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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 17th November 2015
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Wildlife 'already affected by climate change'
Kittiwake
Climate change is a factor in the 70 per cent decline in kittiwakes, the RSPB says.
RSPB report explores the rising threats to wildlife

Europe's wildlife is already being impacted by climate change and the effects are set to get worse over the next hundred years, according to a new report by the RSPB.

The charity has reviewed and compiled the available evidence for its report, The Nature of Climate Change. It shows how some of Europe's best-loved wildlife is already under threat.

RSPB's director of conservation Martin Harper, said: "Climate change is the greatest long-term threat to people and wildlife. We are already seeing its impacts and, alongside other pressures on land and at sea, our wildlife is increasingly at risk."

Extreme weather events, for example, are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. Severe weather can be damaging for wildlife; wet and windy springs can cause mass deaths in shags, a cormorant-like seabird.

Wildlife is also having to move northwards and uphill to find suitable conditions as climates change. According to the RSPB, species may be forced to move into areas where there is no suitable habitat.

Habitats must be provided to enable wildlife to move, the charity added. By 2100, a third of Europe's bumblebee species could lose 80 per cent of their range.

A key part of addressing this is the creation of new protected areas, whilst managing the existing areas and making the wider landscape more wildlife-friendly.

Climate change is also causing species to diverge in terms of numbers, location and timings. Changing sea conditions in the North Sea are having a knock-on result for plankton populations, affecting their predator, the sand eel, which is a source of food for kittiwakes (a small gull).

RSPB says climate change is therefore a factor in the 70 per cent decline in the UK's kittiwake populations.

Mr Harper added: "The report has a clear message that the world's governments need to act on fast, to limit climate change."

Read The Nature of Climate Change: http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/natureofclimatechange_tcm9-409709.pdf

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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.