endangered species
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A robot sloth will (very slowly) survey endangered species
A robot sloth will keep watch on animals and plants to protect them -- and its slowness is an advantage.
Migrating eagles flew to Iran and racked up huge roaming bills
Russian scientists were forced to launch a crowdfunding campaign after endangered Steppe Eagles ran up a huge data roaming bill. Equipped with SMS transmitters, they left from Southern Russia and Kazakhstan, but some went a lot farther afield than expected. One particular eagle called Min accumulated a pile of location data messages when it was off the grid in Kazakhstan. Then, it unexpectedly flew to Iran and sent them all off at 49 rubles ($.77) each, using up the team's entire tracking budget.
The DODOcase Endangered Species case is tasteful and strong
iPad cases are by and large a plasticky, rubbery crowd. That's fine, given that cases are first and foremost about protection, and polycarbonate does a great job of absorbing bumps and bruises. But if you're looking for something different, something special, and something classy, there's no beating DODOcase. And as far as class goes, the DODOcase Endangered Species edition stands alone. Design The now classic DODOcase design is here in full force: Using masterful book binding techniques, the exterior of the case is firm and rigid, with a pleasing texture. The tablet is held in place by an form-fitting, eco-friendly bamboo chassis that gives the book its structure. An elastic strap wraps around the front cover from the back when needed to ensure a the lid remains closed when you toss it into a bag or backpack. The aesthetics of this particular DODOcase are special. The company partnered with Ink Dwell, an environmental art design organization, to give the Endangered Species edition a gorgeous mural of a Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. The interior of the book is also customized, featuring a topographical map of the Sierra Nevada mountain range that the sheep call home. Functionality There's nothing complex here: The iPad is secured in the bamboo skeleton via four grips -- one in each corner. A small wood cutout on the top allows use of the lock button, and there the audio jack, charging port, and volume buttons are accessible through cutouts in the bamboo. You can use the case in a number of different ways. You can open is like a book, which is probably what most will do, or you can fold the front cover to the back and lay it flat or perch it upright in landscape mode for watching movies, etc. Once the case is closed, the thick book covers are the ultimate in protection, and there's really no feasible way your iPad is going to take damage unless you decide to throw it off the roof of a tall building. Conclusion It's clear from the quality of the construction that DODOcase spares no expense in its production. Everything about it screams high-end, and there's really nothing I can imagine I'd change if given the chance. It's the ultimate in protection and style, and there is no equal. Rating: 4 out of a possible 4 stars Giveaway Your iPad needs a bit of protection, so follow the giveaway rules: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before February 24, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected and will receive a DODOcase for the iPad 2/3/4, valued at US$124. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Endangered species get helping hand from Microsoft, Zoo Tycoon
Community challenges for Zoo Tycoon players will benefit more than just virtual animals, thanks to donations from Microsoft. Each month, a new challenge will be issued by Zoo Tycoon developer Frontier. When the challenge has been completed, Microsoft will donate $10,000 to whichever nonprofit organization the players have voted for. Each challenge is focused on a different endangered species, with the first round of voting underway. Players can vote for one of the three following challenges from the in-game community page: Adopt 1,000 komodo dragons in Zoo Tycoon and Microsoft and AZA will donate $10,000 to support the Komodo Survival Program's work with the Indonesian Government to protect this species. Release 1,000 rhinos to the wild in Zoo Tycoon and Microsoft and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) will donate $10,000 to help protect and deter further poaching of rhino horns in Africa. Release 1,000 sumatran tigers into the wild in Zoo Tycoon and Microsoft and AZA will donate $10,000 to the Tiger Species Survival Program to help reduce the number of sumatran tigers killed, displaced or caught in snares. When voting closes on December 31, the winning challenge will begin.
Hawaiian analog TV shutoff to come early, saving God's creatures
Technological progress marches forward, assimilating all those who resist -- we know this well in our line of work, but sometimes you've got to stand up and say, "The line must be drawn here! This far, no further!" Take the digital TV transition in the United States for example: all the analog TV signals will be shut off in February. It won't be pretty, but it'll be progress. Hawaii, though, has a dilemma: it just so happens that the analog towers that'll be torn down are awfully close to the nests of the state's adorable and endangered petrel birds, whose nesting season also occurs in February. Hence Hawaii's digital switch will occur a month early on January 15th, so you 17,000 affected Hawaiians have that much less time to grab converter boxes, or you'll end up watching the next season of Lost in person on your beautiful beaches instead of your ancient tube televisions.
