We asked some Neuroparasitologists about the tiny critters that turn animals into zombies
Mindless, wandering creatures whose only remaining purpose in life is to serve their parasitic hosts. No, not the terrifying subject of a new George A. Romero flick, but a genuine natural occurrence caused by fiendish little organisms that have evolved brain-controlling abilities in order to survive. Neuroparasitology is the scientific study of parasites that control … Continued
Jane Goodall on life, legacy and why dirt-lovin’ youngsters are our best chance to save the world
When Dr Jane Goodall arrives for our interview at the Chelsea Hotel in downtown Toronto, she’s only moments off the phone talking about November’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris. It’s there that Dr Goodall will join the world’s most prominent environmental activists and experts, scientists and politicians, all of which have one objective … Continued
Larger than life: Graham Spence, co-author of The Elephant Whisperer, reflects on the achievements of charismatic conservationist Lawrence Anthony
When Lawrence Anthony decided to save the lives of seven ‘troublesome’ elephants by giving them a home on his South African reserve, he wasn’t sure what would follow. But he knew it would be a great adventure. Anthony’s exploits with the elephants on ‘Thula Thula’ have been immortalised in the page-turning bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer. … Continued
We asked an astrophysicist to answer 10 insanely difficult questions about the universe (the answers will blow your mind)
Some of us blindly accept things the way they are. We exist. It doesn’t matter why, we just do. But for others, such as astrophysicist Duncan Meacher, accepting things the way they are without knowing why will never be enough. Alongside a bunch of other incredibly smart people at Penn State University’s department of physics, Duncan’s … Continued
Urban birding: Expert David Lindo explains how and why to take up this 'sexy' pastime
David Lindo spends his days urging urbanites to open their minds and see their cities in a new way. When he’s not gazing at birds from the roof of a London skyscraper or trotting cities around the globe, the Urban Birder (as he’s also known) is reaching out to city dwellers through his writing, photography, … Continued
Prophet and Loss: Charles Rothschild and the 284 special sites that kept Britain wild
Britain owes a lot to Charles Rothschild. Banker, entomologist, member of the Rothschild family, Charles is credited with establishing the UK’s first nature reserve—Wicken Fen, near Ely, in 1899—and for spearheading the nation’s fledging conservation movement over a century ago. Now, 100 years on, author Simon Barnes reveals the fascinating story of how we began to cherish our wild places in … Continued
This British explorer shares his experiences alone inside the world's largest forest (and no, it's not the Amazon)
As anyone who’s ever lost a game of Risk will know, Asia’s a big place, and there’s no bigger geographical region on the continent than Siberia. Covering more than five million square miles, this vast expanse of land first claimed by the Russian Tsars around the 17th century is also home to the world’s largest … Continued
Why primates don't make good pets (and other interesting facts), as explained by the co-creator of Monkey Day
Every year without fail the calendar rolls round to December 14th, which just so happens to be Monkey Day. It’s an unofficial holiday, celebrated by pranksters and primate lovers right across the planet. First started by illustrator Casey Sorrow and Eric Millikin in 2000, the day has grown in leaps and bounds since then, capturing the hearts of internet … Continued
Under the lens: Peacock mantis shrimp
Kay Burn Lim is an aerial and underwater videographer currently shooting out on location in Indonesia’s Lembeh Straits for the upcoming Love Nature show ‘Strange Creatures’ Famed as having some of the best ‘muck diving’ in the world, the straits are a macro-heaven full of tiny, unusual and curious critters, perfect for this particular assignment. … Continued
We asked a rainforest conservation expert about the solution to slash and burn farming
Slash and burn farming is a dangerous and unsustainable method of clearing trees to make room for agriculture. As witnessed in Indonesia recently, it can prove catastrophic for rainforest ecosystems containing some of the world’s most remarkable species. But it’s not just animals and plants that these destructive practices affect. Billions of tonnes of carbon … Continued