The truly wonderful life and flight of the Japanese crane
The Japanese crane must surely be one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Its tall stature, striking colouration and tender courtship dance have made it an iconic species in the Far East where it lives. This species is widely regarded as a symbol of luck, longevity and fidelity, so is truly worth celebrating … Continued
The most beautiful trees on Earth
Trees are often overlooked in favour of more charismatic mega fauna (normally critters with fur and four legs). But just as there are endangered animals in need of conservation, many tree species are under threat too. Here’s 10 of the most iconic trees from around the world, to remind us that these magnificent species need our love and … Continued
7 near-psychic animals that might just be able to predict disasters before they happen
Whilst precognition, the ability to see future events through extrasensory means, has not been proven in the animal kingdom (or anywhere in the known universe for that matter), anecdotal evidence still suggests that some creatures might react to disasters before they actually take place. Here are 7 powerful predictor species, who seem to be skilled … Continued
Creature currency: Nature’s most beloved beasts, as illustrated on the humble banknote
Currency. Every society (more or less) uses it, but have you ever stopped to stare at the amazing array of creatures that are detailed on the back of those crumpled pieces of paper (and now, plastic) we stuff into our pockets and wallets each week? From the Philippines’ pikoy, to Bermuda’s bluebird, onto the splendid … Continued
Universal adapters: 5 species that are conquering the planet
We often hear about biodiversity loss, extinction and the general declining state of our natural world. We lament the giant panda, doomed by evolution to be a fussy eater and not very good at reproducing, and we put great effort into saving sea turtles that mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. But for a moment—instead of … Continued
Rogue bear with taste for human flesh blamed for four fatal attacks in Japan
People are being warned not to stray into the forest in Japan’s Akita prefecture, a mountainous area in the north of the country’s main island Honshu, after the discovery of four bodies in the last few days. The victims are believed to have been fatally attacked by bears—with some speculating that one rogue animal could … Continued
Everything you ever wanted to know about the illegal ivory trade, as explained by a leading elephant expert
Mary Rice has held a deep affinity with elephants for as long as she can remember. Today Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)—an independent campaigning organisation committed to protecting the natural world from environmental crime—and team leader of their Elephant Campaign, the author of Heat, Dust and Dreams has been fighting for the welfare of … Continued
24 facts about tanukis you may not know
Fans of Super Mario Bros. may recognize the name ‘tanuki’ as a suit donned by the titular hero in the third instalment of the game franchise. Others may know these creatures to be nothing more than myth, as they have a significant presence in Japanese folklore. Despite how you heard about them, we assure you … Continued
Remembering Fukushima: Japanese daguerreotypist Takashi Arai links past, present and future by creating these timeless images
A partially-submerged ship. An abandoned rice field. The solemn faces of fishermen and farmers. Japanese photographer Takashi Arai hopes these carefully-captured images will connect with present and future generations, prompting them to reflect on the events of March 11th, 2011. It is now just over five years since an earthquake and tsunami took the lives … Continued
7 sacred animals from around the world
We share our planet with all kinds of amazing animals, but a few species have become particularly significant within our cultures and traditions. Whether we adore, admire, fear or respect these animals, each has come to represent an important aspect of humanity and our relationship with the planet. Cow The humble cow is considered … Continued
10 awe-inspiring natural wonders to visit via Google Maps
Nothing beats experiencing nature first hand. Whether you’re standing in the shadows of a vast geological monument, witnessing wild animals up close or soaking up the ambience of some remote untouched wilderness, no one’s yet found a way to fully replicate our planet’s most amazing spectacles through technology. That said, not everyone has the budget … Continued
Japan has just slaughtered hundreds of pregnant minke whales
According to a report just released by the National Geographic’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU), Japanese whalers have recently slaughtered 333 minke whales, including more than 200 pregnant females, under the guise of scientific research. Four whaling ships returned to port on Wednesday, after a 115-day expedition to the Antarctic, and their bloody haul was documented … Continued
Cute fix: It's a stampede... of bunnies
If you’re planning a trip to Japan, you may want to visit the small island of Ōkunoshima. The island, which is nicknamed Usagi Jima (“Rabbit Island”), is inhabited by a huge population of wild rabbits. Visitors have noted that the rabbits are very tame and quite used to people (probably thanks to the number of … Continued
Researchers revive Antarctic moss piglets frozen after a three-decade long nap, and they’re really, really cute
Cryobiology, the study of biological materials that undergo moderate hypothermia to deep-freeze conditions, has long been considered a potential route to human immortality, but some microorganisms are already masters of the trick. In the spring of 2014 scientists with Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research decided to test the limits of frozen-life, resuscitating three microscopic … Continued
Following the team filming the animals (Or, a Scottish adventure in the field with Love Nature)
The rain blurs the twin humps of a Bactrian camel, standing motionless at the back of its enclosure; watching our lone car trundle down a muddy road. The downpour, a product of erratic storms breaking over the nearby Cairngorm National Park, is in fact obscuring every detail of the place we’re approaching. It’s eerily quiet … Continued
Whatever you do, please don't feed the wildlife
Come morning and the tarred Highway 7 that cuts through the Pench Tiger Reserve in Central India is freckled with life already. Troops of boisterous pink faced Rhesus Macaques carefully pick the most scenic roadside spots for the day. But, the primates are not interested in the panoramic views—instead they’ve chosen their locations carefully—it is … Continued
Desperate dolphin throws itself on rocks to escape hunters
Ric O’Barry, founder of The Dolphin Project and subject of the 2009 documentary The Cove, captured this troubling footage over the weekend. The Taiji dolphin drive, which occurs each fall, began this past Friday in Taiji, Japan. The dolphin drive kills more than one thousand dolphins each year for commercial purposes, while others are captured … Continued