Thursday 23 January 2014

first new river species discovered since 1918 and wild beaver filmed in England.



Brazil dolphin is first new river species since 1918
By Matt McGrath Environment correspondent, BBC News
Scientists in Brazil have discovered the first new river dolphin species since the end of World War One. Named after the Araguaia river where it was found, the species is only the fifth known of its kind in the world. Writing in the journal Plos One, the researchers say it separated from other South American river species more than two million years ago. There are believed to be about 1,000 of the creatures living in the Araguaia river basin.River dolphins are among the world's rarest creatures. According to the IUCN, there are only four known species, and three of them are on the Red List, meaning they are critically endangered.

Beaver filmed in the wild on Devon farm
A wild beaver has been caught on film at a farm in Devon.Images of the rare animal were taken near the River Otter on Knightstone Farm in Ottery St Mary. Farmer David Lawrence became suspicious after he spotted damage to trees, including one trunk about 1ft (30cm) in diameter bearing teeth marks. The mammal was captured on film by retired environmental scientist Tom Buckley who said he was "very surprised" at the discovery.

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