CATEGORIES

Does cloning create identical copies?

EMBRYOS ARE MADE OF STEM CELLS that divide to give rise to different types of cells, everything from skin to brain cells. Scientists once thought that reproductive cloning creating a genetically identical copy of an individual organism - would be impossible without using stem cells and that the path leading to mature 'differentiated' cells was irreversible. But clawed frogs proved them wrong...

Tool-using animals

Our pick of 10 species that exhibit this special skill

Mission Blue

Sylvia Earle has dedicated her life to marine conservation; she tells BBC Wildlife why protecting the ocean is essential to all life on earth

"To save the reef, we need everybody involved"

Indigenous peoples may hold the key to protecting the Great Barrier Reef

Springwatch

The seasonal spectacular returns to BBC Two

Blowin' in the wind

Seek out cottongrass on high ground

SPINNING AROUND

Going around in circles proves fruitful for this filter-feeder

MARK CARWARDINE

\"Any environmental campaigner who does protest risks imprisonment\"

GILLIAN BURKE

\"Is damaging habitats to fuel the green transition justified?\"

RESHARK

The world's first shark rewilding initiative has seen zebra sharks released in the waters of Indonesia's Raja Ampat archipelago

On the bench

Being picked as the \"fourth man\" to support a three-man Olympic team, ready to step in at any moment in the competition, requires a resilient and unflinchingly sportsmanlike mindset.

Games making

Equestrianism will be in the thick of the action in Paris, but the logistics of hosting Olympics in the heart of an iconic city are a challenge. Kate Johnson asks organisers, riders and grooms for their memories of urban Olympic sites

Shropshire farmer creates nature-positive woodland

With funding and expert advice from the Woodland Trust's MOREwoods scheme, Mark Lea and his wife Liz planted 800 trees on an unproductive area of their land to support wildlife and climate adaptation, and supply wood fuel for their biomass boiler.

Do chickens really experience empathy?

This month, Paul Donovan turns his attention to the psychological side of poultry behaviour, and investigates whether hens sense empathy – a trait indicative of mammals.

How to create a hen-friendly garden

The British Hen Welfare Trust share their top tips to strike a perfect balance.

Care of the fleece begins at shearing time

Claire Boley gives a guide to sorting and storing a fleece so it’s in good condition for spinning

How to deal with Pests the Natural Way

Lee Senior says create a healthy predator-prey balance in your garden

You can help protect baby birds this breeding season

The RSBP says you can help all nesters but particularly watch out for ground nesting birds many of which are under threat

Grow Your Own refreshing brews

Mel Thomas says there are so many possibilities from your own back garden

'Pride? I just felt relief

Blyth Tait on jumping barn roofs, \"freezing\" in the Atlanta heat and the day his eight-year-old prodigy won Olympic gold

Getting started with Alpacas

Welcome to our Alpaca Special where we focus on this versatile and attractive animal! In this in-depth feature, we look at management, explore the many reasons to keep alpacas and highlight understanding behaviour.

Concerning view of British native breed Pig and Poultry

Mixed picture of British native equine breeds with Welsh Pony Sec B joining the At Risk group

We're going on an alpaca walking experience

Cathy Darcey & Stuart Woolley share their journey with alpacas – and other animals – to make a business out of something they love doing

Riders warned as social media scammers pose as horse events

Fake profiles purporting to be major equestrian events have been sending out friend requests

Concerns and delight as live export for slaughter banned

The royal assent of the bill has been welcomed, but there could be a potential loophole

First British Olympic entries are announced

The eventing team for Paris will be selected from these 12 combinations

'Olympic selection will be very difficult

Graham Fletcher assesses team hopes for Paris, and a royal faux pas

Some gender imbalance remains in horse sport

The FEI has discussed how to address any disparity between genders, and ensure the sport is for everyone

'Our sport revolves around money'

Pammy Hutton on the spirit of competition and words of caution

Smallholding profile: Pocket House Studio

Helen Babbs visits a thriving Hebridean croft and weaving studio