Never mind the bullock, we want £7,500 to airlift it from cliff ledge, says cash-strapped MoD

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 11:32 AM on 03rd July 2008

A bullock has been trapped on a cliff ledge for three days in danger of being swept out to sea as officials argued over who should pay the £7,500 cost of a helicopter rescue.
The young Charolais steer slipped down a steep track near Land's End, ending up 150 feet below the clifftop on a ledge just five feet above the waves.

RSPCA officers and Cornish county council officials decided a rescue from the clifftop would be too dangerous and made an emergency plea to the Royal Naval air station at Culdrose, on the Lizard Peninsula, for help saving the trapped animal.

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Stranded: The steer looks on as a member of the Coastguard abseils down the cliff face to weigh up rescue options

Daily Mail 2nd July 2008

Reptile that has survived since the dinosaurs is doomed  by climate change

A unique species of reptiles that has roamed the Earth since the time of the dinosaurs could soon be wiped out due to climate change.

Global warming is threatening to turn all the ancient creatures into males by 2085.

Tuataras have three eyes and can live for more than 100 years. Their gender is determined in the egg and depends on what temperature the clutch is kept at.

Males are only born if the eggs are kept warmer than 22.25C, while females are  only guaranteed if the eggs are cooler than 21C.

The Tuatara can live for more than 100 years

Western Daily Press 3rd July 2008

The Bluetongue protection zone has been extended to cover Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire.

Defra said the zone would be extended on Monday, following the delivery of almost two million additional doses of Bluetongue vaccine.The disease, caused by a virus spread by midges, affects ruminants but not pigs, horses or humans.

Farmers in the zone will be able to get the vaccine from Monday, but are being encouraged to order so they can protect their livestock as soon as possible. Animals can only be moved out of the protection zone if they are vaccinated, immune or moving for slaughter.

Defra 2nd July 2008

Koi Herpesvirus Disease outbreak confirmed

Movements of fish in and out of a fishery in Kent have been restricted, following the confirmation of Koi Herpesvirus (KHV) Disease.

Defra has issued a Designated Area Order prohibiting the movement of fish to and from Shirkoak Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, Kent.

Samples were taken from the affected fishery following reported deaths of fish.

KHV Disease affects common carp and carp varieties such as Koi.  It can result in high rates of fish mortalities.

There are no implications for human health. 

It became a legal obligation to notify suspicion of KHV Disease on 6th April 2007.  The measures developed in partnership between government and industry to help combat outbreaks were announced on 21st May. 

Suspicion of the presence of the disease should be immediately reported to: the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) in Weymouth
Tel: 01305-206673/206674
E-mail: fish.health.inspectorate@cefas.co.uk

Western Daily Press 26th June 20008


Homeless people and animals are feeling the pinch as charity donations dry up even though the credit crunch means more people need a helping hand.

County Community Projects of Cheltenham is struggling to make up food parcels for homeless people because of a lack of donations.

Yet soaring food prices are likely to mean more people will need the services of the High Street centre which helps feed hundreds of deprived and vulnerable people.
Staff say they have never known it so bad and stocks are so low they will run out by the end of the week if no new donations are received.

Kim Tredwell said: "We have hardly got any food left, just two food parcels.

"People come in to us who have problems, are on benefits or families in need. We haven't had to turn anyone away yet but by the end of the week if we don't get any more donations, we will have to. It's heart-breaking."