All primates have large brains and that includes us. Although I seriously wonder sometimes whether this is true of some people. Yesterday, I had to reprimand a young man (I’m slowly but surely turning into father) in Vauxhall while crossing a busy main road. The numpty in question, decided the quickest route to cross three […]
February 14, 2011
She’s an ageing red-head, who’s had three “husbands” and four kids, but Nénette’s life is far from fulfilled. Unlike most Parisian women her age, she is not a lady of leisure, she is in fact a prisoner in her own home. The 40-year orangutan is the subject of the latest documentary by Nicolas Philibert, famed for […]
February 12, 2011
My friends know only too well how much I adore quality food and wine. It’s a passion that has been a near obsession for the last 15 years and it’s one that the Northerner shares. He’s not a meat-and-potato-pie kinda man, well……not everyday of the week (and it depends who’s made it and if there’s gravy). […]
February 7, 2011
Since 1996, one hundred and forty park rangers have been killed by rebel militia, for trying to protect Virunga National Park and the species within it. According to the charity, the Gorilla Organization, the park has suffered more ranger deaths than any other protected area in the world and in recent weeks the violence has escalated due […]
February 5, 2011
This year I’m hoping to fly back to Africa to film the work being done at Mefou Sanctuary in Cameroon. I’m keen to experience and see first hand how different West Africa is to East Africa, as well as looking at the differences in the various sub-species of chimpanzees from other geographical areas. Believe it or […]
February 3, 2011
Three years ago an ex-colleague of mine told me he was packing in the daily grind of sports reporting in London, for a more laid back, adventurous lifestyle in sunny Buenos Aires, Argentina. The home of football, the Tango (the dance, not the revolting carbonated drink) and some of the best beef money can buy. […]
February 1, 2011
Over the weekend a meeting held by conservationists from the UK and America took place at Chester Zoo. The event organised by Fauna and Flora International (FFI) North-West group, highlighted growing concerns that the number of endangered species being smuggled out of Africa, in particular primates, are being trafficked by international criminal gangs already involved […]
January 31, 2011
For the last 30 years scriptwriters, directors, actors and anyone interested in creating original independent film projects have headed to Park City in Utah, America, for the Sundance Film Festival in January. It’s an event considered by some in the industry as one of the best platforms to showcase American and international film. Throughout its history […]
January 28, 2011
He weighs 220kg, is 21 years old and can look you square in the eye. Ambam, a Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), who was born in the UK, can walk like a human. Gorillas are part of the great ape family and usually move around on all fours (quadrupedal – knuckle walking) but Ambam, a […]
January 26, 2011
I started learning the Joanna (piano, for those unfamiliar with Cockney-Rhyming slang) age 6. The sight and sound of those shiny black and white keys was both intriguing as well magical. Although I don’t play that much any more, I’ve developed a better appreciation for classical music now, than I ever had before. My favourite instrument has always […]
February 17, 2011
2