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Project saves mountain gorillas
Local communities diverted from gorilla habitat

The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) has begun its rainwater harvesting project to help reduce threats to mountain gorillas.

Local communities living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda and Uganda, are having to travel into mountain gorilla parks for water supply.

This large human presence in the gorilla's natural environment is posing a major risk, not only because the species are highly susceptible to human diseases.

While locals walk into the national parks for water, they regularly collect firewood and other natural resources from the area, as well as setting snares to catch antelope.

These snares do not distinguish between species and often kill mountain gorillas accidentally.

In order to address the issue, IGCP, partner of Fauna & Flora International (FFI), has been providing sustainable and safe drinking water to the local communities.

By building rainwater harvesting tanks, they no longer need to venture into the mountain gorilla habitat.

Click here to watch a video about IGCP's project.

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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.