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Amur tiger moves in at Whipsnade Zoo
Image: Botzman
New home and conservation effort for rare tiger

An Amur (Siberian) tiger, who belongs to the world's largest tiger species, has made an appearance at his new home, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.

The 18-month-old tiger named Botzman has been setting in behind the scenes at the zoo since just before Christmas, after travelling just less than 2,000 miles from Moscow.

Amur tigers are endangered, with between 300 and 400 thought to be left living in the wild, however, Botzman belongs to the European Endangered species Programme (EEP) for Amur tigers and is hoped to breed at Whipsnade.

Botzman is gradually being introduced to Whipsnade's female Amur tiger, Anastasia, who resides in the zoo's Tiger Falls enclosure. He is hoped to move in with Anastasia in a few week's time, when the keepers are happy that the pair will settle in together comfortably.

Keepers say Botzman, who already weighs 158 kilos (25 stone), has been excitedly exploring his paddock and investigating his new home.

"Botzman is settling in really well," said Siobhan Sellwood-Brown, senior keeper at the zoo. "He's extremely lively and very inquisitive – its fantastic to see him enjoying his new surroundings. He's a beautiful boy; visitors are fascinated by him."

ZSL focuses on population monitoring, anti-poaching efforts and increasing education and awareness to help the conservation of Amur tigers, and has been involved in Amur tiger conservation in the Russian Far East since 1995. ZSL has also been running a Amur tiger project in Lazovsky State Nature Reserve since 2006.

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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.