Nature

Earlier this week Peter Cairns, director of one of the charities involved, condemned the illegal release.

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Police 'searching for answers' after 2 big cats captured in UK

Rats look for warm homes in winter and they might think your garden makes the perfect nest

Rats look for warm homes in winter and they might think your garden makes the perfect nest

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Garden experts share 7 tips for keeping rats out of the garden

The Aurora Borealis have stunned the nation this year, with dazzling light displays being visible as far south as Dorset, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire

The Aurora Borealis have stunned the nation this year, with dazzling light displays being visible as far south as Dorset, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Berkshire

Northern Lights

'Once in a decade' Northern Lights display could hit UK in 2025

Extreme weather has impacted many sites in 2024, the National Trust has said

Extreme weather has impacted many sites in 2024, the National Trust has said

National Trust warns its heritage sites are 'at risk' due to extreme weather

The top walks for Swindon's Christmas Day ramblers

The top walks for Swindon's Christmas Day ramblers

The top nearby walks for Christmas Day ramblers

Scientists believe they have found '99% proof' of big cats roaming around the UK

Scientists believe they have found '99% proof' of big cats roaming around the UK

Big cat sightings

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Scientists discover '99% proof' up to 100 big cats are prowling UK countryside

A meteor shower. The Geminids meteor shower is expected to peak some time in the next 48 hours

A meteor shower. The Geminids meteor shower is expected to peak some time in the next 48 hours

Best time to see the year's 'most spectacular' meteor shower this weekend

The Geminids are named after the constellation Gemini, located between Taurus and Cancer, and northeast of Orion.

The Geminids are named after the constellation Gemini, located between Taurus and Cancer, and northeast of Orion.

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Swindon 'one of England’s best stargazing spots' ahead of Geminid Meteor Shower

The swan was caught by police after it caused traffic on the busy M4

The swan was caught by police after it caused traffic on the busy M4

Police catch swan that caused M4 motorway havoc

White Tailed Eagle above Lepe

White Tailed Eagle above Lepe

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Delight as UK's biggest bird of prey spotted again

Longleat Safari Park is looking to bring hippos back to the Wiltshire estate

Longleat Safari Park is looking to bring hippos back to the Wiltshire estate

Cultural attractions

Longleat plans for return of hippos with application for new accommodation

Northern Lights earlier this year

Northern Lights earlier this year

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Northern lights could be visible tonight as amber alert issued

Families can visit National Trust for free this winter

Families can visit National Trust for free this winter

How to get a free National Trust pass worth up to £50 this winter

Bat numbers have been on the decline in the UK over the last century

Bat numbers have been on the decline in the UK over the last century

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What is a bat box and how do they work?

Stargazers across the country have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, several times already in 2024.

Stargazers across the country have been lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, several times already in 2024.

Met Office reveals when and where Northern Lights 'may be visible' this weekend

The spider was on the verge of extinction in the UK in 2010

The spider was on the verge of extinction in the UK in 2010

Zoo releases 'thousands of giant spiders' the 'size of your hand' into wild

A photo of the steppe grey shrike hunting and killing a giant vole that 60-year-old Mark Begg captured on his Nikon d500.

A photo of the steppe grey shrike hunting and killing a giant vole that 60-year-old Mark Begg captured on his Nikon d500.

'World's smallest bird of prey' spotted killing 'giant rodent'

The baby capybara triplets inspecting a pumpkin

The baby capybara triplets inspecting a pumpkin

Cotswold Wildlife Park

Cotswold Wildlife Park's new arrivals enjoy first Halloween

The town centre has now been cleared after a tree collapsed on Monday morning

The town centre has now been cleared after a tree collapsed on Monday morning

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Aftermath of collapsed 40-year-old tree in town centre

The 10 'unsettling' animals secretly living in your home including 'invisible' mites

A family living in Swindon were alarmed to see a large spider forming a web in their kitchen

A family living in Swindon were alarmed to see a large spider forming a web in their kitchen

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Family horrified to find UK's most venomous spider in their home

Clouts Wood to reopen to the public - but only a part of it as safety fears remain

Clouts Wood to reopen to the public - but only a part of it as safety fears remain

Wood to reopen to the public after closure caused by dangerous diseased trees

Have you seen any other meteor showers this year?

Have you seen any other meteor showers this year?

'Extra special' meteor shower peaks across the UK TONIGHT - how to see

Snakes are in the attics of Uk homes (stock image).

Snakes are in the attics of Uk homes (stock image).

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Snakes are living in attics and walls of UK homes and laying eggs

Tarantulas have been found in the UK (stock image).

Tarantulas have been found in the UK (stock image).

Household items to scare away large spiders coming into your home

A number of mushrooms that grow in the UK are toxic to dogs

A number of mushrooms that grow in the UK are toxic to dogs

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UK dog owners issued mushroom warning as autumn arrives

The spider was on the verge of extinction in the UK in 2010

The spider was on the verge of extinction in the UK in 2010

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RSPB confirms huge spider thought to be extinct is making a comeback

MAPPED: Big cat sightings

MAPPED: Big cat sightings

Big cat sightings

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Big cats 'nearer than you think' as 'panther' sightings mapped

The native pine marten captured on camera at Longleat

The native pine marten captured on camera at Longleat

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Native pine marten caught on camera at Longleat

Tarantulas have been spotted in the UK (stock photo).

Tarantulas have been spotted in the UK (stock photo).

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Big spiders coming into Wiltshire homes as UK tarantulas confirmed

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Man who 'no one believed' films poisonous snakes 'crawling around' UK

A tarantula looks similar to purseweb spiders

A tarantula looks similar to purseweb spiders

BBC scientist confirms tarantulas are in the UK during spider season

The 'world's deadliest chick' favourite food has been revealed in the Cotswolds

The 'world's deadliest chick' favourite food has been revealed in the Cotswolds

World's deadliest chick filmed eating favourite food in Birdland

Plane lace bugs have been known to bite people causing a mild rash.

Plane lace bugs have been known to bite people causing a mild rash.

Nasty 'biting bug' spotted in UK for first time in 18 years sparks 'serious concern'

The false widow spotted in Basingstoke

The false widow spotted in Basingstoke

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Dad has lucky escape after spotting 'monster spider'

Children from Horningsham Primary School pick acorns to be planted and grown into oak trees

Children from Horningsham Primary School pick acorns to be planted and grown into oak trees

Children plant acorns to watch them grow into trees

As autumn arrives, what do the trees currently look like in your street?

As autumn arrives, what do the trees currently look like in your street?

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What causes the leaves to change colour in autumn?

Walkers should be especially cautious.

Walkers should be especially cautious.

Warning to walkers as surprisingly deadliest creatures in the UK revealed

The southern cassowary chick at Birdland Park & Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water

The southern cassowary chick at Birdland Park & Gardens in Bourton-on-the-Water

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Update issued on ‘world’s deadliest chick’ hatched at Costwolds park

Can conkers deter moths? Here's how you can use conkers to keep moths away from your home

Can conkers deter moths? Here's how you can use conkers to keep moths away from your home

Do conkers keep moths away from your home?

As someone with a fear of spiders, I tested out the £1.40 hack to keep spiders out of your home, available from most supermarkets and online

As someone with a fear of spiders, I tested out the £1.40 hack to keep spiders out of your home, available from most supermarkets and online

Homes and interiors

This is the £1.40 hack for keeping spiders out of your home - but does it work?

Garages and outbuildings can make the perfect new home for unwanted visitors like rats and mice

Garages and outbuildings can make the perfect new home for unwanted visitors like rats and mice

Homes and interiors

Top tips for keeping rats away from garages and outbuildings

Barbury Castle in Swindon

Barbury Castle in Swindon

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Best hikes in and around Swindon as town ranks in top 10

False Widows have long been established in the UK with first recorded siting in the UK coming in the 1870s

False Widows have long been established in the UK with first recorded siting in the UK coming in the 1870s

Warning issued over false widow spider as spider season hits

Pests can let themselves into our homes and gardens so it's important to make your home less appealing for them

Pests can let themselves into our homes and gardens so it's important to make your home less appealing for them

5 parts of your house that are most vulnerable to pest infestations

LOVE: House spiders are on the hunt for love in your home.

LOVE: House spiders are on the hunt for love in your home.

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Why spiders are scuttling in your house - and why they're so big

The Great Bustard is the iconic bird of Wiltshire

The Great Bustard is the iconic bird of Wiltshire

How one man saved the 'symbol of Wiltshire' from extinction - The Great Bustard

Brits are being urged to avoid these six birds as they are the UK's most dangerous.

Brits are being urged to avoid these six birds as they are the UK's most dangerous.

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Brits warned to stay away from 6 of the UK's dangerous birds

Before and after the temporary dam was put in place

Before and after the temporary dam was put in place

Canal & River Trust

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Update on 'disaster' that threatened empty Wichelstowe canal

The Newbury Show is a celebration of everything rural life has to offer

The Newbury Show is a celebration of everything rural life has to offer

Hot air balloons and vintage cars head to showground 30 minutes from Swindon

Silver-studded blue butterflies mating

Silver-studded blue butterflies mating

The butterfly to watch out for after beating the odds according to the National Trust

Kieran Sampler has shared stories of his rat-catching days including the time he responded to a woman who found a rat in her toilet while on the loo

Kieran Sampler has shared stories of his rat-catching days including the time he responded to a woman who found a rat in her toilet while on the loo

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Professional rat catcher recalls rat coming up a toilet while woman was on loo

Are Adders, Grass Snakes and Smooth Snakes protected in England, Scotland and Wales?

Are Adders, Grass Snakes and Smooth Snakes protected in England, Scotland and Wales?

Are snakes classed as a protected species in the UK? Everything you need to know

There are 22 spiders common to the UK and most of them are

There are 22 spiders common to the UK and most of them are

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Spider season is here: the 22 species you're likely to find in your home