It is as rare as the Scottish wildcat and even less common than the giant panda. But now efforts to protect a critically endangered insect from extinction have been boosted thanks to a brandnew breeding centre in the Highlands that has been described as a “game changer” for the species. The pine hoverfly (Blera fallax) is one of the UK’s rarest native insects. Known to be present in the wild at only one forest site in the Cairngorms National Park, the insect has not been seen in its native habitat in adult form for more than eight years. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has led efforts to save the species since 2016, with a critical conservation breeding programme based at its Highland Wildlife Park (HWP) near Kingussie.
Giraffes arrive at Edinburgh Zoo -Ronnie and Arrow settle into their new surroudings Duration: 01:31 If you go down to the Zoo today you re in for a big surprise Ronnie and Arrow traveled overnight from Woburn Safari Park and arrived at Edinburgh Zoo at 9.00am on Tuesday 11 May The giraffes at Edinburgh Zoo will all be Nubian giraffes (also known as Rothschild) As part of the partnership with Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s RZSS WildGenes team will be supporting wild giraffe conservation by using genetics to help GCF understand the success of reintroductions across Uganda The wildlife conservation charity has partnered with the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) and Glenmorangie Single Malt Scotch Whisky to bring giraffes back to the capital for the first time in over 15 years and support vital work to protect the species in the wild. credit RZSS and Woburn Safari Park
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A crowdfunding campaign is launching today to help build a new £5.5 million visitor and education centre at the Highland Wildlife Park.
It is hoped £50,000 can be raised towards creating Scotland’s Wildlife Discovery Centre at the Kincraig attraction which will be a learning ‘gateway’ to the Cairngorms, helping people to connect with and protect the environment as well as endangered species.
From 5am today people can enter a prize draw, with one lucky supporter set to ‘win the keys’ to the park and feed the animals, including polar bears, tigers and snow leopards.
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A tiny endangered pygmy hippo calf has been born in Scotland, as populations decline rapidly in the animal s native West Africa. Visitor favourites at Edinburgh Zoo, Otto and Gloria, are now the proud parents to the calf, which weighed only 5.4kg when it was born. The female calf arrived on Saturday 17 April and staff at the wildlife conservation charity will be keeping a close eye on the family as viewing gradually opens to visitors from today. Jonny Appleyard, hoofstock team leader at Edinburgh Zoo, said: “Our new arrival is doing really well and is growing stronger and more confident every day.