Rare items hidden in logs and four other wildlife stories from around the world

The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.

Take a look at some recent animal encounters:

Violent earthquake triggers huge die-offs of animals in sacred waters in Myanmar

In March, a massive earthquake in Myanmar led to ecological collapse in two significant bodies of water, Inle Lake and the Mahamuni Pagoda Pond. The quake triggered adverse conditions that resulted in massive die-offs of species, including the critically endangered Burmese roofed turtle. Researchers emphasize the urgent need for habitat restoration and monitoring to address the detrimental imbalances caused by the disaster. | Published Sept. 5 | Read More |

Green-eyed baby shark, a poorly known predator, found off Albania for first time

Off the coast of Albania, a scientist discovered a baby kitefin shark, a rare deep-sea species, marking the first recorded neonate in the Adriatic Sea. The discovery provides insights into the early life-stage development of kitefin sharks and suggests their presence in the deep waters of the southern Adriatic may be more widespread than previously thought. | Published Sept. 8 | Read More |

Airport security finds hidden compartments in tree logs — with rare items inside

At Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand, officials discovered hidden compartments in tree logs containing five pieces of rhino horn, valued at around $217,000. The horns, smuggled from Angola, were seized, and the Vietnamese national involved was arrested. This incident underscores the ongoing illegal trade of rhino horns, which are often used in traditional medicine. | Published Sept. 8 | Read More |

Rescuers take in tiny ‘once-in-a-career’ creature found on a bike path in the UK

A rare barbastelle bat, known for its “pug-like” face, was found on a bike path in the UK by a passerby and taken in by wildlife rescuers. The bat, which is extremely rare and a “once-in-a-career” sighting for many, showed no signs of injury and is expected to be released back into the wild. This discovery highlights the rarity and mystery surrounding barbastelle bats. | Published Sept. 9 | Read More |

‘Elusive’ creature found on rural road in India marks first-of-its-kind sighting

An injured Eurasian otter, identified by its distinctive nose shape, was found on a rural road in Dharbandoda, India. This sighting confirms the presence of all three known otter species in Goa, highlighting the need for conservation efforts due to threats from mining and habitat degradation. | Published Sept. 10 | Read More |

This story was originally published September 12, 2025 at 9:56 AM with the headline "Rare items hidden in logs and four other wildlife stories from around the world."