Latest Stories
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Seals, dolphins, porpoises thriving in Thames
Does nature always bounce back? The Thames was declared dead, without oxygen, in the 1950s. This summer, 138 seal pups were spotted basking on the banks, and swimming among new marine life.
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‘It’s MY car now and I live here!’
Do we love humans more than animals? Every year, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award shows us the very best pictures of the animal kingdom, from chasing cheetahs to curious raccoons.
- Culture
- Reading Band 5
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Loch Ness monster could be a giant eel
Do you believe in the Loch Ness monster? After running tests at the Scottish loch, scientists think that they might know the truth about the mysterious creature. And it’s very surprising.
- Science
- Reading Band 5
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Scientists create human-monkey cross
Should animals ever be part-human? There are not enough organs for doctors to use in life-saving operations, so they are turning to animals with human DNA. Some say it is cruel and unnatural.
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Scientists find there is no gay gene
Are experiments like this harmful? Scientists believe lots of different things help to decide whether a person has relationships with the same gender. It is much more complex than we thought.
- Science
- Reading Band 11
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Amazon loses football pitch of trees each minute
Can we stop Brazil cutting down trees in the Amazon rainforest? Satellite images show that an area the size of a football pitch is lost every minute. It is replaced with farmland for cows.
- Climate
- Reading Band 8
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Japan goes whaling for first time in 30 years
Is it wrong for Japan to hunt whales? Yesterday, eight ships set sail for Japan’s first commercial whale hunts since 1986. However, some say this is the beginning of the end.
- Climate
- Reading Band 11
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Old English sheepdog goes out of style
Should dog owners still buy purebreds? The Kennel Club says that old English sheepdogs are in danger of extinction. Not many people are breeding them. Some people think that this is a good...
- Society
- Reading Band 5
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Endangered black rhinos go home to Rwanda
Are zoos good for animals? This week, five black rhinos were sent to live in their natural habitat in Africa. They were all born in captivity in European zoos.
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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Good boy! Puppy dog eyes evolved just for you
Is your dog really your best friend? A new study explains why they are so good at making “puppy dog” eyes at their owners. The expression is often irresistible to humans.
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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The smart speakers that know if you’re sick
Would you trust Alexa to diagnose you when you’re sick? Experts predict that, within 10 years, smart speakers will be able to detect illnesses by listening to our behaviour. But what about our...
- Health
- Technology
- Reading Band 14+
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Doctor, doctor! It is time to get personal…
Is personalised medicine a good idea? Doctors say that, one day, when you are ill, they will use your genes to find the perfect treatment for you. However, not everyone is on board.
- Health
- Reading Band 8
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Be nicer to wasps, say scientists
Are we too harsh on wasps? The stinging insects are probably the most unpopular species on Earth, but scientists say that they have lots of important jobs in the natural world.
- Science
- Reading Band 5
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Tiny T-Rex is latest new dinosaur discovery
What can we learn from the discovery of a new dinosaur species? Scientists have found a “cousin” of the fearsome Tyrannosaurus rex. It was fast, fierce — and only one-metre tall.
- Science
- Reading Band 8
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One million species at risk of extinction
Can we reverse the damage caused by humans on the planet? A major report has warned that if we don’t act urgently to change our habits, we risk harming not only the animal world, but also the...
- Climate
- Reading Band 14+