New species of river dolphin discovered in Brazil

A bittersweet story emerged today when it was revealed that a new species of river dolphin was discovered in Brazil- but it is already endangered.

River dolphins are among the world's rarest creatures, and there are thought to be about 1,000 of them living in the Amazon. The Yangtze river dolphin became extinct in 2006.

The new species- Araguaian Boto, named after the Araguaia river basin where it was discovered- is the first new species of river dolphin to be discovered in nearly a century.

Unfortunately, the species is expected to be categorised on the vulnerable list, as they are at high risk of being shot by local people, as they eat fish supplies, robbing fishermen of their livelihood.

WWF announces Earth Hour 2014

WWF have announced that their Earth Hour 2014 will take place on March 29th.

At 8.30pm, people around the world will switch off their lights for an hour to show their support for environmental issues.  Earth Hour began in one city in 2007, when the people of Sydney in Australia switched off their lights. In just 7 years it has become an annual, global movement; Last year, 154 countries took part, and celebrities including Jessica Alba, Al Gore, McFly and Amanda Holden have all pledged their support.

Take a look at WWF's great list of things to do in the dark during Earth Hour. Will you be taking part?

BOOK REVIEW: Hunting the Hunters

Laurens de Groot's biographical book, Hunting the Hunters, is published in the UK today, and is well worth a read.

Hunting the Hunters is the story of a campaigner and activist working for Sea Shepherd , the marine wildlife conservation organisation which aims to put whale hunting to a stop.

I was fortunate enough to receive a preview copy of the book, and despite not having a keen interest in whale-hunting beyond my general conservation interest, I couldn't put it down. De Groot's dramatic yet truthful, humorous yet heartbreaking account of life onboard some of Sea Shepherd's vessels is well worth a read, as much for what it says about human nature for the insight it gives into whale hunting, and his passion is inspirational. Can't recommend it highly enough.