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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 17th November 2017
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Major project set to save species from extinction
The project will also help 200 species that are under threat, including hedgehogs.
Collaborative programme aims to help over 200 species

A ground-breaking new project has seen UK wildlife charities and conservation bodies come together for the first time, in a bid to save threatened species from extinction.

The ambitious programme, Back from the Brink, aims to rescue 20 species that are on the cusp of extinction. It will also help another 200 species that are under threat, including the grey long-eared bat, pine marten, willow tit, lesser butterfly orchid and hedgehog.

Natural England chairman Andrew Sells said: “This project is nothing short of a revolution in conservation. Never before have so many people pledged to work together to save so many of England’s individual plants and animals. It comes not a moment too soon for many important species and draws together a wide range of people and organisations.”

Back from the Brink has been made possible by £4.6 million funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Launching the project in Windsor, conservationists and volunteers prematurely aged specially selected trees, to create much-needed homes for thousands of creatures at Great Windsor Park. This involves simulating exposure to the elements and fungi that a tree would expect to see over the course of a century, in just one afternoon.

Over 2,000 species in the UK are dependent on ancient trees, but this important habitat is in decline as not enough younger trees are maturing in time to fill the gap when existing ancients pass away. As a result, species that rely on deadwood and ancient trees will have no new habitat in which to live.

Buglife’s tree experts have found a number of trees that, with a little work, can take on the features of ancients, ensuring the many rare species found in the park continue to have a suitable habitat.

School children, college students and local volunteers will also be planting native trees in the park.

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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.