decades

In the 1980s, Burmese pythons invaded Florida’s Everglades, and decades later raccoons fell 99.3%, opossums 98.9% and bobcats 87.5%

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In the 1980s, Burmese pythons invaded Florida’s Everglades, and decades later raccoons fell 99.3%, opossums 98.9% and bobcats 87.5%

For years, the Everglades was known for its tangled wetlands, alligators and an abundance of smaller mammals moving through the vegetation. Then an animal from south-east Asia began spreading through the marshes. Burmese pythons, most likely introduced through the pet trade, have established a breeding population in southern Florida and now occupy large parts of … Read more

In 1919, German crews sank 52 warships at Scotland’s Scapa Flow; decades later their pre-nuclear steel became valuable for radiation-sensitive equipment

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In 1919, German crews sank 52 warships at Scotland's Scapa Flow; decades later their pre-nuclear steel became valuable for radiation-sensitive equipment

1st and 2nd Battleship Squadrons and small cruisers, German High Seas Fleet, Keil. Fifty-two Imperial German warships sank in the icy waters off Orkney in June 1919 after their crews deliberately scuttled them to prevent their capture. Decades later, steel recovered from those wrecks became a valuable material for modern science, medical imaging, and space … Read more

In 1935, black drongos were introduced on Rota to control crop pests; decades later the aggressive birds spread to Guam and became a threat to native birds

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In 1935, black drongos were introduced on Rota to control crop pests; decades later the aggressive birds spread to Guam and became a threat to native birds

A juvenile and an adult Black Drongo perch on a tree branch (ANI Photo) In 1935, the Japanese South Seas Development Company made a decision that would have repercussions for Mariana Islands’ ecosystems for nearly 100 years. In search of a natural method for controlling agricultural pests, they imported black drongos (Dicrurus macrocercus) from Taiwan … Read more

Tupac Shakur murder trial begins after 3 decades, former gang leader Keffe D accused of killing rap icon

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Tupac Shakur murder trial begins after 3 decades, former gang leader Keffe D accused of killing rap icon

Duane ‘Keffe D’ Davis pleads not guilty as Tupac Shakur murder trial opens in Las Vegas. The trial of Duane “Keffe D” Davis, the former street gang leader accused of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rapper Tupac Shakur, begins Monday in Las Vegas, nearly three decades after the hip-hop star was shot.Davis, 63, faces one … Read more

London river was declared ‘biologically dead’ in 1957; decades later it is filled with sharks and seals

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London river was declared 'biologically dead' in 1957; decades later it is filled with sharks and seals

In 1957, parts of London’s famous River Thames were in such bad shape that scientists declared them ‘biologically dead’. The water had been starved of oxygen and decades of sewage and industrial pollution had made it extremely difficult for aquatic life to survive. About 70 years later, the waters are now brimming with sharks, seals, … Read more

Australia’s Tiwi rangers spent two decades fighting invasive fire ants; the island is now declared free of them

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Australia's Tiwi rangers spent two decades fighting invasive fire ants; the island is now declared free of them

Over the last two decades, indigenous rangers in Australia’s Tiwi Islands have been working on an eradication and conservation effort that was vital to protect the native lives of the region. Scientists, government actors, NGOs and private enterprise all joined hands to eradicate the invasive tropical fire ant species from Melville Island, as they threatened … Read more

A giant snake vanished from parts of the US decades ago. Scientists are now releasing 42 eastern indigo snakes to bring it back

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A giant snake vanished from parts of the US decades ago. Scientists are now releasing 42 eastern indigo snakes to bring it back

In Spring 2026, conservationists released 42 eastern indigo snakes into their historical habitats in Florida and Alabama. After a year of specialized care, these reptiles have adapted well, with monitoring indicating successful survival and breeding in the wild. This significant reintroduction effort seeks to restore self-sustaining populations of this unique snake species to their native … Read more