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Roar with Pride
Four lions were crammed into tiny cages.
Sadly not all zoos are well maintained and equipped. In this article, read about a team of veterinary experts that acted to save fourteen lions from a neglected zoo in Romania.

On 9th February 2010 Twycross Zoo’s Vet, Nic Masters and Animal Health & Research Manager, Bridget Fry embarked on a journey to a depressingly outdated, ramshackle Romanian Zoo.  They were part of a team of experts who assisted with veterinary care that was required to bring fourteen lions to their new home, a seven acre reserve and new lion house at Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster.
 
The neglected, dilapidated Oradea Zoo that has been their home all of their lives has been condemned as unfit for animals by the European Union. Its director has no money to build proper enclosures to replace the tiny 15ft by 12ft cages into which up to four lions at a time are crammed.

We cannot afford to do any more for them. I feel terrible when I look at them.
Daiana Ghender, who was recently put in charge of the state-run Zoo, (built 37 years ago under the communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu) said, "We cannot afford to do any more for them. I feel terrible when I look at them. They are sick and do not have the space for their bodies. Caesar, head of the pride, is barely able to walk. His once mighty muscles have withered from lack of exercise. He shares his cage with females Annetta and Alis, both seven and their two cubs. All the lions at the zoo sleep on a concrete floor, live in their dirt and are covered in sores. Sickeningly, some visitors to the zoo laugh at the lions' plight. There is no money and little food for them.  Any money we make goes straight to the government. It upsets me so much to see them like this. Soon the zoo will have no choice but to put the animals down.”

Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster was alerted to the lions' plight through a charity in Romania called SOS Zoo. John Minion, Animals Director of Yorkshire Wildlife Park said, "I went to Romania to see the lions and was extremely shocked.  The Zoo is in a very poor state of repair and has inexperienced staff to maintain animal husbandry levels.  The facilities are also poorly constructed and they are falling down in parts. There is lack of money for basic food and repairs.”  John was moved by the plight of the lions and he knew he had to do all that he could to get the lions out of there.

Twycross Zoo’s Vet, Nic Masters and Animal Health & Research Manager, Bridget Fry.
Animal Health & Research Manager, Bridget Fry said, “These lions have been transferred from Romania to ensure they have a better life with the correct diet and welfare. Twycross Zoo has collaborated in this rescue by sending staff and relevant equipment to assist the veterinary surgeon with the anaesthetics and veterinary procedures that were needed to carry out the transfer of these Lions to the UK. I personally have developed an interest and passion in the conservation of lions over the years; I was delighted to be a part of the team who helped to ensure these big cats are transferred to a better life at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.”
 
This is the biggest ever cat rescue from one location to another.  Yorkshire Wildlife Park have been fund raising for  3 months to reach the target of  £150,000 to make this project viable, generous donations have been received from  many sources including a ongoing News of the World appeal and the Wild Heritage Foundation, a Kent based conservation and welfare charity..
 
Backed by the News of the World, Yorkshire Wildlife Park and team will bring all the lions to Britain. The £120,000 raised to date will pay for the lions to be shipped to the UK and create an appropriate enclosure for them to live in comfort. Hopefully in the near future we will hear these magnificent animals roar with pride again.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.