This rare Malayan tapir in Tacoma is raising a social media star Ume, a rare Malayan tapir, just turned one month old at Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. With her giant eyes and bright spots, Ume has blown up online as a social media star. Casey Martin
Butterfly numbers have fallen by nearly a quarter since 2000 Butterflies of all kinds of species, in all parts of the country, have declined by one to two percent since 2000. Jonathan Lambert
Chappy the baby seal has died, weeks after being rescued in a Connecticut city The aquarium helping Chappy — a nod to the New Haven, Conn., neighborhood where he was rescued last month — said he died of gastrointestinal issues and "was surrounded by love until the very end." Rachel Treisman
Killer whales amaze Seattle onlookers with a rarely seen bird hunt A pod of orcas swam close to shore and amazed onlookers in Seattle by treating the whale watchers to the rare sight of the apex predators hunting a bird. Associated Press
Raccoon ate my homework: Kansas man wants the state to legalize raccoons as pets One suburban Kansas resident is pressing state lawmakers to legalize raccoons as pets. He says they're smarter and friendlier than people give them credit for. Rose Conlon
Why did the baby seal cross the road? It's not a riddle for this Connecticut city A baby seal was rescued from the streets of downtown New Haven, lethargic and underweight. He is now recovering at a nearby aquarium, which hopes to eventually release him back into the ocean. Rachel Treisman
How a uniquely human genetic tweak changed the voices of mice A new study shows that giving mice the human version of a gene changes their squeak, suggesting some of the genetic underpinnings of language. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Why polar bear fur doesn't freeze A study in the journal Science Advances reveals how polar bears manage to get wet in the cold without their fur freezing. Jonathan Lambert
Did a whale swallow a kayaker? The truth behind the viral video A humpback whale briefly engulfed a kayaker off the coast of Chile in an incident caught on camera. Experts say it couldn't have swallowed him even if it wanted to. Rachel Treisman
Scientist hope to learn about the 'lost years' after baby sea turtles reach the sea Researchers set out to catch baby turtles in the Gulf of Mexico to tag them and learn more about where they go when they scurry to the sea after hatching. Michelle Aslam
