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Chester Zoo Launches Month-Long Fundraising Challenge To Help Save Tigers

Earn Your Stripes tiger fundraiser launched by Chester Zoo Photo: Chester Zoo©

Chester Zoo has launched a major new fundraising campaign to help protect tigers, calling on supporters across the UK to cover a collective 5,000 miles and raise £10,000, as the species continues to face habitat loss and conflict with people. The month-long challenge, Earn Your Stripes, marks International Tiger Day today (29 July) and will run from 29 September to 29 October.

P.ublished 29th July 2026

Near-Extinct Snails Hatched At UK Zoo Have Returned To The Wild Following Major Conservation Breeding Success

Near-extinct snails hatched at UK and French zoos have returned to the wild following major conservation breeding success - Bugio Photo: Chester Zoo©

Conservatists have just reintroduced hundreds of tiny snails on a rocky Atlantic island after a zoo breeding programme pulled four species back from the brink. The tiny molluscs have been returned to Bugio Island on the Madeiran archipelago, helping to restore habitat and support biodiversity on land once grazed bare by feral goats, mice and rabbits.

P.ublished 28th July 2026

Asian Hornet Sightings Surge By 666% As Britain’s Bees Face Growing Threat

Experts warn UK could face permanent establishment of the invasive predator, with a single nest capable of consuming up to 150,000 bees Sightings of Asian hornets across the UK have risen by 666% in a single year, prompting fresh warnings from beekeepers and pollinator experts that Britain's bee population faces a mounting and potentially permanent threat.

P.ublished 25th July 2026

The Art Of Sensory Gardening And Engaging The Senses With British Garden Centres

Image: RABİA on Pexels

Close your eyes in a garden, and you notice things you'd otherwise walk straight past, like the rustle of grass, the scent of jasmine on the evening air, the softness of a lamb's ear leaf under your fingers. That's the joy of a sensory garden: it's not just something you look at, but something you experience with all five senses.

P.ublished 25th July 2026

Yorkshire’s Bempton Cliffs Marks 1,000th Shorewatch

RSPB Bempton Cliffs has recorded its 1,000th marine mammal watch, just 16 months after becoming the first official Shorewatch location in England. Shorewatch is a citizen science programme run by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), the leading global charity dedicated to the conservation of whales and dolphins.

P.ublished 25th July 2026

Highly Endangered Newts Hatched In A UK Zoo Have Been Released At A Secret Site In Catalonia

Highly endangered newts bred at a UK zoo have been released into the wild at a secret location in Catalonia as part of an international effort to save the species from extinction. Chester Zoo, the only UK organisation involved in the breeding programme, has just introduced 32 Montseny brook newts (Calotriton arnoldi arnoldi) to a mountainous habitat near Barcelona.

P.ublished 25th July 2026

NFU Urges Farmers To Prioritise Safety As Agriculture Deaths On The Rise

As new figures show a rise in agricultural deaths, the NFU is urging British farmers and growers this Farm Safety Week to prioritise good on-farm safety practices. According to data from the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), 29 people died while working in agriculture between 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, an increase of six from the previous year.

P.ublished 22nd July 2026

Is The UK Set For A Bumper Summer Of Butterflies?

Britain could be on the brink of a bumper summer of butterflies, with a warm, dry spring raising hopes of an abundant season ahead for some of the nation’s best-loved species.

P.ublished 18th July 2026

British Garden Centres' Guide To Quick Wins To Transform Your Garden This Summer

Photo: BGC

With gardens increasingly seen as an extension of the home, for relaxing, entertaining and enjoying time outdoors, many homeowners are looking for low-effort tasks that deliver big results, perfect for those short on time but not on ambition. Just a few quick wins that are small, simple tasks that take only minutes to complete will make a real difference to how a garden looks and feels.

P.ublished 18th July 2026

Gwct Secures Government Backing For Seven Species Recovery Projects

Male black grouse, Photo © GWCT

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) has secured government backing for all seven projects it submitted to Natural England's Species Recovery Programme, reinforcing the Trust’s position at the forefront of science-led practical conservation.

P.ublished 17th July 2026

Chester Zoo To Host Met Office And Tourism Leaders For Weather Summit

Chester Zoo to host Met Office and tourism leaders for weather summit

The Met Office, government officials and the heads of 16 of the UK's biggest visitor attractions will gather at Chester Zoo on Monday (13 July) for talks aimed at fixing how weather forecasts are shown to the public.

P.ublished 13th July 2026

New Project To Help Protect And Restore Bowland's Landscapes For Local Communities And Wildlife

Walkers on an organised walk with Ribble Rivers Trust resting next to the River Hodder Photo: Ribble Rivers Trust

Communities across the Forest of Bowland are set to benefit from a major new project to restore nature, improve access to green spaces, and support those who live and work in the landscape.

P.ublished 11th July 2026

Fresh Heatwave Prompts Renewed RSPCA Appeal To Help Wildlife

The RSPCA is renewing its appeal for people to not forget wildlife as another heatwave brings soaring temperatures across many parts of the country. The renewed appeal follows a previous bout of hot weather which saw the RSPCA experience its busiest day of the year, on 24 June, with 4,135 calls from members of the public concerned about animals.

P.ublished 9th July 2026

Mills & Reeve Renews Make It Wild Partnership To Support Nature's Recovery In Yorkshire

National law firm Mills & Reeve has renewed its partnership with Yorkshire-based Make it Wild, building on a relationship that began in 2025 as part of the firm's 'Achieving more for nature's recovery' initiative. Make it Wild is an organisation that helps businesses support the planet through rewilding and habitat creation.

P.ublished 7th July 2026

Peacock Crowned Britain's Favourite Butterfly — Now The North Is Being Urged To Go Out And Count Them

With the Big Butterfly Count just weeks away, residents across Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire and Lancashire are being urged to discover whether their favourite butterflies are thriving this summer The Peacock has been crowned Britain's Favourite Butterfly, topping the first-ever public vote on all 60 UK species — and claiming the crown in Northumberland, Tyne & Wear and Yorkshire too.

P.ublished 7th July 2026

Get Your Lawn Wimbledon And World Cup Ready This Summer

It’s that time of year again when the strawberries are out, the flags are up, and every sports fan in the country has one eye on the tennis and the other on the football. But spare a thought for the patch of grass outside your back door because with a bit of love and the right know how, your lawn could look every bit as good as Centre Court or worthy of hosting the World Cup final.

P.ublished 4th July 2026

53ft snake arrives at London Zoo

New mosaic by artist Linder created at London Zoo to celebrate ZSL's 200th anniversary Photo: ©ZSL

Acclaimed British artist Linder has unveiled Sirona, her first permanent public artwork and first mosaic, at London Zoo.

P.ublished 4th July 2026

The Race To Save One Of The World's Most Endangered Birds Has Begun

Chester Zoo and partners create plan to save Javan Green Magpie - Gunung Haliman National Park (habitat for Javan green magpies)

Conservationists are rolling out an emergency rescue plan for a bird so rare that survey teams searching across 12 mountains in Java failed to find a single one. Chester Zoo has played a central role in developing the plan for the Javan green magpie - a species so close to extinction that fewer than 250 may remain on the planet - and is now working with partners to put it into action.

P.ublished 3rd July 2026

Keep Cool This Summer At ‘Wonder Of The Waterways’

Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel celebrates 25 years since landmark restoration and reopening With a constant year-round temperature of around 8°C, a trip through Standedge Tunnel provides the perfect escape from the summer heat and this year the Canal & River Trust is hosting celebrations to mark 25 years since the reopening of the UK's longest, deepest and highest canal tun…

P.ublished 27th June 2026

Emergency Action: What To Do If You See An Animal In A Car During A Heatwave

All photos courtesy of RSPCA

The RSPCA is urging concerned animal lovers to call the police, not the animal welfare charity, if they spot an animal in a car during the UK’s mega heatwave - saying every second counts to save lives.

P.ublished 27th June 2026

25 Year Farming Roadmap Ambitions Need To Move ‘Rapidly Into Delivery Mode’

Farming Roadmap shows ambition for profitable and resilient food production but needs urgency in delivery. Success relies on partnership between Treasury, Defra, MHCLG farmers and private finance. Government must have a mandate to prioritise food production and security.

P.ublished 26th June 2026

Meet Kris: The Rare Giraffe On A Very Important Date

Conservationists at Chester Zoo have welcomed a rare northern giraffe - and hope he'll prove quite the catch. Kris, a lively three-year-old male, has travelled from West Midlands Safari Park to meet the zoo's resident female herd. His introduction has been carefully planned, with conservationists matching the animals based on genetics, age and temperament.

P.ublished 20th June 2026

British Garden Centres' Tips On Choosing The Right Compost For A Thriving Garden

As more people across the UK discover the joy of gardening, whether planting their first container, refreshing a border, or nurturing a vegetable patch, understanding compost is one of the most important steps to grow healthy and thriving plants.

P.ublished 20th June 2026

Heatwave Could Trigger Slug Surge Across Cumbria After Wet Start To Summer

Experts warn Cumbria could face some of the highest slug activity in England this summer. The sudden change from wet and mild temperatures to high and dry conditions creates the perfect breeding ground for slugs.

P.ublished 19th June 2026

Water-Saving Invention SealStop Seals Deal With Leading Garden Centre Chain

SealStop, the Yorkshire-made automatic shut-off valve designed to eliminate water waste, is now being stocked by Longacres, the UK's premier independent garden centre chain. It is the first major nationwide deal landed by the multi-award-winning device.

P.ublished 19th June 2026

Grow The Flower Everyone Loves With British Garden Centres’ Guide To National Rose Awareness Week

Image by Couleur from Pixabay

Ask anyone what flower they’d most like in their garden and the answer is almost always the same. Roses are the quintessential British flower with their attractive colour, the scent, the way they look climbing over a fence or tumbling out of a pot, there’s nothing quite like them.

P.ublished 18th June 2026

UK Rivers Face Rising Risk Of Climate ‘Whiplash’

Image by simon-alun-hark0 from Pixabay

Climate change could push UK rivers to dangerous extremes and see more frequent rapid swings between wet and dry conditions - a phenomenon known as hydroclimatic whiplash - according to research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA). Researchers analysed almost 700 river catchments across the UK to project how river flows may change at 2°C and 4°C of global warming.

P.ublished 17th June 2026

Nature-Friendly Wildfarmed Wheat Gets Its Big Break In Nestlé KitKat Trial

Nestlé KitKat Wildfarmed

Nestlé is teaming up with regenerative food and farming brand Wildfarmed, working with a community of British farmers to trial regeneratively farmed wheat in the nation’s favourite chocolate bar. As KitKat marks more than 90 years as a much-loved British staple, Nestlé is proud to be working with Wildfarmed to bring their environment-restoring wheat into the unmistakable KitKat wafer.

P.ublished 17th June 2026

How To Plant Your Best Borders Yet With British Garden Centres

Most people who have ever stood in a garden centre in June with a trolley full of plants and absolutely no plan will know the unique panic of getting home and realising they have no idea where anything goes. While trial and error is half the fun, the team at British Garden Centres is stepping in this summer to take the guesswork out of gardening.

P.ublished 13th June 2026

And The Winner Is… Peacock Voted Britain's Favourite Butterfly In First-Ever Poll

The nation has spoken and crowned the Peacock Britain’s Favourite Butterfly in a landmark poll. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has today revealed that the colourful Peacock has beaten off fierce competition from a colourful cast of species to take the top spot as Britain’s Favourite Butterfly.

P.ublished 12th June 2026

Workplace At Risk Of Collapse, Department For Pollination Warns

The newly established Department for Pollination has issued a formal warning regarding the potential collapse of Britain’s bee population, driven by a recent change in colony losses.

P.ublished 12th June 2026

Celebrating The Best In Working Conservation

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) and country clothing brand Schöffel Country has announced the 28 finalists for the 2026 Schöffel Countryside Awards.

P.ublished 12th June 2026

British Garden Centres' No-Nonsense Guide To Keeping Your Garden Watered This Summer

Water wisely - Eve and watering can Photos: BGC

Last week was a reminder of what British summers can now look like with the first heatwave of the year. With long dry spells arriving earlier and lasting longer, it's worth thinking about how you water, because a bit of care goes a long way when the ground is baked solid, and your plants are struggling.

P.ublished 6th June 2026

Biggest Butterfly Survey Of Its Kind Set To Uncover The Secrets Of Madagascar’s Forests

Biggest Madagascar Butterfly Survey taking place - © Chester Zoo) Species - Charaxes antamboulou

Chester Zoo and Malagasy conservationists are carrying out the biggest ever butterfly survey in Madagascar – and they have high hopes of “uncovering what an extraordinary forest is hiding”.

P.ublished 6th June 2026

Rare Baby Otters Begin Swimming Lessons At Chester Zoo

Three giant otter pups have started learning how to swim at Chester Zoo. Born to first-time parents Bonita and Manu, the adorable triplets have remained tucked away in their den for the first few weeks of life. Now, at 15 weeks old, the youngsters have had an unforgettable introduction to life in the water as they experience their very first swimming lessons.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

Winning the war on weeds

Photo: BGC

The sun's out, the garden's waking up, and so are the weeds. As part of its Make It Bloom campaign, British Garden Centres is on hand to help gardeners get on top of weeds before they get out of hand. Whether you've just planted your first flower bed or you're a seasoned grower, a bit of effort now will save a lot of hard work later in the summer.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

Warning From Cumbrian Vet After Dog Is Treated With Antivenom For Rare Adder Bite

A Cumbrian vet is warning owners to be vigilant after providing emergency care to a dog which was bitten by an adder, the UK’s only venomous species of snake. Winston, the five-year-old foxhound, was lucky to receive prompt treatment with antivenom at Paragon Veterinary Group’s surgery in Dalston. Vet Graham Lewis said: “Adder bites are rare, but it’s pretty serious when they do happen.

P.ublished 27th May 2026

Make It Bloom With British Garden Centres' Top Houseplant Picks You Should Be Buying Now

Whether you’ve been nurturing houseplants for years or you’re thinking about buying your very first one, there has never been a better time to bring the beauty of the garden indoors.

P.ublished 23rd May 2026

More Than 5,000 New Trees Provide Big Boost To Biodiversity In The North West

A tree-planting project is providing a big boost to biodiversity and plant science in the North West. The Mersey Forest, Chester Zoo and the Environment Agency have created more than five hectares of new woodland in Cheshire, roughly the size of 40 Olympic swimming pools.

P.ublished 23rd May 2026

Northumberland National Park Celebrates 70 Years With Anniversary Walking Festival

Northumberland National Park is marking a major milestone in 2026 as it celebrates 70 years since becoming a designated National Park.

P.ublished 23rd May 2026

Zookeepers Help Raise Uk’s Only Baby Aardvark Called Womble At Chester Zoo

A tiny aardvark calf, affectionately nicknamed Womble, is being cared for by conservationists at Chester Zoo after they stepped in to help raise the youngster

Zookeepers at Chester Zoo have stepped in to help raise a newborn aardvark, bottle-feeding it warm milk every few hours to help it grow. The tiny arrival – only the second aardvark ever born at the zoo in its 94-year history – was born healthy, but mum Oni wasn’t producing enough milk to fully support the youngster.

P.ublished 20th May 2026

Our Bee Population Is In Decline - Here’s One Easy Thing You Can To Do Help

Image by Helga Kattinger from Pixabay

It’s World Bee Day today and bees are some of the most effective pollinators we have - not just helping plants to grow, but helping crops including broccoli, cabbages and apples, to thrive. But sadly, UK bee populations have reduced by around a third in the last 30 years – prompting the RSPCA to highlight what people can do to help the nation’s buzzing buddies.

P.ublished 20th May 2026

Yorkshire Puffin Festival Returns Bigger Than Ever Before

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Wildlife Correspondents

Did you know Yorkshire is one of the only places in the country where you can see puffins without a boat? Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s annual festival on 6th and 7th June celebrates the return of this much-loved but threatened seabird to their internationally important breeding grounds at Flamborough cliffs.

P.ublished 19th May 2026

Your Summer Garden Starts Now: British Garden Centres Guide On What Flowers To Plant And Sow Now

May is one of the most forgiving months to start gardening. The soil has had time to warm up properly, the risk of a late frost is largely behind us, and there is still plenty of summer ahead for plants to establish and get going. It is also the time of year when garden centres are at their best, well-stocked, and with staff on hand to help anyone who is not sure where to start.

P.ublished 16th May 2026

London Zoo Leaps Into Action To Save Rare Ghanaian Frogs From Extinction

A “whistling” frog has moved into London Zoo’s Secret Life of Reptiles and Amphibians as part of efforts by global conservation charity ZSL and Ghanaian partners to save two rare species from extinction. The Atewa slippery frog (Conraua sagyimase) and Afia Birago’s puddle frog (Phrynobatrachus afiabirago) are found only in Ghana’s Atewa Hills Forest Reserve.

P.ublished 16th May 2026

First-Ever Vote Launched To Find Britain’s Favourite Butterfly!

Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is today launching the first-ever vote to crown Britain’s Favourite Butterfly. From Friday 15 May - Sunday 7 June, people across the country are being asked to choose the butterfly they love most, whether that be a familiar garden visitor like the Red Admiral, Orange-tip or Holly Blue, or an elusive rarity like the aristocratic Duke of Burgundy or the mighty Purple Emperor

P.ublished 15th May 2026

Long-Term NFU Campaigning Results In New Sentencing Guidance To Crack Down On Hare Coursing

Following extensive NFU campaigning and a public consultation, which the NFU submitted evidence to, the Sentencing Council has published new guidelines for courts to tackle hare coursing¹ offences.

P.ublished 15th May 2026

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Launches Wildlife Hero Awards To Celebrate Yorkshire’s Unsung Wild Heroes

To mark the Trust’s 80th anniversary, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust wants to spotlight the unsung heroes of local and regional wildlife conservation. Through ten award categories, the Wildlife Hero Awards will celebrate the individuals, businesses and community groups making a real and lasting difference for wildlife. Award winners will be announced at a special ceremony during the Trust’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday 3 October at York College, and will receive a prize.

P.ublished 13th May 2026

RHS Garden Bridgewater Extends Free Visits For Salford Residents As It Prepares To Celebrate Fifth Birthday

Bridgewater Summer Garden Vista

RHS Garden Bridgewater has announced an extension to its popular Salford Free Tuesdays scheme, allowing Salford residents to continue enjoying free entry every Tuesday until 18 May 2027. The news comes as the garden prepares to celebrate its fifth birthday on 18 May, marking half a decade as a much-loved community hub where people and nature thrive together.

P.ublished 11th May 2026

Snipe On The Move

New data from seven common snipe being tracked as part of the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) project to map the routes to their breeding grounds has so far shown five of the birds travelling to Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Germany.

P.ublished 9th May 2026

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