Three wolves shot dead after escape from Colchester Zoo

A WOLF which escaped from Colchester Zoo this morning has been shot dead.

The escaped animal was reported missing today at 8am. One wolf remained in the enclosure, one returned immediately, one was stunned and returned and two others died after being shot after getting out of the damaged enclosure.

Read on ...

Tortoise Welfare UK - via Herp Digest

In association with Norfolk Tortoise Club - Welfare Conference------Tortoise Matters -Improving standards for captive chelonian in the UK

Kindly supported by Colchester Zoo

Saturday, 17th November 

10.00am till 4.30pm (6 CPD hours)

Location: Colchester Zoo, Maldon Rd, Stanway, Colchester CO30SL

Stuart McArthur B Vet Med MRCVS

Stuart McArthur is one of the UK’s leading authorities on chelonian medicine and author of a number of veterinary books and journals. Stuart will be talking about the medical treatment of tortoises and turtles, illustrating his talk with case studies drawn from his veterinary experience.

Eleanor Tirtasana & Dillon Prest: Eleanor and Dillon organise and run Norfolk Tortoise Club, which has a thriving membership, and are active in working for, and promoting better care of captive tortoises in the UK. They will be introducing Tortoise Welfare UK, and discussing how the living standards of tortoises and turtles can be improved.

Frances Baines MA VetMB MRCVS: Frances is a retired vet and specialist in UVB Light. Frances will be talking about her research into the   specific UV light needs of different exotic reptile species. 

Henk Zwartepoorte:  Henk is the curator of reptiles and amphibians at Rotterdam Zoo and is well known for his work with the Turtle Survival Alliance Europe (TSA Europe) and European Studbook Foundation. Henk will be talking about the importance of maintaining genetic diversity in reptiles,  which could be achieved by developing  a partnership between zoos and private enthusiasts, thus allowing  healthy breeding colonies to be established. 

Jane Williams MA BSc MSc: Jane organises and runs Tortoise South East and has been involved in chelonian welfare for over 30 years. Jane will be talking about her experiences in dealing with tortoises and the results of her research into keeping tortoises in Britain.

PC Andrew Long: Andrew is a local Wildlife crime officer, (Zoo Liaison) and has a keen interest in reptiles.  Andrew will be giving a presentation on exotic animal crime. 

£35 per person

Pre-book only inclusive of refreshments and lunch

For more details or to reserve your place please email:

tortoisewelfareuk@gmail.com  or telephone: 01692 402687

Thai hornbills supported by UK charity

Money donated by Colchester Zoo's charity Action for the Wild supports vital conservation research for three hornbill families in Thailand

June 2012. In 2011, Colchester Zoo's charity Action for the Wild sponsored families of rhinoceros, wreathed and great hornbill species which all nest around the Budo Mountain area, part of the Budo-Sungai Padu National Park in Thailand.

Chicks
In 2011, the wreathed hornbill family were successful in fledging a chick meaning that this family have been very successful having fledged 9 chicks since 1999. The new great hornbill family were also successful in fledging a chick during 2011 resulting in this family having another successful breeding year bringing the total to 12 fledged chicks since 1994. It was noted that both of these families had similar nesting diets made up of almost entirely fruits mainly of fig species.

Rhinoceros hornbill
The rhinoceros hornbill family also successfully fledged one chick during their nesting season however, their diet throughout the nesting period was different as although they ate mainly fruits they were not of the fig species. This family have produced at least 7 chicks since 2000. Some data collection by the team during 2011 was incomplete for some of the other family groups they monitor due to poor weather conditions and incidents of unrest in Thailand's southernmost provinces, and so workings in unsafe areas had to pause.

The Hornbill Family Adoption Program will still carry on for 2012, with the project continuing to monitor our hornbill families. The team will also continue to promote hornbill conservation and train villagers as nature guides, so they can earn an income in a more sustainable way.

Colchester Zoo's charity Action for the Wild has been supporting the Hornbill Research Foundation since 2002 annually donating $450 to support three hornbill families in Thailand.

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/thai-hornbills.html