Michael Broad

Celebrated matador ‘stabbed’ up the arse by bull he was fighting

MikeB — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:56:45 +0000

For an animal lover, bullfighting is barbaric. Simple. But it is enmeshed into the culture of Spain. The majority of Spanish people are against it but major bullfights still attract big audiences. The Spanish are often keen hunters too which can lead to conservation issues. ...

Wide, green bridges extend habitat for UK wildlife – Cockcrow Green Bridge

MikeB — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:22:39 +0000

Roads invariably fragment large habitats which makes certain species more vulnerable in terms of survival. The idea therefore behind green bridges is to repair road or railway fragmented habitats with wide, green bridges allowing the wildlife on one side of a road to travel to ...

10 reports of suspected fox poisoning in London in 2025 (RSPCA)

MikeB — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:59:50 +0000

I have always thought that there is a cadre of individuals living in London who hate foxes – “they are pests” – and spend a considerable amount of time and energy trying to kill them, most often by poisoning as it is the easiest way ...

Breakdown on why oil prices have risen because of the Hormuz mess

MikeB — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 17:44:18 +0000

The worldwide news today, 13th April 2026, is the price spike of oil due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It is affecting all countries because it is very inflationary. So why does the price of oil rapidly and devastatingly rise when supply ...

Notes on animal welfare 2026: progress in a sea of suffering

MikeB — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 13:57:10 +0000

Re: the above video. From YouTube: “A U.K. animal rescue agency was forced to verify that a startling photo of dozens of rescue dogs crammed into an abandoned living room space was real, after many thought it was AI-generated. The Royal Society for the Prevention ...

California bans both the farming and sale of farmed octopus products

MikeB — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 07:41:59 +0000

California has recently enacted a groundbreaking law that bans both the farming and sale of farmed octopus products. Signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 27, 2024, this legislation, known as the Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act, aims to address ethical and environmental concerns ...

Kenyan farmers keep elephants away with bees

MikeB — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 08:42:46 +0000

In a novel method to prevent elephant incursions onto farmland in Kenya, they have tapped into the elephant’s dislike of bees by lining fences with beehives which have proved to be an effective deterrent to the animals. The idea for elephant-proof fences guarded by bees ...

Critically endangered parrots ‘escape’ from London Zoo for a 60-mile adventure

MikeB — Tue, 29 Oct 2024 08:05:08 +0000

A female pair of two-year-old, critically endangered, blue-throated macaws native to Bolivia, flew away from London Zoo described as ‘escaping’ but it seems to me they simply flew away because they have a routine session of flying freely at the zoo. On this occasion they ...

Halloween is a plastic pollution horror show

MikeB — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 05:56:43 +0000

The UK has adopted America’s attitude towards Halloween. The Americans love it, it seems to me. They celebrate Halloween with gusto. They spend lots of money and have a lot of fun. Great to have fun but not so great if it is at the ...

Microchipped tortoise survived recycling plant thanks to his shell

MikeB — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 06:46:37 +0000

I think the reason why Pee Wee, a Herman’s tortoise survived the full effects of a recycling plant is because of his shell (details below). Such a great form of protection. It is remarkable how he survived. Pee Wee arrived at Mid-UK Recycling Centre in ...