Wildlife expert Chris Packham has warned that the UK's wildlife is in peril, with iconic species such as starlings, hedgehogs, and sparrows declining rapidly. He says that people may need to stop feeding garden birds to help protect them, as some foods can spread disease.
Packham, the BBC Springwatch presenter, highlighted that 41% of UK species have declined in the past 50 years due to urbanisation, agriculture, pollution, and climate change. He called for investment in science to understand why favourite animals are disappearing.
Among the most endangered species are red squirrels, threatened by disease from grey squirrels and habitat loss. Grey seals face pollution and overfishing, while beavers were almost hunted to extinction but are now making a comeback in Devon.
Packham advises people to log sightings of red squirrels on the Mammal Mapper app, keep dogs away from seals, and support campaigns for beaver reintroduction. He stresses that small actions can make a big difference in saving Britain's wildlife.
