Simon Hedges
@simonhedges.bsky.social
Conservationist for >30 years most of them spent working on human-wildlife coexistence and focused on elephants (and Banteng, Dhole, et al.) with WCS, IUCN, & CITES/MIKE. Now at ZSL working to maximize impact; views my own, https://linktr.ee/simonhedges1
Pinned
Simon Hedges
@simonhedges.bsky.social
· Jul 11
Interested in human-elephant conflict (HEC)? Then see the new paper by Carly Schwarz, Juliana Masseloux, and me on predicting HEC risk, based on work by @zslofficial.bsky.social and others:
doi.org/10.1016/j.ge...
#elephants #conflict #coexistence #risk #modelling
doi.org/10.1016/j.ge...
#elephants #conflict #coexistence #risk #modelling
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Really enjoyable conversation abut sex, biology, bodies, evolution, culture and more with Joy LaClaire at Forthright Radio from Radio Mendocino County Public Broadcasting forthright.media/2025/12/26/a...
Agustín Fuentes SEX IS A SPECTRUM: The Biological Limits of the Binary
This edition of Forthright Radio features Princeton University Anthropology Professor, Agustín Fuentes. His research focuses on the biocultural, delving into the entanglement of biological systems …
forthright.media
December 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Really enjoyable conversation abut sex, biology, bodies, evolution, culture and more with Joy LaClaire at Forthright Radio from Radio Mendocino County Public Broadcasting forthright.media/2025/12/26/a...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
The Trump administration have gutted science agencies, terminated research programmes and cancelled billions of dollars in grants to universities
go.nature.com/4pMeAuU
go.nature.com/4pMeAuU
Will US science survive Trump 2.0?
President Donald Trump and his administration have gutted science agencies, terminated research programmes and cancelled billions of dollars in grants to universities. What are the long-term impacts for the United States and the world?
go.nature.com
December 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The Trump administration have gutted science agencies, terminated research programmes and cancelled billions of dollars in grants to universities
go.nature.com/4pMeAuU
go.nature.com/4pMeAuU
Reposted by Simon Hedges
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
December 27, 2025 at 9:42 AM
This is literally what the Telegraph campaigned for.
Reposted by Simon Hedges
I really don‘t think it should be a difficult decision for MPs (or anyone else) to leave X. When Twitter was taken over by a guy who obviously had neo-Nazi sympathies, backed by money from Saudi Arabia I just left. I decided I wasn‘t going to contribute to the financial success of evil. It was easy.
Apparently staying on X allows MPs 'to shape political conversation'. Not clear which one, as no examples are offered. With a sharing link for 3 non-subscribers.
‘A stream of negativity and abuse’: why are Labour MPs still sticking with X?
Despite concerns, politicians continue to use Elon Musk’s platform in search of a ‘civilised debate’ with constituents
giftarticle.ft.com
December 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I really don‘t think it should be a difficult decision for MPs (or anyone else) to leave X. When Twitter was taken over by a guy who obviously had neo-Nazi sympathies, backed by money from Saudi Arabia I just left. I decided I wasn‘t going to contribute to the financial success of evil. It was easy.
Reposted by Simon Hedges
I’m clearly living in the past. 2026 intake!
Applications are open for UCL's M.Res. in Biodiversity, Evolution & Conservation, 2024 intake. Learn the latest scientific techniques for studying biodiversity jointly with UCL, the Natural History Museum, and ZSL. Details here: www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-...
December 23, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I’m clearly living in the past. 2026 intake!
Reposted by Simon Hedges
A Tunicate #Salp’s Last Supper. A swimming smorgasbord wrapped in glassy flesh #photography #UnderwaterPhotography
Link for more #photos and information: mossandfog.com/a-salps-last...
Link for more #photos and information: mossandfog.com/a-salps-last...
December 19, 2025 at 9:54 PM
A Tunicate #Salp’s Last Supper. A swimming smorgasbord wrapped in glassy flesh #photography #UnderwaterPhotography
Link for more #photos and information: mossandfog.com/a-salps-last...
Link for more #photos and information: mossandfog.com/a-salps-last...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Even by my low expectations for Kemi Badenoch ‘violence against women and girls is something done by immigrants and nobody else’ has shocked me.
Dog-whistle and factually incorrect. Ladies, raise your hand if you were sexually assaulted by a boy at school? I’d wager this or a family member is most women’s first experience of sexual violence
December 18, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Even by my low expectations for Kemi Badenoch ‘violence against women and girls is something done by immigrants and nobody else’ has shocked me.
Reposted by Simon Hedges
1. This short thread is about what I see as a serious breach of journalistic ethics, in the making of Sofia Pineda Ochoa’s online documentary Greenwashed. She interviewed me for the film, but neither before, during or after was I given any idea I would be its target. www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjWU...
GREENWASHED | Full Documentary [Official]
YouTube video by Dr. Sofia Pineda Ochoa
www.youtube.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:48 AM
1. This short thread is about what I see as a serious breach of journalistic ethics, in the making of Sofia Pineda Ochoa’s online documentary Greenwashed. She interviewed me for the film, but neither before, during or after was I given any idea I would be its target. www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjWU...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
If you’re looking for the perfect gift/s…
Apparently 2026 is the Year of Reading so do prepare yourself and friends/family for this important obligation by buying books for Xmas! Suggestions:
December 18, 2025 at 11:44 AM
If you’re looking for the perfect gift/s…
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Huh, I guess Labour doesn’t have a profound belief in the ‘fundamental freedoms which are the foundation of justice and peace in the world’ & isn’t much interested in collective enforcement of the UDHR after all. Bit of a shame really. So sick of this. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Starmer is lobbying Europe to join him in watering down the ECHR. This illiberalism will harm us all | Steve Valdez-Symonds
The prime minister and his counterpart in Denmark want a concerted effort to weaken human rights across Europe. This isn’t pragmatism – it’s cruelty, says Steve Valdez-Symonds, refugee and migrant rig...
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 8:24 AM
Huh, I guess Labour doesn’t have a profound belief in the ‘fundamental freedoms which are the foundation of justice and peace in the world’ & isn’t much interested in collective enforcement of the UDHR after all. Bit of a shame really. So sick of this. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Here's the recording of the Earth Rover Program's inaugural webinar, which was held on Friday. Sorry it took a few days to post up.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrE...
Global Launch of Earth Rover Program and Report Soilsmology: Transforming Our Understanding of Soil
YouTube video by Earth Rover Program
www.youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Here's the recording of the Earth Rover Program's inaugural webinar, which was held on Friday. Sorry it took a few days to post up.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrE...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfrE...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
How many times do we need to point this out?
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Starmer urges Europe’s leaders to curb ECHR to halt rise of far right
Exclusive: PM calls for members of European convention on human rights to allow tougher action to protect borders
www.theguardian.com
December 10, 2025 at 10:56 AM
How many times do we need to point this out?
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
By appeasing the far right, you do not weaken it. You strengthen it.
While weakening your own position.
There's a vast amount of academic research showing this.
But Labour will not listen.
www.theguardian.com/law/2025/dec...
Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Who Studied, and Protected, Elephants, Dies at 83
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Reposted by Simon Hedges
On January 14, I'll be interviewing the extraordinary @rutgerbregman.com in London. Tickets will go fast, so get yours while you can. howtoacademy.com/events/rutge...
December 8, 2025 at 7:28 AM
On January 14, I'll be interviewing the extraordinary @rutgerbregman.com in London. Tickets will go fast, so get yours while you can. howtoacademy.com/events/rutge...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
🌍🧪
🌊 Serendipity often drives science forward.
A “lost” Argo float drifted under Antarctica’s ice shelves and resurfaced with a warning: warm water is creeping under major glaciers like Denman and Totten.
What’s at risk? Up to 5 m of global sea-level rise.
theconversation.com/what-our-mis...
A “lost” Argo float drifted under Antarctica’s ice shelves and resurfaced with a warning: warm water is creeping under major glaciers like Denman and Totten.
What’s at risk? Up to 5 m of global sea-level rise.
theconversation.com/what-our-mis...
What our missing ocean float revealed about Antartica’s melting glaciers
Our ocean float spent years adrift in the Antarctic ocean and beneath massive ice shelves. What it found will help us estimate global sea-level rise.
theconversation.com
December 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
🌍🧪
Reposted by Simon Hedges
It's such a bizarre framing. Labour MPs think taking 450k kids out of poverty is putting the country first! That's why they wanted it to happen! It's not because they personally benefit.
Headline on The World at One just now:
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
"Sir Keir Starmer has denied putting the Labour Party before the country by ending the two-child benefit cap".
Can we please go back to reporting the actual news, not someone's partisan take on it?
November 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
It's such a bizarre framing. Labour MPs think taking 450k kids out of poverty is putting the country first! That's why they wanted it to happen! It's not because they personally benefit.
Reposted by Simon Hedges
🌍 How well does the private sector know its impact on nature?
New research reveals only a few tools can map risks to species & ecosystems in detail. Dive into the future of #BiodiversityDisclosure & why stronger, clearer tools are critical for conserving our planet’s biodiversity.
bit.ly/3XUSXMk
New research reveals only a few tools can map risks to species & ecosystems in detail. Dive into the future of #BiodiversityDisclosure & why stronger, clearer tools are critical for conserving our planet’s biodiversity.
bit.ly/3XUSXMk
New Study Evaluates Tools Empowering Private Sector to Disclose and Act on Biodiversity Impacts | Key Biodiversity Areas | Key Biodiversity Areas
Key Biodiversity Areas
www.keybiodiversityareas.org
November 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
🌍 How well does the private sector know its impact on nature?
New research reveals only a few tools can map risks to species & ecosystems in detail. Dive into the future of #BiodiversityDisclosure & why stronger, clearer tools are critical for conserving our planet’s biodiversity.
bit.ly/3XUSXMk
New research reveals only a few tools can map risks to species & ecosystems in detail. Dive into the future of #BiodiversityDisclosure & why stronger, clearer tools are critical for conserving our planet’s biodiversity.
bit.ly/3XUSXMk
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Nigel Farage has spent £1m taking out adverts in the papers to distract from the Nathan Gill Russian bribe scandal.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
November 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Nigel Farage has spent £1m taking out adverts in the papers to distract from the Nathan Gill Russian bribe scandal.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
We can't let him buy himself out of this. We need an investigation into Russian influence in our politics.
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Hugely disappointing, with world now on track to yet more heating & chaos, & poorest hit first & hardest. This process needs radically rethinking - meantime it’s vital that the Brazil-led coalition of the willing urgently delivers on plans to leave fossil fuels in the ground #COP30
November 22, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Hugely disappointing, with world now on track to yet more heating & chaos, & poorest hit first & hardest. This process needs radically rethinking - meantime it’s vital that the Brazil-led coalition of the willing urgently delivers on plans to leave fossil fuels in the ground #COP30
And only one vague mention of #rainforests despite being held in the Amazon! #CoP30
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
November 22, 2025 at 5:11 PM
And only one vague mention of #rainforests despite being held in the Amazon! #CoP30
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Communities living around a mountainous forest in southeastern Bangladesh, close to Myanmar, have reported cross-border incidents of elephant poaching for years but there was no confirmed evidence. A new study has now documented the first known physical signs of elephant poaching in the forest.
Researchers find evidence of elephant poaching in remote Bangladesh forest
Communities living around a remote, mountainous forest in southeastern Bangladesh, close to Myanmar, have reported cross-border incidents of elephant poaching for years but there was no confirmed…
news.mongabay.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Communities living around a mountainous forest in southeastern Bangladesh, close to Myanmar, have reported cross-border incidents of elephant poaching for years but there was no confirmed evidence. A new study has now documented the first known physical signs of elephant poaching in the forest.
Reposted by Simon Hedges
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
A quarter of Britain’s native plants are now at risk of extinction
The first update in two decades to a “red list” of plants found a substantial increase in the number of threatened species
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
The first update in two decades to a “red list” of plants found a substantial increase in the number of threatened species
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
November 5, 2025 at 9:38 AM
A quarter of Britain’s native plants are now at risk of extinction
The first update in two decades to a “red list” of plants found a substantial increase in the number of threatened species
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
The first update in two decades to a “red list” of plants found a substantial increase in the number of threatened species
www.thetimes.com/uk/environme...
Reposted by Simon Hedges
(if anyone would like to maybe start some sort of campaigning or pressure group of and on behalf of immigrants with ILR and settled status in Britain then I would be interested in helping, or indeed trying to get it off the ground myself, email in bio, etc)
October 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
(if anyone would like to maybe start some sort of campaigning or pressure group of and on behalf of immigrants with ILR and settled status in Britain then I would be interested in helping, or indeed trying to get it off the ground myself, email in bio, etc)
Reposted by Simon Hedges
People who have come to the United Kingdom legally, played by the rules and made it their home do not need to “go home”. This is their home.
I've written to Kemi Badenoch to give her the chance to reject these divisive calls from her frontbencher Katie Lam.
I've written to Kemi Badenoch to give her the chance to reject these divisive calls from her frontbencher Katie Lam.
October 22, 2025 at 8:32 AM
People who have come to the United Kingdom legally, played by the rules and made it their home do not need to “go home”. This is their home.
I've written to Kemi Badenoch to give her the chance to reject these divisive calls from her frontbencher Katie Lam.
I've written to Kemi Badenoch to give her the chance to reject these divisive calls from her frontbencher Katie Lam.