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Hawaiian Blue-Tailed Skink declared extinct
Image - reptilespictures.net
Last confirmed sighting in 1960s

The Blue-tailed Skink (Emoia impar) has been declared extinct in Hawaii after repeated attempts to locate specimens during field surveys from 1988 to 2002 failed. The last confirmed sighting was on the Na'Pali coast of the island of Kauai during the 1960s. The species is not wholly extinct, however, as there are still specimens in captivity and on other islands.

Research into the Blue-tailed Skink by Robert Parker of the US Geological Survey Western Ecological Research Center and Ivan Ineich of the French Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle was published by Fauna and Flora International in the international conservation journal Oryx earlier this month. In it, Parker and Ineich speculated that predation by an invasive species of ant may be responsible for the extinction.

Commenting, U.S Geological Survey Director Marcia McNutt said "No other landscape in these United States has been more impacted by extinction events and species invasions in historic times than the Hawaiian Islands, with as yet unknown long-term cascading consequences to the ecosystem. Today, we close the book on one more animal that is unlikely to ever be re-established in this fragile island home."

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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.