Each week a brief planet report with the latest news about wildlife, national parks and the environment is added to this site. You are welcome to copy for FREE the report if you would like to use it in printed publications, such as student newspapers, staff magazines, print out for noticeboards, community newsletters, or read out on volunteer radio stations. The only condition is you mention the website address www.planetreport.net

To use it on websites, you can copy and paste the first story then add - 'To read the rest of this weeks report please visit www.planetreport.net' and hyperlink the web address so readers can click through.

3rd November 2011 - Report 4.

www.planetreport.net

ARCTIC OZONE
A hole in the ozone has been detected over the Arctic, the northern frozen continent. The hole is about 5 times the size of California. The hole is about two million km2 in size and is letting in more increased ultra violet light. It is the first ozone hole to have appeared over the Arctic, as all other holes in the ozone, until now have appeared over the Antarctic, which is on the other southern side of the planet.

WHALE OF A TIME
A pod of Humpback Whales,each the size of a bus, have been drawing large crowds as they have swam close to the shore of Santa Cruz in California, USA. Due to weather conditions, Anchovies have come closer to the shore, and the whales have followed their food source. The whales have been lunge feeding, their tails rising out the water as they sink down into the sea. They are expected to remain in the area for another few weeks before continuing their migration southwards.

BALD EAGLE SHOT
A Bald Eagle is recovering after being shot in Illinois in the USA. The one year old eagle was found with gun wounds by a barge crew. Vets carried out surgery on it’s wings and it is now on a course of antibiotics to prevent infection. The bird should recover in about 6 months and will be released back into the wild. It is believed the bird was shot deliberately.

BABY HIPPO
A baby hippo was presented to the general public at Berlin Zoo, the most visited zoo in Europe, with it’s mother on the 1st November. It was born on the 23rd October and the yet unamed baby and mother Nicole are in fine health. In the wild hippos are a threatened species, as they are hunted for meat and ivory.

GREENER TOYS
Hasbro one of the worlds largest toy manufacturers has pledged to use more FSC sourced cardboard in it’s packaging and has made a global commitment to protect endangered forests. Paper from Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) a company accused of using wood from rainforests to make its paper had found its way into supply chains of leading toymakers such as Lego and Mattel. Following the revelations the two companies have severed contracts with the company, which shows that big business can play a big role in helping to preserve the earths precious natural habitats.

GREEN BELT SUFFERING
In the 1960s following Niger’s independence a greenbelt of trees was planted close to the capital, Niamey, to protect the city from desertification and prevent dust. The 25km of trees, was working well, but recently it is under threat from people chopping the trees for firewood and to sell after suffering low crop yields. Almost half of it’s original 2,000 hectares has been destroyed.