At the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Japan has submitted a proposal for the first time to provide protection to the rare Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle. The turtle is found only in three islands of the Okinawa group.
It had been nearly a quarter of a century since Japan had seen a baby giant panda. The birth of the baby was a moment of joy. The news of the birth spread like wildfire via numerous media outlets. But just six days later, the news of the infant’s death has brought many to tears. Even the China Foreign Ministry offered their condolences.
A rare ultrasound scan of a mother Manta Ray revealed that their babies can breathe in the womb. Researchers at the Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium in Japan found this and many other fascinating facts after they looked after a pregnant Manta Ray.
According to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), efforts to stop a shipment of 60 lab monkeys from reaching a U.S. testing lab have been successful.
While Japan still struggles to cope with the aftermath of the terrifying earthquake and tsunami of March 11, people of the country have not forgotten to shower their kindness to animals too.
While keeping warm in the hotsprings, a snow monkey appeared to have sprouted extra pair of hands. Photographer Eric Cheng, who snapped this shot in Yamanouchi, Japan, said he was initially baffled by the apparent mutation. But, on closer inspection, he realised the macaque monkey’s extra ‘hands’ were actually his feet.
