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Endangered Amur tiger cubs delighting zoo visitors
The Amur tiger cubs play in their enclose at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park.

Nishka, Layla and Alexsander are developing their own personalities.

Three endangered Amur tiger cubs, born at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Highland Wildlife Park earlier this year, are said to be delighting guests with their playful antics.

Nishka, Layla and Aleksander were born to mum Dominika and dad Botzman in May and took their first steps out of the cubbing den in July. On Monday, adorable footage released by keepers at the park shows the cubs playfighting in their enclosure. 

Keith Gilchrist, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park, said: “It has been wonderful to see our three cubs and mum Dominika grow over the past six months. At half a year old, the cub’s characters are starting to shine.

“Nishka is the most confident around us and is always chuffing in the hope of more meat chunks. Layla follows in her footsteps as the two are always together, play fighting and keeping mum on her toes.

“Little Aleksander is more reserved and spends the most time with Dominika, but he is slowly becoming braver, exploring more and playing with his sisters. 

“Amur tiger family groups do not usually live together in the wild and Dominika is still fiercely protective of the cubs, so dad Botzman is living separately for now.” 

Image (C) RZSS

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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.