Latest news with #SteveBackshall
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
‘Plump' creature discovered in cloud forests of Ecuadorian Andes is new species
In the humid cloud forests of the Ecuadorian Andes — a dramatic landscape where enormous wax palms tower over moss-laden ground, and epiphytes, or plants that grow on other plants, appear to 'cover every surface'— researchers came upon a small creature perched on a fallen tree. 'Plump' and warty with a round body and short limbs, researchers have now confirmed the animal they encountered in the northern foothills of Cerro Candelaria Reserve is a new species of toad, according to a study published July 23 in the journal PeerJ. Osornophryne backshalli, or the Steve Backshall's Andean toad, is the first new species of the Osornophryne genus discovered in the last 14 years and the only one to exist south of the Rio Pastaza, representing a 'significant range extension,' researchers said. According to the study, fewer than six Steve Backshall's Andean toads have been discovered over the last 16 years, despite multiple surveys focused solely on documenting amphibians in the Cerro Candelaria region where it was discovered. This scarcity suggestions 'the species is relatively rare and has a low population density,' researchers said. All specimens were found at night among the leaf litter on the forest except for the first two, which were discovered perched on a tree trunk and a branch, according to the study. The new species is 'easily recognized by its brown coloration with yellow blotches on the belly,' distinct warts covering its body, and a 'short fifth toe,' all of which distinguish it from other known species in the genus, according to a news release from researchers. The new species was named in honor of explorer and television presenter Steve Backshall whose work has 'contributed directly to the conservation of the Corredor de Conectividad Llanganates-Sangay, the habitat of this particular species and many others,' researchers said. Experts said Cerro Candelaria Reserve was recently designated as a Protected Area within Ecuador's National System of Protected Areas. 'Efforts are now underway to incorporate new sections into the reserve, allowing it to be reclassified as a Wildlife Refuge,' researchers said. The research team included Juan P. Reyes-Puig, Miguel A. Urgiles-Merchán, H. Mauricio Ortega-Andrade, Diego F. Cisneros-Heredia, Julio C. Carrión-Olmedo and Mario H. Yáñez-Muñoz.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Extra date added for wildlife show in Dorset
Wildlife and adventure will take centre stage this October. Bournemouth is set to welcome Deadly Live!, the new UK arena tour from BAFTA-winning wildlife presenter Steve Backshall, based on the popular BBC series Deadly. An extra date has been added to the tour, with a show now scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 at the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC). Tickets are available now from Steve Backshall said: "I'm thrilled to be bringing Deadly Live! to arenas across the UK later this year for the very first time. READ: Classic and supercars to go on show in grounds of Dorset castle "We've got some amazing stunts and incredible experiments planned for this new supersized show for all the family, as we explore animals from 600 million years ago right through to modern day." The tour will visit 10 major arenas during the October half-term, kicking off in Newcastle on Friday, October 24. Deadly Live! promises an immersive experience for all ages, featuring big cats, birds of prey, Dinomania dinosaurs, snakes and more. Audiences can expect daring stunts, hands-on experiments, and the latest in wildlife science, all delivered in a fast-paced, interactive format. The show aims to entertain while educating audiences about the natural world and its most formidable predators.
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Loose Women star crashes out of Celebrity Bridge Of Lies as she's bested by true or false question - but can YOU solve it?
A Loose Women star has crashed out of Celebrity Bridge Of Lies after she was bested by a true or false question. Sunetra Sarker, 52, who has been a panellist on the ITV chat show since 2021, appeared on a recent episode of the star-studded version of the BBC quiz show. The show, hosted by EastEnders actor Ross Kemp, 60, sees teams of four must answer true or false questions to create a bridge across the floor. They do this twice - in an individual cash builder each before another round to determine if they will take the money home. Casualty and Ackley Bridge actress Sunetra appeared alongside naturalist Steve Backshall, 52, presenter Jason Mohammad, 51, and art expert Natasha Raskin Sharp, 39. Sunetra impressed for most of the programme, getting right to the final round and very close to winning the money for charity - before falling at this last hurdle. The Loose Women star, 52, who has been a panellist on the ITV chat show since 2021, appeared on a recent episode of the star-studded version of the BBC quiz show She chose the wrong answer, with the bridge lighting up red and Ross and her teammates all looking devastated for her. For the last, all-important question, the Loose Women star had been given four statements and she had to identify which one was true. The first two were that Virgo is the only star sign represented by a person and that white chocolate contains cocoa butter. The last two stated the first Red Nose Day happened before Live Aid and that Oddjob is the villain in the Bond film Thunderball. With the help of her teammate Jason, Sunetra had managed to narrow it down to two answers. He went straight in saying the first Red Nose Day definitely happened after Live Aid so this option could be ruled out. Sunetra soon chimed in to say Virgo is represented by an archer but symbols for other star signs like Gemini also contain people - so that statement must also be false. The pair agreed it was between the white chocolate and Oddjob options but were struggling to come down on either side. Oddjob, played by Japanese wrestler Harold Sakata (pictured), was instead the villain in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery as the lead spy In the end, they both erred on the side of Oddjob and Sunetra quickly moved to stand on that tile to create the next stage of her bridge. But after a long, excruciating pause, host Ross soon revealed it was a lie. Oddjob, played by Japanese wrestler Harold Sakata, was instead the villain in the 1964 Bond film Goldfinger, starring Sean Connery as the lead spy. Sunetra narrowly avoided embarrassment earlier in the episode too, when she nearly answered wrongly to a question about one of her Loose Women co-stars. One statement, about a beloved British sitcom, read: 'Tracey Stubbs is a character in Birds of a Feather.' The panellist guessed this was true and was extremely happy when Ross told her this happened to be correct. But she was taken aback when the presenter revealed: 'Yeah, she's played by Linda Robson - your fellow Loose Women star!' Linda was a panellist on the ITV lunchtime programme from 2012 to 2018 before returning in 2020 - a year before Sunetra joined the show. Sunetra said, shocked: 'You're kidding me! She'll never forgive me. Sorry!' It comes after Ross Kemp asked a very cheeky question on a recent episode of the show featuring another Loose Women star, Kaye Adams, 62. Kaye appeared on the show alongside Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins, 50, and presenters Ade Adepitan, 52, and Matt Allwright, 55. But it was Charlotte who shared the slightly risque moment with Ross, who read out a quiz category called 'horny animals' to her, which made her nervously giggle. The category name was soon clarified, with Ross explaining she would need to step on tiles that have animals with horns, antlers or tusks on them. 'The category is animals, what are we looking for?' Ross exclaims. After the category is revealed, Charlotte laughs, saying, 'Okay'. While Ross adds: 'Horny animals! We are looking for animals where the males or females usually have horns antlers or tusks.'
BBC News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ignore climate change deniers, says TV naturalist Steve Backshall
A television wildlife presenter said climate change "is happening" and people should ignore politicians and public figures who think otherwise. Steve Backshall was speaking as a guest at the Youth Climate Conference at Suffolk One Sixth Form College in Ipswich on Tuesday, which gave 250 young people from across the county the opportunity to engage in conversations about the climate. Previous speakers at the event includes Chris Packham, Megan McCubbin and activist Scarlett Westbrook. He said: "If you hear a politician or public figure trying to throw shade on the simple facts of climate change do not listen to another word they say in public ever again... it is happening." The event featured talks from the charity, Kids Against Plastic, workshops and advice from location environmental groups. Known for children's shows including Deadly 60, Backshall said it was a "great privilege" to share what he has experienced in his career, see how the planet is changing and feel a sense of hope. He said: "It's critical that someone in position recognises that climate anxiety is a real thing... especially for young people there is nothing that takes away your impetus to act, than just a sense it's all screwed and there's nothing we can do about it."People need to be empowered. They need to have a sense that they are important and the things they do can make a difference." Backshall said: "A young person who is energised, who has a purpose, who has a vision, who thinks they can make a massive change is the most exciting thing to be around on the planet."We hear endlessly about Greta Thunberg. Well there are tens of thousands of Greta Thunberg's in this nation along and 250 possible Greta's right here, sat right here today - the things they could achieve are boundless." The co-founder of Kids Against Plastic, Amy Meek, said young people play a "pivotal part" in tackling climate change and plastic pollution. She said: "Young people have this really infectious energy, especially kids who we often discount as being too young to really care about these issue... if we can mobilise that energy and that interest into actual positive action that can have a massive difference." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
My biggest challenge? Raising three young children in my 50s... TV adventurer Steve Backshall says fatherhood is harder than going up against crocodiles, sharks and hippos
He's the fearless adventurer who has wrestled with some of the world's most deadly predators, from 15ft crocodiles to killer sharks, and from venomous snakes to ferocious polar bears. But for wildlife expert Steve Backshall, it's at home where he faces his toughest challenge. The host of BBC 's Deadly 60, who is married to Olympic champion rower Helen Glover, admits that having three young children while in his 50s, is physically draining. He told The Mail on Sunday: 'I do wish I had the energy I had when I was in my 20s and 30s, to have the ability to sprint around playing football and rugby all day long with my kids, and for me to still be popping and buzzing with energy. 'But obviously I haven't and it's tough to keep going when you're 52 and you've got three kids under six. 'But I've got knowledge and experience and a whole array of things I can teach them about, help them with. 'Also I've got no choice! These are the cards that I was dealt, and I've got to make it work.' Backshall and Ms Glover, 38, have a son Logan, six, and five-year-old twins, Willow and Kit. He describes his wife as a 'mega-mum' and is proud that she was the first British female rower to go to an Olympic games after having children. Backshall, who presents a new podcast, That's Just Wild, said of his career: 'I think they are very excited by it and very proud – but also, the fact I go away a lot, they don't like at all. 'They really struggle with it. It's been hard ever since they could understand what I was doing. 'They would take me doing an office job and seeing me every day over me having this incredibly exciting job but always being away for long periods of time. Especially at the age they're at. 'Right now for this one little precious period of time in their lives all they want is to be with Mummy and Daddy.' Backshall, who took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, admits that he's an old fashioned father, saying: 'I do think that discipline and rules and structure are important for kids.
