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Jo Wimpenny

@jowimpenny.bsky.social
209 followers 282 following 117 posts

Science and nature writer | 📍Oxford | 📚 BEAUTY OF THE BEASTS is a Spotify Best Nonfiction Book of the Year 2026! | Dr of crows | Champion of unloved creatures

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Reposted by Jo Wimpenny
Nick Holmes @thehandlab.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
England's Wildlife Trusts are ~90% of the way to raising £30M to buy 3,800 hectares of #Northumberland. If you have some spare money, even just £10, they can really use it *before September 30th*! 🙏 #rewilding #wildlife 🦅🐿🐺🦉 www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...
wildlifetrusts.org
Donate to Secure The Rothbury Estate | The Wildlife Trusts
Stretching over 3,800 hectares, the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland is abundant with opportunity. It’s the largest continuous area of land to appear on the market in 50 years. Its sale creates a uni...
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
For anyone in/around Glasgow, I’m going to be speaking at tomorrow’s Cafe Scientifique. Come along and chat unloved beasts if you can! www.waterstones.com/events/cafe-...
waterstones.com
Cafe Scientifique: The Beauty of the Beasts | Events at Waterstones Bookshops | Waterstones
Events at Waterstones get you closer to the books and authors you admire most. Find information and tickets about Cafe Scientifique: The Beauty of the Beasts today.
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Really looking forward to kicking this off on Tuesday 29th September, shining a light on the overlooked, underappreciated, and misunderstood creatures of our world 🐍 🕷️ 🐌 🐀 🐝 🦈 #beautyofthebeasts @chiffchat.bsky.social
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
‘Waiter, there’s a praying mantis on my chest’ ‘Well don’t make a fuss, ma’am, or everyone will want one…’ Imagine looking down and seeing this 🤣 Obvs I was v excited as mantises are SO cool, but sadly this is an invasive Transcaucasian giant mantis, and it’s bad news for Corfu’s native wildlife.
Large green praying mantis on a green topLarge green praying mantis on the end of a finger looking directly to the camera. Dinner table in the background
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RSPB @rspb.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The Prime Minister, @andyburnham.bsky.social, has spoken about being honest about the challenges we face. So, as we welcome our new Prime Minister and cabinet, let's start there: Nature is disappearing. The climate crisis is accelerating. The UK cannot thrive while both continue unchecked.
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Bloomsbury Wildlife @chiffchat.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Did you know that wasps can recognise faces?! 🤯 There's much more to these insects than just being the uninvited guests at your summer picnic... Listen to Beauty of the Beasts by @jowimpenny.bsky.social now on Spotify (listed as a Spotify Best Nonfiction Book of the Year So Far! 🥳)
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Just realised that BOTB is both the only nature/science book in this list and also the only Bloomsbury title - I’m feeling very happy to be flying both flags! open.spotify.com/playlist/37i...
open.spotify.com
Editors' Picks: Best Nonfiction Books of the Year So Far
Playlist · Spotify · 17 items · 10 saves
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Umm, so this happened 🤯 Still pinching myself - what a way to end the week!
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
LOVE that this was inspired by my book 😍 Can’t wait to hear how these beasts are received…
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Simon Evans @drsimevans.carbonbrief.org · 07/05/2026
Wind and solar have now beaten fossil fuels in Great Britain for a record 15 months in a row Just a decade ago, fossil fuels were generating four times more than wind + solar Now that's flipped: Since the Iran war, wind and solar generated twice as much as fossil fuels
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 28/04/2026
Hello, my new book, Beauty of the Beasts, was released in the US today! And it is VERY excited to meet its readers. Pick up a copy now and discover if 🦈 have friends, why 🐍 like to cuddle, how 🪳 are sometime cute, how 🐝 keep our gardens pest-free and much more! @chiffchat.bsky.social
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 17/04/2026
✊ EVERY HUMAN So delighted with this wonderful review by Jaz 💚
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 05/04/2026
‘There were talon marks in the chocolate!’ Recounting when a red kite tried to steal John’s magnum for today’s Tweet of the Day www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
bbc.co.uk
BBC Radio 4 - Tweet of the Day, Jo Wimpenny on the Red Kite
Zoologist and writer Jo Wimpenny on a close encounter with a red kite.
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
This 👇
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
“…it should be noted that this book is extremely fun. Wimpenny approaches her subjects (whether maggots, otters, cockroaches or humans) with an openhearted tone that manages to be equal parts playful and informative.” Love this review - informative and fun is exactly what I wanted!
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 09/03/2026
A sneaky peek into some of the beasts in my book 👇 Available now!
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Laura Jedeed @laurajedeed.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
The world could be such a nice place if we allowed it. It's all so goddamn unnecessary. There's no need for any of it. It's so beautiful here. It should be so cool to be alive
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Tbh this almost makes me want to take up running
Screenshot from a Reddit post entitled ‘How to stop owls from stealing my hats?’
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 27/02/2026
Turns out that Oxford is a hot spot for beauty in/of the beasts 🤣 The only reasonable thing is to read them both!
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Oh hey, it’s just my new book taking flight into the world - read on to find out why these beautiful beasts deserve so much more from us… Available today in all good bookshops! And don’t take my word for it - New Scientist picked it as one of the best pop-sci books released this month, woohoo! 🥳
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
And while it’s still February, I’m going to keep bumping this 🤣
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Andrew Digby @digs.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
The second #kakapo chick of the #kakapo2026 breeding season hatched this morning: Hine Taumai-A1-2026 on Ako's nest on Te Kākahu. We transferred the egg from Anchor two nights ago. This is Ako's first-ever chick, which is just a few hours old in this video. #conservation #birds #parrots
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Susie Dent @susiedentwords.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
A reminder of one of the loveliest pairs of siblings in the dictionary: ‘muscle’ and ‘mouse’. To the Roman imagination, the flexed biceps of a (typically naked) athlete resembled a rodent scuttling under the skin. ‘Musculus’, in Latin, means ‘little mouse’.
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
notopalantir.goodlawproject.org/email-to-tar...
notopalantir.goodlawproject.org
Say no to Palantir in the NHS
NHS England is rolling out software to run our health records from Palantir - fight back
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Oregon Zoo @oregonzoo.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Egg-cellent news! The first California condor eggs of the season have been laid at our wildlife conservation center, and more could be on the way.
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 07/02/2026
‘A charming, entertaining glimpse into the lives of unjustly scorned animals.’ Beauty of the Beasts comes out in the UK on Feb 26th, and in the US on April 28th! 🥳 Pre-orders and shares very welcome! #booksky #nonfiction @chiffchat.bsky.social www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
kirkusreviews.com
BEAUTY OF THE BEASTS | Kirkus Reviews
Sharks and mosquitoes get their time in the spotlight in this lively natural history.
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Let’s pretend - the animal version! Fascinating new study finds that Kanzi (the superstar bonobo) can play along on a make believe tea-party, keeping track of imagined juice and grapes. Extremely cool work! 👏 Looking forward to seeing if the same is found in other individuals/species.
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Doug Parr @dougparr.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Extreme weather disasters and climate tipping points aren't in economic models of the impact of climate change on the global economy The result "is widespread complacency amongst investors and policymakers" We will all suffer as a consequence www.theguardian.com/environment/...
theguardian.com
Flawed economic models mean climate crisis could crash global economy, experts warn
States and financial bodies using modelling that ignores shocks from extreme weather and climate tipping points
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
And, incredibly, me! Yes, Beauty of the Beasts is included in New Scientist’s best new popular science books of Feb 2026 🤯 *pinches self*
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
Veronika has been promoted 😆
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
‘Why would anybody write a book about the creatures that people don’t like? That’d never sell. Well, reader, I did just that…’ Beauty of the Beasts comes out next month! 🥳 Find out more and pre-order here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beauty-of... 🦈 🐊 🐍 🕷️ 🦟 🐛 🐝 🐀 🪳 @chiffchat.bsky.social
Image of book entitled Beauty of the Beasts on a purple background with the text, ‘Rethink the repulsive: Discover the hidden beauty of nature’s most misunderstood animals’
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Science Friday @scifri.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
We’re working on a story about how children’s immune systems and microbiomes develop and we want to hear from you. Have you let your kids eat food that was dropped on the ground? 🍭 Argued with grandparents about cleanliness? 🧼 Saw your child do something incredibly gross? 🤢 Call us at 877 4 SCIFRI.
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 02/02/2026
‘The risks have become too extreme to be ignored.’ www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on risks from biodiversity collapse: warnings must be heeded before it’s too late | Editorial
Editorial: Inadequate food supplies and collapsing rainforests must be recognised as national security threats – not pigeonholed as green issues
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Haha, these words might come back to bite me 🤣 Though I suspect the lack of engagement is more about my nonexistence here. Fortunately, social media abilities rarely correlate with book writing abilities! But given it comes out 4 weeks today, I’d love a bump, if you didn’t mind sharing the below 🥳
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George Monbiot @georgemonbiot.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Please spread this far and wide, as stories don't get much bigger than this. When the government blocks even the intelligence services from telling us we're heading for environmental catastrophe, you know we have a problem. A very big problem. Thank you. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
The UK government didn't want you to see this report on ecosystem collapse. I'm not surprised | George Monbiot
It took an FOI request to bring this national security assessment to light. For ‘doomsayers’ like us, it is the ultimate vindication, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
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Hannah Bourne-Taylor *Author*Bird Campaigner @hannahbournetaylor.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
Tears of joy! SCOTLAND HAS JUST PASSED SWIFT BRICKS INTO LAW unanimously! 4 years of asking England & Scotland sorts it in a month led by ACE ⁦‪ MARK RUSKELL MSP‬⁩ ♥️The RELIEF is unreal! Tell England to follow 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿by emailing PlanningPolicyConsultation@communities.gov.uk now!WOOP!
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 27/01/2026
‘Why would anybody write a book about the creatures that people don’t like? That’d never sell. Well, reader, I did just that…’ Beauty of the Beasts comes out next month! 🥳 Find out more and pre-order here: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/beauty-of... 🦈 🐊 🐍 🕷️ 🦟 🐛 🐝 🐀 🪳 @chiffchat.bsky.social
Image of book entitled Beauty of the Beasts on a purple background with the text, ‘Rethink the repulsive: Discover the hidden beauty of nature’s most misunderstood animals’
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Jennifer Molidor @jennifermolidor.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Coyotes are such fascinating, maligned animals. As generalists, they survive in every environment, from the wilds of Yellowstone and Yosemite to urban streets and suburban neighborhoods. Now they’re swimming to Bay Area islands. First it was Angel Island… now The Rock? www.sfgate.com/local/articl...
sfgate.com
San Francisco coyote swims to Alcatraz for first time ever
"This was the first time our park biologists observed anything like this."
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 19/01/2026
Yes, it’s a cow using a tool! And in a remarkably goal-oriented, flexible way - Veronika appropriately used the bristles end for scratching her back, and the smooth pole end for her delicate under bits. V cool observations on an animal many people think is stupid 👏 www.cell.com/current-biol...
cell.com
Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow
Osuna-Mascaró and Auersperg report flexible, multipurpose tool use in a cow, expanding the known range of mammalian tool users and underscoring overlooked cognitive capacities in livestock.
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UN Environment Programme @unep.org · 17/01/2026
🌊 A historic moment for the ocean. The #HighSeasTreaty has officially entered into force, marking a new era in the protection of our shared ocean. Learn how you can take action for the High Seas: highseasalliance.org
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Bodleian Libraries @bodleian.ox.ac.uk · 14/01/2026
COMING SOON: Pets & their People explores why humans keep animals close, and what our evolving relationships with pets may reveal about ourselves. 🗓️ 11 March – 27 September 2026 📍 Weston Library 🎟️ Free admission Find out more: visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/pets-…
Promotional poster for 'Pets & Their People' exhibition at Weston Library, part of the Bodleian Libraries. Features a close-up illustration of a cat with a ruffled red collar.
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David Shiffman, Ph.D. 🦈 @whysharksmatter.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
The red dot is a baby North Atlantic right whale trying to migrate up the east coast of the United states. The blue streaks are fast moving shipping vessels entering and leaving New York City harbor. One collision and the whale is dead. We need *mandatory* speed limits for these vessels! 🧪🦑🌍
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 09/12/2025
According to the mining company involved, “The notion the mine can kill an orangutan directly has proven to be quite false.” In other words, ‘No no, it’s nothing to do with us, because didn’t you know that we’re not actually out there bludgeoning orangutans to death?’ 🤦🏻‍♀️
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Zack Labe @zacklabe.com · 10/11/2025
📣 We just released a new free resource at @climatecentral.org - a 72-slide deck introducing key facts about climate change, including its causes, impacts, and solutions. It also comes with speaker notes and links for local storytelling. ➡️ www.climatecentral.org/climate-matt... (English & Spanish)
Screenshot of at least 20 slides on Climate Change: Key facts from Climate Central.
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BTO | British Trust for Ornithology @btobirds.bsky.social · 06/11/2025
Worrying reports of bird flu (avian influenza) are coming in, including an outbreak in Whooper Swans in the Fens. Other waterbirds are also being affected, and cases are rising. 📷 Sick Whooper Swan by Kane Brides #UKBirding #BirdingWales #BirdingScotland
Whooper Swan sick with bird flu in a field, photograph by Kane Brides
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
I’m just a poppy, Standing in front of a person asking, Why TF am flowering in November??
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Dr Charlie Gardner @charliejgardner.bsky.social · 28/10/2025
In 1850 the weight of all the world's wild mammals equalled the weight of humans and our livestock Today they are outweighed 1 to 20 Reconfiguring life on this planet to produce cheap meat and dairy www.nature.com/articles/s41...
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Jo Wimpenny @jowimpenny.bsky.social · 26/10/2025
Here it is! So happy to announce that my next book, Beauty of the Beasts, will be released by Bloomsbury Wildlife on Feb 26th (April 28th in the US). And I couldn’t be happier with this stunning cover, designed by Abby Cook, which works so well to show a vilified creature in a beautiful way 😍
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Rainforest Action Network @ran.org · 16/10/2025
Despite the global pledge to stop deforestation by 2030, agricultural industries have received $409 BILLION in annual subsidies. 20m acres of forest were cleared last year as a result. We need finance funneled towards climate solutions NOT the problems. #DefundDeforestation bit.ly/475IIJh
theguardian.com
‘Dismal' health of world's forests is threat to humanity, report warns
Financial institutions pouring money into land clearance and undermining efforts to stop destruction, says Climate Focus
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The Revelator @therevelator.org · 12/10/2025
From poisonings to collisions with power lines, vultures face many threats. But as they decline, so does their ability to control the spread of deadly diseases. Here's how one country is working to save them: therevelator.org/saving-zimbabwes-v…
therevelator.org
Saving Zimbabwe’s Vultures • The Revelator
From poisonings to collisions with power lines, these birds face many threats. But as they decline, so does their ability to control the spread of deadly diseases.
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