http://www.spiegel.de Daily news, analysis and opinion from Europe's leading newsmagazine and Germany's top news Web site. en Thu, 23 May 2013 22:38:26 +0200 Thu, 23 May 2013 22:38:26 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de http://www.spiegel.de/static/sys/logo_120x61.gif http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/species-reintroduction-first-wisent-born-in-the-wild-in-germany-a-901114.html#ref=rss After being released into the wild in Germany just last month, a herd of wisents has welcomed its first calf. The first European bison to be born free in Germany in centuries has been named "Quintus," and appears to be healthy. Tue, 21 May 2013 18:50:39 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/species-reintroduction-first-wisent-born-in-the-wild-in-germany-a-901114.html After being released into the wild in Germany just last month, a herd of wisents has welcomed its first calf. The first European bison to be born free in Germany in centuries has been named "Quintus," and appears to be healthy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wheelchair-bound-cat-in-germany-adopts-abandoned-kittens-a-900002.html#ref=rss Brigitta the cat became the victim of animal cruelty when someone shot at her for fun, paralyzing her hind legs. A German animal lover took her in, building a cat wheelchair and paying for an operation. Now Brigitta is repaying her kindness -- by adopting two abandoned kittens. Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/wheelchair-bound-cat-in-germany-adopts-abandoned-kittens-a-900002.html Brigitta the cat became the victim of animal cruelty when someone shot at her for fun, paralyzing her hind legs. A German animal lover took her in, building a cat wheelchair and paying for an operation. Now Brigitta is repaying her kindness -- by adopting two abandoned kittens. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/justin-bieber-abandons-pet-monkey-in-germany-a-899778.html#ref=rss Following weeks of uncertainty, Justin Bieber's management has indicated that his tiny pet ought to be turned over to German authorities. The former Belieber will likely take up residence at a zoo in the country. Tue, 14 May 2013 16:14:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/justin-bieber-abandons-pet-monkey-in-germany-a-899778.html Following weeks of uncertainty, Justin Bieber's management has indicated that his tiny pet ought to be turned over to German authorities. The former Belieber will likely take up residence at a zoo in the country.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lion-populations-in-africa-decline-amid-hunting-and-habitat-loss-a-898955.html#ref=rss Lions are becoming a threatened species. Trophy hunters and the loss of savannah grasslands have drastically reduced the number of prides. Scientists and conservationists are calling for improved protections for lions -- even if that means fenced-in enclosures. Fri, 10 May 2013 12:51:19 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/lion-populations-in-africa-decline-amid-hunting-and-habitat-loss-a-898955.html Lions are becoming a threatened species. Trophy hunters and the loss of savannah grasslands have drastically reduced the number of prides. Scientists and conservationists are calling for improved protections for lions -- even if that means fenced-in enclosures.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/disney-chimp-film-a-splice-of-life-a-897140.html#ref=rss A Disney film about altruistic chimpanzees has been a huge hit in the United States. The movie is about to be released in Germany, where it is being marketed as a true story. Now a German researcher who was the flick's main scientific adviser has admitted large parts of the touching story were made up. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:29:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/disney-chimp-film-a-splice-of-life-a-897140.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/scientists-aim-to-bring-the-passenger-pigeon-back-from-extinction-a-893744.html#ref=rss The world has been without passenger pigeons since 1914. Now, scientists want to bring them back. Geneticist Ben Novak has embarked on the project and has begun collecting passenger pigeon DNA from natural history museums. His "de-extinction" efforts are not without critics. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:13:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/scientists-aim-to-bring-the-passenger-pigeon-back-from-extinction-a-893744.html The world has been without passenger pigeons since 1914. Now, scientists want to bring them back. Geneticist Ben Novak has embarked on the project and has begun collecting passenger pigeon DNA from natural history museums. His "de-extinction" efforts are not without critics.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/migratory-birds-suffer-as-long-winter-continues-in-germany-a-892309.html#ref=rss Weak and exhausted birds flying to their breeding grounds in Northern Europe have made an unpleasant discovery: Winter isn't over yet. The result has been a difficult search for food as well as huge gatherings of migratory birds in milder parts of Germany. Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:36:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/migratory-birds-suffer-as-long-winter-continues-in-germany-a-892309.html Weak and exhausted birds flying to their breeding grounds in Northern Europe have made an unpleasant discovery: Winter isn't over yet. The result has been a difficult search for food as well as huge gatherings of migratory birds in milder parts of Germany.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/thick-fog-causes-cranes-to-fly-to-deaths-during-spring-migration-a-888609.html#ref=rss As winter turns to spring in Europe, migratory birds are criss-crossing the Continent, leaving their southern summer homes for breeding grounds in the north. But for one group of cranes passing through bad weather in central Germany, the trip turned deadly. Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:00:01 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/thick-fog-causes-cranes-to-fly-to-deaths-during-spring-migration-a-888609.html As winter turns to spring in Europe, migratory birds are criss-crossing the Continent, leaving their southern summer homes for breeding grounds in the north. But for one group of cranes passing through bad weather in central Germany, the trip turned deadly.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-fire-departments-are-burdened-by-thousands-of-animal-rescue-calls-a-886065.html#ref=rss German fire departments respond to more than 40,000 animal rescue calls per year -- from dogs stuck down badger holes to cows in frozen swimming pools. Now the debate has begun as to who should pay for them. Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:26:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/german-fire-departments-are-burdened-by-thousands-of-animal-rescue-calls-a-886065.html German fire departments respond to more than 40,000 animal rescue calls per year -- from dogs stuck down badger holes to cows in frozen swimming pools. Now the debate has begun as to who should pay for them.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-museum-puts-stuffed-polor-bear-knut-on-display-a-882797.html#ref=rss He may have died nearly two years ago, but Knut the cuddly polar bear still lives on in the hearts of fans. Now they will be able to see him once again at Berlin's natural history museum. Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:05:20 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/berlin-museum-puts-stuffed-polor-bear-knut-on-display-a-882797.html He may have died nearly two years ago, but Knut the cuddly polar bear still lives on in the hearts of fans. Now they will be able to see him once again at Berlin's natural history museum.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/killer-cats-threaten-the-world-s-endangered-species-a-881978.html#ref=rss The house cat -- that cute, furry feline beloved the world over -- is also one of the world's most destructive predators, killing for kicks and hunting rare species into extinction. Cats thrive because people protect them -- but should they? Fri, 08 Feb 2013 13:01:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/killer-cats-threaten-the-world-s-endangered-species-a-881978.html The house cat -- that cute, furry feline beloved the world over -- is also one of the world's most destructive predators, killing for kicks and hunting rare species into extinction. Cats thrive because people protect them -- but should they?]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/fire-at-german-camel-farm-kills-86-animals-a-880691.html#ref=rss A fire at a camel farm in southwestern Germany killed 86 camels early Thursday morning. The facility near Stuttgart had been used for children's birthday parties and animal-assisted therapy. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 11:09:29 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/fire-at-german-camel-farm-kills-86-animals-a-880691.html A fire at a camel farm in southwestern Germany killed 86 camels early Thursday morning. The facility near Stuttgart had been used for children's birthday parties and animal-assisted therapy. ]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/rapid-expansion-of-wels-catfish-causing-takeover-of-german-rivers-a-878417.html#ref=rss The enormous wels catfish is rapidly expanding in German waters. The fish can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 300 pounds, making recreational fishermen excited about the prospects of catching one. While biologists aren't yet calling the fish pests, they are puzzled by the boom. Fri, 18 Jan 2013 18:42:02 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/rapid-expansion-of-wels-catfish-causing-takeover-of-german-rivers-a-878417.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/parrot-confounds-german-police-by-sounding-like-an-abandoned-child-a-876527.html#ref=rss Police forced their way into an apartment in Germany after hearing what they described as a "child-like voice" calling for its mother and father. Instead of an abandoned toddler, they found a cheerful and very talkative parrot. Wed, 09 Jan 2013 12:41:36 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/parrot-confounds-german-police-by-sounding-like-an-abandoned-child-a-876527.html Police forced their way into an apartment in Germany after hearing what they described as a "child-like voice" calling for its mother and father. Instead of an abandoned toddler, they found a cheerful and very talkative parrot.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/kidogo-the-gorilla-walks-a-tightrope-in-the-krefeld-zoo-in-germany-a-875398.html#ref=rss Zoo gorillas have earned a reputation for doing a whole lot of nothing, often just sitting against a tree for hours at a time. But Kidogo, a silverback in the Krefeld Zoo, has earned sudden fame for his penchant for performing a number of tricks, including tightrope walking. Wed, 02 Jan 2013 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/kidogo-the-gorilla-walks-a-tightrope-in-the-krefeld-zoo-in-germany-a-875398.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/prince-to-reintroduce-european-bison-to-germany-a-874387.html#ref=rss For the first time since the 18th century, the European bison is returning to Germany to live in the wild. The wisent, as it is also known, has been brought to the country by a famous prince. Although the creatures' survival is uncertain, the project has already attracted considerable attention. Mon, 24 Dec 2012 14:27:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/prince-to-reintroduce-european-bison-to-germany-a-874387.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/suprise-whale-sightings-in-norway-bring-hobby-photographer-recognition-a-874312.html#ref=rss Amateur photographer Espen Bergersen's career took a serendipitous turn when he spotted an unusual winter appearance of whales near his hometown in northern Norway. His spectacular images, marked by eerie polar light, were made possible by the changing migratory patterns of fish. Fri, 21 Dec 2012 13:43:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/suprise-whale-sightings-in-norway-bring-hobby-photographer-recognition-a-874312.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/scientists-hope-interspecies-cloning-will-save-endangered-animals-a-865932.html#ref=rss Biotechnicians want to use cloning to save endangered species, but they are having only limited success. Critics say that the push toward a new era of wildlife conservation trivializes extinction and funding would be better spent on preserving animal habitats. Thu, 08 Nov 2012 17:21:00 +0100 http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/scientists-hope-interspecies-cloning-will-save-endangered-animals-a-865932.html Biotechnicians want to use cloning to save endangered species, but they are having only limited success. Critics say that the push toward a new era of wildlife conservation trivializes extinction and funding would be better spent on preserving animal habitats.]]> http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/fierce-competition-bbc-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-a-862236.html#ref=rss A mother cheetah teachers her cubs to hunt. A macaque monkey enjoys a hot bath. The London Natural History Museum has named the winners of its "Wildlife Photographer of the Year" competition. Here are some of the best photos. Fri, 19 Oct 2012 16:12:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/fierce-competition-bbc-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-a-862236.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/albino-kangaroo-joey-charms-german-zoo-visitors-a-861537.html#ref=rss A rare albino kangaroo has emerged from her mother's pouch at Germany's Duisburg Zoo, captivating visitors. The white marsupial wouldn't stand much chance of survival in the wild, but she'll be safe in her shady enclosure, the zoo says. Tue, 16 Oct 2012 12:57:00 +0200 http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/albino-kangaroo-joey-charms-german-zoo-visitors-a-861537.html A rare albino kangaroo has emerged from her mother's pouch at Germany's Duisburg Zoo, captivating visitors. The white marsupial wouldn't stand much chance of survival in the wild, but she'll be safe in her shady enclosure, the zoo says.]]>