Latest news with #Pembrokeshire
BBC News
12 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Endangered moon bears arrive at wildlife park in Tenby
Four critically endangered Asian black bears, also known as moon bears, have arrived in Wales for the first from poor conditions, Martha, Irene, Gigi, and Coco arrived at Manor Wildlife Park in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, on 27 June to enjoy a custom-built habitat complete with pools, climbing frames, and a arrival highlights global conservation efforts, supported by the wildlife park and the charity Free the Bears, which has rescued more than 1,000 vulnerable black bears from across Ryder Richardson, owner of Manor Wildlife Park, said she looks forward to visitors meeting the "magnificent" bears and learning about efforts to protect the species. Critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade, more than 10,000 moon bears are still believed to be held in bile farms. Native to 18 countries, Asian black bears are known for their V-shaped chest markings and white patch on their females typically weigh between 65kg (143lb) and 90kg (198lb), with a life expectancy of up to 25 there are no current plans to breed the bears, the Manor Wildlife Park said it may do so under guidance from the wider breeding programme. Ms Ryder Richardson said the park is "beyond thrilled" to welcome the moon bears."These charismatic creatures, with their striking crescent-shaped chest markings and playful personalities, have already stolen the hearts of our team," she Ryder Richardson said their arrival marks a new "exciting" chapter in the park's mission, with more animals expected this summer in the tiger and red panda enclosures, she also explained in a "world first", two tunnels will link the new Asian black bears enclosure to the tigers', allowing species to swap spaces for enrichment. Chief executive of Free the Bears Matt Hunt said the charity works across Asia to raise awareness of the wildlife trade and support enforcement efforts to combat it. He added that, despite challenges, they remain committed to "protecting, preserving, and enriching" the lives of bears worldwide, alongside partners such as Manor Wildlife Park.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Business
- The Sun
Bargain retail chain to shut EIGHT stores in just hours as it launches 70% off clearance sales – is one going near you?
A HIGH street bargain retailer has a staggering 70% off all products ahead of major closures. With eight stores shutting shop in a matter of hours - here's everything to know so you don't miss out on mega discounts. 4 The Original Factory Shop has launched their mega sale onall their products ahead of closures at eight stores on June 28. It follows closures at stores in both Merseyside and Pembrokeshire. Earlier this week residents of Heswall in Merseyside and Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire said goodbye to the retailer. The Milford Haven site had announced its closure in May, informing customers that doors would be closing after 15 years in the town. It's a period of change for the business with eight stores closing on June 28. 4 Every branch closing June 28 Shoppers nationwide will see the impact of the closures as a number of stores are set to shut. From Perth to Dorset, high street shoppers will be able to get massive savings on garden, household and electrical products. The eight branches closing on June 28 are: Perth Chester Le Street, County Durham Arbroath, Angus Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire Pershore, Worcestershire Normanton, West Yorkshire Peterhead, Aberdeenshire Shaftesbury, Dorset 4 Further closures to come While shoppers in these eight locations only have a matter of hours to make use of the incredible 70% off savings, the discounts will continue in some locations. The department store announced that 13 stores will be closing nationwide over the summer months. From June 28, there will have been 10 closures across the country, with three more to come imminently. Staveley, Cumbria - July 12 Cupar, Fife - July 27 Middlewich, Cheshire - TBC Shoppers looking for a bargain in Cumbria, Fife, and Cheshire still have over two weeks to make use of the discount on offer before the stores close in July. The reason behind the closures Although this may be shoppers first time hearing of the closures of the long-standing bargain retailer, these 13 closures follow the more than a dozen that have already closed their doors in the past 12 months. The reason for the large scale change to the business comes after private equity firm Modella bought The Original Factory Shop in February. Since then a business-wide restructuring effort was launched, including the renegotiation on rents for 88 stores. The Original Factory shop previously announced that "number of loss-making stores will have to close" as part of the restructuring, as reported by The Press and Journal. It said: "Closing stores is always a tough decision and we are committed to keeping as many stores open as possible. "This is, however, dependent on successful negotiations with landlords as we strive to build a sustainable and successful business for the future." 4 While Modella may not be a household name, they have become an integral of the British high street after acquiring Hobbycraft and WHSmith.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Telegraph
What it's like to swim with puffins – while disguised as one
It's 7.45am in west Pembrokeshire and an impromptu convoy is snaking down a back road to nowhere. Delivery drivers scowl in passing places as cars stream past. We're en route – that's me and eight other cars – to Martin's Haven. More precisely, we're en route to Skomer Island nature reserve to experience the largest puffin colony in southern Britain. In late-May The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales counted 43,626 puffins on Skomer, a new record. How could it be so precise? 'The island is broken into seven sections and we systematically count every bird: on land, rafting on the sea and estimate the number in the air,' explains Skomer warden Leighton Newman. 'It is,' he adds with masterful understatement, 'no small undertaking'. From early April, when they arrive to breed, until their departure in late July, puffins are the big draw for the 250 birders who visit Skomer daily. I'm sure they have a blast striding along cliffs. There is an alternative, however. The big draw for the 250 birders who visit Skomer daily. I'm sure they have a blast striding along cliffs. There is an alternative, however.
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Puffin found roaming in Herefordshire garden
A puffin has been discovered 110 miles (177km) off course in a garden in Herefordshire. The animal was found near Stoke Lacy and taken to Vets for owner Elliot Goodwin said: "We suspect it is a simple case of her just getting lost, most likely from Skomer or Skokholm Island out in Pembrokeshire, Wales, as that's our nearest puffin colonies."She was probably just heading back to her nest and got blown off course and then here we are, as simple as that we suspect." Mr Goodwin added: "Sometimes it doesn't just happen to one so it's possible there could be more in the area." The practice was contacted by one of its clients who had found the puffin. Mr Goodwin said: "As you can imagine, we get phone calls about all sorts of wildlife and sometimes people get a bit confused and think some things are something different than what they actually are. "So we didn't quite believe it was going to be a puffin but no, sure enough she came in with the puffin." Discussing the animal's health, Mr Goodwin said: "She's very tired, she's exhausted. So normally, these guys would weigh somewhere around 400 grams but she weighs 218."She seems fairly bright but the challenge with all wildlife is they're so good at concealing when they are unwell."But we're very hopeful she will be OK but it's a sad reality that it will be a long way to get her to the point of recovery and release." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Council warns of public transport and road disruption during Long Course Weekend
Advance planning will be needed for journeys this Saturday and Sunday. (Image: Western Telegraph/Gareth Davies Photography/M. Bearton) Pembrokeshire County Council is advising residents and visitors of road and public transport disruption as The Long Course Weekend returns to the south of the county. The three-day event - 'billed as Europe's biggest multi-sport festival' - gets underway on Friday, June 27. Advertisement The sporting extravaganza is organised by Activity Wales Events and is expected to attract over 11,000 athletes. It features Friday's LCW Kinder children's races and Wales Swim; Saturday's Wales Sportive and Sunday's Wales Marathon. Each discipline offers a variety of distances for athletes of varying abilities, with those completing all three long distances qualifying to receive the coveted Long Course Weekend medal, Pembrokeshire County Council has posted on Facebook: "A number of roads around the wider Tenby area will be closed or closed one way by organisers during the Wales Sportive on Saturday, 28th June. Advertisement (Image: Activity Wales Events) ""The A40 and A477 are not closed for the event. The A478 Narberth to Kilgetty is also fully open. "There are also road closures planned around Tenby to Pembroke during the Wales Marathon on Sunday, 29th June. These road closures are on a rolling programme between 9.30am and 4pm. (Image: Activity Wales Events) "Full and updated details are available on the Long Course Weekend's website "Further information for carers needing access to their clients in the areas affected is also available online, with vehicle passes distributed by care organisation managers. Advertisement "For emergency access on the day - please call Long Course Weekend organisers on 01437 765777." Changes to local bus services will be in place due to the Long Course Weekend road restrictions. Friday 27th June – NO CHANGE Saturday 28th June 351 (Tenby-Kilgetty-Amroth-Pendine) – NO SERVICE 381 (Haverfordwest-Narberth-Kilgetty-Saundersfoot-Tenby)– NO SERVICE Tenby Coaster (Tenby-Saundersfoot) – NO SERVICE 349 (Haverfordwest-Neyland-Pembroke Dock-Pembroke-Tenby) – Unable to serve Pembroke to Tenby until after 1pm. 356 (Milford Haven-Neyland-Pembroke Dock-Pembroke-Monkton) – Unable to serve Pembroke Commons and Monkton until after 1pm Advertisement Sunday 29th June 387/8 (Coastal Cruiser) – Unable to operate until 11am. 387/8 (Coastal Cruiser) – NO SERVICE Tenby Coaster (Tenby-Saundersfoot) – Will be rerouted along the A4218 (Broadwell Hayes) instead of Marsh Road and Heywood Lane.
