Science Scientists study the mysteries of bird migration in the mountains of Los Angeles Every spring, a remarkable sight unfolds in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Los Angeles, as thousands of songbirds fly north. Jonaki Mehta Christopher Intagliata Ailsa Chang
Animals Why more than 1,000 sea lions are lounging at Pier 39 in San Francisco That's double the numbers that usually show up on the custom floating piers — and a number that hasn't been seen since the early 90s. It turns out a large school of anchovy is the appeal.
Animals An old horse named Razzle Dazzle and a loaf of white bread: Inside the runaway zebra rescue Isolde Raftery
National A seafood bounty lures sea lions to S.F.'s Pier 39 in numbers not seen in 15 years It's a popular rest stop for sea lions, but the docks at the tourist hot spot these days are unusually packed out with the slippery residents. Conservationists are buoyed by the surge in visitors. Emma Bowman
Science Orangutan in the wild applied medicinal plant to heal its own injury, biologists say It is "the first known case of active wound treatment in a wild animal with a medical plant," biologist Isabelle Laumer told NPR. She says the orangutan, called Rakus, is now thriving. Bill Chappell
Animals North Bend businesses have a lot riding on that lost zebra The renegade zebra on the lam has brought international attention to the tiny town of North Bend, Washington. Now, local business owners are wondering if they can get a piece of the action. It all depends on the zebra's fate. Joshua McNichols
National Have you seen this emotional support gator? Wally's owner says he's lost in Georgia Wally has many fans in Pennsylvania and across social media. His owner is enlisting their help, saying Wally was kidnapped, located by a trapper and released into a swamp while vacationing in Georgia. Rachel Treisman
Animals Wild orangutan uses a plant to treat a wound under his right eye, scientists say The orangutan chewed up some medicinal leaves and applied them to the wound. He did this several times, and within two months the wound had healed. Where did he learn that? Researchers don't know.
Environment This week in science: biodegradable plastic, crops on Mars and deer vs. caribou NPR's Juana Summers talks with Regina Barber and Emily Kwong of Short Wave about biodegradable plastic, simulating growing crops on Mars, and how deer are disrupting caribou populations. Emily Kwong Regina G. Barber