of sleep. I was falling asleep mid-song.”

But with a crowd gathering at Gloucester’s docks and support pouring in from locals — including a dementia choir, a children’s choir, and festive fans in costume — Dave found a second wind. “When the crowd started to come into the venue, the adrenaline took over,” he said. “It is a world record and this is what they are about. You literally push yourself to the actual limit to actually achieve that record.”

To follow Guinness World Record rules, Dave was only allowed a five-minute break per hour, though he could accumulate a 20-minute rest by singing four hours straight. He also had just 20 seconds between songs to catch his breath.

Somehow, his voice held up. “Apart from the lower register of my voice, which had gone, and the falsetto part which was slightly gone, the middle range of my voice was fine,” he said.

Dave, who owns a local business called On Toast, said he was inspired to take on the “nutty event” to draw attention — and foot traffic — to Gloucester’s historic docks during the holiday season. What he didn’t expect was the scale of community involvement.

“People were part of something,” he said. “They made friends, they met people they’d never met before — it was a great interaction. The atmosphere in the venue was electric.”

Timekeepers sat through long overnight shifts to help validate the attempt, and members of the public showed up dressed as everything from elves to characters inspired by famous Christmas songs. “It turned out to be a brilliant community event,” Dave said.

The current Guinness World Record holder is Ewaoluwa Olatunji of Lagos, Nigeria, who sang for 31 hours last December to become the first official record holder. Her goal was to promote peace and unity and inspire young people.

Dave’s team has now submitted all evidence — including video recordings, time sheets, and photos — to Guinness for verification. If confirmed, his 42-hour singathon will officially take the title.

Until then, Dave is catching up on sleep — and probably taking a break from Christmas music.

This Man Broke a World Record By Singing Christmas Tunes For 42 Hours

Whales eat an astonishing amount of food — up to 20 tons a day, the equivalent of about 80,000 Big Macs. But what goes in must come out, and as it turns out, their poop is doing a lot more than just sinking to the ocean floor.

According to marine ecologist Matthew Savoca, all that whale waste is actually fueling ocean life and helping fight climate change. “Decades of our eating is one day for them,” he told NPR.

Here’s how it works: whales eat krill, fish, and other marine creatures, and their nutrient-rich waste fertilizes the ocean. That triggers massive blooms of phytoplankton — tiny plant-like organisms that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and form the base of the marine food chain.

Phytoplankton feed krill, which then feed whales, seals, penguins, and many other sea animals. It’s a natural cycle with massive environmental benefits.

“Whale poo has massive value,” CNN’s chief climate correspondent Bill Weir explained. “There’s a little over a million whales now, of all species, so the economists say if we get four million on the planet, we can really draw down as much as four Amazon rainforests [worth of carbon].”

That’s no small thing. Restoring whale populations could be one of the most natural — and unexpected — tools in the fight against climate change. All from the power of poop.

Whale Poop Is Secretly Helping Fight Climate Change — Here's How

People

Keith Urban brought more than just holiday cheer to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt this week — he brought his guitar, his voice, and a heartfelt gift that will keep giving long after the visit ended.

The country music star stopped by the Nashville hospital to spend time with young patients and their families, leading an acoustic sing-along and answering fan questions at the hospital’s Seacrest Studios. He also donated guitars to the hospital’s music therapy program, a gesture that hospital leaders say will have a lasting impact.

“Keith is a wonderful friend to our hospital with several visits over the years,” said Meg Rush, MD, MMHC, president of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. “His thoughtful and generous gift of guitars to our Music Therapy Program will help us continue using music as added therapy to bring comfort and healing to children during their hospital stay.”

Urban, 58, spent time taking photos and chatting with patients, bringing smiles and songs into rooms that often need a little extra light — especially during the holidays.

The hospital’s music therapy program uses music as a tool to support emotional well-being, manage pain and anxiety, and help children cope with the challenges of being in the hospital. It’s run by board-certified therapists who tailor each session to the child’s needs, often using instruments, songwriting, or simply listening together.

“Music has always been a part of healing,” Rush said. “We’re truly grateful for Keith’s continued support.”

Monroe Carell is one of the top-ranked pediatric hospitals in the country, offering high-level neonatal and emergency care and leading the region in pediatric research and innovation. The hospital is affiliated with Vanderbilt University Medical Center and serves patients across 22 regional clinics.

Urban’s visit follows a busy stretch for the singer, who performed at the 2025 CMA Awards last month — his first televised performance since his split from actress Nicole Kidman was confirmed in late September. The couple had been married for 19 years.

With his High and Alive World Tour wrapped, Urban is set to hit the road again in 2026 with stops planned across the Caribbean, England, the U.S., and Canada.

But before that, he’s making time to give back — with music, generosity, and a few well-strummed chords that meant the world to some young fans in Nashville.

Keith Urban Brought Music and Joy to Young Patients at Nashville Children’s Hospital

Every day, more than 100,000 vehicles barrel down Interstate 25 — the major artery connecting Colorado, Wyoming, and New Mexico. For years, it’s also been a dangerous barrier for the wildlife that call the region home: elk, mule deer, mountain lions, black bears, and pronghorn that rely on the open plains and water sources on either side of the freeway.

Now, thanks to a years-long effort by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and its partners, those animals finally have a safer way to cross.

On December 16, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced the official completion of the I-25 Greenland Wildlife Overpass — a massive bridge structure that now stands as the largest of its kind in North America.

“Colorado is leading the way in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, and improving safety for both our motorists and wildlife,” Polis said. “This is a momentous feat in our continued work to expand safe transportation options for both humans and wildlife, protecting critical habitat, and our amazing outdoor spaces for generations to come.”

At 200 feet wide and 209 feet long, the overpass stretches across six lanes of busy highway and connects 39,000 acres of critical habitat. In total, it covers about one acre — and it’s already being hailed as one of the largest wildlife bridge structures in the world.

CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said the project is expected to reduce wildlife-vehicle crashes in the area by as much as 90 percent. “The overpass is an essential component of the wildlife crossing system in this area,” she said.

And it’s not just about safety. The overpass restores a key migration route and helps reconnect habitat that had been fragmented by decades of road development. The location was carefully chosen due to its high frequency of large mammal movement and access to vital water sources nearby.

“After more than nine years of planning and work, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is excited for Colorado’s wildlife to utilize this overpass,” said Matt Martinez, area wildlife manager for CPW. “We look forward to deer, elk, bears, mountain lions and many other species safely crossing I-25, once a major barrier to migration and wildlife movements.”

The effort is part of a larger, decades-long initiative. Since 1996, the CDOT, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Federal Highway Administration have worked together to protect and reconnect wildlife habitat along the I-25 corridor.

“In Douglas County, we take great pride in being responsible stewards of our resources — including our natural spaces and wildlife,” said Colorado Commissioner George Teal. “The completion of this wildlife crossing is a tremendous milestone.”

The bridge’s construction wasn’t just a win for conservation — it also represents a major step forward for public safety. Wildlife collisions cost the state millions of dollars each year in damages, injuries, and lost animal life.

Now, with the bridge in place, both motorists and animals can move through Colorado more safely.

From the ground, it looks like a sloping, tree-lined path — not a bridge at all. That’s by design. The overpass has been covered in native vegetation and landscaping to help guide animals across and make the transition between habitats feel seamless.

As Colorado continues to grow, officials hope this overpass can serve as a model for future infrastructure projects that protect both people and nature.

And the animals? They’re already showing up. Trail cameras will soon track usage, but conservationists are confident that the overpass will quickly become a critical lifeline for the region’s wildlife — and a symbol of what’s possible when infrastructure and ecology work together.

Colorado Just Built the Largest Wildlife Overpass in North America — and It’s Already Making a Difference

Cotswold Wildlife Park has welcomed a rare and heartwarming addition: a baby white rhino named Mo, born unexpectedly to mum Ruby in one of the only white rhino births in the UK this year.

The calf, a female, arrived earlier than expected — catching keepers by surprise — but was healthy and on her feet within 30 minutes of being born. Even more remarkably, her birth was caught on camera, a rare feat since rhinos usually give birth at night.

The video, captured by Conservation Officer Bethan Peacock, shows Ruby gently encouraging her newborn to stand, even offering a nudge with her horn to help her get up. “It’s a moment we don’t often get to witness, let alone film,” said a spokesperson for the Park.

Mo is Ruby’s sixth calf with breeding male Monty and the thirteenth rhino born at the park in the last twelve years. She’s also the second white rhino calf born in the UK in 2025 — both delivered at Cotswold Wildlife Park.

The first, a male named Markus, was born earlier this year to another rhino, Nancy. These two births make Cotswold the only wildlife collection in the UK to successfully breed white rhinos in 2025. Across all of Europe, only six white rhino calves have been born in zoos this year.

“To have such a successful record breeding this incredible species is down to our team of dedicated keepers,” said Park Curator and Managing Director Jamie Craig. “A paddock full of rhino is a great sight, and the new arrivals are certainly keeping the team on their toes.”

Mo is named in honour of Maureen “Mo” Clifford, a beloved member of the Cotswold Wildlife Park staff who worked in the main office from 1978 until her retirement in 2017. Her nearly four-decade tenure made her a cornerstone of the Park community, and she still visits regularly with her family.

The proud new mum, Ruby, was named after writer and comedian Ruby Wax when she arrived at the Park from South Africa in 2009. She’s proven to be a key part of the Park’s breeding success.

Visitors to Cotswold Wildlife Park can now see Mo and Markus in the solar-powered Rhino House or, weather permitting, out in the large rhino paddock. The park is home to nine rhinos in total — the highest number in its 55-year history and one of the largest family groups on public display in the UK.

Cotswold Wildlife Park is also a conservation partner of UK-based charity Tusk, which supports protection efforts for Africa’s threatened species, including rhinos.

For now, Mo will stay by her mother’s side for at least two years, learning the ropes and staying under her fierce protection. Female rhinos are known for guarding their young aggressively — and Ruby is no exception.

With cameras rolling, rhino numbers rising, and Mo taking her first steps into the world, this surprise birth marks a rare and joyful moment for both conservationists and visitors alike.

Adorable White Rhino Calf Born at UK Wildlife Park — and Her Birth Was Caught on Camera

After a year of late nights, a full-time job, and raising a newborn, Katelyn Wittman wasn’t going to miss the chance to walk across a stage and grab the diploma she’d worked so hard for — even if it meant traveling more than 1,500 miles to do it.

The Las Vegas-based mom completed her master’s degree in mass media management entirely online through Arkansas State University. But when graduation rolled around in December, she packed up her baby son, brought along her parents, and made the long trip to Jonesboro, Arkansas.

“I haven’t had my in-person community, but my online community has been awesome,” she told KCRG News. “Seeing the campus and seeing everything makes me proud that I chose this school in the first place.”

Wittman enrolled in the program while juggling a newborn and a demanding job teaching high school broadcasting and video production. When she first spoke to a recruiter, she wasn’t sure it was even possible.

“He told me about the benefits and how the program works, and I was like, ‘I can do this,’” she said. “And I did it in a year.”

Now a graduate, Wittman said attending the ceremony wasn’t just a personal milestone — it was a way to recognize everything that had gone into earning the degree.

“This degree represents such a significant chapter of my life,” she told Arkansas State. “I worked through late nights, busy school days, and the transition into becoming a new mom, and walking in person feels like the perfect way to celebrate all that dedication.”

Standing on stage with her family in the audience, Wittman said the moment marked a turning point — and a new direction for her future.

“This degree marks a major moment of growth, dedication, and fulfillment,” she said. “It means even more knowing that my lifelong love of media has now evolved into something bigger: a career path with purpose, clarity, and momentum.”

She’s currently teaching high school, but she hopes the next stop on that path will be in higher education. For now, she’s enjoying the payoff — and a well-earned celebration with her son in her arms.

Las Vegas Mom Travels 1,500 Miles to Attend Graduation — With Baby in Tow

Ocmulgee Mounds, a sprawling site of Indigenous history in central Georgia, is on the verge of a symbolic upgrade. If a bill before Congress passes, the 3,000-acre park could become the next U.S. national park — one of just 63 with that title out of more than 430 properties managed by the National Park Service.

But while the name change might make headlines and boost tourism, it won’t do much to change how the land is protected.

For the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Ocmulgee is more than a collection of ancient earthen mounds — it’s sacred ground. Archaeological evidence traces human presence at the site back 12,000 years. The park protects remnants of the Mississippian culture, whose people began building the mounds roughly 3,000 years ago. Today, seven ceremonial and burial mounds rise from the land, including one that stretches 15 meters high and spans 2 acres.

There’s also a museum on-site that houses millions of artifacts, from pottery and jewelry to stone tools and bells. The National Park Service has managed the site since the 1930s, most recently as a national historical park since 2019.

So what would change if it becomes a “national park”?

Not much, at least legally. The protection level, funding, and management responsibilities would remain the same. The designation shift is largely about marketing and perception. But that can still carry weight.

“It does not typically change the funding available to run the site,” wrote geographer Seth T. Kannarr of the University of Tennessee, who studies place names and parks. “That’s especially true at a time when National Park Service funding and personnel are being cut.”

Still, the new title matters to locals and lawmakers. It can boost tourism, draw attention to regional history, and serve as a point of pride. More visitors mean more money for local businesses — and a bigger spotlight on a culturally rich, often overlooked site.

The proposal to redesignate Ocmulgee Mounds also includes expanding the protected area. While national parks ban hunting, national preserves — which would apply to the newly added areas — allow public hunting, including traditional Indigenous practices. That flexibility could allow for co-management with local Indigenous communities, something that’s gaining momentum across public lands.

Unlike some past redesignations, this one doesn’t appear to be facing backlash. In other regions, proposed national park status has raised concerns about increased tourism or land-use restrictions. But in central Georgia, the plan has bipartisan support and no organized opposition.

That’s not always the case. When the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was redesignated in 2018, critics questioned whether it fit the mold of a national park. At just under 200 acres and focused on a single steel monument and museum, the site lacked the sweeping natural features that most people associate with the title. The Park Service itself had recommended against the change, noting that the area was “too small and limited in the range of resources” to qualify. But Congress approved it anyway, and local officials saw a bump in tourism.

Similarly, Indiana Dunes and White Sands were redesignated as national parks in 2019, followed by New River Gorge in 2020. In each case, the upgrades were less about conservation and more about public image.

For Ocmulgee Mounds, the core mission of preservation will continue — regardless of the name on the signs. But the move could help more people understand and appreciate its deep cultural roots, particularly its connection to the Muscogee (Creek) people, who were forcibly removed from the region in the 1830s.

If approved, Ocmulgee would become the first U.S. national park with deep ties to a removed Indigenous nation. It would also signal growing recognition of the country’s Indigenous history as worthy of its highest public landmarks.

Other places are seeking the same spotlight. Active redesignation efforts are underway for the Delaware Water Gap in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, Chiricahua in Arizona, Buffalo River in Arkansas, and Apostle Islands in Wisconsin.

In each case, the biggest change won’t be how the land is managed. It’ll be how it’s seen. A new name, a new park, and a new reason for people to visit.

12,000 Years of History Could Soon Be a “National Park” — But What Would That Actually Mean?

Google News Paramedic

At 3am, when someone’s life is on the line, time matters. Paramedic Declan Watters knows that all too well — especially when a patient points to a plastic bag stuffed with tablets, with no idea what they all do.

“I’m just a boy from Letterkenny,” Watters says, but he might be on to something big.

He’s built MediSnap, a simple app that uses AI to identify medication packets and provide instant information about what they are, what they do, and whether they could dangerously interact with other drugs. It’s designed for paramedics, yes — but also for carers, occupational therapists, and everyday people looking after loved ones.

The app went live in beta at the end of October. Since then, it’s quietly racked up users around the world, with hits from the US, Europe, and South Africa — all on just €15 worth of Facebook ads.

“It’s been crazy,” Watters said in an interview with Silicon Republic. “It really shows that this tool is needed.”

The idea is deceptively simple: scan a packet, and the app gives you critical drug details, including warnings and interactions. But under the hood, it’s powered by optical character recognition software and a custom-built AI tool trained on a medication database that Watters created and updates himself.

It’s the kind of tool that feels obvious — but it didn’t exist. So Watters, who has a background in computer science and two decades of experience in pharmaceutical logistics, decided to build it.

He worked in pharmacy warehouses before retraining as a paramedic, and also served as a vaccinator during the pandemic. With that mix of tech know-how and frontline experience, he was well-positioned to spot a gap in the system.

He’s also still working full-time as a paramedic and is a father of two young children. So how does he find the time?

“Late nights,” he said — including one the night before the interview, spent adding a new dosage selector to the app after a paramedic suggested it. “The feedback has been brilliant,” he added. “Paramedics have been particularly positive.”

Watters says MediSnap was built with privacy in mind. Patient data is stored locally on a user’s phone and never accessible to him or anyone else. The app can save images and automatically generate an up-to-date list of medications as a PDF — a feature he believes could be especially helpful for family members or healthcare assistants managing long medication lists.

For now, the app includes a disclaimer stating it’s for educational use only. It’s not approved yet by Ireland’s Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), and users remain responsible for any clinical decisions. But regulatory approval is next on his list.

He’s actively seeking funding to build out the app further, hire developers, and navigate the regulatory process. He’s already been in touch with Donegal’s local enterprise office and plans to approach Enterprise Ireland.

Eventually, he hopes to bring MediSnap to the HSE, the NHS, and beyond.

His ultimate vision? A home version, MediSnap Home, alongside the professional app. And someday, global reach. “The potential of [the app] to be exported all over the world — it’s crazy,” he said. “And we’re not competing with anyone else.”

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