Latest news with #EuropeanEndangeredSpeciesProgramme
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Largest litter of Sumatran tigers in the UK born at Welsh zoo
Four rare Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at a Welsh Zoo, sparking new hope for the critically endangered species. Mum Terima, who is 11, welcomed the "very noisy, and very cute" cubs around six weeks ago at Manor House Wildlife Park. Park officials have been keeping news of the arrivals under wraps as the cubs were allowed to settle. The four cubs, whose genders are yet unknown, were born on 8 June making Pembrokeshire home to seven tigers. Celebrity owner Anna Ryder Richardson said: "This is the largest litter in the UK, possibly in Europe, and it's very exciting." Kim Wilkins, head keeper at Manor Wildlife Park said having four cubs was "exceptionally rare", adding that a normal litter size for a Sumatran tiger is two or three. "When I saw four I was over the moon, what an achievement," said Ms Wilkins. The tigers at the park belong to a breeding programme, which makes recommendations as to which tigers move where "in order to keep a genetic variability to keep that gene pool healthy", Ms Wilkins added. "When these babies grow up, they will also join the wider breeding programme and will be moved around the world in order to keep that breeding process going." There are estimated to be fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. The Pembrokeshire litter is believed to be the largest born in the UK, with three previously born at London Zoo and two at Chester Zoo last year. Interior designer and TV presenter Ryder Richardson added: "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. "The breeding group are really hoping that one of our four is a male." The pairing and breeding of particular animals is managed by a studbook holder, who makes matches according to genetic diversity and other suitability criteria. Endangered tiger cub triplets born at safari park UK's rarest wildlife being 'pushed to extinction' by grass fires Endangered red panda cub twins born at safari park Participating in the European Endangered Species Programme means that if zoos are asked to send an animal to another zoo for breeding, they will co-operate to ensure the population overall is as strong and healthy as possible. Ryder Richardson added: "You wont 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. "Our zoo will probably not be allowed to breed again, unless we bring in another male, or swap the females which we don't want to do. "For Wales, it's a rare opportunity and it's important for people to come and see, and learn." Manor House Wildlife Park has been attempting to breed from their 10-year-old male Jaya and 11-year-old female Terima for more than eight years. They had been unsuccessful until their first cub Zaza was born in 2024. Manor House Wildlife Park officials said they are open to suggestions on naming the cubs once their genders have been identified. Park owner Ryder-Richardson said she is hoping "for some Welsh names." First ever snow leopard cub born at Chester Zoo Purr-fectly cute baby tigers born at London Zoo Thriving tiger twins make first public appearance
BBC News
29-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Largest Sumatran tiger litter in the UK born in Pembrokeshire
Four rare Sumatran tiger cubs have been born at a Welsh Zoo, sparking new hope for the critically endangered Terima, who is 11, welcomed the "very noisy, and very cute" cubs around six weeks ago at Manor House Wildlife officials have been keeping news of the arrivals under wraps as the cubs were allowed to four cubs, whose genders are yet unknown, were born on 8 June making Pembrokeshire home to seven tigers. Celebrity owner Anna Ryder Richardson said: "This is the largest litter in the UK, possibly in Europe, and it's very exciting." There are estimated to be fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers left in the wild due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. Manor Wildlife Park is part of a "very strict breeding programme".Interior designer and TV presenter Ryder Richardson added: "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. "The breeding group are really hoping that one of our four is a male."The pairing and breeding of particular animals is managed by a studbook holder, who makes matches according to genetic diversity and other suitability in the European Endangered Species Programme means that if zoos are asked to send an animal to another zoo for breeding, they will co-operate to ensure the population overall is as strong and healthy as Richardson added: "You wont 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."Our zoo will probably not be allowed to breed again, unless we bring in another male, or swap the females which we don't want to do. "For Wales, it's a rare opportunity and it's important for people to come and see, and learn." Manor House Wildlife Park has been attempting to breed from their 10-year-old male Jaya and 11-year-old female Terima for more than eight had been unsuccessful until their first cub Zaza was born in 2024. Manor House Wildlife Park officials said they are open to suggestions on naming the cubs once their genders have been owner Ryder-Richardson said she is hoping "for some Welsh names."
BBC News
05-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Paignton Zoo welcomes pair of nocturnal monkeys
A zoo in Devon has welcomed two rare breed nocturnal Zoo said the pair of grey-handed night monkeys, Diego, 11, and Baroo, 8, arrived from a zoo in Wales. The monkeys will share their new home with Myrtle the armadillo and gradually transition to a nocturnal schedule, said the said early mornings and late afternoons would offer the best chance of seeing them active. "We're absolutely delighted to welcome Diego and Baroo to our zoo family," said Nadia Gould, mammals team leader."Grey-handed night monkeys are fascinating creatures that most people never get the chance to see."She added: "Their nocturnal nature and vulnerable conservation status make them particularly special, and we're proud to play a role in their conservation through the European Endangered Species Programme."The zoo said the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the species as are native to the forests of Colombia and Venezuela, but wild populations have declined due to habitat loss.
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Four adorable meerkat pups born at Blair Drummond Safari Park settling into surroundings
The four meerkat pups - born on May 10 to parents Cardi B and Biggie at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling - are starting to "show a bit of character". Four meerkat pups born at Blair Drummond Safari Park are starting to "show a bit of character" as they settle into their new home. The quartet, born on May 10 to parents Cardi B and Biggie, represent the third litter for the pair since they joined the park in 2022. Born blind, deaf and almost hairless, the one-month-old pups have now opened their eyes and begun exploring their surroundings. Meerkats, known for their social nature, live in close-knit groups called mobs that collectively raise their young. Carolyn Booth, Pets Farm Team Leader at Blair Drummond, said: "The pups are just starting to find their feet and show a bit of character – it's a brilliant stage to watch. "They're getting more confident by the day, and the rest of the mob has really stepped up to help raise them. It's a real family effort." The young meerkats have started nibbling on solid food, following the adults around and honing their digging skills. Just last month, an endangered giraffe has arrived at the safari park in a bid to boost breeding. Noinin, a seven-year-old female Rothschild's giraffe, was welcomed to the park on Thursday, May 1. The 16-foot tall mammal was transported from Fota Wildlife Park in County Cork, Ireland, first by ferry to Holyhead, Wales, followed by a 337-mile road journey north. She is set to be introduced to fellow Rothschild's giraffe Sifa, who came to Blair Drummond in 2023 as part of the European Endangered Species Programme. The aim is to create genetic diversity in the breeding programme. The species has seen a dramatic population decline of 30% since the 1980s, with less than 2,000 remaining in the wild, according to zoologists. The new arrival will be integrated into the park's giraffe herd as part of a carefully managed breeding programme aimed at supporting the survival of the species, and will live in a mixed species habitat. Noinin and Sifa are hoped to contribute to preserving genetic diversity and ensuring the long-term survival of Rothschild's giraffes. Kristine Fennessy Alexander, animal collection manager at Blair Drummond, expressed the safari park's excitement at its latest addition. She said: 'We're thrilled to welcome Noinin to the park. 'Rothschild's giraffes are facing significant challenges in the wild, and breeding programmes like this one are essential in helping secure the future of the species. 'Noinin has already begun exploring her new surroundings, and we are excited for her and Sifa to hopefully form a successful breeding pair.' The safari park opened in May 1970, and is currently home to over 300 animals, many of which are able to roam freely. Its animals include the African elephant, Barbary macaque monkeys, meerkats and the Siberian tiger.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rare predator set to make history after international journey: 'I had a few tears in my eyes'
A British-born lynx is on the precipice of making history hundreds of miles away from its original home at the Newquay Zoo. The BBC reported on the unusual saga of the female lynx, whom conservationists hope can survive and thrive in Germany's Black Forest. Last year, there was a shortage of female lynx births in Central Europe, according to Dina Gebhardt, the lynx-breeding coordinator for the European Endangered Species Programme. Thus, Gebhardt made the unorthodox request to the Cornwall zoo to see if it would send over a one-year-old female. "Of course, we said yes straight away; that's something that we'd love to do," the zoo's curator of plants and animals, John Meek, told the BBC. The lynx was transported via truck to its new temporary home, a 1,200-square-meter (3,937-square-foot) enclosure. The animal wandered out carefully into its new surroundings, which prompted an emotional response from Meek. "I'm a big boy, but I had a few tears in my eyes," he said. If all goes well, the lynx will be able to regain its fear of humans and show off hunting and survival skills over the next few months. From there, it would be reintroduced to the wild, making it the first United Kingdom zoo-born cat to achieve that feat. It would represent another conservation win for the lynx in Europe that would join a resurgence in the animal in Iberia. Sightings of North American lynxes have amazed onlookers and heartened conservationists. No matter where they are spotted, a key concern for conservationists is that interaction with humans is minimized and they are given proper room to roam. Lynx play an important role as a predator in the Central European ecosystem by controlling the deer population and preserving forests, according to lynx reintroduction chief Eva Klebelsberg. "Our ecosystems in Europe are missing large predators," Klebelsberg explained to the BBC. Do you think we still have a lot to learn from ancient cultures? Definitely Only on certain topics I'm not sure No — not really Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. This female lynx could help play a small but important role in fulfilling a need. The team in charge of the animal has little concern about its ability to hunt. The real challenge figures to be the lynx's familiarity with keepers who feed it, and zoo visitors who ogle it. No matter how it goes, Meek will be watching from the UK. "Nowadays, zoos are not here to keep animals in cages," he said. "They're there for conservation." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
