Black Winged Stilts Breeding In Cheshire

Wildlife Extra:

A pair of rare black-winged stilts is breeding in the unlikely setting of Cheshire, many miles from their normal breeding areas in mainland Europe. The black winged stilts arrived in Cheshire in late April; this is only the seventh recorded time stilts have attempted to nest in the UK.

Rescue Dog Of The Year

RSPCA:

Has your dog got what it takes to be RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year 2008?

We’re looking for rescue dogs with star quality to enter this year’s Rescue Dog of the Year competition.

The RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year is the largest national show exclusively for cross-breed and pedigree dogs from all backgrounds, not just RSPCA centres – each with a story to tell of how they triumphed over adversity.

Dogs will need to have been adopted from a registered (RSPCA or non RSPCA) centre.

Heats are held at RSPCA branch dog shows throughout England and Wales, and the six regional winners are chosen by public voting on the RSPCA website in September.

These winners will then feature in the Sunday Express newspaper in October for readers to vote for the winner, who will be crowned RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year 2008 and announced by the newspaper in November.

If you think your dog has what it takes, then come along to one of the regional RSPCA shows and enter your dog in the RSPCA Rescue Dog of the Year regional heats!

‘Safe Passage’ For Wildlife Traffickers

 BBC News:

For many years, Nepal has been widely regarded as a conservation success.

But now it is emerging as an international transit point for illegal wildlife goods, particularly those being moved between India and China…

MoD Accused Of ‘Wildlife Crime’

BBC News:

The Ministry of Defence has been accused of committing a wildlife crime after heath fires were caused by a military exercise at Cape Wrath.

Iceland Resumes Commercial Whaling

Wildlife Extra:

Despite announcing in 2007 that no further whaling permits would be issued while there was little market for whale meat, the Icelandic government is believed to have issued permits for the slaughter of 40 minke whales and whalers are expected to begin the hunt on 20^th May 2008. This contrasts with the announcement last year that they were suspending whaling as o market exists for the meat…

WWF Urges United States To Save Polar Bear

NOVOSTI:

The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is urging the U.S. to follow Russia’s conservation efforts to save the polar bear, the regional program director for WWF Russia said on Tuesday…

White House Blocking Whale Protection Rule

OMB Watch:

Multiple White House offices are working in concert to block a new policy that would expand federal protections for the North Atlantic right whale. The offices, including the office of Vice President Cheney, are questioning the findings of scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the agency attempting to finalize the rule…

Forestry Commission Hosts Badger Watching

The Press:

A chance to see the UK’s largest land carnivore and one of its most elusive inhabitants in its natural habitat is being offered by the Forestry Commission.

Due to stringent protection and the work of conservationists, the badger has made a comeback in North Yorkshire but, despite its distinctive stripes, the majority of people have never seen one. Spotting one can be difficult as they are mostly active during the night and spend long hours underground in their multi-chambered setts or dens…

Rare Black Grouse Back In Northumberland

New Post Leader:

Black grouse could once again roam across the Northumberland countryside as part of a new restoration drive…

Greenpeace Confiscates Fishing Net

Wildlife Extra:

Greenpeace ship, Artic Sunrise, confronted Italian fishing “pirates” in the Mediterranean and confiscated nearly two kilometres of illegal driftnet containing dead undersized blue-fin tuna and a small sea turtle that was later released alive.