Home  >  People Fixing the World  >  Saving seabirds and squirrels
People Fixing the World
Saving seabirds and squirrels
People Fixing the World
Nov 11, 2025

How do you save threatened species? This week we look at two novel solutions. In the UK, scientists are developing a unique contraceptive that will be fed in a nutty spread to grey squirrels, an invasive species that threatens the native red squirrel. And how scientists are moving albatross eggs thousands of miles from their low-lying home on Midway Atoll in the North Pacific to a Mexican island to try and protect the under threat Black-footed Albatross.

People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We release a new edition every Tuesday. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email [email protected]. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer/reporter: Claire Bates Editor: Jon Bithrey Sound mix: Hal Haines

(Image: Scientists remove albatross eggs in Midway Islands, Pacific, GECI)

More Episodes



Apr 14, 2026
Back from the brink: Uganda’s gentle giants

The eco-tourism that is helping to protect mountain gorillas in Uganda.

Myra Anubi is in Uganda visiting the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. It’s one of the few places that gorillas still exist in the wild, and even better, in recent years their numbers have actually been rising and they are no longer considered critically endangered.

This is partly down to the hard work of Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka and the Conservation Through Public Health organisation. They engage with communities living close to the gorillas, who were often poaching them and destroying their habitat, to help them better understand the animals and tap into the potential for eco-tourism. They also encourage other forms of enterprise, supporting local coffee farmers with training and investment.

Myra meets former poachers now involved in conservation and speaks with local farmers - often women - who look after the coffee plantations. She talks to the village conservation teams involved in protecting the gorillas. And of course, goes into the forest to get a glimpse of these incredible creatures herself.

People Fixing The World from the BBC is about brilliant solutions to the world's problems. We release a new edition every Tuesday. We'd love you to let us know what you think and to hear about your own solutions. You can contact us on WhatsApp by messaging +44 8000 321721 or email [email protected]. And please leave us a review on your chosen podcast provider.

Presenter: Myra Anubi Producer: Richard Kenny Editor: Jon Bithrey Sound mix: Andrew Mills

(Photo: A mountain gorilla in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Credit: Richard Kenny)


23min 14sec

Saving seabirds and squirrels

--:--
--:--