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Hedgehog should be a symbol for Britain, MP says
hedgehog
Mr Colvile is calling on housing developers to create holes in fences to make it easier for hedgehogs to travel between gardens.
Granting hedgehogs national status could help protect them

The hedgehog should become a national symbol for the UK, Oliver Colvile MP has said.

Mr Colvile, Conservative MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, plans to launch a petition to award the animal national status, like the kangaroo in Australia or the bald eagle in the US.

Britain's hedgehog population is said to have fallen from 30 million to less than a million in the past 60 years. Mr Colvile hopes that granting the species national status will raise its profile and encourage people to protect it.

During a debate in the House of Commons this week, the Tory backbencher called on ministers to encourage housing developers to consider hedgehogs when they build new homes.

"What we need to do is get holes created [in fences]," he told The Times. "The government needs to make it as easy as possible for hedgehogs to move between gardens to get more room…

"The creation of specialist habitats when building new housing developments would certainly help in making a statement of intent and would, I hope, begin to boost the population of this beloved animal."

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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.