Animals: Pet birds have escaped to the wild in half US states, get to know the quill pig, and more

Plus: Chimpanzees spotted eating tortoises, in a first. [Why birds prefer wealthy areas]( [VIEW ONLINE]( [Birds prefer wealthy areas]( [National Geographic]( [National Geographic]( In this edition: Read about Botswana reopening its elephant hunt, learn about how pet birds have returned to the wild in nearly half U.S. states, find out what animals readers would save, and more. . [On The Fly]( [Former pet parrots breeding and thriving in 23 U.S. states]( The monk parakeet is one of 25 tropical parrot species that have gone from pet to wild animal across 23 U.S. states. [Learn More]( SHARE [FB]( [T]( . [Paddington bears]( [Poaching threatens South America's only bear species]( Shamans peddle the teeth, fat, and penis bones of this protected species, imperiling its survival. [Tell Me More]( . [Bee Surprised]( [We asked readers which species they’d save—here are the top responses]( Readers share their surprising responses about what animal species they'd dedicate their lives to saving. [Read On]( . [Hunt Begins]( [Botswana lifts ban on elephant hunting]( After five years, hunting will now be allowed in Botswana, home to about a third of Africa’s savanna elephants. [Learn More]( SHARE [F]( [T]( . [species stories]( [Porcupines]( The porcupine is the prickliest of rodents, though its Latin name means “quill pig.” There are more than two dozen porcupine species, and all boast a coat of needle-like quills to give predators a sharp reminder that this animal is no easy meal. [More On Porcupines]( DID YOU KNOW? A group of [pheasants]( is called a "head" or "nye." Oxford Living Dictionaries / Oxford English Dictionary [Email Icon]( [Sign up for more National Geographic newsletters]( [Shop]( [Donate]( [Subscribe]( [Travel]( [READ OUR LATEST STORIES]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [FB]( [Twitter]( [IG]( You are receiving this email because you elected to receive marketing communications from National Geographic under the terms of our [Privacy Policy](. Click here to [unsubscribe.]( If you reside in the EU/European Economic Area and wish to exercise all other data subject rights, [click here](. National Geographic | 1145 17th Street N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 Copyright © 2019 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved. {LITMUS TRACKING PIXEL}