Latest news with #WildPlanetTrust
BBC News
22-04-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Cornwall-born lynx kitten prepares for rewilding journey
A nine-month-old Carpathian lynx born at Newquay Zoo is starting her journey to be resettled into the wild, keepers female cub, the first UK-bred lynx to join the initiative, was due to enter a week-long quarantine next week before her transfer to Germany at the end of the month, staff quarantine, the lynx will move to Zoo Karlsruhe in Germany, where she will undergo specialised training in hunting and survival skills within a semi-wild environment under the auspices of Europe's Linking Lynx programme. Her release into the wild was anticipated for autumn, contingent on her progress, the zoo said. Dr Kathy Baker, research officer for the zoo's owners, the Wild Planet Trust, said: "This demonstrates how even smaller facilities like Newquay Zoo can make substantial contributions to international conservation initiatives. "We've planned every detail to give her the best chance of thriving in the wild."While the cub prepares for her journey, her parents, Kicsi and Onyx, remain on at Newquay Zoo and people can follow the lynx's progress on the zoo's social media channels.
BBC News
27-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Torquay Living Coasts site set for transformation after deal
The site of a former zoo which has been empty for five years is set to be transformed.A deal has been agreed with ARC Marine, a marine habitat restoration company, to take over the Living Coasts site in Torquay, Devon, and turn it into a "state-of-the-art marine restoration centre", Wild Planet Trust Birbeck, founder & CEO of ARC Marine, said: "We are glad to work alongside Torbay Council and the Wild Planet Trust to bring this vision to life."Living Coasts opened in 2003 and announced in 2020 that it would not reopen following the impact of lockdowns and the Covid-19 pandemic. Wild Planet Trust said the company had "secured significant investment to redevelop the site", which it said would serve as its operational headquarters and a hub for ocean conservation and habitat Chris Lewis, deputy leader at Torbay Council, said: "The location lends itself perfectly to be a world class marine research and development hub. "What makes this even more special is ARC Marine is a local company who already has a base in the area." Local businesses have welcomed the agreement, with Sara Bond, from Birchell Marine, saying "nothing's been happening" at the site for five years. "It's a jewel in the crown of Torbay and Torquay," she added."Anything that goes in there is a positive if it's marine related."I'm not sure at this stage if there is a leisure offering but that would be very much welcomed by people down here." Kevin Shadbolt from Below Decks restaurant said he hoped it would be a "public place again"."It's been empty so long you've got to do something with it or it's just going to fall down."
BBC News
07-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
UK's first zoo-bred lynx selected for release into the wild
A lynx kitten born in Cornwall has become the UK's first zoo-bred cat to be selected as a potential candidate to be released into the Zoo's Carpathian lynx kitten, born on 29 May 2024, has been chosen by Europe's Linking Lynx rewilding conservation initiative aims to maintain a healthy population of reintroduced cats in Europe's mountain ranges, from the Carpathian Mountains to the Meek, curator of plants and animals at Newquay Zoo, said: "Her selection as a potential candidate for this programme validates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of animal care and wildlife conservation." The lynx will have to pass examinations and be relocated to a rewilding facility in Germany, where she will spend time in a semi-wild environment. The transitional period allows the cat to develop the skills necessary for survival in the she does well during this preparation period, she will be released into the wild. Dina Gebhardt is an expert on Eurasian lynxes for the European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP).She said: "Now that the Carpathian lynx EEP is part of several in situ projects in Europe, the demand for offspring – especially females – has risen considerably. "The goal is not only to keep the ex situ population genetically diverse and healthy, but also to provide individuals to introduce into the wild. "For that, we need professional scientific led zoos that follow the Linking Lynx protocols conscientiously."The Wild Planet Trust which runs the zoo said collaborations demonstrated how local conservation centres could play a crucial role in international wildlife preservation Kathy Baker, trust research officer said: "We are a charity, and every person who visits our zoos is directly contributing towards programmes like this that could help restore wildlife populations around the world. "Our organisational mission is to help halt species decline, and this is a fantastic example of the work we are doing to enable us to achieve this goal."
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Yahoo
Project launched to protect seagrass meadows
A scheme has been launched to protect under-threat seagrass meadows in Devon. Torbay has about 52 hectares of the wetland habitat which is at risk due to leisure crafts causing damage while anchoring, the Wild Planet Trust said. It has set up the Seagrass Champions project to raise awareness of the meadows and wants businesses to get involved. The charity said seagrass meadows store more carbon per area than tropical rainforests, provide nursery grounds for commercial fish species, help prevent coastal erosion and support marine biodiversity. Wild Planet Trust, which runs Paignton and Newquay Zoos, said though seagrass meadows are common around Torbay, they are under threat around the UK coast in general. Dr Andrew Bowkett, conservation projects and partnerships manager at the charity, said: "A surprising number of people have no idea that Torbay is home to meadows of seagrass." Freedom Boat Club Torquay said it was proud to sign up as the first partners of the project. Club manager Oliver Patterson said: "As a local business we are deeply passionate about protecting Torbay's natural habitats and marine life whilst members enjoy having fun and making memories out on the water." Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Game of Thrones star helping grow seagrass meadows How can seagrass help slow down climate change? Underwater meadows planted to fight climate change Pollution blights UK seagrass meadows Wild Planet Trust
BBC News
02-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Torbay project launched to protect seagrass meadows
A scheme has been launched to protect under-threat seagrass meadows in has about 52 hectares of the wetland habitat which is at risk due to leisure crafts causing damage while anchoring, the Wild Planet Trust has set up the Seagrass Champions project to raise awareness of the meadows and wants businesses to get charity said seagrass meadows store more carbon per area than tropical rainforests, provide nursery grounds for commercial fish species, help prevent coastal erosion and support marine biodiversity. Wild Planet Trust, which runs Paignton and Newquay Zoos, said though seagrass meadows are common around Torbay, they are under threat around the UK coast in general. Dr Andrew Bowkett, conservation projects and partnerships manager at the charity, said: "A surprising number of people have no idea that Torbay is home to meadows of seagrass."Freedom Boat Club Torquay said it was proud to sign up as the first partners of the manager Oliver Patterson said: "As a local business we are deeply passionate about protecting Torbay's natural habitats and marine life whilst members enjoy having fun and making memories out on the water."
