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David Roberts

@drdavidlroberts.bsky.social
2.2K followers 396 following 2.1K posts

Reader in #Biodiversity #Conservation @dice-kent.bsky.social; Research interests #extinction, spp id, #orchid #ecology, #wildlifetrade inc @wildlifetrade.bsky.social; APHAgovuk #Wildlife Inspector & SAB member; own views tinyurl.com/bd3r7tsp

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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 12h
@jasonnurse.bsky.social
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Reposted by David Roberts
David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🚨NEW PAPER🚨'Assessing safeguards against the illegal wildlife trade on AI platforms' by @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social & Jason Nurse @kent.ac.uk @dice-kent.bsky.social in @conbiology.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
doi.org
Assessing safeguards against the illegal wildlife trade on AI platforms
AI platforms, while offering many positive applications, also present new risks to society, including the facilitation of trade in threatened and illegal wildlife. Although these platforms employ saf...
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 20h
BBC News - Swiss glaciers suffer 'disastrous' year of ice loss - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Swiss glaciers suffer 'disastrous' year of ice loss
Scientists say such rapid melting is no longer surprising given the pace of climate change.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
BBC News - 'Backpack' declared Alaska's Fat Bear Week winner www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Backpack' declared Alaska's Fat Bear Week winner
"Backpack" defeated a bear known only as "910" in the final round of the annual competition.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
BBC News - Wildfires: Is southern England prepared? - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Wildfires: Are Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight prepared?
Experts have warned the risk of wildfires could double within the next 50 years.
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Reposted by David Roberts
David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🚨NEW PAPER🚨'Assessing safeguards against the illegal wildlife trade on AI platforms' by @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social & Jason Nurse @kent.ac.uk @dice-kent.bsky.social in @conbiology.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
static.klipy.com
Matrix Code: Purpose Of Life
ALT: Matrix Code: Purpose Of Life
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🚨NEW PAPER🚨'Assessing safeguards against the illegal wildlife trade on AI platforms' by @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social & Jason Nurse @kent.ac.uk @dice-kent.bsky.social in @conbiology.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
static.klipy.com
Matrix Code: Purpose Of Life
ALT: Matrix Code: Purpose Of Life
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BBC News - Shropshire farmers say Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) funding fight was 'fastest finger first' - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Shropshire farmers say funding fight was 'fastest finger first'
Applications for this year's government funding opened on 22 September, but closed in under 6 hours.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BBC News - Farmer says 'easier to get Glastonbury tickets than eco funding' Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)- BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Farmer says 'easier to get Glastonbury tickets than eco funding'
A farmer says he missed out on £75k of funding from a green scheme because he was travelling to receive an eco award.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BBC News - Bumblebee project seeking to help rare species www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Bumblebee project seeking to 'turn the tide' for rare UK species
The programme to help the Moss carder species will focus on Cornwall, Kent and the North Pennines.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BBC News - Why families are being urged to look closer on autumn walks - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Why families are being urged to look closer on autumn walks
Experts urge families to spot, photograph and enjoy autumn fungi on their doorstep.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BBC News - Nature spaces 'need to be right next to where people live' - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Nature spaces 'need to be right next to where people live'
Campaigners are pushing for more wildlife-rich green spaces to be created within urban communities.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BBC News - The Video Playlist: Shipwreck found on Nantucket during nor'easter storm - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
bbc.co.uk
The Video Playlist: Shipwreck found on Nantucket during nor'easter storm
The so-called nor'easter storm has washed up what may be a shipwreck from the 19th century in Massachusetts, local media says.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
BBC News - Fossil found on Welsh beach ends 'confusion' over 200-million-year-old fish teeth www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Saurichthys fish fossil found in Wales resolves teeth confusion
Fossilised teeth across Europe had been wrongly identified until the latest find in south Wales.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🚨NEW PAPER🚨'Assessing safeguards against the illegal wildlife trade on AI platforms' by @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social & Jason Nurse @kent.ac.uk @dice-kent.bsky.social in @conbiology.bsky.social doi.org/10.1111/cobi...
doi.org
Assessing safeguards against the illegal wildlife trade on AI platforms
AI platforms, while offering many positive applications, also present new risks to society, including the facilitation of trade in threatened and illegal wildlife. Although these platforms employ saf...
133
David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
BBC News - Farmers' race for £233m sustainable farming incentive funding like 'scramble for Oasis tickets' - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Farmers' race for £233m funding like 'scramble for Oasis tickets'
Farmers fear they may not be able to carry out environmental work because they lost out on funding.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
BBC News - Rare bittern seen in Sheffield woman's back garden - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Rare bittern seen in Sheffield woman's back garden
The bird is one of the UK's rarest species, with the urban sighting described as "exceptional".
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
BBC News - The treasured 'eternal snow' on this tropical island is about to disappear forever www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Indonesia Carstensz Pyramid: Papua's 'eternal snow' on Puncak Jaya is about to disappear forever
Climate change is transforming Papua's snowy peaks, which hold scientific value and spiritual significance.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
BBC News - www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c6... Growers going head-to-head at giant veg competition after exceptionally hot summer - BBC News
bbc.co.uk
Growers going head-to-head at giant veg competition after exceptionally hot summer
The national championship, held at the Malvern Autumn Show, often sees world records broken. This year, UK growers faced a summer of dry ground and drought.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
BBC News - Elephants use medicinal plants to treat themselves, researchers find www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Elephants treat themselves with medicinal plants, witnesses say
African elephants use dozens of different medicinal plants to treat themselves and their families when they are sick, research reveals.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
BBC News - When did grey squirrels start posing a threat to reds in the UK? - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
When did grey squirrels start posing a threat to reds in the UK?
A pair of grey squirrels was reportedly brought to the United Kingdom by a Cheshire banker in 1876.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
BBC News - Spain battles climate change on several fronts www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Spain battles climate change on several fronts
A summer of wildfires and heatwaves underlines the threats to the country's economy.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
BBC News - Developing El Niño becomes strongest on record weeks before expected peak - BBC Weather www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
bbc.co.uk
Developing El Niño becomes strongest on record weeks before expected peak
Scientists say the developing El Niño is now the strongest on record with weather impacts already being felt around the world.
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Reposted by David Roberts
Miguel Clavero @chikichanka.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Outdoor domestic cats impact biodiversity beyond terrestrial systems This Hector's dolphin, and the fetus it carried, died of toxoplasmosis Only outdoor cats disperse Toxoplasma oocysts in the environment Keep cars indoors For biodiversity, health and cat safety www.rnz.co.nz/news/environ...
rnz.co.nz
Dolphin found dead on Invercargill beach died from toxoplasmosis
A pregnant Hector's dolphin found dead on an Invercargill beach died from toxoplasmosis.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
BBC News - Record year for hen harrier chicks at Cumbria reserve - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Record year for hen harrier chicks at Cumbria reserve
The RSPB says despite the project's "amazing success" it fears the birds could be illegally killed.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
BBC News - Spotted wildcat from Bolivian forest revealed as new species - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Spotted wildcat from Bolivian forest revealed as new species
A spotted wildcat long mistaken for relatives has been identified as a new species in Bolivia.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
BBC News - See tiny organisms on show in microscopic video competition - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
bbc.co.uk
See tiny organisms on show in microscopic video competition
The winning video features tiny hair-like structures, called cilia, in the airways of a child with a rare genetic disease.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
BBC News - Colombia and Brazil deadliest countries for environmental activists, report says www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Colombia and Brazil deadliest countries for environmental defenders, report says
The two countries accounted for 52% of killings of environmental activists in 2025, according to Global Witness.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I expect we'll see some world records in rowing... BBC News - River home to 500 crocodiles chosen as Olympic rowing venue www.bbc.co.uk/sport/olympi...
bbc.co.uk
River that is home to 500 crocodiles chosen to host 2032 Olympic rowing and canoe events
A river that is home to about 500 saltwater crocodiles is given the OK to host Olympic and Paralympic rowing and canoeing events at the 2032 Brisbane Games.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
BBC News - Natural History Museum opens gallery locked in 1943 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
London's Natural History Museum opens gallery locked in 1943
The gallery reopens on Wednesday more than 80 years since it closed during WWII.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
BBC News - Hare coursers leave 22 dead animals at Kent farm - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Cruel hare coursers leave 22 dead animals at Kent farm
Farmers say more action and harsher punishments are needed to tackle the illegal sport.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
BBC News - Lost oyster beds rediscovered thanks to Gaelic and Scots language www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Lost oyster beds rediscovered thanks to Gaelic and Scots language
Scientists searched for the inclusion of the Gaelic and Scots words for oyster or oysters in place-names around Scotland's coast.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
BBC News - The Himalayas are melting faster - and India's economy is 'at risk' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Nepal floods: The Himalayas are melting faster - and India's economy is 'at risk'
A new report warns Himalayan glaciers are melting faster, threatening India’s water, economy and communities.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
BBC News - US scraps limits on emissions from coal and gas power plants - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
US scraps limits on emissions from coal and gas power plants
The Environment Protection Agency says the move will save the country billions of dollars and reduce energy prices.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
BBC News - Thousands of new species discovered in island www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Thousands of new species discovered in Guernsey
They were found as part of a survey testing the DNA of organisms in ponds and steams.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
BBC News - Oldham Asian hornet hunt leads to nest discovery - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Oldham Asian hornet hunt leads to nest discovery
Bee keepers and inspectors used GPS trackers to follow the insects and find the nest in Oldham.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
BBC News - Reintroduction of butterflies to Rockingham Forest set to expand - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Reintroduction of butterflies to Rockingham Forest set to expand
A charity says it has been given £150,000 to expand the project in the next three years.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
BBC News - The Himalayas are melting faster - and India's economy is 'at risk' www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Nepal floods: The Himalayas are melting faster - and India's economy is 'at risk'
A new report warns Himalayan glaciers are melting faster, threatening India’s water, economy and communities.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
BBC News - Kent's shark secrets discovered in new project www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Kent's shark secrets discovered in new project
The project involves sharks in Kent's waters being tagged so that scientists can gain vital data.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
BBC News - Jersey cows helping Zambian families boost incomes www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Jersey cows helping Zambian families boost incomes
Farmers and dairy experts will discuss the breed's impact on milk production and rural livelihoods.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
BBC News - Summer wildfires caused catastrophic hidden damage, scientists warn www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Summer wildfires caused 'catastrophic' hidden damage, scientists warn
Bangor University researchers say the scale of damage is far greater than what is immediately visible.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BBC News - 'Skimpflation' warning as tinned mackerel alternative hits more supermarket shelves www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
'Skimpflation' warning as tinned mackerel alternative hits more supermarket shelves
Consumer group Which? has called the sale of jack mackerel, a cheaper, less nutritious species of fish, an example of "skimpflation".
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BBC News - NatureScot denies ignoring scientific evidence in banning guga hunt www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
NatureScot denies ignoring scientific evidence in banning guga hunt
A Freedom of Information request shows scientific advice recommended that the killing of 500 gannet chicks on Lewis should be allowed to go ahead.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BBC News - New hurricane season record as 'historic' El Niño leaves Atlantic eerily quiet - BBC Weather www.bbc.co.uk/weather/arti...
bbc.co.uk
New hurricane season record as 'historic' El Niño leaves Atlantic eerily quiet
The Atlantic hurricane season has reached its climatological peak, but a strong El Niño means no hurricanes have formed this year.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BBC News - Species 'at risk of vanishing' from area of Eryri National Park - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Species 'at risk of vanishing' from area of Eryri National Park
The National Trust warns species are on the brink of extinction in a valley of Eryri - Snowdonia - National Park.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
BBC News - Battle to save the tiny, gooey snail only found in one lake in the UK www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Zoos help to save snail found in only one lake in Wales
Once prevalent across the UK, this mollusc is now only found in one lake in Wales.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
BBC News - Scientists and fishermen celebrate return of tuna www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Scientists and fishermen celebrate return of bluefin tuna
Marine biologists and fisherman reflect on the increasing numbers of bluefin tuna in UK waters.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
BBC News - August was joint hottest month on record, says European climate agency www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
August ties for hottest month on record as global heat climbs
Climate change and the rising influence of El Niño saw August reach the record for warmest month.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
BBC News - The clues that hint our planet might be heating faster than we realised - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
The clues that hint our planet might be heating faster than we realised
A curious online row over this summer's heatwaves points to a wider - and worrying - shift in climate science.
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David Roberts @drdavidlroberts.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
BBC News - How releasing more beavers in Gloucestershire could boost nature's recovery - BBC News www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/...
bbc.co.uk
How releasing more beavers in Gloucestershire could boost nature's recovery
Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust is pursuing a licence to release beavers back into the county.
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