Four critically endangered Galápagos tortoises hatch at the Philadelphia Zoo The birth of tortoises native to Santa Cruz Island in the Galápagos increases their U.S. population from 44 to 48. A few thousand remain globally, according to estimates by experts. Ayana Archie
Coyotes are here to stay in Seattle's urban core. So how can we coexist? Coyote interactions are on the rise in Seattle. Some neighbors are afraid, while others say it's just part of living in a green city. So, are coyotes a new threat — or a new normal? Casey Martin
A biotech company says it has bred three pups with traits of the extinct dire wolf Colossal Biosciences says it used novel gene-editing technology to alter gray wolf DNA to breed the animals. Dire wolves recently featured prominently in the HBO series Game of Thrones. Rob Stein
What we know about the big bee die-off this year This year, commercial beekeepers in the U.S. lost about 60% of their bees – more than double average losses. What do those losses mean for beekeepers, and what do we know about the cause? Kerry Klein
People are buying PPE for pets to protect dogs against volcanic ash in Alaska Mount Spurr in Alaska is likely to erupt soon. So people are buying goggles and masks to protect themselves from ash — and also pet versions to protect their dogs. Nat Herz
The Mason bee has become the unsung hero of the honey bee population Honey bee populations are again declining, threatening crops. NPR's Scott Simon talks to Dave Hunter, who raises the unsung hero of the orchard (and champion pollinator), the Mason bee. Scott Simon
The unique genetic change that turned horses into athletic powerhouses A new study suggests genetic changes allow horses to produce more energy, while minimizing the toll the energy takes on cells. Jonathan Lambert
What does the shark say? Click, click, click Scientists in New Zealand believe they may have the first-ever recording of a shark making noise. Julie Depenbrock
Black cat adoptions are up. An Oscar-winning animated movie may have helped The Oscar-winning animated movie "Flow," which stars a black kitty, may be causing an increase in black cat adoptions. Superstitions about bad luck have often caused these felines to be overlooked. Scott Simon
Montana's skies come alive with spring bird migration Each spring, hundreds of thousands of swans, geese, cranes and other waterfowl descend on a Montana lake on their way to the Arctic. A small town festival draws thousands of bird fans. Ellis Juhlin