Wildlife & Conservation
World’s first interactive enrichment system for giraffes made in Scotland
A world first interactive enrichment system for giraffes has been developed in Scotland. Meeting the needs of giraffes is a longstanding challenge for zookeepers, not least because giraffes sleep differently from many other mammals. Instead of resting for hours overnight, they take frequent brief naps whenever they choose to, sleeping for less than 30 minutes…
Read MoreThe largest gannet colony in the world at Bass rock has shrunk by 30%
The largest gannet colony in the world has shrunk by 30% since 2014, research has revealed. The Bass Rock colony was hit by avian flu in June last year, at the height of the gannet breeding season. The colony was devastated by the disease, with thousands of seabirds dying on the island, resulting in an…
Read MoreSignificant rise in Corncrake numbers recorded by RSPB Scotland
Corncrake numbers in Scotland have seen their first rise in five years, an RSPB Scotland survey can reveal. This year 870 calling males of these shy rare birds were recorded by the nature conservation charity, up from 828 the previous year. This takes Scotland’s Corncrake population back to levels not seen since 2019. While still…
Read MoreA week in the life: a Scottish country vet
Few people really know what the life of a country vet actually looks like. From going out on site, visiting clients and pioneering forward-thinking research, no day is the same. We go behind the scenes with gamebird vet Dr Matthew Balfour, from St David’s Game Bird Services in Scotland, who takes us through a week…
Read MoreLoch Arkaig osprey spotted at nature reserve in France
A Scottish osprey from Loch Arkaig has been spotted at an idyllic nature reserve in France. Lochaber-raised Ludo has been at The Bay of St Brieuc National Park in Brittany since 24 September where delighted local birdwatchers have been photographing him as he hunts. Woodland Trust Scotland has been operating a livestreaming nest camera following…
Read MoreTurtle named after Scottish island taken 1,700 miles home
A turtle that was nursed back to health after it washed up on a Scottish beach has been released back to its home waters 1,700 miles away. The creature was found malnourished and dehydrated on Iona in January last year, and was later named after the island. Loggerhead turtle Iona had not been expected to…
Read MoreThousands of Pink-footed geese arrive in Montrose
Thousands of Pink-footed geese have arrived in Montrose as they migrate south for the winter. So far, more than 25,000 have been counted, with more expected to arrive in the coming weeks. Every year, the birds stop off at Montrose Basin after flying in from Greenland and Iceland. This year the birds arrived earlier than…
Read MoreOysters returned to Firth of Forth for first time in a century
After a 100-year absence, native oysters are being reintroduced to the Firth of Forth. Historically, enormous native oyster beds provided an important source for food and livelihoods in the area. But the marine species was lost due to overfishing and industrial development. The groundbreaking Restoration Forth project hopes to transfer 30,000 oysters to the area…
Read MoreSeeds from tree which survived the Hiroshima atomic bomb grown in Glasgow
Seeds from a tree which survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima are being grown in Glasgow. The precious Ginkgo Tree seeds were gifted to Glasgow City Council as part of an international peace initiative. Hiro Shimai, from Japan, is among staff at the council’s Botanic Gardens who is nurturing them. Hiro grew up around 30kms…
Read MoreAnne McAlpine discovers the power of peat in new documentary series
From the boreal peatlands of Canada, to the expansive peat plains of Finland and the beautiful blanket bogs of home – Anne McAlpine takes us on a journey exploring spectacular peatlands around the world. The BBC ALBA documentary series takes us to Iron Age bog bodies, remarkable pool systems, shielings which built communities on the…
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