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Outrage over possible export of wild-caught animals to China
“To imagine dozens of individual mountain gorillas, okapis, bonobos being caught from the wild and destined for a lifetime in captivity is outrageous.”

Letter appears to request endangered species from Africa 

Wildlife groups are urging the Chinese authorities not to allow imports of wild-caught endangered animals from Central Africa.

The plea comes after the details of a letter came to light, referencing a request from a Chinese company asking for wild animals to be exported to two zoos in China.

According to the Born Free Foundation, the letter refers to a request for 12 mountain gorillas, 16 bonobos, 16 chimpanzees, eight African manatees and 20 okapi, to be sent from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to Taiyuan and Anji Zhonghan zoos.

Born Free says the letter was a response to Mr Liu Min Heng, CEO of Tianjing Junheng International Trade Corporation Ltd; from DRC’s environment minister, Dr Amy Ambatobe Nyongolo. It proposes to send a team from the DRC’s Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature to inspect the zoos’ premises in China.

Will Travers OBE, who is co-founder and president of Born Free, said: “There is nothing to suggest that this is not an authentic communication and I am sure that our sense of profound shock and outrage will be shared by conservation experts and NGOs, as well as the international community and the public at large.

“To imagine dozens of individual mountain gorillas, okapis, bonobos being caught from the wild and destined for a lifetime in captivity is outrageous.”

Should the proposals go ahead, Mr Travers warned that capturing these animals from the wild will put lives at risk. In addition, it is feared that the zoos in question will not be able to meet the complex needs of the animals - assuming they survive capture and transport.

There are also concerns that the animals may be used in “demeaning and degrading public performances”.

Born Free and 15 other civil society groups have written to CITES authorities, requesting them to intervene on this issue as a matter of urgency.

A petition on Change.org is also urging the Congolese Government not to allow the export of wild animals to China.

Image © Ian Redmond

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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.