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Easter treat for cheetah cubs
Image: Cheetah
Zoo's six cheetah cubs given 'easter eggs'

The cheetahs and meerkats at Whipsnade Zoo are in for a special treat today - early easter eggs!

The zoo's cheeky cheetah cubs will be having their very own easter egg hunt today, as painted "easter eggs" filled with meaty treats have been hidden in their enclosure.

This forms part of the sextuplets enrichment activities, aimed at stimulating their natural curiosity by making them work for the tasty food.

"As it's their first easter we wanted to do something special for the cheetah cubs," says Mark Holden, head of the Africa section.

"All six of them are really inquisitive by nature and love investigating new things; their specially made eggs will spark their curiosity and playful natures as they work out how to reach their food."

10 months old, the cubs are only the second litter of Northern cheetahs to be born in Whipsnade Zoo. The first, which were born to the same mother, named Dubai, were the first litter of Northern cheetahs to ever be born in the UK.

The zoo's meerkats will also be enjoying a special treat today, having been given colourful eggs to roll around their sandy terrain.

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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.