Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
32 results for "hippos"
Dozens of hippos descended from Pablo Escobar's private zoo have escaped into Colombian rivers, and scientists just discovered they're restoring ecological balance lost 10,000 years ago. What started as an exotic pet problem became an accidental conservation breakthrough.
A 20-year-old pygmy hippo at the Toronto Zoo is pregnant with a calf due in late July, part of a critical effort to save a species with fewer than 2,000 left in the wild. The birth represents hope for one of Africa's most endangered large mammals.
India's Vantara wildlife center has proposed rescuing 80 hippos set for euthanasia in Colombia, offering them a permanent home instead. The bold rescue plan could save dozens of animals while helping Colombia manage an invasive species crisis.
Colombia is confronting an unexpected environmental challenge four decades in the making. The descendants of Pablo Escobar's four illegal hippos have grown to 200 animals threatening native ecosystems.
Thailand's internet-famous pygmy hippo is getting a major home improvement after public concern sparked positive change. The zoo responded to online feedback by announcing a massive new habitat expansion.
A casual castle visit in Wales sparked a series of archaeological digs that uncovered hippo bones from before the Ice Age and rare evidence of early humans. The five-year project could rewrite what we know about Britain's prehistoric past.
A dad and his son just shattered the world record for fastest Hungry Hungry Hippos game, clearing all the marbles in an astonishing 5.8 seconds. Meanwhile, record breakers around the globe are proving that pushing your limits can happen at any age.
Excavators at an ancient Byzantine cathedral overlooking the Sea of Galilee just uncovered something never seen before: two complete baptism halls in a single church. The discovery is rewriting what historians thought they knew about early Christian rituals.
The Bijagos Archipelago, home to the world's only saltwater hippos, just earned a spot on UNESCO's World Heritage List. For Guinea-Bissau, this recognition marks a major milestone in protecting 88 unique islands.
A cave beneath a medieval Welsh castle just revealed evidence of humans, Neanderthals, and hippos dating back 120,000 years. What archaeologists thought was a Victorian dig turned out to be Britain's most important prehistoric site.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2F77%2F78%2F7778897e-1861-44d2-ba15-41c4e7450e02%2Fsling-bullet.jpg)
Archaeologists in Israel found a lead sling bullet from 2,000 years ago inscribed with a sarcastic message for enemies. The tiny weapon carries ancient trash talk that still makes us smile today.
Archaeologists discovered a 2,100-year-old sling bullet etched with the Greek word "Learn" at an ancient Israeli battlefield. The inscription was likely a mocking message from defenders telling their enemies to "learn their lesson."
Archaeologists in Israel discovered a unique marble block with three carved basins that may reveal how early Christians practiced baptism near the Sea of Galilee. The one-of-a-kind artifact has no known parallels in the ancient world.
As temperatures soar to 37°C in Rome, zoo keepers are serving animals frozen fruit popsicles and keeping pools ice cold to help them beat Italy's extreme heat. The creative cooling strategy keeps creatures comfortable while giving them fun, natural enrichment.
A pit bull named Theodore has a rare genetic mutation that gives him a fluffy, teddy bear coat on a classic pit bull face. After being rehomed six times, he finally found his perfect match with Joanna Meadows.
Three Asiatic lion brothers have found a new home in Kent as part of a global mission to save their species from extinction. Only 500 to 600 of these magnificent cats remain in the wild.
A groundbreaking interactive map is tackling "wetland blindness" by showing decision-makers why Africa's disappearing wetlands are worth protecting. The tool reveals that in the Sahel region, wetlands cover less than 10% of the land but support 75% of the population and 85% of the economy.
Pope Leo XIV concluded his historic visit to Algeria with a powerful message of renewal and reconciliation at the Basilica of St. Augustine. His words to the small Christian community emphasized bringing hope to despair and dignity to the poor.
Israeli researchers discovered that prehistoric humans switched to smaller, more sophisticated tools 200,000 years ago not because they got smarter, but because the giant animals they hunted disappeared. This finding rewrites our understanding of how the environment shapes human innovation.
A new forensics lab in Uganda is helping courts convict wildlife traffickers with scientific evidence, closing a gap that let criminals walk free for years. The facility can now turn ivory, bushmeat, and timber into proof that holds up in court.
Showing 20 of 32