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Roar with Pride
Four lions were crammed into tiny cages.
Sadly not all zoos are well maintained and equipped. In this article, read about a team of veterinary experts that acted to save fourteen lions from a neglected zoo in Romania.

On 9th February 2010 Twycross Zoo’s Vet, Nic Masters and Animal Health & Research Manager, Bridget Fry embarked on a journey to a depressingly outdated, ramshackle Romanian Zoo.  They were part of a team of experts who assisted with veterinary care that was required to bring fourteen lions to their new home, a seven acre reserve and new lion house at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.
 
The neglected, dilapidated Oradea Zoo that has been their home all of their lives has been condemned as unfit for animals by the European Union. Its director has no money to build proper enclosures to replace the tiny 15ft by 12ft cages into which up to four lions at a time are crammed.

We cannot afford to do any more for them. I feel terrible when I look at them.
Daiana Ghender, who was recently put in charge of the state-run Zoo, (built 37 years ago under the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu) said, "We cannot afford to do any more for them. I feel terrible when I look at them. They are sick and do not have the space for their bodies. Caesar, head of the pride, is barely able to walk. His once mighty muscles have withered from lack of exercise. He shares his cage with females Annetta and Alis, both seven and their two cubs. All the lions at the zoo sleep on a concrete floor, live in their dirt and are covered in sores. Sickeningly, some visitors to the zoo laugh at the lions' plight. There is no money and little food for them.  Any money we make goes straight to the government. It upsets me so much to see them like this. Soon the zoo will have no choice but to put the animals down.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster was alerted to the lions' plight through a charity in Romania called SOS Zoo. John Minion, Animals Director of Yorkshire Wildlife Park said, "I went to Romania to see the lions and was extremely shocked.  The Zoo is in a very poor state of repair and has inexperienced staff to maintain animal husbandry levels.  The facilities are also poorly constructed and they are falling down in parts. There is lack of money for basic food and repairs.”  John was moved by the plight of the lions and he knew he had to do all that he could to get the lions out of there.

Twycross Zoo’s Vet, Nic Masters and Animal Health & Research Manager, Bridget Fry.
Animal Health & Research Manager, Bridget Fry said, “These lions have been transferred from Romania to ensure they have a better life with the correct diet and welfare. Twycross Zoo has collaborated in this rescue by sending staff and relevant equipment to assist the veterinary surgeon with the anaesthetics and veterinary procedures that were needed to carry out the transfer of these Lions to the UK. I personally have developed an interest and passion in the conservation of lions over the years; I was delighted to be a part of the team who helped to ensure these big cats are transferred to a better life at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.”
 
This is the biggest ever cat rescue from one location to another.  Yorkshire Wildlife Park have been fund raising for  3 months to reach the target of  £150,000 to make this project viable, generous donations have been received from  many sources including a ongoing News of the World appeal and the Wild Heritage Foundation, a Kent based conservation and welfare charity..
 
Backed by the News of the World, Yorkshire Wildlife Park and team will bring all the lions to Britain. The £120,000 raised to date will pay for the lions to be shipped to the UK and create an appropriate enclosure for them to live in comfort. Hopefully in the near future we will hear these magnificent animals roar with pride again.

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.