Public Save London’s Wildlife Crime Unit

6,000 letters and emails of protest from the public reversed the decision to axe London’s Wildlife Crime Unit.

Read all about it: Wildlife Extra

Stone-Curlews Thwart Eco-Town

Between one and three pairs of the rare stone-curlew have been discovered within 5km of the Hampshire Downs site, which is proposed for 12,500 new homes.

Article here: Hampshire News

Legal Protection For Ratty

The Water Vole is to receive the same protection from persecution as otters from the 6 April. Full legal protection means it will be an offence for people to kill or disturb Water Voles; developers who want to build on land where Water Voles live will now have to catch and re-home each animal.

For full story: The Times

New Blog And Roadshow For League Against Cruel Sports

The League Against Cruel Sports contacted me to introduce their new blog; it’s well worth a read for up to date news on shooting, hunting, snaring, bullfighting and greyhound racing: http://leagueacs.blogspot.com/

The League tirelessly campaign to end the suffering of animals in these so called ‘sports’. Today is the start of their brand new ‘Roadshow Campaign’; they will be travelling around England meeting existing members, and hopefully recruiting some new blood!

If you would like to show your support over the next month visit the roadshow at one of the venues below:

Thursday 28 February 08 – London School of Economics (London)

Monday 3 March 08 – University of Exeter (Exeter)

Tuesday 4 March 08 – University of Bristol (Bristol)

Wednesday 5 March 08 – Friends Quaker Meeting House (Guildford)

Thursday 6 March 08 – The University of Winchester (Winchester)

Monday 10 March 08 – Canterbury Christ Church University (Christchurch)

Tuesday 11 March 08 – University of Chester (Chester)

Wednesday 12 March 08 – Manchester Meetropolitan University (Manchester)

Thursday 13 March 08 – University of Essex (Colchester)

Public Warned – Don’t Clean Oil-Soaked Birds

The public have been told that they may be doing more harm than good when trying to clean up oil-soaked sea birds on the Kent coast.

There has been an increase in sea bird casualties since the Greek ‘Ice Prince’ sunk off the Dorset coast last month. Concerned members of the public have been cleaning the birds and returning them to the wild - but a spokesman from Wildlife Care Line said that this might be actually killing the birds, as the cleaning process acutally takes about 2 months – to allow the birds natural oils to return.

The Care Line would like the public to help catch the birds, but not clean them.

From: Kent Online

Dog Trapped In Badger Set For 4 Days Survives

A terrier chased a rabbit down a badger hole, and got stuck for four days before being rescued.

Read more: Coventry Telegraph

Scottish Wildcat Survey

After surviving pressures that condemned other top predators to extinction, the Scottish wildcat is facing a similar fate.

Full story: The Telegraph

Animal Protection Groups Outraged Over Passage of Inadequate Bill

 From Marketwire:

Bill S-203 is opposed by the vast majority of Canadians and all animal protection groups from across Canada. In a shocking and outrageous decision, the House of Commons Committee on Justice and Human Rights circumvented democracy and voted in favour of Bill S-203 last night. It was a lazy decision to pass such an ineffective bill that maintains the loopholes and inadequacies in the archaic animal cruelty provisions of Canada’s Criminal Code.

Full story: here

India Unveils Plans For New Tiger Reserves

Plans have been unveiled by India’s government to build eight new reserves, to protect the tiger population. Great news for the tiger, and the economy - as the new reserves should attract tourists to the area.

Read more: Hostel Bookers

Under-Age Elephant Pregnancy Irresponsible

The International Fund For Animal Welfare have criticised Sydney’s Taronga Zoo for allowing an Asian elephant to fall pregnant at just 8 years old. Chief scientist for the Australian RSPCA, Bidda Jones, said the pregnancy will put both the mother and calf at risk.

Full story: The Times