Originally lost in the wild around the start of this millenium, as a result of illegal pet trade, and habitat degradation in Brazil, in 2022, 20 of these birds were released back into the wild. Referred to as “the most successful reintroduction of any parrot I have ever seen” by a leading parrot conservationist.
Unfortunately, the cooperation agreement between the Brazilian government and the German breeding center that holds most of the currently living Spix maccaws, could cause serious problems.
Initially, the idea was for the German breeding centre to supply 20 of these birds each year, so that, within 20 years, 400 birds would have been released, and combined with offspring, we might have reached 700-800, which is the number thought to be required for a species to thrive long-term.
What will happen now? Will we be left with just the 20 already released? Will these two groups make up, and sort things out? Might the 20 breed so well, that they can recover on their own (unlikely)?
Here is an image of part of the Congo rainforest, almost every tree is different
Whether you are looking at the Amazon, Congo or the rainforests of South-east Asia, a study has shown that just 2% of species account for 50% of trees in all systems.
In numbers, this means, that of the roughly 800 billion trees on earth, roughly half come from around 1000 species, while the other half are made up of a further 46,000 different species.
While this could have many negatives, it suggests that accurately modelling may well be easier, as the forests would likely survive if just these 1000 trees were to live (this is not to say that we do not care, the 46,000 trees that might be lost, would likely cause many other extinctions, and who is to say that these trees, do not hide medication that would one day be useful to humanity?
Back in march, there was plans for the EU to put into laws, that would require 20% of land and sea areas in the EU to be restored by 2030. This was postponed indefinitely, after it became clear that it would not pass.
More than 50% of Romanias ancient forests have been lost in the last 20 years
In the main, two groups withdrew their support. The first group (often touted as pro-wildlife) was farmers, and the second was the country of Hungary.
Firstly: Farmers are often talked about as being pro-wildlife but this is often not the case. Laws on usstainable farm practices (such as crop rotation and reduced use of pesticides have been weakened or abandoned as a result of opposition – despite the vast majority of consumers being for these laws).
Secondly: Hungary – why is Hungary so against recovery of wildlife? This is an important question, though it should be noted, that Hungary is one of around 5 countries in central Europe, that is almost a complete block for wildlife to migrate from Eastern Europe into the little (wildlife) populated areas of western Europe. This can be a problem, as the few populations that hold on, in western Europe, are often small meaning that in order for the wolves/bears/lynx or other species to survive and thrive long-term, they need new members of their species to arrive, in order to widen the genetic base.
If such a small group of people can block this sort of project, it is a problem, as we do not vote to destroy areas.
A new study has found that around 244 million tonnes of carbon, is stored in the top 10cm of mud on the ocean floors around the UK. This is vast, and by looking after this mud, we are likely to benefit the amount it can store very positively. What is more crazy, is that this mud sequesters another 13 million tonnes each year. The total carbon emissions of the UK is around 406 million tonnes a year, meaning that our sea mud is absorbing more than 3% of the carbon emissions we release. All of the UK trees, are only thought to absorb around 18 million tonnes per year, suggesting that with some work mud may sequester more carbon than trees (and is certainly not far behind. On land soil also sequesters vast amounts of carbon, which is thought to currently store over 4 billion tonnes of carbon, just in the UK.
Finding ways for all of these natural processes to work better (perhaps undoing damage we have done to these things, could greatly increase the carbon caught.
Trawlers which are dragged along the bottom, as well as other disruption of these habitats, allow the carbon out. However, what is clear, is that, while we desperately need the worlds rainforests to stay standing, there are places in our own country, which also store huge amounts of carbon.
There is a significant number of different species of Langur. I hope in the future, to be able to see many of these species for myself in the wild, for the time-being, this website will increase information where I can.
Whether in the UK (known for its badgers and their large setts) or elsewhere like from a bear hide in Sweden, seeing animals like badgers is always interesting.
If all people who travel the world, would spend just one of the days in their trip seeing the local wildlife, the finances to support all these species would likely be there already.
Some of my most exciting moments, have been when I have encountered an animal. Very often, these encounters have not happened where they should have. I have encountered bears and wolves amongst others, outside reserves.
These have often been the most exciting moments on those trips. Should more people search them out, and pay a small price for those encounters, there would be few places on earth where animals would be killed. Should each farmer with wildlife on his land, take a small amount of money each week from those coming to see the wildlife, it would be well worth the hassle to work around it, for the primary use of the land (the growing of crops, or raising of livestock).
Even in countries like the UK, there is wildlife to see. From incredible encounters with badgers and foxes, to following hares across the Welsh hills, or watching whales and dolphins from the UK coast. Very often, in the places where people are hardest up, there is wildlife around the people. Our aim, here, is to create a marketplace for the buying and selling of these encounters, be it access to where the wildlife is, a place to stay or a ride (car boat or something else).
We’re aiming to put put some videos, in the hope to bring word, but please spread word, we are finally at a point where everything needed is in place. Our primary focus, is to link those who live alongside wildlife with those who want to see it, join us, list your wildlife (it only takes a few minutes). We’re also eager to tell peoples story. This is primarily aimed at those listed, but we are interested about all news about the natural world, and are eager to publish stories from all over the place. Do join us – you do not need to write in English (or indeed speak English). The website is equipped with translators, so provided you write clearly in your own language, it should make sense in any
The Chinese government has introduced a carbon neutral policy, in an attempt to mitigate and reduce the impact of climate change. Under the expected model for what is going to happen to the climate (at the current time) the North Chinaleopard will gain in range, However, with the increase in carbon emissions, this territory is also expected to the reduction, migration, and fragmentation of the suitable habitat distribution of the North China leopard. It should be noted, that under genetic analysis, some authorities merged the north China leopard with the Amur leopard. Many disagree with this.
Havin said this, carbon neutrality policies can protect suitable wild habitats when carefully planned. In the future, the impact of carbon neutrality policies on future wildlife habitat protection should be carried out in depth to effectively promote the construction of wildlife protection projects – for instance, by making sure that planted woodland matches native woodland, and therefore adds to existing ecosystems. In many parts of the world, trees planted for carbon sequestration are often picked for how fast they grow – and thus eucalyptus trees have often been used. The problem with this, is that they are often impossible of supporting local wildlife, from insects to birds and even mammals. This was seen clearly in the UK, where a pine plantation replaced an oak woodland, the number of species supported, dropped from 200 to just 4.
The North China leopard is considered critically endangered, with the population definitely under 400 (given its remote habitat, a clear count is hard to get. It is undeniable that the North China Leopard and the Amur Leopard are genetically close, and quite conceivably closer than they should be for 2 subspecies. Should these 2 subspecies be recognized as one, it would allow us to greatly expand the genetic makeup of both populations. This would likely have a huge impact on both areas, and allow each population to expand rapidly.
It is essential, that as we grow huge areas of forest, to soak up as much of our carbon emissions as possible, that these fit into their ecosystems and are a positive addition. Apart from this appearing to be common sense (why would you not boost endangered species around the world, if we have to plant these forests anyway) but also, should you plant fast growing trees from elsewhere, very often they die, or cause serious issues elsewhere.
The right climate mitigation will have a bigger and longer term impact, something that is essential.
I have been away for the last few weeks. After a week in the UK, we headed to holland, and while the first part of our trip was largely for the children, we then headed into Eastern Holland for a wilder part.
We spent our time in the region around the Veluwe national park. This is one of the few wild areas of the Netherlands, and of the known 9 packs of wolves, 7 are found within the Veluwe.
While there, I visited a free hide a number of times, and although I did not see the wolves, it was still a fantastic place to visit (seeing red deer, roe deer and wild boar). He has a fascinating tiktok channel, one of the videos which I include to the right. He is a regular at the hide, and has seen wolves around 50 times (so by no means every time).
There is a slight issue with the situation in this area. The Veluwe covers around 420 square miles, (do not be confused by the Veluwe Hoge national park – odd that it is allowed the name as it is a private venture).
This is where private ventures in conservation have issues.
The Veluwe Hoge national park has a very well put together page, and is far easier to find than the actual national park. However, it is there to make money. As such, they are quite against wolves.
Note: this video is currently not playing properly. Click the full screen and it will redirect you to the tiktok page in question
One of the wildest places in the UK is the forest of dean. This is not particularly wild, but work is ongoing in rewilding (though obviously, as yet the reintroduction of any predators is a long-distance aim). The initial rewilding of boar is thought to have occurred as an unofficial reintroduction in 1999 (this is not the first wild living wild boar in the UK in recent times, with a large group escaping after the 89 hurricane). Other species being introduced include beavers and pine martens.
We try to head there for at least a weekend, each year. This was that. We joined other friends, in the forest. Mostly, it was a family weekend away – in a wild place and looking out for wildlife but with small children its not quite the same.
Never-the-less, on Saturday, we went for an evening drive. We did indeed find a wild boar- unfortunately it was a fleeting sighting, with the wild boar disappearing back into the forest, too fast, even for the other person in the car to get to see it.
Still, I consider it a mix of luck, alongside my (I hope) reasonable skills in finding wildlife, and my local knowledge. For any who have seen it, I have put together a video of the wild beavers in Devon, and have been looking for some video footage of the boar in the forest of dean. I think I may well make do with a group of images that we have from a previous encounter.
Still, this weekend encapsulates our aims with “in the shadow of mankind” a weekend in a wild place. Few of our activities were around wildlife, but all our money went to businesses that were around the wild boar. With some progress, they will recognize the benefit they get from living near wild boar. I have been putting off making a video on boar until I had boar video, but may well put together something without it – if that happens, I will link on this website.
If you live near wildlife, or work in any capacity around wildlife (running places to stay, wildlife guide etc) do list your services on the page listed under “list your wild”. This will produce your page, and we will then upload it in a number of places on the website
Lobbyists have been hard at work on this since the beginning. Having now reached a point where denial is an untenable position, delay is the attempt underway.
Surely 30 years is enough delay?
The Lobbyists have definitely earnt their salary, but their cause is not right.
Below is a list of the top 6 fossil fuel companies, alongside a ranking of A to E saying how good or bad they are in terms of living up to the Paris climate accords (or indeed campaigning against.
While cheetah are now thought of as an African species, this has not always been the case. Within the lives of living people (admittedly, now quite old), the cheetah was lost from India. This occurred back in 1952. The last cheetah was seen in Israel was 1959. There are a range of countries which the cheetah was lost from in the 20th century. Further back, cheetah lived in the USA and other far flung countries.
Now, it is true, that the Asiatic cheetah is on the verge of extinction in its only home of Iran, with just 12 estimated in the wild in 2022, down from 100 in 2010.
While at times, the government of their only home have made positive noises about saving the Asiatic cheetah, they have also bothered those working to save them, including lengthy prison terms for those working in the field.
