Pets & Wildlife

MAKING IT COUNT

Some animals are easier to count, such as the crash of white rhinos, who are getting a new habitat for 2022

Whether the animals go in two by two or ten at a time, they all need to be counted in West Midlands Safari Park’s annual stocktake

The spring season brings with it new life across the animal kingdom, and when you are responsible for the care of several hundred beasties, it’s important to know exactly who you’re looking after. So every year a stocktake of creatures large and small has to take place at West Midland Safari Park, and this mammoth task has just been completed for 2022.

Every animal, from the huge African elephants to the tiny, critically endangered golden mantella frogs, is counted and the total continually changes. In 2021 the park welcomed some new animals, including two white rhino calves and 26 rainbow lorikeet chicks, as well as a red panda.

The zoo’s head of wildlife, Angela Potter, said: “This is the time of year that we carry out the annual count of all our animals. We have 121 species and over 1000 individuals, so it’s a real team effort to ensure every animal is included. Most are counted singly, such as our white rhino herd, which had the addition of two lovely boys, Jambo and Jumani, born in 2021, but some are counted in colonies, such as our leafcutter ants. It would take a very long time if you were to count every one of those individually! “Of course, our keepers count our animals on a daily basis too, and give them a good look-over to ensure they are all healthy and well, but this annual audit in January is something each wildlife attraction must undertake as part of our zoo licence requirements.”

Extra guests

species to our collection and these included Mei Lin, our beautiful red panda who joined us in August, and three smaller species: whitebelly reed frogs, crocodile lizards and Lau banded iguanas. We also said goodbye to some notable characters who left us to join collections in Scotland. These included Fennessy and Gerald, our two young male giraffes and Grace, our young Grévy’s zebra, who all went to Edinburgh Zoo, and three Bactrian camels: Dierdre and Dippy, who are now at Highland Wildlife Park and Doris, who is at Blair Drummond Safari Park.”

As mentioned, the audit is part of zoo licensing requirements and

once every head has been counted, the results are noted in a report which is sent to the local authority. The park’s wildlife administrator then checks the results against the animal record system, to ensure the census matches.

A variety of animals call the safari park home, including mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, fish and invertebrates. Some are easier to count than others, such as the pancake tortoises compared to the scurrying Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

The animals are counted daily and checked over, including Hartley, the pancake tortoise

“Our beautiful red panda joined us in August”

Discovery Trail keeper Katie Stokes and red panda Mei Lin

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Getting up close and personal with Elephant Hawk moths

ALL WINGS, BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL

Much maligned and misunderstood, moths are actually a vital species and campaigners are keen to make more people aware of their crucial wildlife role

Dark Bordered Beauty, Flame Shoulder, Maiden’s Blush… despite having some of the most beguiling names in the animal kingdom, moths are sadly misunderstood. At worst they are vilified as clothesmunching pests, at best sidelined as the butterfly’s dull cousin. Now the #MothsMatter campaign by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is aiming to dispel these negative perceptions and educate us about why they are so important.

First, let’s tackle a few myths about moths. They’re not just grey or brown; some are brightly coloured, such as the Elephant Hawk moth which blends in among the hot pink petals of willowherb and fuchsia when resting. Many moths are active after dark, but some, such as the scarlet and black Cinnabar, fly by day. As for eating your clothes, a meagre four species would have a taste for your tops and trousers – and only if they’re made of animal-sourced fibres such as wool, silk or fur.

Under threat

As pollinators, moths have a key role in our ecosystem –and they are also an important food source for other wildlife. Birds such as blue tits, robins, wrens and blackbirds rely on the caterpillars to feed their young, whilst bats, frogs, toads, hedgehogs and lizards feed on adult moths.

While there are 2,500 species of moth in the UK (compared to 70 types of butterfly), their numbers have seen a decline of 28 per cent in the past 50 years – and as much as 40 per cent in the south. Climate change, pesticide use, habitat loss and even artificial lighting could all be playing a part. The good news is we can help these fascinating creatures and the wildlife that relies on them, starting in our own gardens. Butterfly Conservation recommends leaving a few weeds such as nettles, docks and knapweed growing as they’re important food for moth caterpillars. Use organic pest control instead of pesticides, and don’t cut back borders until spring to provide shelter over winter. Adding nectar-rich plants to beds will supply food, and you might like to turn citizen scientist and see which moths are visiting. Butterfly Conservation has a downloadable guide on its website. You could even send your sightings to your county moth recorder. David Maddy collects data for Cheshire and said: “It’s important to Angle Shades are well camouflaged record what we see. Our database has grown over two centuries into a collection of 1.5 million records. We pass the county’s records to Butterfly Conservation every year, for analysis of national trends.” For more information, visit butterfly-conservation.org

“Artifical lighting could be playing a part in their decline”

Evening primrose attracts rarer species

A NEW PLACE FOR NATURE

Students have transformed a college site into a 40sqm wildlife corridor and wellbeing garden at Coleg Cambria Deeside. With the support of Keep Wales Tidy and its Local Places for Nature project, and sponsorship from local business Monkey Lady Corporate Wear, they have planted more than 100 trees, 2,000 native bulbs, shrubs, wildflower meadows and more. The Construction cohort built wooden planters and the patch includes a greenhouse, bird feeders and hedgehog boxes and a composting area. With seating, gravel

paths and disabled access, it will be used for relaxation as well as outdoor lessons. Employability “The garden mentor and curriculum lead Paula Blundell said: “The will bring students have worked The grand opening a smile to so hard over the past months to bring this together. It looks people’s faces” brilliant. As summer approaches, I’m sure the garden will be awash with colour and bring a smile to people’s faces.” Keep Wales Tidy Flintshire project officer Wendy Jones said: “The garden not only provides a space for nature but will offer food-growing opportunities, ways to engage with the wider Working hard community, and a new place for students, staff and visitors to enjoy.”