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Zambia lifts hunting ban
elephant
Zambia has lifted a 2013 ban on hunting - meaning wildlife, with the exception of big cats, can now be hunted for sport.
Animals excluding big cats now fair game

Zambia has lifted a 2013 ban on hunting - meaning wildlife, with the exception of big cats, can now be hunted for sport.

Zambian minister for tourism and arts Jean Kapata announced that the ban in 19 hunting blocks would be lifted with immediate effect. The ban had originally been put in place in 2013 following controversy over a flawed tendering process for safari-hunting concessions and fears for the population levels of big cats species.  

The move has sparked a furious backlash on a Zambian tourism website with some potential travellers threatening to boycott the country, but the government and the Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) believe they have lost revenue following the ban and that it has had a negative impact on the local communities.

There has also been debate around whether money from tourists paying to hunt big game on a quota-basis can mean funding for other conservation projects, and create an incentive to look after game and deter poaching.

ZAWA spokesperson Readith Muliyunda said that the ban on hunting of lions and leopards remained in place. "Hunting will be conducted under laid down conditions and strict supervision from ZAWA."

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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.