Articles by Richard Hassall - Page 2

  • Squirrel Pox Could Threaten Scotland’s Red Squirrels

    The squirrel parapoxvirus is mostly asymptomatic in its grey host; it has little or no effect. However, once the virus is transmitted to their red cousin it causes the fatal disease known as “squirrel pox”.

    By Richard Hassall on 3rd April 2012
  • Discards: Millions of Fish Could be Saved in One Year

    The EU estimates that 40-60% of fish caught in the North Sea will be discarded, however, we will never know the real number because there are no records kept for discarded fish, it could be more or it could be less.

    By Richard Hassall on 27th March 2012
  • How far can a polar bear swim?

    Evolution is an amazing thing and perhaps one day people will look back on these studies to demonstrate just how astonishing it can be.

    By Richard Hassall on 20th March 2012
  • Will Killing Pine Martens Save Capercaillies?

    Pine martens are gradually recovering in Scotland but there are new accusations facing this animal from the Scottish Game Keepers Association (SGA).

    By Richard Hassall on 13th March 2012
  • Donald Trump’s Impact on the Environment

    This controversial golf course has been met with many objections, mainly due to the fact that it is being built on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (S.S.S.I.); an area which is protected by law.

    By Richard Hassall on 6th March 2012
  • Plant a Flower to Save a Bumblebee

    Take the fox glove as an example; it has evolved specific adaptations to attract and facilitate the bumblebee, its main pollinator.

    By Richard Hassall on 28th February 2012
  • Conservation and the community

    Taking the time to work with the local community can sometimes lay a great foundation to save threatened species.

    By Richard Hassall on 7th February 2012
  • Rhododendrons: Beautiful but deadly

    R. ponticum poses a major problem for conservationists by creating dense thickets and out competing our native shrub and tree species by smothering the understory of our woodlands. It is not a new problem but one we are still persistently trying to deal with.

    By Richard Hassall on 25th January 2012