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POPSBunking with Scientists PORTAL, ARIZ. Southwestern Research Station of the American Museum of Natural History Scientists at this field station in eastern Arizona study native Mexican birds and hummingbirds. The three cabins sleep up to 15 people each, and meals are served in the dining hall. "Everyone sits family-style, so guests can get to know the staff," says director Dawn Wilson. 520/558-2396, research.amnh.org, $75 with meals, open spring and fall. CHURCHILL, MANITOBA Churchill Northern Studies Centre Up to six people can stay for free at the remote station if they volunteer to plant trees and collect data. Staff researchers give lectures on the region's subarctic climate and lead regular hikes to the habitats of arctic foxes, snowy owls, and polar bears. The facility also has a 300-species herbarium and an observation dome for viewing the aurora borealis in the winter. 204/675-2307, churchillscience.ca, open year-round.
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POPSGiant kangaroo 'hunted into extinction' There is evidence they were around when humans arrived. Until then they had no need for a defense against an 'efficient' predator. They are likened to a giant sloth. their size would have made them likely to have a long breeding cycle? and they would not have needed to be quick until humans turned up. Still...you had to be there.
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POPSThe World's Largest Butterfly: Queen Alexandra's Birdwing is the largest butterfly in the world, with a wingspan up to 1 foot (30 cm). This tropical butterfly is from the rainforest in northern Papua New Guinea. The caterpillars eat the pipevine plant, which contains poison; this makes the butterfly toxic to predators, which will get sick if they eat it. So they quickly learn to leave these huge butterflies alone.