The Truth About Wildlife

Date: 16 June 2011

BU’s Professor Adrian Newton features on BBC documentary.

Bournemouth University Ecologist, Professor Adrian Newton, joined wildlife television presenter Chris Packham on a trip through the New Forest examining the habitat of the Pearl Bordered Fritillary and other stunning butterfly species.

Once a flourishing butterfly habitat, the high deer population in many English woods has resulted in a worrying decline. This is because the deer graze on the plants the butterflies feed from.

Considering the New Forest, Professor Newton said: “People used to flock here in their hundreds to just to come and look at the butterflies. It was one of those Victorian crazes, but this is where they came.”

But Professor Newton’s hopeful that good woodland management could see a return to the butterfly glory days. He said: “They need food plants and nectar sources. So what do the plants need? They need a well-lit woodland, they need light coming in and they need not to be eaten. It’s as simple as that!”

Professor Newton and The Truth About Wildlife aired on BBC1 yesterday and can be viewed here.