Latest news with #naturalworld
New York Times
12 hours ago
- General
- New York Times
I Love Finding Birds' Nests, but What's in Them Troubles Me
Most birds go to great lengths to hide their nests. So when I find one, invariably so carefully crafted and astonishingly intricate, I'm filled with awe. They are marvels of the natural world. The weave of twigs, grass, leaves and other natural materials is specific to each species. Most birds use nests only to raise their young. For small birds, this could be less than one month out of the year. For that reason, I generally don't consider them homes. But the analogy is apt, if only to convey the uniqueness of their architecture. Of a house, you might say: That's a craftsman or a Cape Cod or a colonial. The same sort of design distinction can be seen in a nest. That's a robin's nest or a warbler's or a red-tailed hawk's. Birds can be choosy about the materials they use to build their nest. Some line their nests with snakeskin to ward off enemies. Others fasten lichens with spider silk to the exterior for camouflage. Still others stuff feathers inside dome-shaped nests of sticks or create false entrances to dupe predators or add aromatic leaves to repel parasites and enhance the immune systems of their nestlings. Increasingly, and troublingly for what it says about the state of the planet, birds are also using all sorts of plastic litter and other trash to build their nests. These photos reflect yet another way the human signature has affixed itself on the natural world. Among the trash that birds use to build their nests are strips of tarp; wrappers from gum, candy and cigarettes; plastic cotton and twine; shipping material; landscaping refuse; and insulation. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Prince William's 'passion project': Future King will star in new BBC series showcasing the work of rangers around the world
Prince William is the star of a brand new docuseries highlighting the critical work of rangers as Guardians of the planet. The Prince of Wales has demonstrated his growing confidence in front of the camera by commissioning and fronting a 'groundbreaking' six-part series, 'Guardians', which launches today. Personally unveiling the 'passion' project earlier this week, the 42-year-old royal highlighted shocking figures revealing how 1,400 rangers have died for their work over the last decade - around two a week - and yet few have ever heard their names, let alone know what they do. Speaking to journalists in a surprise appearance at a special screening in London, demonstrating his strong personal passion for the project, he said: 'At some point we have to say enough is enough and highlight all the bravery that these men and women do on a daily basis to protect our natural world. 'This is now one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. And really, it shouldn't be. We're protecting the natural world. It shouldn't be dangerous. 'Many people think being a soldier, being in the emergency services and these jobs are dangerous and lives are on the line…. 'But [the rangers] are unseen and unheard of and so many of these cases get forgotten about, don't get reported. People don't see them. We don't feel it back here.' It comes after the prince was lauded for his impromptu turn as a football pundit earlier this year, which led to calls for him to be seen in front of the cameras more. Prince William is the star of a brand new docuseries highlighting the critical work of rangers as Guardians of the planet (pictured) The Prince of Wales has demonstrated his growing confidence in front of the camera by commissioning and fronting a 'groundbreaking' six-part series, 'Guardians', which launches today The new series, with a different episode dropping each week, will broadcast on BBC Earth's YouTube channel - which boasts almost 14 million subscribers - and social media. It is a first for William's Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife organisation and aims to enable people to better understand the critical work of rangers on the environmental frontline. Wildlife rangers are often considered the first and last line of defence for the natural world, but face a myriad of dangers. These include including brutal - and often fatal - retaliation from poachers, poor living conditions and little access to fresh water, a lack of equipment and even basic resources such as boots, vulnerability to disease and low pay. Many work 76-hour weeks for less than £7 a day, recent research has shown. William has repeatedly spoken out about their plight, describing them as 'inspirational' and taking 'huge risks as nature's frontline of defence'. The first episode is filmed in the Central African Republic and features the remarkable story of a reformed poacher, Modiki Claver, who now dedicates his life to protecting the wildlife he once hunted, including the highest concentration of forest elephants and lowland gorillas in Africa. He is one of what William called this week the world's 'unsung heroes', whose stories are 'overlooked and misunderstood'. The new series, with a different episode dropping each week, will broadcast on BBC Earth's YouTube channel -which boasts almost 14 million subscribers - and social media It comes after the prince was lauded for his impromptu turn as a football pundit earlier this year, which led to calls for him to be seen in front of the cameras more It is a first for William's Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife organisation and aims to enable people to better understand the critical work of rangers on the environmental frontline Wildlife rangers are often considered the first and last line of defence for the natural world, but face a myriad of dangers William highlighted the 'incredible' work of environmentalist and film-maker Sir David Attenborough, describing him as a personal 'inspiration' growing up In November last year William announced a new initiative he devised, providing life insurance cover for rangers Speaking as part of a panel, which also included wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan and Rohit Singh, vice president of the International Rangers Federation, William spoke of his very real fears that organisation would struggle to recruit rangers in the future because of the very real dangers they face on a daily basis, and the lack of support they receive. He highlighted the 'incredible' work of environmentalist and film-maker Sir David Attenborough, describing him as a personal 'inspiration' growing up. But he also emphasised that in order for luminaries such as Sir David to do their work, there has to be an army of rangers behind the scenes. 'The rangers we meet in this series are an inspiration to us all. Every day, they take huge risks as nature's frontline of defence, standing between poachers and endangered species, supporting sustainable human-animal coexistence and fighting habitat loss,' the prince said. 'These are the unsung heroes.' In November last year, William announced a new initiative he devised, providing life insurance cover for rangers. He has also expressed his anger over the murder in 2022 of ranger Anton Mzimba, who was shot and killed outside his home in a suspected revenge attack by poachers. His brutal killing, which happened in front of his young family, took place just months after he personally briefed the prince via video link on the involvement of organised crime in the sickening international trade. No arrests have ever been made. The docuseries aims to deepen public understanding of the profession, highlighting the often gruelling and laborious work that typically goes unseen by most Guardians will be released on the Diamond Creator Award winning BBC Earth's YouTube today, with a new episode to be released each week William also emphasised that in order for luminaries such as Sir David to do their work, there has to be an army of rangers behind the scenes Episodes range from as little as six to 10 minutes long, and will feature first-hand insight into the life of a ranger as they grapple to protect endangered ecosystems and safeguard the planet The Prince called rangers of the world our 'unsung heros' 'This is now one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet. And really, it shouldn't be. We're protecting the natural world. It shouldn't be dangerous,' the future king said of ranger's work The Prince of Wales praised the 'unseen and unheard' heroes Mzimba had spent 25 years working in South Africa, particularly preventing rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park. William, who has also supported Mzimba's widow financially, has voiced his anger at the murder and says it is a 'stark' reminder of the daily dangers faced by rangers. As part of a six-part series launched by The Royal Foundation's United for Wildlife, episodes will share a glimpse into the life of rangers, who's efforts are vital to protecting our planet's natural spaces. Rangers work to protect and manage national parks and area of great natural beauty in various locations across the globe, patrolling protected areas, monitoring wildlife, and working to promote conservation in local communities. The docuseries aims to deepen public understanding of the profession, highlighting the often gruelling and laborious work that typically goes unseen by most. Guardians will be released on the Diamond Creator Award winning BBC Earth's YouTube today, with a new episode to be released each week. Episodes range from as little as six to 10 minutes long, and will feature first-hand insight into the life of a ranger as they grapple to protect endangered ecosystems and safeguard the planet.
Telegraph
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Prince William leads 99th birthday tributes to Sir David Attenborough
The Prince of Wales has led tributes to Sir David Attenborough on his 99th birthday. In a message released on social media on Thursday, the Prince hailed the broadcaster's lifelong dedication to promoting the importance of the natural world. The Prince met Sir David on Tuesday before attending a private screening of the naturalist's new film, Ocean With David Attenborough, at the Royal Festival Hall in London. The royal said: 'As he turns 99 today, in his new film, Sir David has once again reminded us of the need to protect natural habitats – this time those beneath the ocean. 'He has dedicated his life to ensuring we understand the realities of what mankind is doing to the planet. 'However hard-hitting his message is, Sir David always leaves us with a sense of hope and optimism that all is not lost and this film is no different. 'We must act together, with urgency, to restore our oceans. 'Happy Birthday, David. W.' Kensington Palace shared a previously unseen image of the Prince chatting to Sir David, one hand affectionately resting on his arm. The birthday message was also accompanied by a photograph of the Wales family with Sir David at Kensington Palace in 2020. In October 2020, Sir David was quizzed by Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis about his views on animals. It marked the first time Prince Louis, then two, had been heard speaking in public as he asked the naturalist: 'What animal do you like?' Sir David revealed he liked monkeys because they were 'such fun'. The broadcaster has worked closely with the Prince on the Earthshot Prize since its inception in 2020, when he described it as 'the most prestigious environmental prize in history'. Sir David also shared a strong rapport with Queen Elizabeth II, from whom he was born just days apart. In 2023, he selected an English Oak to be planted in her memory, describing her as 'a great lover of trees'. Writing in The Times ahead of his 99th birthday, Sir David said: 'Young children playing on a beach today will live through perhaps the most consequential time for the human species in the past 10,000 years. 'They will grow up to see how this story ends, to see how our choices play out.' He added: 'I will not see how that story ends but, after a lifetime of exploring our planet, I remain convinced that the more people enjoy and understand the natural world, the greater our hope of saving both it and ourselves becomes.' Elsewhere, Mike Gunton, creative director at BBC Studios Natural History Unit, said Sir David must have 'one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever.' Mr Gunton, who has worked with Sir David on documentaries including Attenborough And The Giant Dinosaur and Bafta-winning Planet Earth II, said: 'Each generation has its own kind of personal legacy from him, and I think that's remarkable.' 'But also, there's a broader, I suppose, global legacy, which I think is that he has shown us wonders, he's helped us understand wonders, and he's encouraged us to protect these wonders. 'If you could do that in a lifetime, and speak to hundreds upon hundreds of millions of people and inspire them to do all that, that's got to be one of the greatest legacies of any human being ever. 'And I think he's aware of that, and the responsibility of that, and he often talks about the privilege of being able to do that, and it's a privilege for those of us who have worked with him to have.' Mr Gunton began working with the broadcaster aged 29 and said it has been 'a life-defining experience' for him. He said: 'Every programme I have made with him has been a remarkable experience which the audience have always found completely memorable and worthwhile and that's a joy for anybody, to make things that are remembered, you know, they're historic, they're part of human history.' Sir David was born David Frederick Attenborough on May 8 1926, in London, the son of an academic and principal of University College Leicester. Before joining the BBC in 1952, he studied geology at the University of Cambridge and served two years in the Royal Navy. He made his reputation with the groundbreaking Zoo Quest series, which he hosted for 10 years on the BBC. In 1965 he became controller of BBC2, overseeing the advent of colour TV, and he later became BBC director of programming. Ultimately, however, life as a broadcast executive did not appeal and he returned with relief to his early passions, programme-making and filming wildlife. His famous whispering voice captured the imaginations of the nation in 1979 when he was seen mingling and bonding with a family of gorillas in Life On Earth and its sequel, The Living Planet, in 1984. The following year, he was knighted by the late Queen before being awarded a Knight Grand Cross honour in 2022. The TV presenter has two children, Susan and Robert, with his late wife Jane, whom he married in 1950. In recent years, Sir David, who resides in Richmond, London, has presented shows including Dynasties, Prehistoric Planet and Planet Earth III. In celebration of his 99th birthday, his new documentary about the health of the ocean airs in cinemas from Thursday. Also to mark his birthday, John Murray Press is giving at least 1,000 copies of his new book, Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness, to schools and libraries across the UK.
