Author: Grace Johnson

After six months exploring New Guinea’s rugged landscapes, a young Czech doctoral student made a stunning discovery. František Vejmělka, from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the University of South Bohemia, became the first scientist to observe Mallomys istapantap in its natural habitat. This enormous nocturnal rodent, among the largest in the world, lives in mist-covered forests and grasslands around 3,700 meters above sea level. Until now, researchers knew the species only from preserved museum specimens. For the first time, photographs and video footage reveal the animal alive in its remote mountain environment. Bringing a Lost…

Beef prices in the United States have climbed to historic levels, turning a staple grocery item into a political challenge. Donald Trump, who once claimed inflation was “dead,” now faces criticism as soaring beef costs threaten his promise to make groceries affordable. This week, he urged ranchers on social media to lower cattle prices. But his demands — along with other administration proposals — have angered ranchers, who warn the measures could hurt small producers while doing little to ease costs for consumers. Shrinking herds tighten supply The US cattle industry has been declining for decades. Domestic beef supply has…

The plastic recycling industry faces relentless challenges, with closures hitting companies across the UK and Europe. Biffa shut its Sunderland plant in February, barely a year after it opened at a cost of £7 million. Rival Viridor closed its Avonmouth site in 2022, Skelmersdale in 2023, and announced this summer that its Rochester plant would also cease operations. Plastic recycling plant closures spread across Europe like falling dominoes. Veolia will shut its two German operations this year, while seven recyclers closed in the Netherlands last year. Companies including Borealis, Dow, and Nester abandoned plans to build new recycling facilities in…

They are called the “ghosts of the mountains,” and it’s no surprise that snow leopards are hard to find. Yet these majestic, thick-furred cats, living in the high mountains of Asia, are disappearing from much of their range. Their prey is declining, they face retaliation killings after livestock losses, and the illegal wildlife trade continues. Climate change, mining, and large infrastructure projects also destroy their habitat. In some places, however, the story is different: snow leopards are recovering, and their numbers are growing. On International Snow Leopard Day, attention turns to recent developments in India and Nepal. Snow leopards thriving…

Fining English water companies for spilling raw sewage will become faster and more straightforward, the government announced. New proposals would introduce automatic fines of up to £20,000 for minor offences and simplify penalties for more serious breaches. Stricter penalties for repeated breaches In recent years, monitoring equipment installed by the water industry has shown how often companies break rules on sewage spills. The Environment Agency has admitted it struggled to act consistently. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said the government will now give the agency the power it needs to enforce the law. “New automatic and tougher penalties will deliver swift…

In 2018, thousands of starved animals lay dead across the Oostvaardersplassen, a famed Dutch rewilding project. The sight sparked nationwide outrage. Was it nature taking its course, or was it cruelty? Train passengers travelling between Almere and Amsterdam froze at the view. Cow, horse, and deer carcasses littered the landscape. Oostvaardersplassen, known for its wild grazers and birdlife, had become a scene of devastation. From Nature Experiment to Controversy Since the 1980s, the Oostvaardersplassen followed a strict non-interventionist philosophy. Rangers allowed ecosystems to shape themselves naturally. This approach influenced rewilding projects across Europe. The philosophy failed during the winter of…

The north Pacific has experienced its warmest summer ever, according to analysis of a mysterious marine heatwave that continues to puzzle climate scientists. Sea surface temperatures between July and September rose more than 0.25°C above the previous high in 2022, spreading across an area roughly ten times the size of the Mediterranean. While climate change increases the likelihood of marine heatwaves, scientists struggle to explain why the north Pacific has stayed so hot for so long. Some researchers suggest that this extra heat in the so-called “warm blob” could bring a colder start to winter in the UK. Unusual warming…

Should residents be concerned after Northern Ireland confirmed its first Asian hornet sighting in Dundonald? The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) identified the species on Monday. Two days later, additional sightings were confirmed. By Saturday, authorities had located and removed a nest in the same area. Environment Minister Andrew Muir urged the public to remain vigilant, warning that more hornets could be present. Asian hornets do not pose a greater threat to humans than native hornets. However, they present a significant risk to native insects and have alarmed beekeepers and environmentalists. Why the Asian hornet worries experts Tom Williamson, a…

A historic plan to reduce global shipping emissions collapsed after Saudi Arabia and the United States pressured negotiators to halt the talks. More than 100 countries had gathered in London to approve the deal first agreed in April, which aimed to make shipping the world’s first industry with internationally mandated emission targets. US opposition derails the agreement US President Donald Trump labeled the plan a “green scam” and warned countries of tariffs if they supported it. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the outcome a “huge win” for the administration. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organisation,…

A ten-year-old Springer Spaniel named Henry has won international recognition for his role in fighting wildlife crime. Rejected by five homes for his energetic nature, Henry now aids police and conservationists, proving himself a true hero for animals. From lost soul to wildlife hero Henry’s journey began when Louise Wilson of Conservation K9 Consultancy in Wrexham rescued him at eight months old. She described him as a “lost soul” struggling to find a home. Over time, training harnessed his high energy and natural instincts, transforming him into a skilled detection dog. Henry can detect seven different scents, ranging from birds…