People & Wildlife
“We have an inherent fascination for apex predators”: Steve Backshall on why we need to rethink sharks – and how social media could help save them
Steve Backshall on why we need to stop thinking of sharks as creatures to fear, and why Steven Spielberg's Jaws has got a lot to answer for
What do Sir Elton John, Barack Obama and Taylor Swift all have in common? From trapdoor spiders to coral-dwelling crustaceans, meet the 15 animals named after celebrities
One of the benefits of discovering a new species is the opportunity to name it, and many scientists have taken inspiration from popular culture. These are a few of our favourites.
See inside David Attenborough’s EPIC 360° wildlife experience in London’s Natural History Museum
A new immersive experience at the Natural History Museum, narrated by David Attenborough, opens this week
“My chronic illness keeps me up at night, but listening to tawny owls helps me cope”: How these enchanting birds helped one writer find solace
In the company of owls, poet Polly Atkin finds solace from debilitating illness
Who is Greta Thunberg? Everything you need to know about the famous environmental activist
From school strikes to global climate summits, Greta Thunberg is one of the most influential voices in the fight against climate change. But who is the young activist behind the headlines?
What's new?
“The ocean remains a battlefield.” How an unusual alliance is forming to save Sri Lanka’s remarkable gentle giants
New dangers are emerging for whales found off the Sri Lankan coast – but hope remains that they can be saved
Opinion: “Why should wildlife lose to businesses underpinned by criminal activity?” Mark Carwardine on driven grouse shooting
Mark Carwardine takes a look at driven grouse shooting in the UK.
“One of the most dangerous jobs on the planet”: Prince William’s new BBC series shines a light on wildlife rangers
Guardians, which is presented by Prince William, will be streamed on the BBC Earth YouTube channel and highlights the work of wildlife rangers
“His wrist was gripped and ‘death-rolled’ three times”: Why conservationists in the Amazon are catching caimans
Studying caimans in the Amazon can help the species’ conservation – but you have to catch one first.
“It’s surreal coming face-to-feathers with a bizarre bird you've waited half a lifetime to see”: An epic quest for the world’s most elusive birds
An adventure in Papua New Guinea to seek some of the world’s most incredible birds of paradise was the culmination of a 40-year dream for naturalist and TV presenter Mike Dilger.
Meet The Scientist
Real-life horror: How a scientist's harrowing death-by-snake in the 1950s inspired the movie 'Killer Shrews'
Karl P Schmidt documented his harrowing symptoms from a deadly snake bite as his condition deteriorated
Who first realised the Earth was very, very old?
How the father of geology - and biology - James Hutton challenged 18th century beliefs
Rachel Louise Carson: the renowned writer, scientist, biologist, and ecologist
We explore the life of scientist Rachel Carson, perhaps the finest and most important nature writer of the 20th Century.
Opinion
Opinion: “Why are we always so nervous?” Why the lynx should be returned to Scotland, explains Mark Carwardine
Despite many years of campaigning, people are still against lynx reintroduction in Scotland. But why, asks Mark Carwardine.
Opinion: “Europe seems hellbent on creating the most hostile environment for bears.” Why can't Europeans live with predators?
Mark Carwardine on the rising tide of hostility towards Europe's largest predators.
Opinion: “Hunts up and down the country will be sticking two fingers up at the law”. Mark Carwardine on the UK’s fox hunts
It's been over 20 years since The Hunting Act banned hunting wild mammals in England and Wales – but evidence suggests that fox hunting never stopped.
Tales from the Bush
Volunteers
Surveying birds and restoring wetland habitat
Megan Shersby and Ann Chadwick meet Joe Fryer who volunteers at the nature reserve where he spent his childhood birdwatching with his grandad.
Habitat restoration in the Falkland Islands
Megan Shersby meets Captain Joe Harris RLC, an army captain who is helping wildlife while deployed in the Falkland Islands.
Verifying bird records in Guyana
Megan Shersby meets Leon Moore, a birder and wildlife tour guide who verifies eBird records for Guyana.
Wildlife Champion
Who is Chris Packham? Everything you need to know about the Springwatch presenter
Naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham is best-known for presenting BBC nature series Springwatch and for his conservation work. Here is everything you need to know about Chris Packham.
Thousands of exotic animals were abandoned when war broke out in Ukraine, but one woman stayed behind to save them
Witness the resilience and compassion of individuals and organisations as they work tirelessly to safeguard the Ukraine's precious wildlife during challenging times.
Lucy Cooke explains why she cares so much about pygmy three-toed sloths
We asked zoologist and author Lucy Cooke about the Critically Endangered pygmy three-toed sloth and its remarkable adaptations, and why she set up the Sloth Appreciation Society.