Posts by Charlotte Rixon
What noise does a giraffe make? It hums…
Every schoolchild knows that lions roar, hyenas laugh and elephants trumpet, but they may be hard pressed to identify the signature sound of giraffes. This could soon change however, thanks to a remarkable new discovery by Austrian biologists. Apparently, giraffes hum to each other—but only after dark. Until now, it had been assumed that giraffes’ … Continued
Go nuts for Red Squirrel Week
It’s Red Squirrel Week and The Wildlife Trusts are encouraging people in certain parts of the UK to keep an eye out for signs of these much-loved but critically endangered creatures. Autumn is the perfect season to spot red squirrels, as they spend their time foraging for nuts to cache in their winter larder. However, to … Continued
Legal protection secured for whales against harmful U.S. Navy sonar
The U.S. Navy has agreed to restrict its use of sonar and explosives off the coasts of Southern California and Hawaii in a landmark settlement that will protect whales and dolphins from the harmful effects of ocean noise. A federal court ruled that military training and testing activities, such as mid-frequency active sonar and underwater … Continued
New photographic record of one of the world’s rarest wild cats
Andean cats—one of the world’s most elusive felines—have been captured on camera at a nature reserve in Chile for the first time. Close-up footage of a female Andean cat (Leopardus Jacobita) and her cub was taken using motion-sensor camera traps in Los Flamencos National Reserve by researchers from National Corporation Forestal (CONAF), working in partnership … Continued
New monkey species discovered in Peru
A new species of monkey has been discovered living in a remote stretch of the Peruvian Amazon and, unlike other recent primate discoveries, it is not facing extinction. Researchers from the international NGO Proyecto Mono Tocón encountered the previously unknown species of titi monkey during an expedition down the Urubamba River in Central Peru. The … Continued
Horses and human share facial expressions
Horses and humans use remarkably similar facial expressions to convey their emotions, suggests a new study. Researchers from the University of Sussex discovered that horses use muscles beneath their facial features—including their nostrils, lips and eyes—to alter their expressions in different social situations. The experts identified 17 discrete facial movements in horses by analysing video … Continued
HS2 threatens 100 ancient woods
Nearly 100 of Britain’s precious ancient woods could be lost or damaged during the construction of the first phase of the High Speed Two (HS2) rail line, the Woodland Trust has warned. Research by the charity has revealed that a total of 97 ancient woodlands lie in the path of the proposed HS2 line, which … Continued
Kenya denies sanctuary to chimps from Ebola-hit Liberia
Two young chimpanzees from Ebola-hit Liberia have been denied sanctuary at a Kenyan wildlife reserve, despite the fact that they have shown no signs of infection with the deadly virus. The two-year-old female chimps, Sweet Pea and Guey, were rescued from animal traffickers by conservation group, the Project to End Great Ape Slavery (PEGAS), in … Continued
One in five Brits hate bats
Bats have been voted the UK’s third least favourite mammal after rats and mice in a recent survey, with one in five respondents claiming to dislike or hate them. Women, young adults and people living in London or the North East are the most likely to have an aversion to bats, according to the OnePoll … Continued
Seahorses could be extinct within 30 years
Seahorses could become extinct within three decades if action is not taken to stop the sale of dead marine life as curiosities, conservationists have warned. Undercover research by the international charity, Save Our Seahorses, has revealed that 150 million seahorses are killed worldwide every year for the seaside curio trade and for use in traditional … Continued
Pine martens seen in England for the first time in 100 years
A small population of pine martens has been discovered living in Shropshire, after being thought extinct in England for a century. The first sighting of a pine marten in 100 years was confirmed in July, when amateur photographer and wildlife recorder, Dave Pearce, captured the elusive mammal on camera and sent the photos to Shropshire … Continued
Gardeners urged to help hedgehogs
Over 30,000 gardeners have pledged to help Britain’s dwindling hedgehog population by cutting holes in their garden fences, as part of the ‘Hedgehog Street’ initiative. British hedgehogs have fallen by a third over the last 10 years, making them as critically endangered as tigers. Experts believe that increasing urbanisation and the trend for small, tidy … Continued
