Animals Archives - The Six Fifty

Inside a Los Altos man’s hunt to rediscover Santa Clara County’s lost animal species

After finding a jar of pickled steelhead from the 1890s, Dr. Richard Lanman of Los Altos set out to discover local wildlife history. Now he and his colleagues have published groundbreaking findings confirming the past existence of local populations of Chinook salmon, American beavers and Tule elk.

Meet the meteorologist photographing the Coastside’s wildlife and wild weather

When weather happens, lawyers, doctors, journalists — and some unwelcome conspiracy theorists — come meteorologist Jan Null’s way. We talked to Null about the biggest misconceptions surrounding weather and climate, observing the green flash and how he uses his forecasting knowledge in his photography.

The call of the wild: From paralyzed seagulls to skunks caught in bear traps, Peninsula wildlife rescue workers have seen it all

Orphaned baby songbirds and poisoned seagulls. Small squirrels snapped up by cats. Skunks caught in bear traps. Wild animals in trouble like these throughout the Peninsula may – if they’re lucky – eventually find their way to one of a handful of wildlife rescue centers around the region.

Why Sweet Farm fled Half Moon Bay for the East Coast with its llamas, piglets and turkeys in tow

'We had to make that calculated decision to get out now,' says co-founder Nate Salpeter. Sweet Farm staff prepare llamas Sheika and Dolly for their move to New York. (Photo courtesy Sweet Farm) For years, Kevin the pig, Gizmo the cow, and Paco the llama enjoyed the Coastside air and sprawling pastures of Half Moon Bay’s nonprofit animal sanctuary Sweet Farm. They even achieved a certain level of celebrity, popping up in ...

Back on the ranch: 10 Peninsula farms that are open to visitors

From fruit picking and other seasonal activities to hanging with barnyard animals, there are farms throughout the San Francisco Peninsula that allow you to visit and learn about life on the ranch, as well as purchase fresh produce, cheese, jams and more to take home. Here are 10 to explore.

Peninsula presents: Your last-minute 650 gift guide

Avoid the supply chain saga and shop in the 650 for the holidays. We've got you covered from the traditional to the experiential gifts.

Palo Alto’s kiddie zoo just reopened! Here are 8 animals that zookeepers think you shouldn’t miss on your first visit back.

After two years and $33 million, the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo is twice the size, with 50 species and a two-story treehouse. (Photo courtesy Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo) When the Palo Alto Junior Museum and Zoo outgrew its clunky 1940s architecture (including concrete bathtub-shaped exhibits), the beloved family staple closed to undergo a two-year makeover. Now it’s back at nearly double the size with a Loose-in-the-Zoo theme that ...

Meet the evacuated animals of the CZU wildfire

Aided by donations and community hustle, the Cow Palace rallied on short notice to house over 200 local animals displaced by the nearby fires. 6–5–0 LLocal: One of the four llamas currently being housed at the Cow Palace in Daly City, which has served as a local evacuation center for large animals and livestock who have been endangered by the CZU Lightning Complex wildfires in San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. ...