Latest news with #CitizenZoo
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rare footage captures moment elusive animal appears in heart of major city: 'Absolutely fantastic to see'
There's good news for London, as a security camera recently caught sight of an otter on a dock in Canary Wharf in the financial district of London. Rewilding experts hope this marks the sign of the species' return to the city for good. The Eurasian otter was once on the brink of extinction in England, making this glimpse of an otter rare. However, it has slowly been making a comeback, mostly thanks to conservation efforts and improvements in the area's water quality. The otter on Canary Wharf was caught by a camera of a nearby boat. At the time, the animal was studying the boats moored there. "It's absolutely fantastic to see footage of a healthy-looking otter captured on CCTV moving through the highly urbanised Canary Wharf area," Elliot Newton, co-founder of Citizen Zoo, told The Standard. This otter sighting isn't just excellent news for the species. London's efforts to smartly manage the environment and wildlife in the area haven't only ensured the otters' survival; these efforts are also beneficial to people. The improved water quality that brought the animals back will also help humans, as cleaner water can prevent health issues and save time and money associated with medical care. Reviving endangered species significantly impacts humans via the food supply, too, as biodiversity loss interrupts the balance of nature's delicate ecosystems. When revived species return, they can help ecosystems get back to their natural, healthy, diverse states, encouraging growth. Trail and similar cameras can be a powerful tool in helping experts determine the health of endangered species populations. They can also be beneficial in documenting evidence of rehabilitation efforts. As for otters in London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has proposed reintroducing the animals to the area's waterways over the next few years. "In a future where we more fully embrace nature within the city, and work to improve the quality of habitats in our rivers and the water itself, it would be wonderful if sightings like this became far more common," Newton told The Standard. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
09-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Tolworth Court Farm Fields: Restoration for Kingston's wetlands
A south London borough's biggest nature reserve will see its wetland restored as part of a major rewilding project. Kingston Council has approved plans, which aim to turn Tolworth Court Farm Fields, in Tolworth, into, what they call, one of London's "most pioneering" nature council is working with environmental groups, Citizen Zoo and The Community Brain, to rewild the 104-acre (42 hectare) nature reserve - the biggest in Kingston, made up of seven large fields. Last year, the authority won more than £500,000 to carry out the works, including £238,000 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and £149,477 from the Mayor's Rewild London Fund. 'Mixed-mosaic' According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council officers have approved plans to restore the nature reserve's wetland as part of the rewilding project. The Hogsmill River previously flowed through a corner of the site, which acted as a floodplain, but the stream was straightened in the 1960s to reduce flooding in the area and the habitat was scheme will see ponds and wet grassland areas created in this part of the nature reserve to restore the wetland system and encourage other species to return to the site. A 25m (80ft) wheelchair-friendly boardwalk will also be installed to maintain access to the nature reserve. According to the plans, the restored wetland aims to reduce flood risk locally by improving the site's resilience to climate change and increasingly unstable weather documents said the rewilding project hoped to turn Tolworth Court Farm Fields into "one of London's most pioneering nature reserves". The nature reserve is currently being prepared for the reintroduction of cows and pigs, to increase plant diversity, improve the health of the soil and create different habitats.A statement on rewilding group, Citizen Zoo's website said: "Our shared vision is to establish a dynamic, mixed-mosaic nature reserve that nurtures a more diverse and abundant wildlife population."Through innovative rewilding measures inspired by rural projects such as mixed grazing regimes, we aim to restore and enhance the site's ecological balance while honouring its rich cultural heritage."
