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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd January 2013
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Five captured elephant calves released
Fears remain despite the return of five infant elephants

The Born Free Foundation has announced that five young captured elephants have been released, news which has been confirmed by the ZNSPCA and Animals Asia.

The animals were destined for zoos in China, but the Zimbabwe Parks and Management Authority has made the decision to release them. The infant elephants arrived at Umfurudzi Park on 19th January where they will undergo rehabilitation and integration with other elephants within the secure area.

Whilst the Born Free Foundation says this is "good news" for the five calves, there remains great concern for three young elephants sent to China in November 2012. According to Animals Asia the wild-caught calves are currently in miserable conditions in Taiyuan Zoo and Xinjiang Safari Park, and a fourth animal who was sent with them has already died.

Will Travers OBE, CEO of the Born Free Foundation added: “While it’s good news for the 5 elephants that will be returned to the wild, Born Free is appalled by the fate of the 3 survivors in China and the prospect that more may yet follow. 

"The pictures we have seen of a concrete bunker and a featureless outside yard, together with temperatures that have recently fallen to more than 20 degrees below are a nightmare scenario.”

The ZNSPCA has now questioned the assessment criteria for granting export permits. According to the charity: "such criteria would appear not to prioritise animal welfare." Born Free have called for live animals to be moved only to in situ conservation projects, where they will be introduced to previous wild elephant habitat.

Animals Asia are reportedly corresponding with the China Association of Zoological Gardens, providing advice and support to aid the three calves already in China.

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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.