Topic: Endangered Species

A report from the Toledo Zoo regarding twin polar bear cubs sparked a debate over the status of the species. While media reports often claim polar bear populations are decreasing due to climate change, some data suggests the global population has actually increased to approximately 30,000.

A California court ruled that bumblebees can be classified as "fish" under the state's Endangered Species Act to grant them protected status. The hosts also discuss a trending news item regarding "cockroach milk" as a potential high-protein alternative to cow's milk or baby formula.

A group of great apes at the San Diego Zoo became the first animals in the United States to receive COVID-19 vaccines. The decision followed an outbreak where eight gorillas contracted the virus, leading officials to use the endangered animals to study antibody development and vaccine efficacy.

The Army Corps of Engineers has begun clearing land in South Texas for the border wall, starting with the National Butterfly Center. Environmentalists and scientists are protesting the destruction of habitat vital to the monarch butterfly and other endangered species like the ocelot. Lawsuits are expected as the construction moves through nature preserves rather than private ranchland.

The legal and ethical implications of eating exotic game like the Scimitar-horned Oryx are explored. The segment notes that the Oryx is thriving in Texas due to the hunting industry, but a recent court case won by animal rights groups may lead to a ban on shooting them. This ban is predicted to lead to the eventual extinction of the species in Texas as ranchers lose the financial incentive to maintain the herds.