The sea of life...
What’s your favourite animal? It’s not the first time you’ve heard that question, and most of us have a stock answer at the ready. Mine, since you ask, is the polar bear. Of course, it’s of little importance to anybody but me which I choose, but that’s not the case for our cover star this issue, and the other species recently voted as the New Big 5 (p40). This new global initiative uses a popularity contest to raise awareness of the plight not just of the world’s top megafauna, but also that of the countless species that rely on this iconic quintet to maintain their ecosystems.
Elsewhere this issue, we’re making a splash about World Oceans Day on 8th June. Having grown up in North Devon, I’ve always felt a great affinity with the ocean, but have never managed to express the importance of the deep blue quite so beautifully as Gillian Burke does this issue (p54). We’ve bucket-loads more oceansrelated content dotted throughout the issue – look out for the blue ‘Oceans Special’ circle. For all of us, it’s vital that we cherish the oceans – after all, where would we be without them?
Paul McGuinness Editor
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June 2021
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Which species make up the New Big 5? (p40)
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