5 minute read
Pets & Wildlife
DOUBLE DELIGHT
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West Midland Safari Park has welcomed a new arrival in the shape of a beautiful southern white rhino calf, the second to be born at the park this summer
DID YOU KNOW? You can see the southern white rhino on the park’s safari drive-through
Second-time-mum Keyah gave birth to a male rhino – named Jumani – in June, following a pregnancy of 16 months. The birth is a triumph for West Midland Safari Park, who only six weeks ago celebrated the birth of another southern white rhino, Jambo. The two share a father, and the brothers will grow up together on the park and are likely become the closest of playmates.
“We are delighted to welcome another new calf to our crash of southern white rhino,” says WMSP’s head of wildlife Angela Potter. “It’s wonderful to see Keyah settling into motherhood – she’s certainly going to be kept busy as her boy finds his feet.
“Celebrating another rhino birth here at the park is a fantastic achievement, and further showcases the important role we have to play in being a part of the European Endangered Species Programme. Raising awareness of the vital conservation efforts needed to protect all five species of rhino in the wild will always be the driving force behind our work. It’s also the first time we have had two calves born so closely together, so we can’t wait to watch them grow up as a pair.”
This latest birth highlights WMSP’s commitment to its breeding programme, which works to create a reserve population of these magnificent animals that are listed as “near threatened” on the IUCN red list. At the last count, just over 20,000 wild southern white rhino remained in South Africa, as a result of threats including poaching and habitat loss.
Meet the rhino
Including Jumani and Jambo’s father, 15-yearold Barney – who himself was born at the park in 2005 – the new calf brings WMSP’s crash of white rhino up to eight. White rhinos are the larger Jumani takes his fi rst steps in the paddock of the two African rhino species and are fairly social animals; in the wild they live in loose groups of up to six. Their skin is grey in colour and not white – in fact, despite the names, it is no different in colour from that of black rhinos!
Jack Perks filmed and photographed salmon on the Rhug Estate to help document the £6.8 million LIFE Dee River project, which aims to restore the river and its surroundings to their natural state.
The Dee is the largest river in north Wales, with a catchment area of over 1,800km2. It’s also one of the most highly regulated rivers in Europe, and along with Llyn Tegid has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). The main uses of the River Dee are farming, water abstraction for water supply, tourism and nature conservation. Rhug Estate takes its job as a custodian of the land very seriously. Almost 9km of riverside corridors have been introduced so livestock cannot get to the river’s edge, protecting the waterways and riverbanks and encouraging habitats for wildlife.
SALMON SPAWNING SNAPS
A wildlife photographer has managed to capture incredible images of salmon during their spawning season on the Rhug Estate as part of a European river project
NEW PATRON FOR ANIMAL CHARITY
North Wales-based photographer Richard Bowler is the new patron of One Voice for Animals UK, a charity set up in April 2020 to support small rescue centres that are struggling owing to the Covid crisis
Richard Bowler has looked after three rescue foxes
Wildlife photographer Richard Bowler has always been interested in wildlife and environmental issues, and the causes supported by One Voice For Animals UK (OVFA UK) are close to his heart. While photographing wildlife in the early hours, he often finds injured animals and tries to help them, so he’s very aware of the importance of animal rescue centres. Richard has always loved foxes – even though he has travelled extensively through Africa, South and Central America, he says: “A fox is right up there with the best of wildlife encounters.”
Since moving to his smallholding near Corwen nine years ago, Richard says he has been lucky enough to care for three rescue foxes: Rosie, Hetty and Charlie. “To have a bond with them and to see their intelligence has been wonderful,” he says.
Richard is also a passionate anti-hunting campaigner and has encountered illegal fox hunting near his property. “It breaks my heart to think of these animals being chased down by a pack of dogs and ripped to pieces for so-called ‘sport’,”
“Richard he says. He hopes his photographs of the foxes he cares represents our values for will encourage people to see them in a new light. Val Green, founder of OVFA UK, says: “I follow Richard Bowler on social media as well as enjoying his at OVFA UK” wonderful photographs and I became impressed with his advocacy for animals, particularly foxes. Richard represents the same values we have at OVFA UK, and I’m thrilled he has agreed to become our newest patron.” For more about the work of OVFA UK and a directory of local rescue centres, visit www.helpanimals.co.uk.
Cute Pets a £25 voucher for Bradeley Green pet store in Whitchurch, to spend in-store WIN or online at petcetera.co.uk
Biscuit having a snowball fi ght snowball fi ght Bruce
Lucky and Sparkles Bumble the cavapoo Luna enjoying the sun
Mi y soaking up the sun
Noodle on the beach Welsh red border collie Star collie Star
Congratulations to Clare and Jen, owners of Ned and Georgie, who win this issue’s Cute Pets competition!
Serbian street dog Betsy
Nine-month-old cockapoo Phoebe cockapoo Phoebe
Charlie playing ball Siberian husky Thorn
Win some pet treats! To enter, email a photograph of your pet and their name photograph of your pet and their name to editorial@shiremagazine.co.uk and the Shire team will pick the winner!
