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Birth of muskox calf a huge success for keepers
muskox calf
Muskox calf at nine days old.

Species notoriously difficult to breed and raise

The birth of a muskox calf at Highland Wildlife Park has given keepers a reason to celebrate. The species is notoriously difficult to breed due to high neonatal mortality rates.

However, keepers are not out of the woods yet as muskox calves have very weak immune systems, putting them at risk of disease and infection. The inherent aggressiveness of adults is a further complication.

The last muskox calf to be successfully raised into adulthood was born in 1992.

Last year the park lost a five-month-old calf named Belle due to an injury inflicted by one of her parents.

Highland Wildlife Park has altered its husbandry protocol and is working to ensure the survival of this year's calf.

Douglas Richardson, head of living collections, said the new calf is growing well under the careful eye of his keepers. He and his mother will remain off show for some time yet.

As he continues to grow, the calf and his mother will be gradually introduced to one of their large grassy enclosures and later to his father.

The muskox was hunted to near extinction for its fur and meat, but thanks to conservation regulation, reintroductions and natural recolonisation, the species is now classified as being of "least concern" on the IUCN red list of endangered species. 

Image credit Alex Riddell.

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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.