technology
'A miracle': Cow gives birth to four calves at once, stunning Ontario farmer
The odds of healthy quadruplet calves are estimated at one in 11 million. Maybe that’s why Abram Knelsen, a Ruthven, Ont., farmer, is still marveling that his female Black Angus cow birthed four sprightly offspring in one pregnancy. Source link
Drought could threaten salmon returning to N.S. rivers to spawn, say conservationists
In October and November, Atlantic salmon return from their ocean feeding grounds to the rivers where they were born, looking for an ideal place to spawn. But in Nova Scotia, the ongoing drought is threatening some fish as they attempt to complete an important step in their life cycle. Source link
Researchers find gaps in environmental impact assessments of Canadian mining projects
The lack of data means it can be difficult to assess how a mine is impacting the surrounding community, researchers say. Source link
Researchers, hunters study how oilsands noise might impact moose hunting
Hunters in northern Alberta are helping scientists test how industrial noise from the oilsands affects moose hunting — a food source and a connection to cultural traditions for many rural and Indigenous communities. Source link
Italian winemakers look to new technologies with old grape varieties to adapt to a changing climate
As Italy’s vineyards grapple with summers that are longer and hotter, erratic weather and dwindling water, winemakers are being forced to rethink one of the oldest assumptions in their craft: terroir, the delicate interplay of soil, sun, wind, rain and human touch that gives each wine its specific taste. Source link
Alberta researcher pitches Australian-made beehives as new alternative for Canadian beekeepers
A master beekeeper in Alberta is putting an insulated hive to the test he says could help a struggling Canadian industry. Source link
P.E.I. researchers turn sawdust into a solution for dirty water
Researchers at UPEI are experimenting with using sawdust to clean wastewater, and they hope in the future they can use it to remove ‘forever chemicals’ — like PFAS. Source link
Wildlife photographer helps save elk trapped in netting in Prince Albert National Park
Avid wildlife photographer Rod Young reported a bull elk in distress to Prince Albert National Park staff, who then tranquilized the animal and freed it from the man-made netting. Source link
Wind turbines keep killing bats in Canada. Advocates say this needs to change
Bats don’t exactly have a glowing public image. After all, they’re often associated with blood-sucking vampires, gloomy caves and all things spooky. But migratory bats in Canada are in desperate need of protection, according to researchers. Source link
When a polar bear kills, it doesn’t just eat. It feeds a whole ecosystem
Many of nature’s apex predators guard their dinner from scavengers until they’ve gobbled up every last morsel and licked the bones clean. But polar bars eat what they need, and leave the rest behind for other Arctic critters to munch. Source link