A visitor to rural Botswana might notice an odd sight: eyes painted on the rear ends of cows. It all began when farmers started complaining that predators, including lions and leopards, were killing their cows, which has contributed to the endangerment of the cats. Enter two Australian biologists with an unusual idea: painting eyes on the rumps of cows to confuse the predator cats. Listen to hear the scientists explain more about their novel idea and how well it worked.
Story Length: 3:09
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February 3, 2021
1:37
The world's billion-and-a-half cows produce huge amounts of methane, a gas that contributes to global warming. Methane is made in cows’ guts as they digest their food. When they burp and fart, they spew the gas into the air. Now, scientists have found a simple, unexpected way to reduce methane production in cows. Listen to learn about a surprising solution to the problem of gassy cows and how it may help address climate change.
Read MoreJune 13, 2018
2:48
Greenhouse gases trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere, contributing to climate change. One of the most common greenhouse gases is methane. In the United States, cars and industry are the primary sources of greenhouse gases. In Africa, which has more agriculture than industry, burping cows are the main producers of methane gas. Researchers have found that African and American cows are actually quite different from each other in the amount of methane in their burps. African scientists are studying how cows’ diets affect their methane production. Listen to hear how cow burps affect the environment.
Read MoreAugust 11, 2015
5:48
Many people travel to Africa to see large, exotic, wild animals in their natural habitat. Others travel to hunt these animals as sport. Recently in Zimbabwe, an American dentist on a hunting safari killed a beloved, protected lion named Cecil. It sparked outrage around the world even though many other animals are killed in Africa and yet few people pay attention. Temple Grandin, animal science professor and author, provides insight into why people felt more connected to Cecil, including the fact that he had a name.
Read MoreJune 26, 2014
4:42
The drought in California and Texas has meant cattle herders have little pasture to graze their herds. Instead, cattle herding is moving north to Colorado and Nebraska. The midwestern states are feeding the cattle with the byproduct of ethanol production. Use this public radio story with your class to discuss how these changes affect the price of a hamburger.
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