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Campaigners closer to ending circus suffering in Guatemala
Six tigers including two cubs were rescued from the circus on Saturday.

Six more tigers transferred to a temporary rescue centre 

Campaign group Animal Defenders International is celebrating the rescue of six tigers from a circus in Guatemala.

The organisation said that adult females Bimbi and Lupe, parents Itsa and Sombra and their two unnamed cubs were removed from the circus on Saturday.

The move forms part of ADI's efforts to help enforce the country’s ban on animal circus acts. Since rescue efforts began, ADI has removed a total of 21 lions and tigers from circuses across Guatemala and just one circus with animals now remains.

ADI removed two lions and nine other tigers from the most recent circus back in June, but the circus refused to hand over the six tigers. ADI, which is working closely with the government's Animal Welfare Division, promised that it would not leave the tigers behind.

ADI president Jan Creamer said: “We vowed to not let these six tigers down, and we kept our word. ADI’s mission is to ensure that no animal will suffer in circuses in Guatemala ever again. With the public’s support, we can save them all.”

The rescued animals have been transferred to a spacious temporary rescue centre filled with enrichment to keep the animals entertained and healthy. Once their documentation is complete, they will be moved to a 450+ acre ADI sanctuary in South Africa.

The first nine tigers rescued by ADI have been offered permanent homes in the US, and ADI is actively seeking permanent homes for the six new tigers.
Donations towards the rescue effort can be made at https://donate.ad-international.org/guatemala

Image (C) ADI International

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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.