To say that @BBCSpringwatch and Winterwatch make for โcosyโ viewing is not entirely accurate. They are very much about the precariousness of wildlife in the UK. The revelations about the catastrophic decline of several bird species is disheartening to say the least. The nesting scenes and predation can be brutal as was the case this year. Springwatch has never shied away from this side of nature. It is about the remarkable people from all walks of life who dedicate their lives to wildlife; it is about the wonderful educational features, the irrepressible enthusiasm and humour of its presenters and so much more. To think of all the dross on BBC television that has little or no real connection with ordinary peopleโs lives and they take the axe to a jewel of a programme that most certainly does. Terrible, demoralising decision-making at the top. As Chris Packham often jokingly says: โThis is what you pay your licence fee for,โ and how right he is.
@ChrisGPackham@michaelastracha@MeganMcCubbin@Lucy_Lapwing@IoloWilliams2@BBC
๐ด Animal Abuser at Large ๐ด | Paula Blackwood, 47, from #salisbury in Wiltshire.
She tied her beautiful American Akita, Carla, up to a lamppost outside a vets in 34โc on Wednesday morning and jetted off on holiday to Egypt leaving poor Carla to her fate.
Carla is now safe and her abuser will return to face animal cruelty charges.
Source: https://t.co/JVsQah7fIx
Full story: https://t.co/wm8ngh02Dp
๐จ This is the 'vile' dog owner facing an animal cruelty probe after she tied her American Akita to a lamppost and abandoned it on the hottest day of the year - then jetted off on holiday to Egypt.
Wardens raised the alarm after the distressed dog was discovered running around an industrial estate having been tied to the lamppost outside PetPractice vets in Salisbury, Wiltshire, on Wednesday, as temperatures soared to almost 35C.
The 'petrified' American Akita called Carla escaped from its harness before running close to nearby roads and was eventually rescued and taken away for treatment.
We can reveal the Akita's owner is 47-year-old Paula Blackwood, who left for a sunshine break to Egypt shortly after trying to give away her pet.
The day before Carla was found, Ms Blackwood was on social media begging someone to take Carla off her hands 'immediately'.
She posted on Facebook that Carla was free to a 'good home' because its separation anxiety was causing distress to neighbours.
She wrote: 'Japanese [sic] Akita to give to good home today. Really good temperament, so loving. I can't keep her as she has separation issues when I'm out, causing neighbours distress.' (Carla is actually an American Akita.)
Hours later, she returned to Facebook to ask: 'Anyone know who takes dog immediately?'
In a separate online group, Ms Blackwood also made enquiries about transfers to Bournemouth Airport.
Neighbours later told the Daily Mail that she had subsequently gone on holiday.
When she returns Ms Blackwood now faces the prospect of an animal welfare investigation over claims the female Akita was deliberately abandoned.
Wiltshire Council's Public Protection Service said in a statement on June 24: 'This dog may have been intentionally abandoned this morning after being tied to a lamp post on one of the hottest days of the year.
'We are aware who the likely owner of this dog is and we are currently investigating the matter.'
It is believed the dog, which was microchipped with incorrect details, managed to slip out of her harness before running loose near surrounding roads as members of the public struggled to approach her.
One eyewitness said the Akita was 'petrified', making it difficult for rescuers to get close.
In a subsequent update, the council said it had identified the dog's owner. The council added: 'We're pleased to confirm that the dog is receiving the care and treatment she needs and will remain safely in our care.'
Source UK Database.
Don't scroll past without saying hi to Sir Loves-a-Lot! Can you believe this charming guy has been with us for over 8 months? ๐
Sir Loves-a-Lot needs a patient and calm home. Please share to help him find his person! ๐
Learn more about him here: https://t.co/Z0Xgz7zZw7
Icelandโs fin whale operator has been reported to have taken more than 1,000 fin whales since the 1986 moratorium even though only about 50,000โ90,000 remain worldwide,far below what these whales once numbered before industrial whaling. #Endwhaling
Credits captain Paul Watson uk
Today it is 11 years since Cecil the Lion's death sparked global outrage and a move to ban trophy hunting imports.
Yet, over a thousand dead animal trophies have been imported into the UK as trophies since ๐.
Thank you @PeterEgan6 for speaking about this crucial issue.
The 10th fin whale has been killed.
When they brought it to the station, the national anthem was played and a man was seen holding and making obscene displays with the severed penis of the whale whilst others yelled โgo Iceland!โ
This is the mentality of Icelandic whalers.
Iceland must stop whaling. Fin whales are endangered, vital to ocean health, and help store carbon while alive. Harpooning causes horrific pain and suffering. No โtraditionโ justifies cruelty. Protect whales, protect the climate, protect life. #StopWhaling#Iceland
Itโs time to end #Iceland's commercial whaling for good!
I really despise my own species sometimes!
Please sign the #Petition@IFAW
to stop them killing more #whales
You know nearly every species on planet earth is decliningโฆ
(except the ones humans breed to make money from of course like #Dogs )
Most species in the oceans are on the brink of #extinction due to human activities and horror shows like this!
Just #boycott every bloody country & any goods they sell us containing whale or Dolphin blubber and materials!
Itโs horrific what humans get up to on planet Earth!
https://t.co/dFxGi4VbGm
Iceland has now killed at least 11 fin whales this summer, the second-largest animal on Earth, for meat almost no one eats.
After two years without a hunt, commercial whaling resumed in June. The seasonโs quota is up to 150 fin whales, a vulnerable species that has still not recovered from a century of commercial whaling.
One of the whales killed was a pregnant mother, along with her unborn calf.
The deaths are rarely quick. Icelandโs Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) documented one whale taking 31 minutes to die after being struck by four exploding harpoons. Previous investigations have also found whales taking up to two hours to die.
And itโs for almost nothing. Icelanders rarely eat fin whale. Most of the meat is exported to Japan, where much of it remains frozen and unsold. Whale watching generates far more value for Icelandโs economy than whaling ever has.
The Icelandic government has pledged to introduce legislation to end commercial whaling, but this seasonโs hunt is still going ahead.
[Source: Whale and Dolphin Conservation / Oceanographic (June 30, 2026).]
First it was Autumnwatch axed by the @BBC
Now Winterwatch is being axed too... ๐ก
How long before the flagship @BBCSpringwatch goes the same way? ๐
These shows are educational, fun and extremely popular.... but who needs nature anyway eh?
Sickening decision... ๐๐ก