On Friday, Parks Canada said that the collection of thousands of nesting cormorants on Middle Island have started in a bid to protect the biology of Canada's southernmost landmass.

The collection, executed by Parks Canada and Point Pelee National Park staff, is said to be a part of the five-year $380,000 Middle Island Conservation Plan.

Washington  - A 12-foot pet python killed a two-year-old girl in her Florida home Wednesday, police told local media.

The albino Burmese python slithered into Shaiunna Hare's bed and suffocated her to death, police said. The snake belonged to the boyfriend of the girl's mother, Jaren Hare, 23.

Los Angeles  - A layer of marine fog on Saturday helped firefighters make progress against a wildfire that has burnt over 3,500 hectares and 80 houses in the upscale communities around Santa Barbara, California, authorities said.

Los Angeles  - Fanned by gusting winds, a raging spring wildfire near Santa Barbara, California, grew Friday, prompting the evacuation of 30,000 people as it spread toward the city centre.

Another 20,000 people were placed on evacuation alert as the fire spread across an 8-kilometer front on the mountains above the oceanfront city.

Los Angeles - The first serious wildfire of the season has destroyed at least 12 houses in the posh Southern California city of Santa Barbara, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Coming more than a month before summer officially begins, Tuesday's fire underscored the growing threat facing the US state as climate change makes wildfires hotter, bigger and more frequent.

Washington  - Socks, the famous first pet of the Clinton White House, was put to sleep Friday after several months of cancer treatment.

Socks entered the home of then Arkansas governor Bill Clinton, rescued by his daughter Chelsea. The cat later moved into the White House with president Clinton, his wife Hillary and Chelsea.

The climate change policies of former President Bush will soon see a reversal from President Barack Obama, who will order 2011 vehicle fuel efficiency standards to be set by March, thereby giving states the authority to limit greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles.

Global warming and droughts are having an effect on the life span of trees. The life of trees in western America and Canada has reduced to half as compared to their life 30 years before.

It was yesterday informed by federal Environment Minister Jim Prentice that it is a serious time for polar bears and their survival rests in the hands of Canadians.

Animal houses cannot protect pets from frostbite and hypothermia. So, pet owners must ensure that their pets are warm. Even unheated garages do not offer much protection to the pets.

The pets are incapable of generating enough body heat to keep them warm in large areas. It would be much better if the pet is provided with a small shelter inside the garage.