Latest news with #DanielWhitby
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned by rare sighting of creature thought to be extinct for decades: 'A remarkable discovery'
Who doesn't love love — especially when it's good for the environment? A thrilling discovery in the South Downs National Park brings renewed hope for biodiversity in Britain. Conservationists have spotted a female greater mouse-eared bat in disused railway tunnels in Sussex, potentially offering a mate for what was believed to be the last surviving member of its species in the U.K., according to the BBC. The greater mouse-eared bat was officially declared extinct in Britain in 1992 before a surprising rediscovery when a single male appeared in 2002. With no sightings recorded in 2024, many feared the species had disappeared from British soil forever. This remarkable finding creates fresh optimism for establishing a breeding population. Conservationists have ringed the female bat for future identification and continue monitoring the area for additional greater mouse-eared bats. "The finding of a female is rewarding and a remarkable discovery which brings huge hope for this species," explained Daniel Whitby, a bat ecologist working on the project, per the BBC article. The return of these rare mammals benefits people and our ecosystem in meaningful ways. Bats serve as vital pest controllers, with a single bat consuming thousands of insects nightly, reducing the need for harmful pesticides in agriculture. They're also important pollinators for many plants that provide food and medicine. Preserving habitats for endangered species such as the greater mouse-eared bat supports a more resilient ecosystem that can better withstand climate challenges, ultimately creating healthier environments for humans and animals alike. "By providing suitable roosts, restoring habitats and reducing anthropogenic threats such as artificial light and noise, this species might just stand a chance of recovering," Whitby said, per the BBC article. This discovery joins other recent U.K. conservation successes, including animals returning to rewilded Hackney Marshes in London and innovative monitoring of seal populations using artificial intelligence and drones along Norfolk's coast. Each recovery represents another small step toward restoring balance to our natural world. Stay tuned for more updates regarding the burgeoning relationship between these two greater mouse-eared bats. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Wondering how you can be part of the climate solution? Check out The Cool Down's guide to taking local action in your community. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists stunned by rare sighting of creature thought to be extinct for decades: 'A remarkable discovery'
Who doesn't love love — especially when it's good for the environment? A thrilling discovery in the South Downs National Park brings renewed hope for biodiversity in Britain. Conservationists have spotted a female greater mouse-eared bat in disused railway tunnels in Sussex, potentially offering a mate for what was believed to be the last surviving member of its species in the U.K., according to the BBC. The greater mouse-eared bat was officially declared extinct in Britain in 1992 before a surprising rediscovery when a single male appeared in 2002. With no sightings recorded in 2024, many feared the species had disappeared from British soil forever. This remarkable finding creates fresh optimism for establishing a breeding population. Conservationists have ringed the female bat for future identification and continue monitoring the area for additional greater mouse-eared bats. "The finding of a female is rewarding and a remarkable discovery which brings huge hope for this species," explained Daniel Whitby, a bat ecologist working on the project, per the BBC article. The return of these rare mammals benefits people and our ecosystem in meaningful ways. Bats serve as vital pest controllers, with a single bat consuming thousands of insects nightly, reducing the need for harmful pesticides in agriculture. They're also important pollinators for many plants that provide food and medicine. Preserving habitats for endangered species such as the greater mouse-eared bat supports a more resilient ecosystem that can better withstand climate challenges, ultimately creating healthier environments for humans and animals alike. "By providing suitable roosts, restoring habitats and reducing anthropogenic threats such as artificial light and noise, this species might just stand a chance of recovering," Whitby said, per the BBC article. This discovery joins other recent U.K. conservation successes, including animals returning to rewilded Hackney Marshes in London and innovative monitoring of seal populations using artificial intelligence and drones along Norfolk's coast. Each recovery represents another small step toward restoring balance to our natural world. Stay tuned for more updates regarding the burgeoning relationship between these two greater mouse-eared bats. Should we be actively working to kill invasive species? Absolutely It depends on the species I don't know No — leave nature alone Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Wondering how you can be part of the climate solution? Check out The Cool Down's guide to taking local action in your community. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Could the UK's loneliest bat finally have a mate?
What was thought to be the last bat of its species in the UK may finally have a mate, according to bat experts. The greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) was declared extinct in 1992, before a single male was found in a disused railway tunnel in West Sussex in 2002 and another in 2023, A female of the species has now been spotted in the same area in the South Downs National Park, the first in the wild since the 1980s. Daniel Hargreaves, bat programme manager for Vincent Wildlife Trust, said the new discovery was "fantastic news" and he felt "privileged to have witnessed it first-hand". A spokesperson for Sussex Bat Group said: "With no sightings in 2024, the species was thought to have said a final farewell to Britain." Conservationists have ringed the female bat to be able to identify it in future monitoring and research surveys. They are continuing to monitor the area for more individuals and roosts in the hope of finding an established breeding population. Daniel Whitby, a bat ecologist, said: "The finding of a female is rewarding and a remarkable discovery which brings huge hope for this species. "By providing suitable roosts, restoring habitats and reducing anthropogenic threats such as artificial light and noise, this species might just stand a chance of recovering." The original male of the species has not been spotted in the area since 2023. Nick Gray, from Sussex Bat Group, said: "The site is undoubtedly of national significance and we are so lucky to have it here within the South Downs National Park." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Bat thought extinct in UK found in rail tunnel Colony of rare bats discovered UK bat species 'recovering or stable' Vincent Wildlife Group Sussex Bat Group
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Could the UK's loneliest bat finally have a mate?
What was thought to be the last bat of its species in the UK may finally have a mate, according to bat experts. The greater mouse-eared bat (Myotis myotis) was declared extinct in 1992, before a single male was found in a disused railway tunnel in West Sussex in 2002 and another in 2023, A female of the species has now been spotted in the same area in the South Downs National Park, the first in the wild since the 1980s. Daniel Hargreaves, bat programme manager for Vincent Wildlife Trust, said the new discovery was "fantastic news" and he felt "privileged to have witnessed it first-hand". A spokesperson for Sussex Bat Group said: "With no sightings in 2024, the species was thought to have said a final farewell to Britain." Conservationists have ringed the female bat to be able to identify it in future monitoring and research surveys. They are continuing to monitor the area for more individuals and roosts in the hope of finding an established breeding population. Daniel Whitby, a bat ecologist, said: "The finding of a female is rewarding and a remarkable discovery which brings huge hope for this species. "By providing suitable roosts, restoring habitats and reducing anthropogenic threats such as artificial light and noise, this species might just stand a chance of recovering." The original male of the species has not been spotted in the area since 2023. Nick Gray, from Sussex Bat Group, said: "The site is undoubtedly of national significance and we are so lucky to have it here within the South Downs National Park." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Bat thought extinct in UK found in rail tunnel Colony of rare bats discovered UK bat species 'recovering or stable' Vincent Wildlife Group Sussex Bat Group
