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Endangered turtle bred in UK
Image: Bristol Zoo
The Vietnamese box turtle successfully bred

Bristol Zoo have become the first in the UK to successfully breed the critically endangered Vietnamese box turtle.

The zoo is part of a European breeding programme and, until now, the only other place in Europe to have bred the turtle, which happens to be one of the rarest in the world, is another zoo in Germany.

The baby, called Vernon, was born in July and is about 5cm (2in) long now. He lives in a boggy tank which replicates his natural habitat, and is hoped to grow to around 1kg (2.2lb) and live for up to 50 years.

Staff at the zoo have said the species was very difficult to breed.

"Not a lot is known about this species so we can learn an awful lot from this baby to improve our chances of breeding more in future," said Tim Skelton, Reptile curator at the zoo.

He added this was a 40-year career highlight for him.

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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.