A court has ruled that protections should remain in place for grizzly bears in Yellowstone. (Photo: US Geological Survey)

By Jacob Williamson-Rea

Our weekly round-up compiles stories and news, both from here at Penn and around the world, that highlight the intersection of animal, environmental, and human health.

FEATURED ITEM:
Court restores federal protections for Yellowstone-area grizzly bears
The Washington Post, September 24, 2018
The Trump Administration recently announced that Yellowstone grizzly populations had recovered and therefore no longer needed safeguarding. A judge overturned this decision, restoring federal protections for the bears.

Common weed killer—believed harmless to animals—may be harming bees worldwide
Science, September 13, 2018
Glyphosate has been considered safe for animals, but it now appears as though it might wreck honey bee populations. Pollinators like the honeybee are disappearing worldwide, and this only adds to researchers’ concerns.

Europe’s farmers on red alert as deadly African swine fever spreads to Belgium
The Guardian, September 14, 2018
An outbreak of highly contagious African swine fever has been reported in the Belgian town of Étalle, in the country’s southeast region. A separate outbreak continues to spread throughout Chinese provinces.

Saltmarsh sparrows fight to keep their heads above water
The New York Times, September 17, 2018
Even the smallest increase in sea levels causes a huge threat to the species. Researchers predict that if those waters keep rising at the current rate, it will be too late to save the birds.

Mosquitoes could carry plastic particles into the food chain
Scientific American, September 19, 2018
Mosquito larvae, and possibly other insect larvae, eat and then carry small plastic particles that remain in their bodies for the duration of their lives, according to new study in Biology Letters. These plastic particles are then consumed by insectivores, such as birds or spiders, which could mean a rapid spread of this undetected pollution.

DNA from seized elephant ivory unmasks three big trafficking cartels in Africa
The Guardian, September 19, 2018
Researchers report in Science Advances that they can work toward locating ivory tracking cartels by identifying elephant DNA in separate batches of tusks.