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River Dee's pearl mussels get a helping hand – or gill
They were hunted to near-extinction. Now a £3.5m project aims to let the Scottish molluscs flourish again
The sun shines on clear river water running through a valley in the Cairngorms, bringing the stones on the river bed into colourful focus. Here and there are dark shadows, half-buried clusters of dull black shells, lined and gouged by decades of shifting water and gravel: the pearl mussels of the river Dee.
Related: Fundraising drive aims to save seabird paradise off Scotland
Continue reading...The next generation of river people
Large cruise ship voyage through Arctic ice rekindles rows
Campaigners say Crystal Serenity trip puts at risk very environment tourists are travelling to see in Northwest Passage
A decision to proceed with plans to sail the first huge cruise liner through the Northwest Passage on Tuesday with 1,000 passengers on board has rekindled rows with environmentalists about the Arctic.
The wildlife charity WWF has accused Crystal Cruises of putting at risk “the very thing that tourists would come to see” – a pristine wilderness and home to endangered species such as polar bears and walrus.
Continue reading...White waterlilies combine purity with a hint of danger
South Uist They exist in two worlds, coming to flower in the sunshine and open air while rooted in the murky waters of the loch
It’s a scene worthy of the grounds around the most cultured of stately homes. An expanse of tranquil water faithfully reflecting back the glorious blue of a cloudless summer sky while a spread of white waterlilies rests serenely on its surface. Yet this is no planned garden but just one of the many lochs and lochans on the moorland and rough grazing which, for a short period each year, becomes something almost magical.
The contrast with the wiry grasses and the stands of scratchy, leggy heather itself soon to come into bloom only emphasises the waxy perfection of the waterlilies. Each layered ruff of white petals curves gently upward, cradling the mass of yellow anthers in the centre of the flower. There is a touch of the purity of the lotus about them, yet also somehow a hint of danger and mystery, existing as they do in two worlds, coming to flower in the sunshine and open air while rooted in the murky waters of the loch.
Continue reading...The 20 photographs of the week
The Rio Olympics, wildfires in Europe, the continuing violence in Aleppo – the best photography in news, culture and sport from around the world this week
Continue reading...Options for tropical fish: adapt, move or die
Response to rapidly changing climate - deflect, distract, deny and delay
Women in Antarctica making up for lost time
From the rich black soil of the Liverpool Plains springs hope for coalmine-free future
New South Wales government couches its words carefully, but community hopes the end of BHP mine also spells the end of the Shenhua Watermark mine
One of Australia’s biggest mining battles could be drawing to a close, with the enormous Shenhua Watermark coalmine looking set to be stopped by the state government after relentless community pressure.
In a major victory for the uneasy coalition of environmentalists, farmers and conservative politicians and commentators, the New South Wales government said it was moving to stop mining in the fertile farming soils of the Liverpool Plains.
Continue reading...What does a dibbler have for breakfast?
Country Breakfast Features Sat 13th
The fictional, extraordinary life of the Greenland shark – 392 years and counting
The enormous predator is one of the oldest and largest creatures on planet Earth. Writer Thomas Batten imagines a shark’s tale
Researchers in Arctic waters have used new techniques to set the age of a female Greenland shark at a staggering 392 years. The enormous predator – one of the world’s largest at about five meters in length – actually isn’t the oldest creature in the sea, as that honor belongs to a 507-year-old Icelandic clam, but the shark has definitely lived an extraordinary life.
Related: 400-year-old Greenland shark is oldest vertebrate animal
Continue reading...Veganism’s place in the climate change debate | Letters
It is very commendable that George Monbiot has converted to veganism (Opinion, 10 August), but perhaps he is deluding himself into thinking that this will alter our output of CO2 into the atmosphere. We can practise all the accepted methods of reducing carbon emissions, but nothing is more effective than choosing to have no more than two children. As we hurtle towards the point of no return with regards to global warming, choosing not to eat meat is quite low down the scale of things we need to do.
Which are: 1 Stabilise world population. 2 Eradicate poverty. 3 Stop using fossil fuels and change to renewables. 4 Use our land to produce crops more effectively. 5 Reduce excessive meat consumption.
Continue reading...Pigeon fancier receives lifetime ban for cheating in race
Eamon Kelly, 52, from Didcot, disqualified for cheating in Tarbes Grand National race after sending decoy birds
A pigeon-racing champion has received a lifetime ban from the sport after allegations that he cheated to win one of the most prestigious competitions in the sport’s calendar.
Eamon Kelly, 52, from Didcot, was accused of cheating by registering 14 birds for the Tarbes Grand National race but keeping them at home and sending decoys instead.
Continue reading...A 400-year-old shark, fracking 'bribes' and Hinkley C – green news roundup
The week’s top environment news stories and green events. If you are not already receiving this roundup, sign up here to get the briefing delivered to your inbox
Continue reading...Mystery as fish land in Banff garden
Monkey selfie: Animal charity Peta challenges ruling
Greenland shark is longest-living vertebrate animal – video report
Scientists say the Greenland shark has the longest lifespan of any vertebrate on the planet. Julius Nielsen, who has been studying the sharks, says record goes to a female thought to be between 272 and 512 years old and is five metres in length
Continue reading...Why the Guardian is spending a year reporting on the plight of elephants
Elephant herds face an uncertain future – over the next year we’ll be taking a closer look at what can be done to help
Welcome to the elephant conservation hub. Over the next year, with the support of Vulcan, Guardian journalists will be taking a closer look at the situation of elephant herds around the world.
Elephant conservation has been a particular focus for Vulcan, a private company set up by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to look for solutions to problems like endangered species, climate change and ocean health. The future of this particular species is precariously balanced. Although in some areas (a very few) elephant herds are expanding and thriving, the overall picture is one of decline, with falls of as much as 60% in elephant population in countries such as Tanzania.
Continue reading...The week in wildlife – in pictures
A basking shark, panda cub and Finland’s bears and wolves are among this week’s pick of images from the natural world
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