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Animals rescued from bombed-out zoo
FOUR PAWS helping a surviving animal
More than 80 animals died when a zoo in northern Gaza was severely damaged by airstrikes.

FOUR PAWS are helping the surviving animals of Al-Bisan Zoo in the North of the Gaza Strip

An emergency team from the international animal charity FOUR PAWS is helping the surviving animals of Al-Bisan Zoo in the North of the Gaza Strip by providing urgently needed medical treatment.

More than 80 animals died when the zoo was severely damaged by airstrikes during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. A FOUR PAWS emergency team, led by Dr Amir Khalil and local supporters, are now providing help to the 20 surviving animals.

Because FOUR PAWS is well connected in the region, zoo manager Shady Hamad officially asked the organisation for help because the surviving animals had been left without water or food.  

Very concerned about the state of the zoo, Dr. Amir Khalil said: "Most of the enclosures have been severely damaged. There are several dead animals lying around the enclosures. The few surviving animals, among them three lions, are traumatised, ill and very weak."

Equipped with antibiotics, worming medicine and disinfectants, the emergency team is now administering medical treatment on site. Food deliveries have been arranged from Gaza and the team is also restoring the water supply by repairing pipes. As the lions enclosure was damaged, the team are first focusing on making the enclosure secure and undertaking security measures.

The Sinai Peninsula and the border area between Egypt and Israel, suffer frequent terrorist attacks. Dr Khalil said: "We had to plan the operation from Cairo, working with the Egyptian authorities and local NGOs. The team's safety was our top priority. We were finally able to reach the Gaza Strip accompanied by military convoy."

It is not yet clear if the zoo will be able to carry on.  Dr. Khalil added: "We will now assess whether the lions can be transferred to a safe place outside Gaza as well as finding a solution for the other remaining animals." FOUR PAWS say that this is likely to be decided in the next few days.

Image © FOUR PAWS

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.