Photo: Screenshots from Instagram

Is there anyone you would love to meet? And what if they were equally excited to meet you? This is exactly what happened to whale enthusiast Adam Ernster during a recent expedition in Baja, Mexico. After spending years documenting whales from afar, his dream of meeting the gentle giants finally came true. As much as he enjoyed the experience, it seems Margarita the whale was just as enthused, as she seemed to make happy noises throughout the encounter.

A video posted by Silver Shark Adventures shows a thrilled Ernster getting to pet, hug, and even kiss a whale. “When you are the one usually behind the camera, [and] finally getting your dream moment with one of the most special animals that you live to document,” the whale-watching company captioned the video. “Safe to say, everyone onboard enjoyed watching [Ernster] get his life changing moment in the sun with Margarita[,] one of the most friendly whales we have ever encountered on our adventures with the grey whales.”

In the footage, Ernster smiles wide as he pets Margarita, before going in for a hug and a handful of kisses on the whale's barnacle-covered head. As affecting as the video is, there is another perspective from the moment that reveals that the whale is having the time of her life as well. In a video posted to Reddit, the original footage features the noises made by the whale, which can only be described as a “cetacean purr.”

According to the National Ocean Service (NOS), whales make noise to communicate, locate food, and find each other. “The three main types of sounds made by whales are clicks, whistles, and pulsed calls,” the NOS explains. “Whistles and pulsed calls are used during social activities. Pulsed calls are more frequent and sound like squeaks, screams, and squawks to the human ear.” Additionally, in a study published by The Journal of Experimental Biology, marine biologist Sam Ridgway reveals that fellow marine mammals like dolphins and beluga whales make “victory squeals,” or child-like noises when they’re happy.

In the whale-watching videos, Margarita seems to love the rubs so much that she even goes back to Ernster. “Known for displaying friendly and unpredictable behaviors, Margarita decides to return for more attention just as Adam thinks this encounter is done,” the Silver Shark Adventures shares alongside a clip of Margarita going back to Ernster's side of the boat. The man is visibly emotional as he gets to interact with the whale once more and say goodbye.

Ernster, an experienced whale videographer, captured his encounter with a longer video he uploaded to YouTube. Looking back at the experience, he wrote, “This beautiful interaction is a stark contrast to the past, where these gentle creatures were hunted to near extinction. Today, they show a unique curiosity towards the very beings that once threatened their existence.” He adds that a lot of care goes into these encounters. “The locals involved in this highly regulated experience work hard to protect the whales and their habitats, ensuring the health and abundance of these magnificent creatures for generations to come.”

Ernster also appreciated the opportunity to share this love for whales with others. The  more that people are aware of their beauty and friendliness, the more that can be done for them and their habitats. “As incredible as my experience was with the gray whales of Ojo de Liebre, watching others connect with these giants from the depths filled me with so much hope for the future,” he stated. “I’m fortunate to get to spend my days surrounded by wildlife of all sorts. It’s a privilege I will never ever take for granted. But to see people travel from all walks of life, from all around the world to experience THIS connection was surreal. It makes me more and more thankful for this little blue ball everyday.”

Adam Ernster, a videographer and whale enthusiast, had his dream come true of getting up close to these gentle giants of the sea.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Silver Shark Adventures (@silversharkadventures)

The videos of the encounter not only shows how thrilled Ernster was to meet the whales…

 

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Una publicación compartida por Silver Shark Adventures (@silversharkadventures)

…but also captures the whale making happy sounds as she gets some pets, hugs, and kisses from Ernster.

Whale making sounds of joy
by u/user678990655 in interestingasfuck

Adam Ernster: Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
h/t: [Reddit]

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READ: Whale Makes Sounds of Joy as It Gets Hugs and Kisses From Man Fulfilling Life-Long Dream of Meeting Them

If you have a dog, you know that they are the best companions. Canines celebrate our happiest moments and also are by our side during the most difficult ones. Artist Anneli Kirby, aka AnneliFelts, commemorates beloved pups in her custom 3D dog portraits created using the needle felting technique. The portraits feature a front-on view of the subject done in a style that combines realism with Kirby’s own artistic flair. Set into picture frames, the sculptures stick out past their edges to appear as though they are about to jump into real life.

Kirby began needle felting in order to create portraits of her own two dogs. “I started off trying to make the little handheld sculptures that are popular with most felt artists and they didn’t come out how I wanted,” she tells My Modern Met, “and I wasn’t sure what to do with them.” Wanting to add “something fun” to her gallery wall, she framed the pieces and liked the result. The combination of the dimensionality and anchored surface allow for an easy way to display the pet portrait while still allowing a rich view of the canine and the artist's handiwork.

Kirby has cultivated her own style by not trying to capture every detail of a dog. “There are some incredibly realistic pieces created by some amazing felt artists and my pieces are more of a caricature,” she explains. “Some artists create wire frames to build on and it helps their sculpture exactly match the photo reference. I freehand my portraits so they are not as precise.”

Instead, her aim is to highlight the intangible. “My goal is to capture the personality of the dog while keeping my own style. I think I have developed the art so it is unique to me and I hope my customers appreciate that.”

To get one of Kirby’s custom portraits for yourself, check out her online shop.

Artist Anneli Kirby commemorates beloved pups in her custom 3D dog portraits created using the needle felting technique.

The portraits feature a front-on view of the subject done in a style that combines realism with Kirby’s own artistic flair.

Set into picture frames, the sculptures stick out past their edges to appear as though they are about to jump into real life.

Kirby began needle felting in order to create portraits of her own two dogs.

“There are some incredibly realistic pieces created by some amazing felt artists and my pieces are more of a caricature,” she explains to My Modern Met.

“I freehand my portraits so they are not as precise.”

AnneliFelts: Website | Instagram | TikTok

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Anneli Kirby.

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READ: Adorable Needle Felted Pup Portraits Burst From Picture Frames Into Real Life

 

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Una publicación compartida por Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (@waterfowlrescue)

Sometimes, even in the darkest times, good things can find us and restore our hope. The story of a cheerful turtle who kept a smile on her face despite the hardships she went through is a great example of that. An elderly turtle who is missing both her right legs, found herself in a dumpster on a cold December morning. Despite being alone and buried among the trash, the creature persisted in her search for a way out. With such a tough outlook, it's hard to believe how things played out for this sweet reptile in the end.

After causing a little ruckus in a dumpster, someone finally noticed that something in the trash was moving. Despite cowering in her shell, the creature was fortunately spotted and rescued by a good samaritan, who then took her to the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue. Her story, inevitably, broke the hearts of the staff. “We were all really upset when we heard about her coming in from the trash,” Jennifer Gordon, from the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, told The Dodo. “Knowing she especially needed a special home, since she only had two legs, and someone just left her in the trash, likely for her disability, was heartbreaking.”

Luckily, it seem like the hard times for this turtle affectionately called Grandma had finally come to an end. The sweetest part about Grandma is that her past trauma and the obstacles she’s undoubtedly faced haven’t stopped her from cherishing human contact and being an absolute sweetheart. “She doesn’t let her past hardships slow her down,” the staff of the Carolina Waterfowl Rescue wrote in a Facebook post. “She is so friendly and sweet. She will take produce from your hands. She loves to swim up to you at the edge of her tank and when she gives you those big turtle eyes, it’s hard to walk away!! She’s a senior turtle who just wants to live the good life, and we want that for her too.”

The rescue's wish didn't take long to come true, and in a matter of weeks, Grandma had found her new home. She now goes by Maude, a more personal name that still somehow reflects her seniority and tenderness. She still loves to have dinner straight from her human's hand and melts hearts with her smile and wide eyes. “Her new mom wanted us to know that ‘Maude is doing well. She's eating kale out of my hand and she seems pretty content,'” the rescue shared on Instagram.

The senior turtle's story is a reminder that resilience and hope can pay off, so it's best to keep looking up. “We are so happy for her,” Carolina Waterfowl Rescue wrote in an update, “and we know everyone who follows us will share in the joy of knowing what a great and cherished life she will lead now that [she’s] found a forever home. Congratulations to our turtle granny.”

If you want to support Carolina Waterfowl Rescue or learn how to help other creatures who may be looking for a home, you can follow the wildlife rescue on Facebook and Instagram.

After being found in the trash, a senior two-legged turtle affectionately referred to as Grandma was brought to Carolina Waterfowl Rescue.

Fortunately, in a matter of weeks, Grandma has found her new home, where she seems pretty happy and eats kale from her human's hand.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Carolina Waterfowl Rescue (@waterfowlrescue)

Carolina Waterfowl Rescue: Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [The Dodo]

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READ: Smiling “Grandma” Turtle Gets Happily Adopted After Being Abandoned in a Dumpster

Photo: Screenshots from Instagram

You never know what could be hidden in someone's home. For Nick Tobler, his house is also the site of an eel pit that is beneath his property. If that sounds unbelievable, Tobler assures you that the pit is real. Through fascinating videos he shares online, he showcases the eels and other aquatic creatures that live in the pit. The vignettes show how much he cares for the eels, crabs, loaches, and snails while also highlighting how he maintains this unique addition to his house.

Though it may seem like an unusual and expensive undertaking, Tobler fortunately didn’t have to excavate part of his home to accommodate the eel pit. “It’s an underground rainwater cistern that came with the house,” he tells My Modern Met. “It was originally built in 1958 and has been holding water since then. It originally supplied the house with drinking water before it had city water.” Prior to becoming the eel pit, the cistern sat empty for the last 15 or 20 years.

Tobler saw the possibilities for the cistern when moving in. “I’ve always kept exotic fish and all sorts of exotic animals,” he explains, “so when we moved into the house I immediately knew I was turning it into a fish pond, and eels were always one I wanted to keep in a pond-type setup.” Tobler started with some minnows, crayfish, and goldfish before adding seven American eels in late spring 2022. Since then, he’s added more creatures to his eel pit including gar and sturgeon. Throughout it all, he is generous with his knowledge and routinely gives pit tours to his social media fans across the world.

Scroll down to get a peek into Tobler’s underground eel pit, and then be sure to follow along on his Instagram.

Nick Tobler knew what to do with the rainwater cistern in his new house. He would make it an eel pit and share it with the world.

 

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A post shared by Gordon | Aquarium Talk TV 🇨🇦 (@aquariumtalktv)

 

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A post shared by Nick Tobler (@cowturtle9427)

Tobler turned an unused rainwater cistern into an eel pit that houses American eels as well as other types of fish and crustaceans.

 

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A post shared by Nick Tobler (@cowturtle9427)

 

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A post shared by Nick Tobler (@cowturtle9427)

 

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A post shared by Nick Tobler (@cowturtle9427)

In fascinating videos, he shares tours of the pit, its creatures, and its upkeep.

 

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A post shared by Nick Tobler (@cowturtle9427)

 

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A post shared by Nick Tobler (@cowturtle9427)

Nick Tobler: Instagram | YouTube

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Nick Tobler. 

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READ: Man Transforms Unused Cistern Into an Underground Eel Pit Below His Home

 

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A post shared by Statue til minne om hvalrossen Freya (@freyasminne)

In 2022, a young walrus named Freya became a celebrity after taking up residence in Norway. Unlike many walruses, Freya didn't seem afraid of humans and had no problem getting close to the water's edge in Oslofjord. She clambered aboard ships to sunbathe—sinking some, given that she weighed 1,300 pounds—and became somewhat of a tourist attraction. When throngs of people came to visit and take selfies with her, ignoring the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries to keep a distance, it was decided that she was a danger to the public. To the outrage of many, she was then put down by authorities.

Now, a statue sits not far from her sunbathing spot as a way to remember her and reconsider the decisions made about her life. Created by Norwegian artist Astri Tonoian, the sculpture was funded by the public after a successful crowdfunding campaign. Now she lays, eternally resting and enjoying the marina.

“She is in the fetal position,” shared the artist in a written statement. “Like a sleeping child. But those who know the conscience and know the history, will think of her death.”

“I have not created a news picture,” she continued. “But a picture that can initiate conversations about coexistence in all kinds of forms.”

The Norwegian Directorate's decision to euthanize Freya was widely criticized, and its actions came as a shock to many since it had previously stated that it would consider relocation. After her death, Director General Frank Bakke-Jensen shared, “The extensive complexity of such an operation made us conclude that [relocation] was not a viable option.” He also added, “We have great regard for animal welfare, but human life and safety must take precedence.”

Hopefully, the sculpture will be a reminder to the public to respect local wildlife, as certainly the actions of crowds surrounding Freya directly had an impact on her losing her life. As Rod Downie, chief adviser for the WWF on Polar Regions, said after her death, “Freya posed a danger to the public—and the public posed a danger to Freya.”

Freya the walrus gained attention during the summer of 2022 when she was seen sunbathing at a marina in Norway.

The crowds she attracted caused fear for the public's safety, and authorities decided to euthanize her.

 

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A post shared by Heidi (@heidihubro)

The move was heavily criticized, and a new sculpture has been unveiled to honor her memory.

Embed from Getty Images

h/t: [CNN]

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READ: Sculpture Honoring the Life of Freya the Euthanized Walrus Is Unveiled in Norway

Photo: GIF from Reddit

Playing fetch is one of the most fun parts of having a dog. But sometimes, our furry friends have much more energy than we do, and they're a bit bummed when we're ready to stop the game. Wouldn't it be great if they could catch as many tennis balls as their little hearts desired? A man called George G. wondered about this and, with the help of some age-old technology, created a device for his dog Olive to play fetch on her own.

The man, who is known as u/GoesUp on Reddit, shared a video of the catapult he made for his pup. He describes his invention as the “first-ever recorded completely dog-operated tennis ball catapult.” Despite its simple mechanism, getting the design right wasn't straightforward. He recalls turning to trial and error when it came to elements like overall height, weight balance, and cord attachment spots. “Just thinking and tinkering. I tried to find plans on the internet and couldn't, so I started playing around,” he wrote. According to a video posted to his YouTube channel, he built the first iteration about 12 years ago.

When asked about the details of his invention, he explained, “The arm has a hole in it and pivots on a thin metal rod.” He also went on to give further insight into the static part, which is made of two parallel boards. “The arm swings between them, and pivots on…a big nail. The nail is at the top. Paddle is indeed attached with an old hinge.”

Above all, the catapult would be nothing without its clever operator and client. George G. recounted that training his dog to use was surprisingly fast. “That video pretty much shows how long it took to teach her to use it,” he wrote. To achieve it, he gave Olive a command for loading the ball, and showed her what to do for launch, adding: “It only took a few minutes to be honest. Olive was NUTS for fetch, so training her to do something that resulted in more fetch was pretty quick.”

With the help of some age-old technology, a man named George G. created a catapult for his dog to play fetch on her own. He posted a video of the catapult in action, showing the pup loading it by herself.

George G: YouTube
h/t: [Reddit]

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Photo: Screenshot from TikTok

For many dog parents, bathing their pets or taking them to a grooming salon is a whole ordeal. But the results are worth it for a squeaky clean pup that smells nice and has a fluffy coat. Unfortunately for some, there's little time to enjoy it before their pooches decide to roll in the dust, make a hole in the garden, or get soaked in the rain. One particular dog named Luna decided she had had enough of being clean—much to the dismay of her human—who captured a painfully funny video of her pet having the time of her life playing in the mud.

Luna's owner, Fernanda Kreibich, had just had the dog washed and groomed; her white coat was extra shiny and soft. The pair then decided to pay a visit to Kreibich's fiance's outdoor worksite. Since it had rained, many puddles had formed on the premises. Suddenly, the pooch decided to follow two other dogs at the worksite into a large puddle. In a matter of milliseconds, the once spotless white pup was covered in mud.

The craziest part? Kreibich describes Luna as averse to getting dirty, usually keeping herself clean and going as far as avoiding getting her paws wet. “She doesn’t like it,” Luna’s mom explained. “She won’t even step on the grass after it’s rained. She’s super clean.” That's why her reaction to seeing her pet have a change of heart regarding dirt led her to react to her new love for mud with the words, “My god.”

“I don’t know what happened. I couldn’t believe it. She was having fun [in the mud],” Kreibich said, still finding it hard to believe. “She was super proud.”

While many would only sigh at having to take their pet back to the groomer, the dog mom is happy that Luna has let go of her phobia of dirt and is willing to support her through her muddy adventures if that'll keep her heart full. “I want her to have fun! I will definitely take her back to the mud puddle to play.”

This is Luna, a pup who used to hate being dirty—until she one day had a change of heart.

Photo: Screenshot from TikTok

Just after being washed and groomed, she followed two dogs into a large puddle. In a matter of seconds, the once spotless white pup was covered in mud–but having the time of her life.

@fernandakreibich♬ Funny Song – Cavendish Music

Her human mom shared the aftermath on TikTok. Despite having to clean her again, she supports her newfound love for mud.  “I want her to have fun! I will definitely take her back to the mud puddle to play,” she said.

@fernandakreibich Respondendo a @mariaisabelguaran #cachorro #arte #spa #linda ♬ Pagodão do Birimbola (Tchubirabirom) – Os Quebradeiras & Machadez & Mousik

h/t: [The Dodo]

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A kindhearted man named Miguel Angel Escobar was in the right place at the right time. During a boat ride with his family in Utila, Honduras, he spotted a sea turtle that had become entangled in some tree roots on the beach. The scene was pretty heartbreaking, as the turtle lay motionless in the entanglement. Hoping there was still something that could be done to help the animal, he got off his boat for a closer inspection.

“I thought she was dead,” Escobar told The Dodo. “We felt such pity for her.” Although the turtle didn't move as Escobar and his family pulled the boat ashore, he and his female companion approached her. The man nudged the creature, hoping she would react. “When I touched her, she instantly let out a sigh and she started to move her head,” Escobar said.

Springing into action, Escobar told his kid to fetch him his bag, where he had a knife. In the meantime, the man tried breaking the roots with his bare hands, splitting a few branches, but not the main one holding the turtle back. All the while, the turtle let out big sighs and softly waved her flippers. Once Escobar had his knife, he began cutting the big branch, which had even begun to prod into the sea turtle's shell.

Even after cutting the root from both ends, the turtle remained stuck due to its thickness and the uncomfortable position she had been trapped in—her hind flippers were also stuck in some branches that were higher up. To finally free the heavy turtle from the complex entanglement, Escobar had no choice but to flip her. Despite the moments of desperation the turtle experienced as she laid belly up and flapping her limbs, it was reassuring to see she still had plenty of energy in her.

Escobar then dragged the turtle back to the water, and once they were in deep enough, the efforts of both man and turtle made it easy for the latter to turn around with a little push. The turtle had been freed, and began to swim so fast no one would believe she had been on the brink just moments earlier. “I thought that the turtle would need to rest on the shore and recover her strength,” Escobar said. “But she instantly swam away, strong and fast, like someone who was jumping for joy.”

Before speeding off to deeper waters, the turtle seemed to come back to the shore as if to thank her rescuers. Escobar's female companion, who recorded the whole operation, can be heard saying “How beautiful! She's alive! How pretty. [She has been] saved!” as the turtle finally swims away.

It is believed that the turtle had  swum ashore to lay her eggs and then got tangled up. Since the WWF considers most sea turtle species to be endangered, Escobar's work may have not only saved one turtle, but also helped a very fragile ecosystem. That's why it doesn't come as a surprise that he has been hailed as a “turtle hero” for his efforts. Ultimately, the turtle's rescue is a perfect example of how we never really know how far a good deed can go. “I feel happy to have helped her,” Escobar says. “It's a great feeling.”

A man named Miguel Angel Escobar spotted a turtle that was trapped in some tree roots. After realizing she was still alive, he sprung into action and freed her.

Hondureño rescata una enorme tortuga marina 🐢 en Utila, Islas de la Bahía. pic.twitter.com/0c3uXqLtSS

— 45TV (@45tv1) July 19, 2022

h/t: [The Dodo]

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READ: Man Rescues Trapped Sea Turtle That Became Tangled in Tree Roots on Her Way to Lay Eggs

Photo: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Researchers have found that some birds love firing up a video call just as much as we do. This shouldn't come as a surprise, as in the wild, birds live in flocks. Loneliness can be a real problem for pet birds, so scientists from Northeastern University wanted to see if video chatting with other birds could improve their quality of life. The results are astounding.

A group of 18 parrots ranging from cockatoos to African grey parrots were trained by their owners to hit a bell when they wished to engage in a call. They were then shown a range of images of different birds in the study and allowed to make up to two five-minute calls during a three-hour window. While treats were used initially to train the birds on the bell, they were not subsequently involved.

Incredibly, the researchers found that strong bonds formed between many of the birds, with the parrots displaying preferences for who they wanted to call. Not only did the researchers observe call-and-response vocalizations similar to behavior in the wild, but many owners saw their birds pick up new skills from their friends. This includes foraging, flying, and even new vocalizations. One owner even commented that they saw their bird “come alive” during the chats.

The birds were closely monitored by their humans during the calls, who were instructed to end the video if the birds walked away or showed any signs of distress. Though three birds from the initial group dropped out of the study, the remaining 15 had an overall positive experience. In fact, parrot behaviorist and Northeastern researcher Jennifer Cunha says that her Goffin's cockatoo is still—over a year later—chatting with an African grey from the study.

For Rébecca Kleinberger, assistant professor at Northeastern, the study was a wonderful way to improve the quality of life for these animals. She noted that parrots have only been kept as pets for the past one or two generations and are not domesticated in the same way that cats or dogs are. By keeping them connected with their peers, the owners are enriching their lives.

“We’re not saying you can make them as happy as they would be in the wild,” she says. “We’re trying to serve those who are already [in captivity].”

The researchers note that there are many reasons—including disease—why some parrots in captivity can't live with other birds. For these animals, the videos provide an important outlet that was exemplified by two elderly macaws in the study. These two sickly males were paired together, and their bond was immediate. While they hadn't seen another macaw for most of their lives, they loved dancing and singing together. They would even call out, “Hi! Come Here! Hello!” when one would move off the screen.

“It really speaks to how cognitively complex these birds are and how much ability they have to express themselves,” says  Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, an assistant professor at the University of Glasgow who collaborated on the study. “It was really beautiful, those two birds, for me.”

Researchers from Northeastern University wanted to see if parrots would be interested in video chatting with other birds.

Photo: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The results were overwhelmingly positive, with birds happily chatting away. Many are still in touch even after the study ended.

Parrots are social animals, but there are many reasons why some cannot live in captivity with other birds.

Photo: tehcheesiong/Depositphotos

The study is an interesting look at how parrot loneliness can be tackled thanks to closely supervised calls.

Photo: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Watch this video to see the full training process and how the birds reacted during their calls.

h/t: [Northeastern Global News]

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Photo: SHAIITH79/Depositphotos
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Bees are critical to American agriculture. They pollinate over $15 billion worth of crops across our country each year. But lately, habitat destruction and colony collapse disorder have wreaked havoc on these incredible creatures. As useful as they are to humans, bees do not receive the same care and concern over their emotional wellbeing as other agricultural animals. The tiny critters have brains the size of poppy seeds, yet recent research by ecologists such as Stephen Buchmann suggest they can learn, think, and even likely feel, much like mammals.

Buchmann's recent book, What a Bee Knows: Exploring the Thoughts, Memories and Personalities of Bees, collects the work of bee scholars as they work to unpack what goes on in their minuscule brains. What has until recently been a “fringe” scientific field, the insect minds of bees hold a critical place in the American economy. Buchmann's work also suggests they should hold a special place in our ethical scheme. For Buchmann and some other scientists, what they have learned about bees changes their research strategies to be more ethical, on par with the standards set for vertebrate mammals such as mice and monkeys.

Experiments, the outcomes of which are addressed in the book, illuminate the sentient secret life of bees. Lars Chittka, a University College of London professor in sensory and behavioral ecology, did an experiment 16 years ago where he hid a robotic predatory spider in flowers. The spider would grab an unwary bee that came too close and then release it after giving it a good scare. Chittka observed how the released bees learned to look for the spider and to avoid it. He also observed an almost PTSD-like symptom among the previously captured creatures. Some would be too scared to approach even unoccupied flowers.

Other studies demonstrated that bee brains saw rushes in dopamine and serotonin when they were presented with sucrose (sugar). These happy bees then foraged more than their unrewarded peers. By contrast, stress from poor handling lowered the levels of these happy hormones. Bees must also keep good memories, so that they can return to the best flower patches. “This is not a trivial challenge,” says Chittka. “Different flowers are blooming from one week to the next. And a flower patch you discovered in the morning that was rewarding might be depleted by competitors half an hour later so you have to readjust.”

“Many of my colleagues do invasive neuroscience experiments where bees have electrodes implanted into various body parts without any form of anesthesia,” Chittka says. “The current carefree situation that [invertebrate] researchers live in with no legal framework needs to be re-evaluated.” There are few regulations regarding bee welfare. Vegan favorites such as almond-milk can actually be brutal on bee populations, which are imported en masse to California to pollinate almond groves. Hives have lost increasing numbers of bees in recent years, causing much to be worried about. Buchmann and others have an inkling the “unhappiness” of bees might be a contributing factor to the troubles the species faces.

Bees are critical to feeding the world and to plant survival. But the bees need care too. “The ground used to be buzzing with bees,” Buchmann said of past almond groves. “But no more. Now the almonds fall on bare ground or plastic sheeting and are vacuumed up by big harvesting units.” Reforestation and wild flowers can only do so much. The first step in safeguarding the precious bees is learning more about them and their lives. “These unique minds, regardless of how much they may differ from our own, have as much justification to exist as we do,” says Chittka. “It is a wholly new aspect of how weird and wonderful the world is around us.”

Although a bee has a brain the size of a poppy seed, recent studies have shown that the tiny creatures can learn, think, and perhaps even feel emotion.

Photo: IGORVETUSHKO/Depositphotos

h/t: [The Guardian]

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