http://stampedeinternational.org/

Stampede International, London (2026)

21/03/2026

Hi everyone!

In honour of World Buzzard Day we are taking a closer look at one of the most recognisable birds of prey in the British countryside. Once driven out of large parts of the UK through persecution, buzzards have slowly returned and are now a familiar sight circling above fields, hedgerows and woodland edges.

Buzzards are broad winged raptors that spend long periods riding thermal air currents, scanning the ground below. Their call, a high drawn out mewing sound, is often heard when they are circling overhead.

Unlike some raptor species that specialise in one type of prey, buzzards are opportunistic hunters. They feed on small mammals such as voles and rabbits, but will also take reptiles, birds and carrion when available. This flexibility is one of the reasons they have been able to adapt to the rapidly changing landscapes of the UK.

This varied diet makes buzzards an important part of the countryside ecosystem. By feeding on rodents they help regulate populations that if left unchecked, can damage crops and vegetation. Their scavenging behaviour also helps remove carcasses from the landscape, recycling nutrients and reducing the spread of disease.

Do you see more buzzards, or other raptor species where you live?

biodiversity stampedeinternational stampede

05/03/2026

Earlier this week we celebrated World Wildlife Day, a day dedicated to recognising the incredible diversity of life on Earth and the urgent need to protect it. One of the species most in need of that protection is the pangolin.

Pangolins are unique mammals found across Asia and Africa. Covered in tough keratin scales, they are the only mammals in the world with this natural armoured adaptation. In the wild they spend their nights searching for ants and termites using powerful claws and long sticky tongues to reach deep into termite mounds.

Pangolins are now among the most threatened mammals on Earth. All eight species are catastrophically affected by illegal wildlife trade, with habitat loss adding further pressure across much of their range.

Pangolins play an important ecological role across their habitat, helping regulate insect populations and consequently maintain healthy soils. Protecting them means more broadly protecting the ecosystems they help sustain.

Pangolins have existed on earth for millions of years. Let’s ensure they’re here for millions more.

stampedeinternational stampede

28/02/2026

Did you know that there are fewer than 100 Javan rhinos left in the wild? It is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth, and the entire remaining population exists in just one national park in Indonesia.

But this hasn’t always been the case. The Javan rhino once roamed across the entirety of South East Asia, from India to the islands of Indonesia. However today it is confined to a small stretch of forest in Ujung Kulon National Park, leaving the entire species vulnerable to a single disease outbreak, natural disaster or surge in poaching.

Unlike their African relatives, Javan rhinos are elusive and rarely seen. They live in dense lowland rainforest, feeding on shoots, leaves and fallen fruit. Camera traps are now one of the only reliable ways to monitor them, and every new calf captured on film represents a significant conservation milestone.

Poaching for rhino horn, driven by the illegal wildlife trade, has devastated populations in the past, with habitat loss and fragmentation further reducing their already limited range. With numbers so low, restricted genetic diversity is also an increasing concern for conservationists.

There is no second population to fall back on. Protecting the Javan rhino requires intensive monitoring, strict anti poaching enforcement and safeguarding every hectare of remaining habitat. With fewer than 100 individuals existing in one protected area, the margin for error could not be smaller to ensure their survival.

stampedeinternational stampede

13/02/2026

The mountain gorilla is one of the most recognisable endangered mammals in the world, yet its survival hangs in the balance. Found only in two small regions of Central Africa, the Virunga Mountains and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, these great apes live in high altitude forests shaped by mist, rain and dense vegetation.

Mountain gorillas live in close family groups led by a dominant silverback. They spend much of their day feeding on leaves, shoots and stems, meandering slowly through the forest as they forage. Their social bonds are strong and long lasting, with young gorillas learning vital skills from their elders through play and observation. These groups are not only important for survival, but also for maintaining the structure and health of the forest ecosystem they inhabit.

In the past, mountain gorilla numbers fell sharply due to habitat loss, disease and direct persecution. As human populations expanded, forests were cleared and gorillas were pushed into ever smaller areas. Today, threats remain. Encroachment, climate change and the risk of diseases passed on from people continue to put pressure on these isolated populations.

There is, however, cautious optimism. Long term conservation efforts, including habitat protection, veterinary care and carefully managed ecotourism, have helped mountain gorilla numbers slowly increase. Rangers and local communities play a crucial role in monitoring groups and safeguarding the forests they depend on for survival.

stampedeinternational

24/01/2026

Hello everyone!

While it may feel as though nature is still sleeping at this time of year, the coming months will bring a steady increase in birds returning to the UK as we edge closer to spring. Below are just a few of the species arriving back from migration that we can look forward to seeing across our countryside and coastlines.

Skylark
Many skylarks are resident, but large numbers migrate south in winter and begin returning from February onwards. Their song is often one of the earliest sounds of spring over farmland and open countryside.

Oystercatcher
Some UK breeding oystercatchers winter further south and start returning to coastal and inland breeding sites from February. Their loud piping calls are a familiar sign of the breeding season approaching.

Lapwing
Lapwings begin to return to breeding fields and wetlands from late February into March. Their tumbling display flights are one of the clearest indicators of early spring in the countryside.

Ringed plover
Many winter along southern coasts and start moving back to UK breeding beaches and gravel sites in February and March.

Sand martin
One of the earliest long distance migrants. The first sand martins often arrive in the UK in March, sometimes late February in mild years, returning from wintering grounds in sub-Saharan Africa.

Chiffchaff
Often the very first small migrant warbler to arrive. Some overwinter in the south of the UK, but numbers increase sharply from late February as birds return from southern Europe and North Africa. Their simple song is often the first warbler call of the year.

Which birds are you looking forward to seeing again when spring rolls around?

migratingbirds

21/12/2025

Say thank you for the music today🎶

Our fabulous feathered friends help us through the shortest days, colder conditions and long winter nights - with their powerful and heartfelt songs. ❤️

Today on and ❄️ we are supporting our friends - recognising the vital research they do all year round.

❄️

winterwildlife

07/12/2025

❓Have you ever heard of a dugong ❓

🐟The dugong is a marine herbivore closely related to manatees and is the only strictly plant-eating marine mammal. It lives in the warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, where it relies on extensive seagrass meadows for food. By grazing on these meadows, which are important carbon stores, dugongs help maintain the heath of seagrass communities, which in turn support diverse fish and invertebrates.

🎣Unfortunately dugong populations have continued to decline throughout much of their range. Habitat loss is a major concern, as seagrass beds are fragile, and prone to damage by coastal development, pollution and increasingly frequent extreme weather events. Collisions with boats and accidental capture in fishing gear also heavily threaten the species.

🚨In several regions, illegal hunting continues to be a significant driver of population declines. Dugongs are frequently taken for their meat and, in some areas, for traditional use. These pressures are especially severe in places where enforcement is limited and where small, isolated populations are already vulnerable to disturbance.

🤝Conservation work focuses on protecting key seagrass habitats, reducing fishing bycatch and supporting community-led monitoring. Research into population genetics and dugong movement patterns is helping to identify priority areas for protection. In locations where measures have been implemented, dugongs have shown encouraging signs of stabilisation.

💙🌊Protecting the dugong means safeguarding coastal ecosystems that support livelihoods, biodiversity and the overall health of tropical seas.

05/12/2025

The saiga antelope is one of the most distinctive ungulates in the world.

Its large flexible nose is adapted to filter dust during the dry summer months and warm cold air during the harsh winters of Central Asia. Once widespread across the steppes, saiga populations are now confined to fragmented ranges in Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia.

Saiga are highly specialised grazers that move in large migratory herds, following fresh plant growth across the steppe. These movements help maintain grassland structure and nutrient cycling, making the species an important ecological driver in one of the world’s largest temperate ecosystems.

Despite this, saiga numbers have declined severely. Unregulated hunting for meat and horns, along with habitat degradation, led to dramatic population crashes during the twentieth century. More recently, mass mortality events caused by bacterial infections, exacerbated by unusual humidity and temperature shifts, have resulted in sudden losses of tens of thousands of animals. Climate change is expected to increase the frequency of these conditions.

Conservation efforts are now underway across the saiga’s range. These include strengthened anti-poaching enforcement, community-based monitoring, disease research and the protection of migratory corridors. Encouragingly, several populations have shown signs of recovery where sustained protection is in place.

Safeguarding the saiga means preserving a keystone species of the Eurasian steppe and the delicate ecological processes that depend on it.

01/12/2025

Have you ever heard of a pangolin?

It might just be one of the most unusual mammals we have here on Earth. Instead of fur, it’s covered in tough keratin scales, the same material found in human nails. There are eight species of pangolin found across Asia and Africa, and all are under serious threat.

Pangolins are nocturnal and feed almost entirely on ants and termites, using their long, sticky tongue that can be longer than their body. When threatened, they curl into a tight ball, their scales forming an almost impenetrable shield against natural predators. Sadly, that defence is useless against humans.

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals in the world. They are hunted for their meat and scales, which are used illegally in traditional medicine. Habitat loss is compounding further pressure, pushing several species close to extinction.

Conservation groups such as and are working hard to strengthen anti-poaching measures, rescue and rehabilitate confiscated animals, and raise awareness. Protecting them also helps safeguard the forests and grasslands they inhabit, by keeping the fragile ecosystem in balance.

Every pangolin safeguarded represents hope for one of the most unique and misunderstood creatures on our planet.

06/11/2025

The plate-billed mountain toucan is one of the most colourful birds in the Andes, with powder blue feathers, a golden face and a bright bill patterned with yellow and red. It lives high in the cloud forests of Ecuador and Colombia, where mist hangs in the trees and moss carpets the branches.

Sadly, this striking bird is now endangered. Vast areas of Andean forest have been cleared for farming and cattle grazing, leaving only small patches of suitable habitat for them to reside. As these forests disappear, so does the toucan’s home.

The plate-billed mountain toucan is more than just beautiful. It plays a vital role in the forest ecosystem by spreading seeds from the fruit it eats, helping new trees grow and keeping the forest diverse and healthy. Without it, the balance of this delicate habitat begins to falter.

Conservation groups such as and @ fundacion_jocotoco are protecting key areas of cloud forest and working with local communities to restore what has been lost. Every patch of forest saved gives this toucan and countless other species a better chance of survival.

22/10/2025

Did you know that the Iberian lynx was once the most endangered cat species in the world?

By the early 2000s, fewer than 100 individuals remained in the wild, confined to small areas of southern Spain and Portugal. Habitat loss, road collisions and a drastic decline in their main prey, the European rabbit, brought the species to the edge of extinction.

Thanks to years of conservation work, the population has been slowly recovering. Captive breeding, habitat restoration and reintroduction programmes have helped the Iberian lynx reclaim parts of its former range. There are now more than 2,000 individuals in the wild, a remarkable achievement, but the species is still considered endangered and remains vulnerable to disease and human activities.

The Iberian lynx plays a vital role in the ecosystems it inhabits, helping to keep prey populations balanced and healthy. Protecting this species means protecting entire landscapes across the Iberian Peninsula.

Organisations such as and continue to lead efforts to secure the lynx’s future. Their work shows that even the rarest species can recover with enough care, collaboration and time.

07/10/2025

Hi everyone!

As the days grow shorter and temperatures start to drop, winter can be a difficult time for many of our beloved garden songbirds. Species like robins, wrens and blue t**s rely heavily on finding enough food and shelter to make it through the colder months.

Robins are a familiar sight in winter gardens, but it is also a challenging season for them. Many young robins do not survive their first winter, often due to food shortages and freezing conditions. With natural insect numbers falling and ground frost making foraging harder, birds must spend much of their energy just staying warm.

There are simple ways we can help. Putting out a mix of seeds, mealworms and fat provides much-needed calories, while keeping birdbaths ice-free ensures a source of fresh water. Dense shrubs, hedges and nesting boxes also offer shelter from cold winds and predators.

Even small gardens or balconies can become vital refuges for songbirds in winter. Supporting them through the season helps ensure they return each spring to fill our gardens with song once again.

Stampede International

21/03/2026

05/03/2026

28/02/2026

13/02/2026

24/01/2026

21/12/2025

07/12/2025

05/12/2025

01/12/2025

06/11/2025

22/10/2025

07/10/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Organisation

Shortcuts

Featured

Share

Category