Wildlife

PUBLISHED: 16:43 31 December 2017 | UPDATED: 16:43 31 December 2017 Taz Ali A hedgehog at the RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre. Picture: Chris Bishop Archant A Norfolk wildlife centre has seen the largest number of animals needing care for 10 years. The RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre has looked after 4,376 animals between January and November this year, which is the largest number of animals they have had to care for since 2007. Staff and volunteers at the centre are currently looking after more than 500 animals, including over 300 hedgehogs, 40 seals and 33 swans. Throughout the year, the wildlife centre has brought in 1,122 poorly hedgehogs as well as 127 common seals, 71 grey seals and 199 swans. The centre is in need of towels, sheets, face cloths and newspapers as well as dog food, as they go through approximately 130 tins each day to feed the large number of hedgehogs. More information can be found on rspca-eastwinch-wildlifecentre.co.uk or text RSPCA3 to 70007 to … [Read more...] about Highest number of animals looked after in East Winch Wildlife Centre in 10 years

Home / News / Local / Dundee by Stefan Morkis January 1 2018, 11.00am FacebookTwitterWhatsAppLinkedInEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Want to read more?Subscribe today from £1 a week January 1 2018Camperdown Wildlife Centre in Dundee has closed to the public following the death of one of its monkeys. Read More Want more stories? Register for FREE or subscribe today for unlimited access Login / Register Subscribe More from The Courier PICTURES: Camperdown welcomes new group of 11 endangered animals Zoo criticised after second lynx dies in ‘terrible handling error’ Sheep deaths lead to lynx scheme fears "An immortal story of courage, sacrifice, endurance and faith": Here's how The Courier covered the Battle of Dunkirk … [Read more...] about Dundee wildlife centre closes after monkey death

BUTTERFLIES and garden birds were some of the wildlife winners from a year conservationists are calling the hottest on record. In Wiltshire, the rare Marsh Fritillary butterfly did well in the north of the county and distinctive Orange Tip butterflies enjoyed a warm spring. A bumper crop of autumn berries and fruit benefitted common birds like blue tits. Owls enjoyed high rodent numbers – boosted by a strong year for the voles’ scrubby grassland habitat. However, nature conservationists warned that climate change was causing problems for some species. Matthew Oates, nature expert at the Swindon-based National Trust, said: “Looking at the bigger picture, 2017 has been one of – if not the hottest – years ever, and that’s led to more unusual occurrences in the natural world, globally and here in the UK. “At times, it feels like the seasons are becoming less distinctive, and that makes it extremely difficult to predict how nature will … [Read more...] about Butterflies and birds among the wildlife ‘winners’ of 2017

Home / News / Dundee by Reporter January 3, 2018, 6:02 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Camperdown Wildlife Centre in Dundee has closed to the public following the death of one of its monkeys. Bosses said the move was intended to allow its troop of lion-tailed macaques to grieve after one of its youngsters died on Friday. The monkeys arrived in Dundee at the end of October and have been a hit with visitors to the park. A statement posted on the zoo’s Facebook page said the animals required time to come to terms with the death — a process that involves “guarding and preening” the monkey’s body. The statement said: “Lion-tailed macaques are a highly social species and as part of their natural grieving process have been guarding and preening this youngster, which will help the whole group come to terms with their loss. “We will reopen on Thursday. “Many thanks to everyone who has … [Read more...] about Dundee wildlife centre closes to let animals grieve monkey’s death

Register for our free newsletter FOR the first time in a quarter of a century, the UK is hearing the pitter patter of tiny polar bear paws. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has announced that its resident female polar bear Victoria has given birth at the Highland Wildlife Park. The charity described the new arrival as an “outstanding achievement which will have interest across the world”. The RZSS stressed that the first three months are perilous for polar bear cubs, with Douglas Richardson, Head of Living Collections at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, saying the mortality rate for young cubs can be as high as 50%. Staff at the park confirmed the birth after hearing distinct high-pitched sounds from Victoria’s maternity den, which remains closed to visitors to ensure privacy. Una Richardson, the park’s Head Keeper responsible for carnivores, said, “We first heard promising noises in the week before Christmas and these have now … [Read more...] about First polar bear in UK for 25 years born at Highland Wildlife Park