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Largest litter of rare Sumatran tigers born in UK

Largest litter of rare Sumatran tigers born in UK

BBC News3 days ago
Four tiger cubs have been born at Manor Wildlife Park in Pembrokeshire, Wales.It is the largest litter of Sumatran tiger cubs ever born in the UK. Head keeper Kim Wilkins said a litter this size was "exceptionally rare", as Sumatran tigers usually have a litter of only two or three."When I saw four I was over the moon, what an achievement," said Ms Wilkins.
The cubs were born on June 8 and have been described as "very noisy, and very cute".There are thought to be fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers in the wild.The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Sumatran tiger as critically endangered - which means they're at high risk of going extinct in the wild.Manor Wildlife Park's Sumatran tigers are part of a conservation programme called the European Endangered Species Programme.
The aim of the programme is to grow the populations of endangered animals, like the Sumatran tiger.The hope is that these cubs will be able to help with breeding in other zoos in the future when they are old enough.Zoo owner Anna Ryder Richardson explained: "You won't be able to see Sumatran tigers in the wild, during ours or our children's lifetimes. It's happening in front of our eyes and it's tragic.""This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The tigers have a very important job to do because they have been genetically matched to breed."
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Why you need to put salt on your driveway this weekend to save yourself hours doing a boring chore
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Why you need to put salt on your driveway this weekend to save yourself hours doing a boring chore

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Warwickshire towns plan VJ Day 80th anniversary commemorations

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‘Serve me these with an aperitivo immediately': the best (and worst) supermarket salted crisps

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Salt levels are a matter of personal preference, though it should be upfront rather than a mere seasoning, while, in an ideal world, the potatoes themselves would be the primary flavour, rather than a mere texture. They should be cooked long enough that they crunch, rather than melt between the teeth, but it's a delicate balance: too long in the oil and they'll be bitter. And that oil – if you can taste it at all – should be pleasant: too strong a flavour, even of the best fat, will overpower the spuds. Last, crisps should be dangerously moreish: if you can eat one and stop, they're not good crisps. ★★★★☆ The most divisive crisps of the day, with marks ranging from one (Rose, seven, and representing the youth vote) to five (me). 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The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion ★★★☆☆ Fun fact: I once visited the Kettle Chips factory in Norwich and was allowed to cook a kettle of crisps, so I can confirm that, as the packet suggests, they are indeed hand fried in small batches. They're not my favourite, though, even when cooked by the pros – I find these a bit greasy, while other testers judge them 'blah' and 'cardboardy … does not break when you bite in'. Several testers say they 'need more salt', but I'll let them off, given they're described only as lightly salted (always a red flag for me). ★★☆☆☆ 'Bang average' sums up the response to these. 'Wouldn't put out for guests.' Rose finds them 'too bitey' (they are, it must be said, very crisp), someone else finds them 'bland', and several tasters say they feel 'cheap' and 'basic', which is not reflected in the price. 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'Not crunchy enough' is a common complaint, while someone else thinks they're so light, they're almost 'a health snack'. The final damning verdict comes from Claire: 'An anaemic pub crisp. Fine with a cold pint, otherwise lacking.'

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