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GREAT BRITAIN - MAY 03: Free-range chickens and hens, Stow On The Wold, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom (Photo by Tim Graham/Getty Images)

Mind the poultry gap: 25 million unreported chickens spark fresh pollution concerns across the UK

The findings hint at a disturbing domino effect on river pollution and damage to wildlife
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A close up of limpets and barnicles in the sunshine.

The strongest biological material on earth is made of thousands of self-regenerating microscopic teeth

This ordinary yet extraordinary marine animal breaks records for the incredible strength of its teeth. Here's everything you need to know about limpets and the different species found along British coastlines
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SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR, ENGLAND - JULY 23: A road warning triangle "Please drive carefully" sign warns traffic to slow down because of hedgehogs on July 23, 2025 in Shipston-on-Stour, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Keeble/Getty Images)

New ultrasound discovery could be a game-changer for hedgehog conservation

British hedgehogs have long been in decline. We've seen as much as a 70% decline in rural areas, largely down to road traffic. New research using ultrasound could pave an exciting new path for hedgehog protection, reports Graeme Green.
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Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) mouth portrait, Great Lakes Aquarium, Minnesota, USA. Captive.

The jawless, Demogorgon-like marine beast that creates gravel nests, lays thousands of eggs, and feeds on its host

Also called the 'vampire fish', a sea lamprey is one of the weirdest and most monster-like animals to exist in British waters. Kevin Parr investigates
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The common toad, which is very common in Europe, is abundant in the wetlands of Catalonia. These toads are very active as they are in the middle of their mating season, as seen in the Vallvidrera reservoir, very close to the city of Barcelona, in Catalonia, on January 28, 2025. (Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images) (Photo by Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ecological concerns arise after Welsh reservoir emptied during toad breeding season

The untimely reservoir drawdown could have killed as many as 1,000 toads that local conservationists had been working so hard to support
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best water filter jugs

Top water filter systems: From jug filters to under-sink purifiers

A water filter is designed to improve not just the taste of your water but also the overall quality. Here are 3 great options for your home...
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i love you in dog language

What is “I love you” in dog language?  

Learn how to say "I love you" in your dog's language so affection doesn't get lost in translation.
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BEND, OR - October 18: Jenna Marie Pacelli hugs her dog Lennon, who got coccidioidomycosis in Utah, in her office in Bend, OR on October 18, 2023. Lennon was unable to walk and became incontinent but responded well to treatments. "Most sane people would have put the dog down," Pacelli said. "I was just glad I could afford to treat it." Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungus that develops below the undisturbed surface of soils in hot, dry areas in the western United States. The fungus, when inhaled in dust, can cause longterm and sometimes severe health issues. If the fungus disseminates beyond the lungs, it can cause cocci meningitis, resulting in paralysis and neurological issues. As the climate warms and becomes drier, the fungus, which can also infect animals, could spread to new areas of the country. (Photo by Carolyn Van Houten/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Struggling to connect with your canine? Vet shares the best ways to really bond with your dog

Want a happy and loving connection with your dog? Vet Emily Walton shares 4 simple, powerful ways to build trust and create the friendship of a lifetime with your pup
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A drop of water drips from a leaky faucet.

How safe is our tap water? The truth behind who owns our water, water quality, and PFAS

Sewage spills, pollution and supply failures mean public confidence in our water providers is in freefall. Just how safe is our tap water in 2026? Fergus Collins investigates...
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Man with ringing stone

Why do some stones sing? The curious phenomenon of ringing rocks

From the Cairngorms to the Hebrides, discover the strange natural “lithophones” that chime when struck – and the surprising science behind them
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Tor with stars at night

The darkest views in Britain? Head to these Dark Sky sites to see meteor showers, planetary alignments and other spectacular celestial events

Find out more about the UK's growing number of Dark Sky sites – plus advice to help you see more in the dark, and basic equipment to help you get started
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Arden Grange Competition Full Terms and Conditions

American actor and producer Douglas Fairbanks Sr., actors Marguerite De La Motte and Robert McKim on the set of The Mark of Zorro, directed by Fred Niblo. (Photo by Twentieth Century Fox Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images)

Masked bandits, resistance fighters, highwaymen, and downright criminals: Discover the thrilling stories behind history's greatest outlaws

From the lawless Wild West to the tyrannic Scottish Highlands, Graeme Green uncovers the stories behind some of the most fabled and mysterious outlaws in history
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Spanish bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica. (Photo by FlowerPhotos/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

Beware the Spanish bluebell, a beautiful but dangerous bloom

Gardeners are advised to look closely at bluebells in their gardens to stop an intruder and save our native species, Maria Hodson reports
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Great tit Parus major, adult male perched on coconut feeder, Suffolk, England, UK, January

Are there downsides to feeding birds in your garden? Here's what the RSPB advises

If you’d like to make friends with the birds in your garden, here’s what you need to know about when and what to feed them.
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endocrine disruptor toiletries

What are endocrine disruptors? The hidden chemicals that could be throwing your body out of whack

These everyday products could be disrupting the natural rhythm of your body and hormones, without you even realising it
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Two Lake District teams, Duddon and Furness and Wasdale, feature on the cover of the regional report on 2025. Most MREW teams publish similar documents, at least online, and these can be valuable sources of information and advice.

Are our recovery services in crisis? Mountain rescue operations reach an all-time high

Mountain Rescue England and Wales dealt with incidents almost every day of 2025. It's clear that issues in the mountains are becoming more and more common. We find out why this is and what we can do about it...
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A dog walks through a misty fountain on the banks of the Vistula River in Warsaw during a heatwave that hit the city on July 3, 2025. (Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP) (Photo by WOJTEK RADWANSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Protect your dog from the harmful (at times fatal) effects of sunstroke and heat stroke – Vet shares how to keep your pet cool in hot weather

Dogs are more likely to get sunstroke than humans - and it can be fatal. Vet explains how to keep dogs cool in hot weather and what to do if heatstroke strikes
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A curly-coated Poodle stands alert by the lake shore, looking directly at the camera. The serene scene includes a lush forest and crystal-clear reflections of the trees on the water, capturing a peaceful outdoor moment perfect for pet lifestyle and nature themes

No chaos, just chill: These 6 dog breeds are perfect for first-time pet owners

From easy-going companions to highly trainable favourites, these six breeds are ideal for beginners – as chosen by a vet nurse
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MARGATE, ENGLAND - JULY 16: A view of Margate tidal pool at low tide on July 16, 2022 in Margate, United Kingdom. Britain is experiencing a heatwave this week as temperatures in some parts are expected to reach between 37c and 40c. A level 3 heat health alert has been issued for the south and eastern parts of England, rising to level 4 by Monday. (Photo by Hollie Adams/Getty Images)

Britain's most beautiful tidal pools: 10 historic wild swimming gems waiting to be explored

Take a dip on the wild side with one of these stunning saltwater tidal pools. Explore some of Britain's best-kept hidden swim spots with our guide
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A caucasian man struggling to sleep

Could nutrient deficiency be the reason you can't sleep? Science-backed solutions to sleep issues found on your plate

These six nutrients and botanicals could revolutionise your sleep, and it all starts at mealtime.
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Whale breaching at sunset

The world's rarest giant? Inside the fragile life of the North Atlantic whale pulled to the edge of extinction

From their ancient origins and whisper-like calls to deadly modern threats lurking in busy shipping lanes, discover the surprising lives – and uncertain future – of these gentle ocean giants
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The clocks change next weekend – but what's the point of it?

British Summer Time is almost upon us! Find out when the clocks change in March and why we change them.
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