More specifically, the Avian Influenza virus changed - or, to be factual, it mutated. Something we are more aware of following that other virus that shut down the world and confined us all to our own homes for months, also back in 2020. The H5N1 Avian Influenza virus has spread further than ever among wild bird populations but has also developed the ability to jump species, specifically into mammal species. The post 090 AI spreading around the world – Bad News It’s Avian Influenza! appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

The UK taxpayer subsidises estate owners to maintain these vitally important habitats and ecosystems. Critically, these Moors provide 70% of drinking water in Britain The post 042 Grouse Moor Conservation – Is it for Real? appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

This is my attempt to explain the process of Fox hunting based on decades of doing everything I could in the field to stop it. I have also spent many years working to bring those who hunt illegally to justice. This blog is not in any way meant to justify or, indeed, glorify the cruelty of fox hunting. The post 038 – Fox Hunting and why it is banned appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

Are you ready to welcome spring with open arms? It's time to put away those winter coats and enjoy the outdoors! And what better way to do that than by exploring the wonderful nature in your local area? The post 089 Spring Equinox Special appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

This search has taken me all over the UK to many woodlands, nature reserves, and even some private woods. Every one of them has been fascinating and wonderful to explore, but only some visits have succeeded. Far from it, in fact, but I have managed to discover more of the achingly rare plants. The post 067 Britain’s Rarest Woodland Wildflowers Part One appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

After about an hour, I heard a rustling noise in the trees. As I turned to my companions, they both simultaneously held a single finger to their lips—shoosh. My heart was beating faster as we waited in silence. It was then that I saw a large male Pine Marten moving towards one of the feeding stations. The post 065 – A Night with Pine Martens appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

As someone who frequently engages with rivers, I enjoy swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking. I take pleasure in strolling along the riverbanks and observing the wildlife. Unfortunately, after swimming in my nearby river, I noticed that I developed a sore throat. Furthermore, my eyes would tear up and become itchy for several days, and my skin would develop red blemishes and blotches that disappeared only after I stopped swimming in the river. The post 064 UK River Pollution – Why are our Rivers dying? appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

For the past decade, the British government has been authorising the killing of badgers as part of an alleged Bovine Tuberculosis Eradication Programme. Despite warnings from their own scientific advisors, professors, and conservationists that culling badgers will have no impact on the spread of tuberculosis, the government has continued and even accelerated the culling of badgers/ Wildlife Matters asks WHY? The post 060 – Why is the British Government Killing Badgers? appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

The devastating cost of fur is the millions of innocent animals senselessly slaughtered each year for their fur. The process of obtaining said fur is often downright barbaric, with creatures kept in cramped cages, suffering through unimaginable pain and torture. The post 059 The Tragic Truth About Fur Farms appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more

Trophy hunting is the hunting of wild animals for sport, not food. Usually, the animal is stuffed, or a body part is kept for display. Most trophy hunters come from wealthier countries and pay high fees for their hunts and trophies. Trophy Hunting is the illusion of conservation. The post 058- Trophy Hunting – The Illusion of Conservation appeared first on Wildlife Matters ..read more