The BLT Episode 5: Knighty McKnightface

This week's BLT was pinned on the nation's favourite TV presenter, David Attenborough.

It's one for the animal lovers out there, filled with feel-good stories about environmentalists like David working to protect precious species.

If one of our featured stories caught your interest, read all about it in the BLT blog.

Sir Sir David's Latest Accolades

Back in 1985, David became Sir David, as he was knighted by the Queen. The two were born just weeks apart in 1926. This week, the wildlife legend received an even higher honour, being appointed a 'Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George' on behalf of Her Majesty, for his services to television on conservation. Read all about it here.

Even though he's 96, he continues to delight us with his nature documentaries, like his latest work Prehistoric Planet.

How Many Degrees?!

Obtaining one university degree is a massive achievement for most people, but David has no less than 32 honorary degrees from UK universities, more than anyone else.

When asked by a reporter how many degrees he had, he said with a smile, "It was rude to count".  

We wonder if he can name them all.

The Judges Have Ruled: Bumble Bees

Are Now Fish

A panel of three judges filed a ruling that bumble bees can be legally classified as fish.

Don't believe us? Read the full story here.

It might sound outrageous, but they did it for a good reason. State wildlife officials were being sued by agricultural groups for trying to list bumble bees as endangered. According to a legal loophole, bees, as invertebrates, can fall under the California Endangered Species Act definition of fish. Categorising bees as fish allows them to be better protected.

Brave and Diego Welcome A New Pup

Speaking of endangered species, staff at a Rhode Island Zoo have been celebrating the birth of a red wolf. Red wolves are the rarest wolf species; only 20 or so are estimated to be left in the wild due to habitat loss. With such critically low numbers, this pup is a big deal for the species' survival.

Born to parents Brave and Diego, the adorable pup is yet to be named.

Controlling Cows: There's An App For That!

The ancient Glentrool Oakwoods in southwest Scotland is a site of special scientific interest, but bracken has been limiting its growth.

In a bid to protect the site, virtual fence technology is being used. Cows fitted with electrifying GPS collars will receive shocks if they pass virtual boundaries to encourage them to trample over bracken. Forestry and Land Scotland hope this will allow the Oakwoods to flourish over the surrounding hills.

Glowworms Are Illuminating a Hampshire Hotel

The status of glowworms in Britain is not well documented, but the evidence we do have tells us their populations are shrinking. These confusingly named species are actually beetles, and they are suffering as a result of light pollution and the loss of wild meadows.

But a new project is breeding hundreds of these bioluminescent beetles to release them in the wild. More than 500 were released into wildflower meadows on the grounds of the Elvetham Hotel in Hampshire. Conservationists hope this will revive this enchanting species.

That's it for this week. We'll be back next Friday with more freshly delivered feel-good stories.

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