Consciously uncoupling: what drives rates of animal divorce?

Social monogamy has been observed in less than 10% of mammal species – and birds have been shown to be less faithful than previously believed

More summer essentials

In 2011 a shock celebrity break-up garnered headlines around the world – not the separation of Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore, nor Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony, but the sudden, inexplicable rupture between Bibi and Poldi, two 115-year-old Galápagos tortoises at Happ reptile zoo in Austria.

After nearly a century as a couple, the female, Bibi, had had enough: one day, she bit a chunk off Poldi’s shell, drawing blood, and continued to attack him until zoo staff moved him to a separate enclosure.

Topics

Stormzy banned from driving for using mobile phone

An off-duty police officer caught him using a mobile phone behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce.
BBC News - 14m
Multiple divorces and financial difficulties: New Orleans suspect's court filings

The man suspected in the attack in New Orleans had a checkered marital history punctuated by multiple divorces and financial difficulty, according to court records.
ABC News - 1h
Iran’s brain drain is happening at an alarming rate

The country’s loss of human capital underscores systemic problems
Financial Times - 1d
10 dead, dozens injured after vehicle drives into crowd in New Orleans

At least 10 people are dead and 30 more injured after a vehicle struck a crowd on a popular nightlife street in New Orleans overnight, according to local officials. The vehicle plowed into New ...
The Hill - 1d
At Least 10 Killed After Vehicle Drives Into Crowd in New Orleans

At least 30 more were injured after a vehicle drove into a large crowd on Bourbon Street early Wednesday, the city said.
The New York Times - 1d
Sweden begins wolf hunt as it aims to halve endangered animal’s population

Five entire families can be killed, totalling 30 wolves, in move campaigners say is illegal under EU law. Sweden’s wolf hunt starts on Thursday, with the country aiming to halve the population of ...
The Guardian - 1d
China steps up drive to break Boeing and Airbus grip on plane market

State-owned Comac opens offices abroad and pushes for overseas certification as it increases output of C919 jets
Financial Times - 1d

More from The Guardian

Authorities believe ‘multiple people are involved’ in New Orleans truck attack that killed 15 – latest updates

House fire in New Orleans home also believed to be ‘connected to this event’, says Louisiana attorney general Liz Murrill. New Orleans truck attack that killed 15 being investigated as ‘act of ...
The Guardian - 26m
Driver of Tesla Cybertruck in Las Vegas blast identified as US army veteran

Man who died in explosion that injured seven outside Trump hotel served over 19 years in military. The driver of the Tesla Cybertruck that caught fire and exploded in Las Vegas outside one of the ...
The Guardian - 24m
‘Safe zone’ among areas targeted as Israeli airstrikes kill at least 43 in Gaza

Director general of Gaza police among 11 reportedly killed in al-Mawasi encampment, designated a civilian safe zone. Middle East crisis – live updates Israeli airstrikes killed at least 43 ...
The Guardian - 32m
Italy presses Iran for immediate release of journalist held in Tehran

Foreign ministry summons ambassador as Cecilia Sala reportedly tells family she sleeps on floor of prison cell. Italy’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador on Wednesday and urged the ...
The Guardian - 38m
German officials call for clampdown on illegal ‘firework bombs’ after five deaths

Explosives brought in from Poland and the Czech Republic are combined with household items for a bigger bang. German officials have called for a clampdown on illegally imported and homemade ...
The Guardian - 2h