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California bill to ban orca breeding and performances
orca
'California can serve as a model for other states, including Florida and Texas where other orcas are displayed, to end the confinement in concrete boxes of these magnificent top ocean predators.'
Legislation has been sent to the state governor

California State Legislature has passed a bill that would ban the breeding and theatrical performances of captive orcas in the state. It would also prohibit export of the animals outside California.

Individuals, corporations or institutions who break this law would be guilty of a misdemeanour, punishable by a fine of up to $100,000.

The bill was co-sponsored by the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and three former SeaWorld trainers - Samantha Berg, Carol Ray and John Hargrove. It has now been sent to state governor Jerry Brown.

Commenting on the bill's approval, the AWI said in a statement: 'California can serve as a model for other states, including Florida and Texas where other orcas are displayed, to end the confinement in concrete boxes of these magnificent top ocean predators.'

Assembly member Richard Bloom first introduced the bill in 2014, at which time it was opposed by SeaWorld Entertainment, which holds 11 orcas at its San Diego site.

Since then, amid mounting public pressure, SeaWorld voluntarily announced it would end its captive orca breeding programme, and lifted its opposition to the bill.

The company said it had worked with Mr Bloom on the legislation but '[does] not have a position on the bill itself'.

According to a statement from SeaWorld, the bill will allow it to rescue and rehabilitate stranded orcas, with the intention of releasing them back into the wild. But if the federal government deems the animal to be non-releasable, it may stay in SeaWorld's care.

The company says it is making the changes called for in the legislation.

Next year, SeaWorld San Diego is set to introduce a new orca experience. Called 'orca encounters', the company says it will focus on the natural world, including research, care and education.

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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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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.