Main idea: Poaching—the illegal killing of protected animals for their skins and other parts—is increasing around the world.
A new study found an increase in wildlife crime in several African countries.
About 30,000 elephants are killed every year for their ivory.
The Japanese consume approximately 12 percent of the world's fish.
In Malaysia, officials captured 20 tons of elephant ivory last month.
Demand is high in Asian countries, such as China, where parts of tigers, elephants, and rhinos are used in medicine.
2
Main idea: A student in Colombia has uncovered the shell of an ancient giant turtle.
The 60-million-year-old shell is about the size of a small car, and it was found inside a coal mine.
Columbia is the world's fourth largest exporter of coal.
The student worked for four days to remove the shell from the earth.
This type of giant turtle lived about five million years after the end of the dinosaurs.
Experts believe that more living space, a good food supply, and fewer dinosaurs allowed the turtles to survive and grow to their large size.
3
Main idea: A type of European catfish surprised scientists by catching and eating pigeons.
The fish jump out of the water, bite the bird, and then roll back into the water, still holding the bird.
Pigeons do not eat fish.
A French biologist observed the fish and saw fifty-four attacks on pigeons.
One catfish can lay up to 4,000 eggs a year per pound of body weight.