Latest news with #RoyalZoologicalSocietyofScotland
Edinburgh Reporter
12 hours ago
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Zoo says their wildcat scheme is working
Four wildcats released into the wild as part of Scotland's pioneering scheme to save the species are known to have died since the programme was launched. The captive-bred wildcats, which were all female, died from a range of causes including an infection, starvation and being struck by a vehicle after being released into the wild. In the most recent case, the only death recorded so far in 2025, a wildcat had to be put to sleep after suffering 'severe injuries from an unknown cause'. One young kitten born in the wild as part of the programme is also known to have been killed last year, understood to have been as a result of being struck by a vehicle on a road. The Saving Wildcats project, led by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) which also runs Edinburgh Zoo, was set up after a report in 2018 found that Scotland's wildcat population was 'functionally extinct'. The so-called 'Highland tigers' were bred at the charity's Highland Wildlife Park and the first generation was released into the Cairngorms National Park in summer 2023 under licence from NatureScot. A total of 19 captive bred wildcats were released in the first year followed by a further nine last year, while this year's batch of releases is currently underway at secret locations. Despite the recorded deaths, the scheme has exceeded expectations as it was anticipated the animals may have a 50 per cent mortality rate. And, at least nine of the released females have gone on to have kittens. A spokesperson said: 'We are aware of one mortality this year and four mortalities of released wildcats in total. 'One occurred in 2023 to a released female. Sadly, an additional two individuals died shortly after their release in 2024. 'A further mortality occurred in 2025 to another female wildcat who was found to have sustained severe injuries from an unknown cause. Due to the severity of these injuries, the decision was made to euthanise her. 'As the kittens born in the wild are not fitted with GPS-radio collars due to the fact that they are still growing, we have not been able to continually follow their progress. 'The team were made aware of one young kitten that was assumed to have died as a result of a road traffic accident in 2024. 'Although unfortunate, the project has experienced a lower number of mortalities than would be expected given the experience of similar projects internationally.' Last year, seven females released by Saving Wildcats, named Arwen, Clawra, Haggis, Lorne, Mareel, Neep and Tattie, are known to have produced 'wild-born kittens'. So far this year, Arwen, Mareel and Tattie have had kittens for the second year in a row while two others known as Sully and Callie became first time mothers. Several of the other females have been exhibiting behaviour that could indicate that they too have had kittens not yet recorded. The Saving Wildcats team are studying camera-trap footage, data from GPS-radio collars and public sightings for clues to further births. The spokesperson added: 'The birth of kittens in the wild constitutes a major milestone for wildcat recovery in Scotland. 'These births demonstrate that the process of breeding wildcats for release into the wild is working, as those released animals have learned to hunt and survive, and now reproduce in their first breeding season, a clear indication that they are doing well.' Photo courtesy of RZSS Like this: Like Related
STV News
3 days ago
- General
- STV News
Endangered Visayan spotted deer born at Edinburgh Zoo
An endangered Visayan spotted deer has been born at Edinburgh Zoo. The fawn was born on Monday, July 14, and keepers named her Ulan, which means 'rain' in Tagalog, a language spoken in the Philippines. Visitors can now see Ulan exploring her habitat, sticking close to parents Lyra and Pablo. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland said she is settling in well and is known to favour sleeping in a hollowed-out tree trunk. Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Ulan likes to sleep in a hollowed-out tree trunk at the Edinburgh Zoo. Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo is now home to four Visayan spotted deer: parents Lyra and Pablo, Watson and baby Ulan. Native to the Philippines, it is estimated that as few as 700 Visayan spotted deer remain in the wild meaning it is classified as endangered on the IUCN Red List. The species has already disappeared from several islands in the Philippines due to intensive hunting and deforestation and can only be found on the islands of Panay and Negros. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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Scotsman
5 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
A Northern rockhopper penguin chick at Edinburgh Zoo has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing surgery. Poly has now been cleared by the vets and is off her medication, no longer requiring daily
Watch Poly the penguin chick having a check-up at Edinburgh Zoo, after she underwent surgery. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Northern rockhopper penguin chick at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing surgery to remove an eye affected by a life-threatening infection. After discovering the injury during a routine check, which did not respond to medication, the wildlife conservation charity's expert veterinary team moved forward with surgery to remove the afflicted eye. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Post-surgery, Poly was cared for in a specialised creche, separate from the main penguin colony. After showing positive signs of recovery, she was reintroduced and reunited with her parents, who took her under their wing without hesitation. Edinburgh Zoo penguin chick Poly. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Daily veterinary check-ins and ongoing medication continued to ensure her recovery progressed without issue. Poly has been cleared by the vets and is off her medication, no longer requiring daily monitoring. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Veterinary surgeon at RZSS Stephanie Mota says keepers did 'an incredible job keeping her comfortable and it's fantastic to see her thriving again' Stephanie Mota, veterinary surgeon at RZSS, said: 'We were really concerned when Poly's eye ulcer didn't respond to medication, and we knew we had to act quickly. Surgery is always a last resort due to the additional risks it carries, especially for such a young chic. But in this case, it was the only option left to keep her comfortable. Eye problems can be painful and unfortunately there was no way to save the eye. Edinburgh Zoo penguin chick Poly had surgery to remove an eye affected by a life-threatening infection. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) 'Poly required intensive care after the surgery. She was very sick and for a while everyone feared she wouldn't make it. 'Our dedicated keepers and vets went above and beyond, coming in for extra shifts as early as 6am and as late as 10pm to ensure she had everything she needed, including extra feedings. They did an incredible job keeping her comfortable and it's fantastic to see her thriving again. Edinburgh Zoo penguin chick Poly gets a check-up. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) 'It's especially exciting because not only is Poly a sweetheart, but due to the rockhopper's Endangered status, every new addition to the colony is a meaningful step toward securing the future of the species.'
STV News
01-08-2025
- Health
- STV News
Penguin chick makes 'remarkable recovery' after life-saving surgery
A penguin chick has made a 'remarkable recovery' after undergoing life-saving surgery at Edinburgh Zoo. A Northern rockhopper penguin chick named Poly recently underwent surgery to remove an eye affected by a life-threatening infection. Zookeepers at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo discovered the injury during a routine check. The infection did not respond to medication, and the wildlife conservation charity's veterinary team decided to surgically to remove the afflicted eye. Edinburgh Zoo Penguin chick makes remarkable recovery after life-saving surgery 'We were really concerned when Poly's eye ulcer didn't respond to medication, and we knew we had to act quickly,' Stephanie Mota, veterinary surgeon at RZSS, said. 'Poly required intensive care after the surgery. She was very sick, and for a while, everyone feared she wouldn't make it. 'Our dedicated keepers and vets went above and beyond, coming in for extra shifts as early as 6am and as late as 10pm to ensure she had everything she needed, including extra feedings. 'They did an incredible job keeping her comfortable and it's fantastic to see her thriving again.' Post-surgery, Poly was cared for in a specialised creche, separate from the main penguin colony. After showing signs of recovery, she was reintroduced and reunited with her parents, who took her back under their wing without hesitation. Edinburgh Zoo Poly was cared for in a specialised creche Poly has now been cleared by the vets and is off her medication, no longer requiring daily monitoring, the zoo has said. Visitors can spot her, along with the other rockhopper chicks, as they grow alongside the colony at Edinburgh Zoo's Penguins Rock. Ms Mota added: 'It's especially exciting because not only is Poly a sweetheart, but due to the rockhopper's Endangered status, every new addition to the colony is a meaningful step toward securing the future of the species.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
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Scotsman
31-07-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
A Northern rockhopper penguin chick at Edinburgh Zoo has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing surgery. Poly has now been cleared by the vets and is off her medication, no longer requiring daily
Watch Poly the penguin chick having a check-up at Edinburgh Zoo, after she underwent surgery. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Northern rockhopper penguin chick at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo has made a remarkable recovery after undergoing surgery to remove an eye affected by a life-threatening infection. After discovering the injury during a routine check, which did not respond to medication, the wildlife conservation charity's expert veterinary team moved forward with surgery to remove the afflicted eye. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Post-surgery, Poly was cared for in a specialised creche, separate from the main penguin colony. After showing positive signs of recovery, she was reintroduced and reunited with her parents, who took her under their wing without hesitation. Edinburgh Zoo penguin chick Poly. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) Daily veterinary check-ins and ongoing medication continued to ensure her recovery progressed without issue. Poly has been cleared by the vets and is off her medication, no longer requiring daily monitoring. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Veterinary surgeon at RZSS Stephanie Mota says keepers did 'an incredible job keeping her comfortable and it's fantastic to see her thriving again' Stephanie Mota, veterinary surgeon at RZSS, said: 'We were really concerned when Poly's eye ulcer didn't respond to medication, and we knew we had to act quickly. Surgery is always a last resort due to the additional risks it carries, especially for such a young chic. But in this case, it was the only option left to keep her comfortable. Eye problems can be painful and unfortunately there was no way to save the eye. Edinburgh Zoo penguin chick Poly had surgery to remove an eye affected by a life-threatening infection. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's (RZSS) 'Poly required intensive care after the surgery. She was very sick and for a while everyone feared she wouldn't make it. 'Our dedicated keepers and vets went above and beyond, coming in for extra shifts as early as 6am and as late as 10pm to ensure she had everything she needed, including extra feedings. They did an incredible job keeping her comfortable and it's fantastic to see her thriving again. Edinburgh Zoo penguin chick Poly gets a check-up. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) 'It's especially exciting because not only is Poly a sweetheart, but due to the rockhopper's Endangered status, every new addition to the colony is a meaningful step toward securing the future of the species.' Visitors can see Poly and the other rockhopper chicks as they grow alongside the colony at Edinburgh Zoo's Penguins Rock.
