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Bubble machine is a hit with zoo’s penguins
The bubble machine is a "firm favourite" with penguins, said zoo keeper Lorna Moffat.
Colony filmed chasing and popping bubbles 

Edinburgh Zoo’s penguin colony has been caught on camera playing with their new bubble machine on Penguin Awareness Day (20 January).

The colony of more than 130 birds can be seen waddling around their enclosure, chasing after the bubbles and trying to pop them.

Penguin keeper Lorna Moffat said the colony “enjoy lots of different types of enrichment, from their water slide to their floating platforms” but the bubble machine is a “firm favourite”.

It was given to the zoo as a Christmas present via its Amazon wishlist for the animals.

“All three of our penguin species loved playing with the bubbles, especially our youngest rockhopper chick who was taking part for the first time,” Lorna added.

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is home to Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool. It plays an important role in penguin conservation around the globe through Project Pinnamin, which is a collaboration between RZSS, the British Antarctic Survey, RSPB, Tristan Conservation and the Government of South Africa.

Together, they are spearheading research into the endangered northern rockhopper and the factors affecting its population numbers on Tristan da Cunha, in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Image © RZSS/Siân Addison.
 

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.