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Escaped pet mistaken for a bear
coati
Members of the public reported sightings of a "small bear-like animal" in February.

Coatimundi returned home after two months on the run

A runaway exotic pet has been mistaken for a small bear, causing quite a stir among the residents of a small town in Buckinghamshire.

Sightings of a "small bear-like animal" were reported in and around the Marlow area during early February. It was eventually established that the creature was in fact a coatimundi that had escaped from a nearby home two months previously.

Three gardens in particular appear to have been favoured destinations for the coati. RSPCA officers say they had to use a humane trap (usually used for capturing injured animals) to catch the wily creature.

Animal collection officer Dennis Lovell said: "Thanks to the help of the nearby householders we were able to keep an eye on the trap and as soon as he was in there I was able to go down, collect him and return him to his owners.

"Considering he had been on the run for around two months he was in a very good condition and it was lovely to be able to reunite him with his owners."

Coatis originate in South America and, like many exotic pets, can be challenging to look after.

Image © RSPCA

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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.