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Bats drop from the sky in heatwave
Image bat
Australian health officials urge caution

Thousands of bats are reportedly dropping from the sky in Queensland, Australia, thought to be a result of recent extreme temperatures.

Heat stress due to severe weather has been blamed for the recent spate of bat deaths. As a result, wildlife groups say there has been a rise in the number of bats and flying foxes in suburban areas, searching for food and water.

Officials from Queensland Health say there has been an increase of 250 per cent in the number of people reporting exposure to bat bites and scratches since the beginning of 2013.

Chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young says the majority of these exposures occur when people attempt to handle injured, trapped or sick bats.

Recent reports of bat deaths have prompted Dr Young to issue a warning to members of the public not to touch the animals, but to contact the RSPCA or local wildlife care group.

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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.