New prehistoric human unknown to science discovered in Israel

Good News Notes: “A new type of early human previously not known to scientists has been discovered in Israel, Tel Aviv University and Hebrew University researchers announced Thursday as their extraordinary findings appeared in the prestigious academic journal Science. Researchers believe the new “Homo” species intermarried with  Homo sapiens and was an ancestor of the…

Doomed wild horses find new life at Black Hills Sanctuary

Good News Notes: “You might be surprised to find out one of the premier wild horse sanctuaries in the country is located in South Dakota. Portions of movies, like Hidalgo and Into the Wild were even filmed there. Hundreds of horses and ponies roam the land South of Hot Springs. No barns or outbuildings, they…

Ikea Buys 11K Acres of Land in Georgia for Conservation

Good News Notes: “Ikea’s investment group recently acquired nearly 11,000 acres of land in southeast Georgia, taking it under its wing to protect it from development, and to keep its hundreds of plant and wildlife species safe. The Ingka Group, which owns and operates most of the popular Swedish retailer’s stores, recently acquired approximately 10,840 acres…

Once Nearly Extinct, The Florida Panther Is Making A Comeback

Good News Notes: “Brian Kelly, a panther biologist for the state of Florida, opens a creaking gate near Fisheating Creek, a narrow ribbon of preserved land just west of Lake Okeechobee. The path leads from trucks rumbling by on U.S. Highway 27 to a world of towering oaks, cypress heads and a tannic-stained creek that…

Prosthetic fin could save injured rare turtles

Good News Notes: “Researchers from AUT BioDesign Lab have developed a prosthetic fin to rehabilitate injured sea turtles. Healthy oceans need sea turtles, but they are unfortunately frequently injured by human factors such as boats and fishing nets, with all seven species now endangered. A damaged fin limits swimming range and survival and prevents female…

A Small Band of Panamanian Golden Frogs Is Saving Their Species From Oblivion

Good News Notes: “At first glance, frog number 307457, also known as “the Old Man,” looks no different from the 30-odd Panamanian golden frogs he shares a basement room with at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. His personality, though, is more muted. Although he has an entire enclosure to himself, he often prefers to hide among…