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Birthday party provides enrichment

Zoo's cheetah cubs tear into meaty presents

A birthday party has been thrown at Whipsnade Zoo, part of the London Zoological Society (ZSL), on behalf of its resident cheetah cubs.

Celebrating their first birthday, the six cubs were given wrapped presents full of meaty treats that they tore into, along with a cardboard birthday cake.

The birthday party was part of the zoo's enrichment programme for each of its animals, which encourages them to build a curious, playful nature and actively hunt for their food as they would in the wild.

Rosie Scott, a zookeeper at Whipsnade, said: "It's not often we get to celebrate six birthdays in one day, so we wanted to do something special for the cubs.

"They love investigating new things and had great fun working out how to reach the food inside their presents."

The six Northeastern African cheetah cubs were the second litter for mother Dubai and the second to ever be born in the UK.

Image courtesy of ZSL

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.