For the love of Pangolins

Images from African Geographic

If you didn't already know, I have a soft spot for pangolins. I don't know whether this is because they defend themselves by curling up into a ball or if they are just so under appreciated in the animal world. The pangolin undergoes a heavy amount of poaching and to learn more about them click here.

The reason I have told you about my love for them, is because on the 23rd April the largest case in pangolin smuggling since 2008 was stopped before it could leave Sumatra where it was due to head to China. Along with the haul being stopped, the smuggler was also caught.

My Pictures From Chester Zoo

I thought that as I talked about my placement I should also share with you some of the pictures that I took whilst there. Sadly I can not show you any of me behind the scenes but here are some of the the ones I am allowed to share. 

I apologise for all the photos of the baby tigers, but they are really cute.

Love

Lynx's roaming the UK

I have been dreaming of Lynx's being reintroduced back into the UK for around 4 years since I first heard about the project and the fact that it maybe come a reality in the not to distant future is really exciting.

The Lynx Trust UK wants to find out what the public's view on the matter is, before taking the idea to Natural England and Scottish Natural Heritage to ask permission to release between 4-6 collared individuals as a trial to into the wild. The released animals will then be fitted with GPS collars and closely studied to see how their activities effect the local environment.

Finally Some Good Tiger News- Part 2

So, last week it was finally released that Chester Zoo have some new arrivals in the form of 3 rare sumatran tiger cubs which were born the weekend before I started my placement at the Zoo on the 2nd Jan!

Now the cubs are already 3 weeks old and although they are not out and about yet, I expect they will want to be exploring a little more in the next month or so! So until I am able to capture some pictures of them once they are out of their den, here is the video of the cubs just after they were born released by the zoo.

Enjoy!

Love

Christmas Cuteness

As its Christmas Eve, I thought it was only fair that I give you all a little christmas joy. Here are some of my favourite festive animal photos I have found.

 Let the awwwwwwwwing begin

Babies, Babies Everywhere

The past two weeks seem to have flown by with hardly a moment to draw breath. Having been ill the past week has also meant that being in the field feels 10x harder.

My Next Exciting Chapter

I will be where the red dot is, Lajuma Research Centre, South Africa!

So today I leave the comfort of my home in Cheshire to start a new 3 month adventure in South Africa. After successfully gaining my placement back in April to work as a research assistant conducting Primate Predator research I am finally all packed and ready to go.

It feels like it has taken forever to come around and now that I am leaving this afternoon I'm in a panic as to whether or not I am ready at all!

I still find it impossible to put 3 months on a scale, this summer feels like it has been going on forever and it has only been 3 and a half months since I finished my final exam for second year. All I know is that I am so excited to get to see a part of the world that not many will, as I am so far away from the nearest town or village. I can truly say I will be living with nature at its finest which is incredible!

I will continue blogging during my year in industry when I have the time or find something that I think you will all find slightly interesting, so my next post will be from the other side of world.

I hope the rest of you all have an amazing year whether you are at University or, like me, exploring.

Love

Interview with Dr. Julian Bayliss

So, over the summer I have had the lucky opportunity to interview Dr. Julian Bayliss, who has done a whole host of exciting jobs in many areas of conservation along with discovering multiple new species.
To read my interview with him for conservation careers, and to have a look at his cool Google advert just follow the link below.

http://www.conservation-careers.com/dr-julian-bayliss-real-life-explorer/

My thanks to Julian for sparing some time in his busy schedule

Who knew Knitting was useful

In Australia the penguin foundation has a campaign to knit sick penguins jumpers!

Yes this is a real thing. Penguins that have been in oil spills loose their waterproofing and also their insulation so they are unable to retain heat. The Foundation came up with the idea that whilst the animals are being cared for, to provide them with knitted jumpers to keep them warm.

The best part about this is anyone can get involved. If you can knit then you can help knit a jumper with the pattern available from
http://penguinfoundation.org.au/assets/Wildlife-rehabilitation/penguin-jumper-pattern-2014.pdf

To find out more info on such a brilliantly fun scheme see...
http://penguinfoundation.org.au/about-the-penguin-foundation/wildlife-rehabilitation/

http://www.captureyournite.com/culture/latest-news/wanted-volunteers-to-knit-little-woolly-jumpers-for-poorly-penguins/

Reading Week

Worried that you aren't doing enough reading on your reading week or some half one that I appear to be on? At least you have the comfort in knowing that these beautiful animals are doing enough for all of us...

And just like you they sometimes just want to give and take a nap to!