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Thousands back plan for first Scottish wildcat reserve
Scottish wildcats are 70 times more elusive than the giant panda.
Last remaining stronghold in Scotland is under threat from logging.

More than 800,000 people have backed a plan for the first-ever wildcat reserve in Scotland.

Estimates suggest there are only around 30 Scottish wildcats left in the wild, making them 70 times rarer than the giant panda. Their last remaining stronghold is in the Clashindarroch Forest, Aberdeenshire.

Wildcat Haven - the only organisation focused solely on protecting the wildcat in the wild - discovered a stronghold of 13 wildcats living in the forest. However, the whole area is under threat from logging by government agencies.

Wildcat Haven subsequently launched a petition to stop the logging of the Clashindarroch and make it a protected area. More than 813,000 people have now signed the petition, making it the biggest British wildlife petition of all time.

Dr Paul O’Donoghue said: "The Clashindarroch is the best site in Scotland for the wildcat and the population we have found there is utterly priceless and offers great hope for the future of the species.

"It is astonishing that the last stronghold is being destroyed by the very government that is supposed to be saving it. If there were 13 pandas in there then it wouldn’t be logged and so why is the magnificent Scottish wildcat suffering this fate."

A legal submission has been made to Scottish Natural Heritage setting out their duty to notify the site for designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) making the Clashindarroch the first and only wildcat reserve in Scotland.

Dr O'Donoghue added: "The support for our plans to get SSSI status for the Clashindarroch is simply unprecedented and cannot be ignored by the government. The people have spoken and the message is clear. Save the wildcat in the wild where they belong."

 

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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.