What the new British zoo standards mean for animal welfare

And do they go far enough?

Samantha Ward, Associate Professor of Zoo Animal Welfare, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
June 10, 2025 • ~8 min

Are animals smart? From dolphin language to toolmaking crows, lots of species have obvious intelligence

Many animals show signs of high intelligence, including strong memory, self-awareness and communication skills.

Leticia Fanucchi, Clinical Assistant Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Oklahoma State University • conversation
Feb. 10, 2025 • ~6 min

Tagging seals with sensors helps scientists track ocean currents and a changing climate

In some of the most remote places on Earth, tags attached to seals collect data at the cutting edge of ocean science.

Lilian (Lily) Dove, Postdoctoral Fellow of Oceanography, Brown University • conversation
July 25, 2024 • ~5 min

African elephants address one another with name-like calls − similar to humans

Humans aren’t the only animals that have names for each other − and studying animals that use names can teach researchers more about how human names evolved.

Mickey Pardo, Postdoctoral Fellow in Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, Colorado State University • conversation
June 11, 2024 • ~9 min

New Study Examines How Elephants Say ‘Hello’
VOA Learning English • voa
May 16, 2024 • ~5 min

Our laser technique can tell apart elephant and mammoth ivory – here’s how it may disrupt the ivory trade

It is difficult to distinguish between elephant and mammoth ivory.

Rebecca Shepherd, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, University of Bristol • conversation
April 24, 2024 • ~6 min

Connected areas boost chance of elephant survival

Elephants have the best chance of survival when they live in areas that are not only protected, but also connected.

Karl Bates-Duke • futurity
Jan. 8, 2024 • ~6 min

Wild animals that survive limb loss are astonishing – and a sign of the havoc humans are wreaking on nature

When wild animals survive the initial trauma, blood loss and infection risk without medical help, it’s astonishing that they can adapt to life with three limbs.

Tara Pirie, Lecturer in Ecology and Conservation, University of Surrey • conversation
Oct. 25, 2023 • ~7 min

Elephants mix it up when it comes to food

Elephants eat surprisingly different foods from meal to meal, a new study shows.

Corrie Pikul-Brown • futurity
July 6, 2023 • ~8 min

UK ivory trade ban extended to five more species – here's why we think it will be ineffective

Any law that protects threatened wildlife should be welcomed – but a ban alone will not prevent illegal activity.

Angus Nurse, Head of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
June 9, 2023 • ~8 min

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