Latest news with #Henney
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Island volunteers 'save 45 years of bat research'
A survey of Bailiwick bat species would have taken more than 45 years to complete without the help of hundreds of local volunteers, according to the States. The now completed Bailiwick Bat Survey was a volunteer-led initiative organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the States of Guernsey and Bailiwick La Sociétés and wildlife trusts. Between 2021 and 2024, 420 volunteers collected more than 16 million bat sound recordings, which included six bat species never previously recorded in the Bailiwick. Julia Henney, the States' senior natural environment officer, said the survey would have taken one researcher decades to complete and would have cost up to £2m. Volunteers who signed up to the survey were able to borrow sound recording equipment, which was installed in areas across the Bailiwick for up to seven nights. The recordings were uploaded to the BTO's Acoustic Pipeline for analysis, providing initial results within hours. "This survey has changed and broadened our understanding of bats across the Bailiwick of Guernsey," said Ms Henney. "This has all been possible thanks to keen volunteers getting stuck in, increasing community awareness of nature, as intended through Guernsey's Strategy for Nature." She added: "It would've taken one researcher over 45 years to gather this amount of data, potentially costing up to £2m, which serves to highlight the value of our community's efforts in gathering this insightful data." Volunteers conducted 9,426 nights of recording at 2,364 locations, collecting more than 16 million triggered sound recordings. Four million bat identifications were confirmed, including the presence of 14 bat species, six of which were never previously recorded in the Bailiwick. Four of the six newly recorded species, serotine, Leisler's bat, common noctule and parti-coloured bat, are rare visitors to the islands. While the lesser horseshoe bat and whiskered or Brandt's bat appeared to be rare residents, according to the survey results. The study also found that underground tunnels from the Nazi German occupation were important roosting and hibernation sites for several of the rarer species of bats. More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey BTO and the States of Guernsey worked in partnership with La Société Guernesiaise, Alderney WIldlife Trust and La Société Sercquaise on the project. Sarah Allez, project coordinator of the Bailiwick Bat Survey said: "The survey highlights the importance of citizen science in large-scale biodiversity monitoring and engaging the community in nature conservation." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Finished bat survey has 'revolutionised' knowledge Thirteen species of bats confirmed in survey Millions of bat calls analysed by AI Completed bat survey report
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Island volunteers 'save 45 years of bat research'
A survey of Bailiwick bat species would have taken more than 45 years to complete without the help of hundreds of local volunteers, according to the States. The now completed Bailiwick Bat Survey was a volunteer-led initiative organised by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), the States of Guernsey and Bailiwick La Sociétés and wildlife trusts. Between 2021 and 2024, 420 volunteers collected more than 16 million bat sound recordings, which included six bat species never previously recorded in the Bailiwick. Julia Henney, the States' senior natural environment officer, said the survey would have taken one researcher decades to complete and would have cost up to £2m. Volunteers who signed up to the survey were able to borrow sound recording equipment, which was installed in areas across the Bailiwick for up to seven nights. The recordings were uploaded to the BTO's Acoustic Pipeline for analysis, providing initial results within hours. "This survey has changed and broadened our understanding of bats across the Bailiwick of Guernsey," said Ms Henney. "This has all been possible thanks to keen volunteers getting stuck in, increasing community awareness of nature, as intended through Guernsey's Strategy for Nature." She added: "It would've taken one researcher over 45 years to gather this amount of data, potentially costing up to £2m, which serves to highlight the value of our community's efforts in gathering this insightful data." Volunteers conducted 9,426 nights of recording at 2,364 locations, collecting more than 16 million triggered sound recordings. Four million bat identifications were confirmed, including the presence of 14 bat species, six of which were never previously recorded in the Bailiwick. Four of the six newly recorded species, serotine, Leisler's bat, common noctule and parti-coloured bat, are rare visitors to the islands. While the lesser horseshoe bat and whiskered or Brandt's bat appeared to be rare residents, according to the survey results. The study also found that underground tunnels from the Nazi German occupation were important roosting and hibernation sites for several of the rarer species of bats. More news stories for Guernsey Listen to the latest news for Guernsey BTO and the States of Guernsey worked in partnership with La Société Guernesiaise, Alderney WIldlife Trust and La Société Sercquaise on the project. Sarah Allez, project coordinator of the Bailiwick Bat Survey said: "The survey highlights the importance of citizen science in large-scale biodiversity monitoring and engaging the community in nature conservation." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Finished bat survey has 'revolutionised' knowledge Thirteen species of bats confirmed in survey Millions of bat calls analysed by AI Completed bat survey report
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
67 Dogs Rescued from Grim Fate at Dog Meat Farm — with Help from 'Wheel of Time' Star Daniel Henney
Humane World for Animals rescued 67 dogs from a dog meat farm in Cheongju, South Korea, that closed down after years in operation for breaching the Animal Protection Act Actor David Henney was part of the effort, helping the dogs from cages into travel crates for transport to the United States The February 2025 rescue was special because it's the charity's first since South Korea's dog meat ban was passed; it officially goes into effect in 2027Humane World for Animals helped save 67 dogs from a dog meat farm that closed down due to cruelty violations — and actor Daniel Henney was part of the rescue team. Earlier this year, authorities shut down the farm in Cheongju, South Korea — where the owner had been breeding dogs and serving their meat in his restaurant for 40 years — for breaching the Animal Protection Act, according to the charity (formerly Humane Society International). As the owner transitioned to chili farming before South Korea's dog meat ban goes into effect in 2027, volunteers with Humane World for Animals stepped in to relocate the animals on the farm — which included newborn puppies and pregnant dogs, the charity said. And Henney — a longtime advocate for Humane World for Animals' campaign to end the dog meat trade — joined the effort to save and relocate the dogs, who were mostly Jindo-mixes, to the United States. Photos and footage of the February 2025 rescue show volunteers, including The Wheel of Time star, 45, helping dogs out of their cages and becoming visibly emotional. 'They're not even eating their food, they just want love,' he said of the canines in one clip. The Criminal Minds alum not only helped move the dogs to travel kennels for transport, but also toured the rest of the farm, pointing out that the owner seemingly killed the dogs in front of their caged companions. At one point, he also pointed out to another volunteer that there were still visible 'blood stains" on a cutting board. The Big Hero 6 actor also accompanied 50 of the 67 pups — some of whom have deformed bones caused by nutritional deficiency — to Incheon International Airport, where he and other volunteers waved them off, provided food and water and penned well-wishes inside their crates. The animals later arrived at Humane World for Animals' rehabilitation center in Maryland, where they will receive veterinary care before relocating and being placed up for adoption, the charity said. The other 17 will join them in the U.S. when they are old enough to make the journey. 'As a huge dog lover, and dad to a dog meat farm survivor, it was incredibly challenging to see the suffering of these dogs who have endured so much,' Henney said in an official statement about his time on the farm. The actor and his wife Ru Kumagai are the proud pet parents to Juliette, whom they rescued from the South Korea dog meat trade in 2020. 'It makes me all the prouder to have supported Humane World for Animals' successful campaign to achieve a ban because it means no more dogs like these will suffer like this again,' Henney's statement continued. 'South Korea is embracing a new chapter where dogs are our friends, not food, and that couldn't make me more thrilled." The actor concluded by stating that he is "looking forward to following the journey of these dogs as they find their forever homes in the United States and put the dog meat industry behind them." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Sangkyung Lee, the campaign manager for Humane World for Animals Korea, also noted that this rescue feels different, as farms like the one in Cheongju are being phased out with the dog meat ban on the horizon. 'In all the years our charity has been rescuing dogs from these dog meat farms, this is the first time we have done so knowing that a ban is finally consigning this terrible suffering to the history books,' Lee said in a statement. 'That's an amazing feeling. While the law is successfully dismantling the dog meat industry, we are happy to be able to provide a bright future for the dogs on this farm." "For them, the dog meat industry is over," he concluded, "and they have nothing but soft beds, full bellies and lots of love ahead of them.' Read the original article on People
