Eerie shadow approaches boat and four more wildlife encounters from around 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:

Ecologist finds massive snake crossing road in Australia. See ‘rare sighting’

In the Gawler Ranges National Park in southern Australia, ecologist Tali Moyle encountered a rare southwestern carpet python, known as Morelia imbricata. This massive snake, which can grow over 9 feet long, was seen slithering across a road, a rare sighting in this region. | Published Oct. 14 | Read More |

Bachelor predator was shipped from US to UK. He’s already a father of four pups

A rare Malagasy fossa named Zaza traveled from San Diego, California, to Chester Zoo in England to help save his species. After meeting a female fossa named Shala, the pair successfully produced four pups, marking a significant achievement for the European breeding program. These births are crucial for conservation efforts, as the fossa is listed as “vulnerable” due to threats like deforestation in Madagascar. | Published Oct. 14 | Read More |

Massive shadow approaching boat in Thailand turns out to be rare sea creature

While fishing off the coast of Thailand, fishermen spotted a massive shadow that turned out to be a whale shark, the world’s largest fish. This rare sighting occurred at Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, and the whale shark was identified as a young male about 13 feet long. | Published Oct. 15 | Read More |

50-year mystery of ancient ‘subway deer’ discovered in Canada is now solved

In Toronto, Canada, the mystery of the “Toronto subway deer,” or Torontoceros hypogaeus, has been solved after nearly 50 years. DNA analysis revealed that the antlers belonged to a now-extinct species closely related to mule deer and white-tailed deer. This discovery provides insights into a megafaunal extinction event about 12,000 years ago. | Published Oct. 15 | Read More |

Incredibly rare species — with ‘peacock’ body — found in India for first time

In the central valley of Manipur, India, researchers have identified the Burmese peacock soft-shelled turtle, Nilssonia formosa, for the first time in the country. Previously thought to be Nilssonia hurum, this critically endangered species is known for its striking peacock-like pattern. The discovery marks a significant range expansion for the species, which was previously known to inhabit Myanmar and parts of China. | Published Oct. 16 | Read More |