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In with the spiders
Spider in hands
ZSL London's new exhibit is set to bring people face-to-face with amazing spiders from around the world.

Europe's first walk-through spider enclosure to open in London

Europe's first walk-through spider enclosure is set to open at ZSL London Zoo in a bid to change people's perspective of the arachnid.

Opening on Saturday, 23 May 'In with the spiders' will bring the public face-to-face with amazing spiders from around the world in a completely unique and immersive experience.

Visitors will first get acquainted with the UK native species and regular house guest 'spider in a bathtub', before meeting captivating and exotic species such as the huntsman, black widow and giant bird-eating spiders.

Visitors will then discover the true meaning of 'up close' as they enter into the forest home of uniquely sociable spiders and stunning, golden orb spiders. Here they can pose for a picture in front of the 'Spider Selfie' mirror.

A glimpse inside the spider nursery will allow visitors to see the varied breeding work carried out by keepers, and hopefully a sneak peek of tiny spiderlings too. The exhibit will also be home to the fen raft spider, one of the UK's most endangered animals.

Furthermore, celebrating the creature whose very name has been slandered over the years, the Zoo hope that 'Talking tarantula' will help to dispel the myths surrounding spiders to reveal why they are in fact friend, not foe.

London Zoo already knows a thing or two about converting spider haters into spider-lovers. Their hugely successful Friendly Spider Programme is carefully designed to ease or eliminate the condition of arachnophobia. Led by ZSL's head of invertebrates Dave Clarke, in conjunction with John Clifford at the Centre of Clinical Hypnosis, success is measured by participants catching a house spider under a glass and taking it outside.

"Visitors are sure to leave the exhibit with a new-found appreciation for arachnids," said a Zoo spokesperson.

In with the spiders is included in the entry ticket price. For more information visit www.zsl.org.

Image (C) ZSL London

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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.