In 2015, disease wiped out 200,000+ adult saiga; now a new viral outbreak threatens Mongolia’s entire population. But these steppe antelope are resilient, and could recover, if protected from traffickers. The beauty of the saiga belies first impressions. It may be hard to look beyond the big nose — a bulbous schnozz that looks like […]
Author: Supertrooper
Results of the Best Photo of the Week Ended 04 Mar 2017
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. Sherry Shepardson wins First Prize for her brilliant capture “Kalahari Adonis”. Bob Shepardson is awarded Second Prize for his outstanding image “What Are You Doing Here?”. Third Prize goes to Walter Nussbaumer with “Long Eared Owl”. See detailed results below: (click on […]
POLL: Should Australia’s feral cats be culled?
Feral cats now inhabit virtually the entire Australian landscape, and have been implicated in multiple recent mammal extinctions by conservationists. Illuminating the urgency of controlling cat populations across the continent, a new study in Biological Conservation finds that cats occupy over 99.8% of Australia. The study was conducted by over forty scientists—led by wildlife ecologists […]
Biologists say half of all species could be extinct by end of century
One in five species on Earth now faces extinction, and that will rise to 50% by the end of the century unless urgent action is taken. That is the stark view of the world’s leading biologists, ecologists and economists who will gather on Monday to determine the social and economic changes needed to save the […]
POLL: Should Finland’s 235 wolves be culled?
The story of a kill is told in the snow. On the Finnish island of Porosaari, we find the first paw print. “That’s a male,” says Asko Kettunen, retired border guard, hunter and tracker. How can he be sure? “It’s big.” Five ravens rise from dark pines, croaking in the icy silence; they will scavenge […]
The tiny corner of Asia where an Endangered songbird is thriving
The Straw-headed Bulbul Pycnonotus zeylanicus perhaps isn’t much to look at (at least compared to some other birds of South East Asia), but no-one can deny it has a great set of lungs. But unfortunately, it’s this same rich, powerful melody which is threatening to silence the species forever. As we reported during our 2016 […]
British Barn Owls still struggling to adapt to modern life
One of the most widespread birds of prey in the world, the Common Barn Owl Tyto alba has proven so successful at adapting to life alongside humans that even its very name reflects the symbiotic relationship that has been shared by farmers and this charismatic bird over the course of thousands of years. Common Barn […]
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Week 04 Mar 2017
Welcome to the “Best Photo of the Week” competition showcasing and celebrating the biodiversity of Planet Earth. Voting is easy and lots of fun. First click an image and browse through the slideshow. Then select the three images you like best of all and click the VOTE button at the bottom of the page. […]