Don on the Air

Don Lyman narrated his first full story segment on the Living On Earth environmental radio program. It will air around the country on National Public Radio this week. Here in the Boston market the show will be on 90.9 FM, WBUR, Sunday 10/16 from 7am to 8am.  If you missed it, check LOE for the cast. 


The segment discusses Blanding’s turtles, considered a threatened species in Massachusetts, and the nonprofit Grassroots Wildlife Conservation is working to protect newly hatched turtles. Don Lyman returns to the nest observed in June with the biologists to find out how many eggs hatched, and help prepare the young turtles for their next adventure in local classrooms.

A baby Blanding’s turtle takes its first swim (Photo: Don Lyman)

A baby Blanding’s turtle takes its first swim (Photo: Don Lyman)

Lost Vocalizations

Sad to say while thinking about how rad the latest HWDB vocalizations video, and researching more on this topic, I found that the world’s last known Rabbs’ fringe-limbed tree frog (Ecnomiohyla rabborum) has died. This little guy was named "Toughie" and was last heard calling in the wilds of Panama in 2007. That's almost 10 years ago! Otherwise a pair were held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which seems like a beautiful place. The pair of Rabbs' fringe-limbed frogs did not survive in captivity and a few weeks ago, what is believed the last specimen on earth, expired.  Check out the video below to hear this truly unique call of nature. 

On September 26, 2016, "Toughie," the last known Rabbs' fringe-limbed tree frog, died at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, four years after the only other known member of this tropical species died at the Atlanta Zoo. Both were males, so the species was at its end well before they passed away.

The Guinea worm is back


The Guinea worm is the cause of much pain and misery in the world.  It is a true parasite as it reproduces in a human host and emerges from the body leaving pain and death in its wake.

The disease is also known as dracunculiasis, or "affliction with little dragons," because the worm feels like hot coals as it exits from the skin.  Health aid and intervention was making gains to irradiate this monster just a few years ago, but a new vector has allowed a resurgence: wild dogs. 

Don Lyman produced this latest story on the topic for Living on Earth which you can check out here: A Parasite Setback