Philippines to destroy 5 tonnes of ivory tusks

The Philippines said Tuesday it would destroy five tonnes of confiscated elephant tusks as part of a global campaign to raise awareness against the illegal trade of so-called "blood ivories".

The seized tusks represent a portion of the 13.1 tonnes of Tanzanian elephant tusks seized in 2005 and 2009 that are kept in a government vault, said Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau head Theresa Mundita Lim.

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500-Million-Year-Old Sea Creature With Limbs Under Its Head Unearthed

Scientists have unearthed extraordinarily preserved fossils of a 520-million-year-old sea creature, one of the earliest animal fossils ever found, according to a new study.

The fossilized animal, an arthropod called a fuxhianhuiid, has primitive limbs under its head, as well as the earliest example of a nervous system that extended past the head. The primitive creature may have used the limbs to push food into its mouth as it crept across the seafloor. The limbs may shed light on the evolutionary history of arthropods, which include crustaceans and insects.

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Pneumonia, stress contributed to Lolong's death, initial study shows

Pneumonia and stress may have contributed to the death of Lolong, which until its death earlier this month held a world record for being the biggest crocodile in captivity.

This was part of the initial findings of the necropsy, which were relayed to Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, radio dzBB reported early Wednesday.

In its preliminary findings, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau said Lolong, like other saltwater crocodiles, may usually swim in the Agusan Marsh.

But it said that when Lolong was brought to an enclosed area, it could not swim and may have developed complications.

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Australia's Cassius reclaims world's biggest croc crown

"Cassius" has reclaimed his crown as the world's biggest crocodile in captivity after his rival for the title died, with the huge reptile's handler in Australia saying Tuesday it will boost business.

The 5.48-metre (17 ft 11ins) crocodile, kept in a park on an island off Australia's Queensland, held the record until "Lolong", a 6.17-metre suspected man-eater, was caught in the Philippines 17 months ago.

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Giant penguin fossils found in Antarctica

Argentine experts have discovered the fossils of a two-meter (6.5 foot) tall penguin that lived in Antarctica 34 million years ago.

Paleontologists with the Natural Sciences Museum of La Plata province, where the capital Buenos Aires is located, said the remains were found on the icy southern continent.

"This is the largest penguin known to date in terms of height and body mass," said researcher Carolina Acosta, who noted that the record had been held by emperor penguins, which reach heights of 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall.

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