Latest news with #breedingprogram
Daily Mail
07-06-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
Is this the world's toughest job... catching tiny ANTS at 1,700 sq-mile beauty spot?
IT'S a task that makes looking for a needle in a haystack seem easy – hunting down a tiny insect in a vast area of Scottish wilderness. Yet as part of a remarkable project to save one of the country's rarest creatures from extinction, trackers are now being challenged to scour the Cairngorms National Park in search of the narrow-headed ant. It may not have the same profile as other at-risk animals such as the rhino or panda, but conservationists believe the half-inch long ant deserves to be protected – as it plays a surprisingly large role in the well-being of our ancient pine forests. In Scotland, narrow-headed ants are known to nest in just a handful of places in the Cairngorms, while the UK's only other recognised population is found at a single site in Devon in the south-west of England. And despite previous conservation schemes, its numbers are declining at a worrying rate. Now the body which runs the 1,700 square-mile Cairngorms National Park wants to reverse the insect's fortunes by setting up a captive breeding programme. The park authority has set aside £50,000 to hire experts to carry out an 'ant captive rearing project' that will last for up to three years. The aim is to establish at least 50 'farmed' colonies and build up large populations of the creatures in captivity – before later releasing them into new sites in the wild. The first major hurdle, however, involves being able to track down and capture enough of the ants to start the breeding programme. Cairngorms conservation officer Hayley Wiswell said: 'This work is ground-breaking and could completely change the fate of the species in the UK. 'But finding the nests can be challenging. They're about the size of half a football, sometimes even as small as a fist. 'They're made with pine needles, twigs, heather, moss and grass, so they're really well camouflaged. 'And they're found in woodland among pine or birch trees, on lumpy, mossy ground with lots of hummocks, hollows and deep heather. Sometime you don't see them until you're on top of them.' To set up the colonies, the trackers will need to find queens and males from different nests. Ms Wiswell added: 'You have to sit by the nest early in the morning on a cloudy but mild day – and as they come out, you have to pick them off the surface really quickly. It's tricky because the queens in particular are really fast – you have to sneak up on them and grab them.' Caution is needed as the ants can deliver a sharp, pin-prick bite. The narrow-headed ant – scientific name Formica exsecta – is black and red, with a characteristic notch in the back of its head. It builds a distinctive domed nest typically containing around 1,000 individuals. Males are up to 10mm long while queens are slightly larger, at around 12mm. Queens and males from different nests will be put together in a netted cage to mate before being moved to 'ant modules' – purpose-made enclosures that replicate an underground nest's tunnels. The aim is for the queen to start producing eggs which will then seed the captive colony. The ants will be kept in their modules under close supervision for 12 months until they are self-sufficient enough to survive in the wild. Ms Wiswell added: 'Nobody's done this before – it's really experimental.' Despite the difficulties, she explained that the tiny ants offered huge benefits for the environment. 'They are a keystone species, doing all kinds of things in the ecosystem,' she said. 'They're highly predatory and prey on herbivorous insects like caterpillars which can defoliate plants. They also interact with the soil because their nests are largely subterranean – earthworms, for example, are significantly more prevalent around ant mounds. 'They also pick up and disperse plant seeds throughout the environment. And of course they provide a food source for lots of other animals, like badgers and pine martens.' Nests have been identified on the Mar Lodge Estate, a national nature reserve that covers 70,000 acres in the Cairngorms and is run by the National Trust for Scotland. The recruitment advert for trackers says: 'The species is considered to be vulnerable. Captive breeding is considered to be the next step to securing the future of this species at Mar Lodge Estate, near Braemar, and to expand the population on Deeside. 'This work is still very much experimental, and as such methods for captive rearing will need to be tested. ' Anyone taking on the task of tracking the narrow- headed ant is advised they should have access to a 4x4 vehicle, or be willing to mountain bike, walk and camp overnight in remote locations.
BBC News
29-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Spots of joy: Snow leopard cub born at UK Sanctuary
This tiny ball of fur, nicknamed Little Lady, was born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent on 10 May. The snow leopard cub was born to mother Laila who is part of the sanctuary's breeding weighed just 630g when she had her first health check at five days old. Snow leopards are a vulnerable species Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list. There are an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the change is having an impact on them, with a predicted loss of 30% of their habitat in the next 50 to 100 are also threatened by poachers who hunt them for the illegal wildlife trade. Conservationists say that breeding programmes are really important for the future of the species. Little Lady was born to Laila, who has lived at the sanctuary for a long time. This is her fourth litter as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. She has previously had two male cubs, Koshi and Khumbu, in 2019 and another male cub, Shen, in 2021. Laila then became a mother to twins, Attan and Zaya (one male, one female), in 2023. The sanctuary are also praising Laila's primary trainer Simon Jackaman for the birth of Little say that the trust he built with her meant she let the vet do the ultrasound sessions voluntarily. Mr Jackaman said: "Snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Laila amazed the sanctuary staff with her "calm nature" during the process."Little Lady is now doing really well under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team.
The Independent
29-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
‘Little Lady' snow leopard cub revealed to the world for first time
A snow leopard cub has been born at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, following months of preparation. The cub, nicknamed "Little Lady", was born on May 10 and weighed 630g at her first health check five days later. Her birth follows months of work by primary trainer Simon Jackaman, who built the trust necessary for the mother, Laila, to voluntarily participate in ultrasound sessions conducted by the sanctuary's veterinarian, Valerie Freeman. Mr Jackaman said snow leopards are naturally shy and elusive, so Leila amazed the sanctuary staff with her "calm nature" during the process. Ambassador for The Big Cat Sanctuary, Paul Hollywood, said he "cannot wait" to meet the new cub. He said: 'Laila has had a special place in my heart for many years and to see her become a mum for the fourth time is truly heartwarming. 'This is an amazing achievement for the sanctuary to be contributing to the captive breeding programme for this endangered species. I cannot wait to meet her.' Little Lady is reportedly thriving under the care of Laila and the Big Cat Sanctuary team. Snow leopards are listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, with an estimated 2,700 to 3,300 mature adults remaining in the wild. They are predicted to lose 30 per cent of their habitat because of climate change in the next 50 to 100 years and they also face threats from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. Laila has had three previous litters with breeding partner Yarko as part of the sanctuary's breeding programme. The first litter in 2019 was of two males, Koshi and Khumbu, with another male cub, Shen, arriving in 2021 before she had twins in 2023 – Attan, a male, and Zaya, which was the first female snow leopard born at the centre. 'This birth is a testament to our commitment to the participation in the endangered species breeding programme and the conservation of this vulnerable species,' said Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Second endangered bongo calf born at Woburn Safari Park
The birth of a second mountain bongo in captivity in the UK has been described by zookeepers as "a major success" for the breeding Safari Park in Bedfordshire said the male calf's arrival was vital for the breed's future and followed the birth of another male there in October after a six-year breeding type of antelope is listed as critically endangered in the wild, where it is believed fewer than 80 park said the newest calf needed physiotherapy shortly after his birth on 5 May to strengthen his hips and rear legs but was now doing well. The calves' mothers Odongo and Othaya were born at Woburn in August 2014 and are one of only two surviving pairs of bongo twins ever recorded in said they were inseparable and continued to support each other as two young calves have already formed a bond, with nose-to-nose greetings and close interactions head of section Tom Robson said: "After a six-year breeding gap, two healthy calves were born within months of each other, marking a major success for the captive breeding programme."As a critically endangered species, every birth plays a vital role in securing the future of these beautiful animals."The mountain bongo is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
19-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Critically endangered eastern mountain bongo calf born at UK safari park
A critically endangered eastern mountain bongo calf has been born at a UK safari park. The male calf was born at Woburn Safari Park in Woburn, Bedfordshire, to first-time mother Odongo and father Sonny. Keepers said the calf needed physiotherapy shortly after his birth on May 5 to strengthen his hips and rear legs, but is now doing well. On his introduction to the herd, the young calf was said to have eagerly dashed around and took in his new surroundings. The birth follows that of another male calf, Djembe, born to Odongo's twin sister Othaya in October 2024. Odongo and Othaya were born at Woburn on August 3 2014 and are one of only two surviving sets of bongo twins ever recorded in captivity. Keepers said they are inseparable and continue to support each other as mothers. Their two young calves have already formed a bond, with nose-to-nose greetings and close interactions observed. The park says Odongo's instincts quickly took over after the birth, and she has blossomed into a nurturing and protective mother. The eastern mountain bongo is classified as critically endangered, with captive breeding programmes playing a key role in conservation efforts. Woburn's head of section Tom Robson said: 'We are thrilled to announce the arrival of our second male bongo calf to the herd at Woburn. 'After a six-year breeding gap, two healthy calves were born within months of each other, marking a major success for the captive breeding programme. 'As a critically endangered species, every birth plays a vital role in securing the future of these beautiful animals. 'Odongo has embraced motherhood beautifully, it's just wonderful to see her offering her newborn the strongest possible start in life.'
