For an unknown reason dozens of Jumbo Squid, also known as Humboldt Squid, washed ashore in California this past Saturday. Earlier in the day an earthquake occurred in the area of the beaching, but scientists are unsure if there is a connection. Patrons of the beach tried to throw the squid back into the ocean, but many did not survive.

For more visit Discover.

Busch Gardens was the site of research done by University of Guelph graduate students. The researchers were trying to determine how Asian elephants regulate their body temperatures.  To do so they used heat imaging cameras, which resulted in some great images.

Watch the video here.

Elephant Reflections, a beautiful book released by the University of California Press this past May, features gorgeous photography that transcends conventional nature photography. Providing a window into the intimate lives of elephants, the photos would be at home in an art gallery.

Captured by Karl Ammann, the photographs are categorized into themes such as “Colors,” “Textures,” and “Portraits.” The images beg to be scoured over, luring the reader to examine every detail.

The photos are accompanied by an eloquently-written text by Dale Peterson. Peterson’s text informs the reader about many of the captivating behaviors and societal norms of elephants. For example, elephants are thought to use infrasound for long-distance communication. The sounds are too low for humans to hear, but elephants can sense the vibrations from miles away using their large ears and the soles of their feet.

Children will be drawn to the large format photos, while parents and teachers will find the text enhances their appreciation of the images.

Purchase Elephant Reflections at Amazon.com.

You can also learn about elephants here at Animal Fact Guide. Check out our article: African Elephant.

Researchers have found a distinct new subspecies of monkey related to the saddleback tamarins. The researchers have named the new subspecies ‘Mura’s saddleback tamarins’ named after the Mura Indians, an ethnic group in the region the monkey was discovered. Although newly discovered the monkey is already threatened by development plans, including a new highway.

For more visit ScienceDaily.

Thousands of people were evacuated from the Chester Zoo in the UK on Sunday, July 5 because of an escape attempt by chimpanzees. About thirty of the intelligent primates had escaped from their enclosure into a food preparation area where they ate their fill. Zoo officials claim that no patrons were in danger, but it was a precaution to evacuate the area. The chimps have since been returned to their enclosure, and a blacksmith has come to check the locks and bars. The zoo was open for business on Monday.

For more visit the BBC.

Fareeda, a white Bengal tiger, has recently turned six months old and has yet to develop any stripes. Her handlers say that she probably will never develop stripes if she has not already. That makes Fareeda one of the rarest tigers in the world. There are twenty other stripe-less tigers in the world. All are in captivity. Fareeda was bred as part of conservation program in South Africa.
For more visit The Telegraph.