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Underpass built for blue penguins
blue penguins
Blue penguins are the world's smallest penguin, standing at approximately 30cm tall.
Tunnel helps New Zealand penguins avoid cars and tourists 

A colony of little blue penguins in New Zealand now have their own private underpass to protect them from traffic and tourists.

Blue penguins are the world's smallest penguin, standing at approximately 30cm tall and weighing just 1kg. They breed on the coastal mainland and islands of New Zealand and southern Australia.

The blue penguin colony in the South Island town of Oamaru, previously had to cross a busy road to commute between their nests and the sea, putting them at risk from cars and inquisitive tourists.

According to media reports, construction of the tunnel was completed in September and was supported by the local district council, tourism body and private businesses.

Little blue penguins enjoying their new tunnel © Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony:

 

Image by: JJ Harrison (jjharrison89@facebook.com)/Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0

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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.