Nic Rawlence
@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social
Associate Professor, palaeoecologist, and science communicator @Otago Ancient Ecology Lab Mātai Hauropi Tawhito using ancient DNA and palaeontology to reconstruct past ecosystems.
Dr Jake Kotevski didn't become a palaeontologist because of a fossil. He became one because of Sam Neill. New episode out now.
So, is _now_ a good time for us to see all the wildlife risk assessments and response plans? Asking for lots of ecologists and other experts. First Australian mass mortality event suspected as deadly bird flu virus rapidly escalates among native birds www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...
First Australian mass mortality event suspected as deadly bird flu virus rapidly escalates among native birds
Helicopter surveillance finds dead and dying greater crested terns off South Australian coast as H5 virus spreads
theguardian.com
Professor Euan Ritchie FAMS@euanritchie.bsky.social · 6d agoH5N1 (bird flu) is now spreading through resident Australian wildlife. Why have the full details of federal, state, and territory risk assessments and response plans _still_ not been released to the public? Are the plans adequate? Full statement - australianmammals.org.au/files/1608_b...
Essential reading from @nicgaston.bsky.social Luxon wants to ‘brutally commercialise’ science, but cuts threaten its foundation newsroom.co.nz/2026/07/30/l...
Luxon wants to ‘brutally commercialise’ science, but cuts threaten its foundation
Comment from Auckland University: Decades of research funding cannot be replaced by funding the commercialisation of that science
newsroom.co.nz
The new paper from the RIVAGE working group is out 🎉 Check a summary of our findings on island exposure to global change here ➡️ link.growkudos.com/1f0hyldthq8 Or access the full paper here ➡️ www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/... 🌐 Maps of biodiversity threats on islands for 2050 ✅ @frbiodiv.bsky.social
Island biodiversity disproportionately exposed to global change
Island ecosystems are biodiversity-rich, but face an alarming level of exposure to global change. We found that by 2050, climate change will be the dominant threat for 65% of islands; 22% will be affected primarily by land-use change; and 13% will face greater threats from biological invasions. We call for these ecosystems to be incorporated into global biodiversity conservation strategies and for their protection to be strengthened.
link.growkudos.com
"Emeritus professor and the study's lead author David Norton said deer populations have grown back to levels seen in the 1950s and 60s. He told RNZ the decline might not be visible straightaway. He said deer were hollowing out forests of food sources which support forest ecosystems."
Rising deer numbers drive decline in native forests - research
Ecologists are calling for a deer management strategy, as a new report finds the pests threaten native forests' regrowth.
rnz.co.nz
Sam Neill's iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in #JurassicPark is a huge inspiration to generations of children & palaeontologists, so this #FossilFriday we want to know how he inspired your scientific career. Let us know your thoughts & RT theconversation.com/how-sam-neil... - @heapsgood.bsky.social
How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of palaeontologists
As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For many budding paleontologists, it was life changing.
theconversation.com
Sam Neill's iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in #JurassicPark is a huge inspiration to generations of children & palaeontologists, so this #FossilFriday we want to know how he inspired your scientific career. Let us know your thoughts & RT theconversation.com/how-sam-neil... - @heapsgood.bsky.social
How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of palaeontologists
As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For many budding paleontologists, it was life changing.
theconversation.com
Check out @sally-foundafossil.bsky.social interview with @news.abc.net.au about how Sam Neill's performance as Dr Alan Grant inspired her career in palaeontology www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMv7.... You can read @heapsgood.bsky.social & my tribute to Sam here theconversation.com/how-sam-neil...
ABC Drive Interview - Sally Hurst and the impact of Sam Neill on palaeontology
YouTube video by Found a Fossil
youtube.com
While my dreams of becoming a paleontologist were thwarted by divorce, grief, and economic turmoil, I don't regret having Sam Neill's Alan Grant as my first role model. Before his portrayal, Hollywood paleontologists were often comic relief or close to mad scientists. He showed the right way.
Nic Rawlence@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social · 2w agoSam Neill's iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in #JurassicPark has been a huge inspiration to generations of children & palaeontologists (incl. myself), so Michael Mills (@heapsgood.bsky.social) & I decided we should write a tribute to the dinosaur man theconversation.com/how-sam-neil... 1/2 🧵
Sam Neill interpretó a un científico auténtico, normal y con el que era fácil identificarse. Para muchos paleontólogos en ciernes, eso les cambió la vida.
La interpretación de Sam Neill en ‘Parque Jurásico’ inspiró a toda una generación de paleontólogos
En su papel en ‘Parque Jurásico’, Sam Neill interpretó a un científico auténtico, normal y con el que era fácil identificarse. Para muchos paleontólogos en ciernes, eso les cambió la vida.
theconversation.com
Check out @sally-foundafossil.bsky.social interview with @news.abc.net.au about how Sam Neill's performance as Dr Alan Grant inspired her career in palaeontology www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMv7.... You can read @heapsgood.bsky.social & my tribute to Sam here theconversation.com/how-sam-neil...
ABC Drive Interview - Sally Hurst and the impact of Sam Neill on palaeontology
YouTube video by Found a Fossil
youtube.com
🦖 "No cabe duda de que #JurassicPark inspiró un extraordinario aumento del interés por los #dinosaurios, los #museos y el mundo natural en general. Y para muchos, Alan #Grant nos demostró que ser paleontólogo podía ser una profesión real."
How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of palaeontologists
As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For many budding paleontologists, it was life changing.
theconversation.com
You can now read Michael Mills (@heapsgood.bsky.social) & my tribute to Sam Neill in Spanish (theconversation.com/la-interpret...) - thanks @theconversation.com bsky.app/profile/did:...
theconversation.com
Nic Rawlence@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social · 2w agoSam Neill's iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in #JurassicPark has been a huge inspiration to generations of children & palaeontologists (incl. myself), so Michael Mills (@heapsgood.bsky.social) & I decided we should write a tribute to the dinosaur man theconversation.com/how-sam-neil... 1/2 🧵
You can now read Michael Mills (@heapsgood.bsky.social) & my tribute to Sam Neill in Spanish (theconversation.com/la-interpret...) - thanks @theconversation.com bsky.app/profile/did:...
theconversation.com
Nic Rawlence@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social · 2w agoSam Neill's iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in #JurassicPark has been a huge inspiration to generations of children & palaeontologists (incl. myself), so Michael Mills (@heapsgood.bsky.social) & I decided we should write a tribute to the dinosaur man theconversation.com/how-sam-neil... 1/2 🧵
“I think it’s quite dangerous saying that these are ‘de-extinct’ animals,” Nic says. “Extinction is still forever, and to imply otherwise risks losing protection for threatened species and could provide an excuse for governments and industries for more environmental exploitation.”
Nic Rawlence@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social · 2w ago
Check out my interview on RNZ Nights about @heapsgood.bsky.social & my tribute to Sam Neill's inspirational performance in #JurassicPark as the dinosaur man Dr Alan Grant www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro.... You can also check our @aunz.theconversation.com piece here theconversation.com/how-sam-neil...
How Sir Sam Neill inspired a generation of palaeontologists
Sam Neill's portrayal of Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park impacted one profession in particular - palaeontologists.
rnz.co.nz
I helped write some words with @nicrawlencenz.bsky.social about the impact of Sam Neill's portrayal of Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. Here are those words, including some delightful quotes from some of our palaeo pals.
Nic Rawlence@nicrawlencenz.bsky.social · 2w agoSam Neill's iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in #JurassicPark has been a huge inspiration to generations of children & palaeontologists (incl. myself), so Michael Mills (@heapsgood.bsky.social) & I decided we should write a tribute to the dinosaur man theconversation.com/how-sam-neil... 1/2 🧵
Check out my interview on RNZ Nights about @heapsgood.bsky.social & my tribute to Sam Neill's inspirational performance in #JurassicPark as the dinosaur man Dr Alan Grant www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro.... You can also check our @aunz.theconversation.com piece here theconversation.com/how-sam-neil...
How Sir Sam Neill inspired a generation of palaeontologists
Sam Neill's portrayal of Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park impacted one profession in particular - palaeontologists.
rnz.co.nz
The passing of actor Sam Neill brought tributes from all over Aotearoa, including many paleontologists who saw his iconic character Dr Alan Grant from Jurassic Park as a vital career inspiration 💫 🦕🦖 One such tribute is from Professor Nic Rawlence ✨ Read here ⬇️
How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of paleontologists
As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For many budding paleontologists, it was life changing.
theconversation.com