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Arctic walrus spotted in North Sutherland
Arctic walruses are normally found near the Arctic circle and are extremely sociable.

Marine animal not seen in Scotland since 1954

An Arctic walrus that was spotted off the coast of Orkney earlier this month has been seen again in North Sutherland.

The walrus, affectionately named Wally, was re-sighted at Armadale on Thursday (22 March). Earlier this month, he was filmed laying on the beach on the north coast of Caithness.

Caithness Sea Watching, which revealed the news on its Facebook page, thanked Bill Mosely for sharing his video and Katrina Geddes for alerting them to the sighting.

'It’s a fabulous sighting and I am sure many people will be quite envious,' they wrote.

According to Caithness Sea Watching, the last Walrus reported in mainland Scotland is said to have been in Aberdeen in 1954.

The marine animals are normally found near the Arctic circle and are extremely sociable. They are distinguished by their long white tusks, whiskers and blubber-filled bodies. 

A video of the walrus swimming through the water off the coast of Armadale can be found at https://www.facebook.com/bill.moseley1/videos/10213992452943687/?rc=p

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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.