Climate change is bringing earlier springs, but it’s wreaking havoc on animals

With Canada coming out of its warmest winter on recordsome may be enjoying the signs of spring that are showing up much earlier this year: plants beginning to pop up out of the ground, the earlier calls of robins or migrating birds or even just the warmer and sunnier days.

But this isn’t good news for the natural world.

Climate change is altering the way animals, insects and plants behave, and has cascading effects in delicately balanced ecosystems.

With longer springs, ticks are moving northward, bringing the chance of disease in animals and humans alike.

Likewise, mosquitoes — another

Illegally trafficked African hedgehogs seized by police in Victoria

The discovery of two illegally trafficked African pygmy hedgehogs in Victoria has sparked a nationwide investigation by authorities.
The animals were seized from a property in Richmond, in Melbourne’s inner-east, leading officers to uncover a large illegal trade network of exotic animals.

Crime Stoppers Victoria and Agriculture Victoria are investigating where the two hedgehogs came from, but say they aren’t the first to be found in the country.

This is a file image of an African pygmy hedgehog. (Getty)

Illegal hedgehogs have previously been found in Queensland and New South Wales.

Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Stella Smith said online