19 May 2023
The last accepted sighting of the South Island kōkako was in 1967, and it was declared extinct in 2007 – but a potential sighting that same year led to its reclassification, and a charitable trust set up to find it has been searching for the bird ever...
19 April 2023
Orchids seem unique in how they inspire such a devoted following, but why are these much-loved plants so diverse and widespread, wonders Penny Sarchet
14 December 2022
It is hard not to feel despondent about what we have lost from the natural world, but as Wild Wild Life columnist Penny Sarchet looks back at 2022, she finds some reasons for hope
16 November 2022
Some bird species fly vast distances to enjoy an almost unlimited summer. We are still learning about how they evolved and how they know where to go, finds Penny Sarchet
19 October 2022
Shops are stocking up on pumpkins for Halloween. While I haven't always been a fan of squashes, I've been charmed by how such unlikely fruits came to spread worldwide, says Penny Sarchet
21 September 2022
Even at this time of rapid extinction, there are many species to be discovered, but we need to take care over what we mean when referring to "new species", says Penny Sarchet
9 November 2021
Octopus djinda is caught in fisheries and eaten by people, but has only now been recognised as a separate species from another Australian octopus
20 May 2021
Those breastfeeding in the UK have been given the green light to get vaccinated against covid-19, but how might it affect babies, asks Penny Sarchet
1 June 2018
Newspaper reports have hailed a blood test for detecting several types of cancer as the “holy grail of cancer research”, but it is far from accurate enough
16 March 2018
A type of electrical skull stimulation makes us step out faster with longer strides – a finding that could help people with balance disorders to walk more easily
