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Critically endangered twin tiger cubs born
Melati with cub
Melati and her cubs, who have yet to open their eyes, are being watched around the clock by staff on ‘cubcam’.

ZSL London Zoo welcomes two new Sumatran tigers

Hidden cameras captured the moment seven-year-old tigress Melati gave birth to cubs on Monday 27 June. After a 108-day pregnancy, the first cub arrived at 9.19am followed by the second at 10.02 in ZSL London Zoo’s ‘Tiger Territory’.

Assistant curator of mammals, Teague Stubbington, said: “We’re overjoyed with our new arrivals, and with how Melati is responding to her two cubs”.

The cubs are a significant addition to a critically endangered population of Sumatran tigers, estimated at approximately 300 worldwide. A huge achievement for ZSL London Zoo’s flagship breeding programme, the two cubs provide optimism for the long term prospects of the species.

As a culmination of ongoing work in Indonesia, country manager Anjar Rafiastanto, said: “ZSL has been in Sumatra for more than 14 years, working with our government counterparts to increase the protection of Sumatran tigers. The birth of these two tiger cubs brings us hope for their long-term survival.”

Melati and her cubs, who have yet to open their eyes, are being watched around the clock by staff on ‘cubcam’, and remain largely hidden in special cubbing dens. Visitors to the zoo can still see father, Jae Jae, and may catch occasional glimpses of Melati when she emerges for food. Footage of the cubs will be revealed on ZSL’s YouTube channel.

Image © ZSL London Zoo
 

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.