#wildlife-protection

#wildlife-protection

Many homeowners don't realise that their winter garden clearance or renovation projects could be putting protected wildlife at risk. Disturbing hibernating or dormant species such as bats, hedgehogs, dormice, and amphibians is illegal and can carry fines or even prison sentences. Experts recommend practical checks and careful planning to avoid accidental offences while supporting local biodiversity. Which hibernating species are most commonly affected by winter work?

(Image credit: Getty Images/DamianKuzdak) With winter around the corner, preparing your garden is probably high on your to-do list - but before you grab your rake and trimmer, it's important to be wary of hibernating hedgehogs who could be hiding outdoors. Hedgehogs start to hibernate in late October to mid-November and tend to nestle down in places such as leaf piles, compost heaps, and under dense bushes - common spots where we often cut back or remove before the colder months creep in.

Along the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC lies the Virunga national park the home of mountain gorillas. Back in 1970s there were only a few hundred of these gorillas left. Yet today the community is thriving with more than 1,000. Patrick Greenfield, the Guardian's biodiversity reporter, headed up into the Virunga mountains, guided by wildlife vets, to find out how they achieved this rare and extraordinary conservation success.

Rachel Reeves unblocked a development of 20,000 homes that were being held up by a rare snail, after being approached by a developer with whom she said, we have a good relationship. The government has been working on planning reforms that nature experts say put wildlife at risk. The reforms could include discarding the EU-derived habitats regulations that protect rare animals, and adding more pro-building amendments to the controversial Planning and Infrastructure Bill, which is going through parliament.

In 1960, at the age of 26, Jane Goodall ventured to Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania to study chimpanzees. Her discoveries were groundbreaking and her approach to fieldwork was revolutionary. She immersed herself in the chimps' daily lives and gave them names. Goodall became a tireless advocate for conservation in addition to one of the world's best-known primatologists.

Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The swan was trapped on Monday on the tracks over Chelsea Bridge with an injured wing. Mildmay line services were part suspended from 1.10pm to 2.30pm between Clapham Junction, one of London's busiest commuter stations, and Shepherd's Bush while Network Rail's mobile operations manager was tasked with catching the rogue swan. Following a successful rescue operation, the swan was coaxed off the tracks into a swan-rescue bag.

"There have been break-ins at the park but nothing like stealing an animal," Rodriguez told SFGATE.

On Friday night, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officer was injured during an arrest attempt involving an off-road vehicle in San Jose.

"We remind the public that harming a donkey - or any animal - is a criminal offense. The safety and welfare of animals in our community is our priority."

Brown conducted another survey after the crossings were built, and found that not only were animals using the ramps, they were also getting killed less often on the roads - by something like 75%. And these secret crossings only cost $350,000.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is searching for the person who stabbed a baby seal multiple times on a beach in Oregon.