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Rescued iguana finds forever home
Eddie Lizard was rescued by the RSPCA in January.

Eddie Lizard is now being cared for at an aquarium.

A rescued iguana named Eddie Lizard has been rehomed thanks to a Bournemouth aquarium.

The green iguana had been abandoned in a stranger’s doorway in Chiswick, London, in January of this year.

Although it was a cold day when the average local temperature was just 3°C, the 4ft-long iguana had been placed inside a clear plastic box with just a blanket and a towel to keep him warm.

Deprived of the warmth from a heat lamp, he was lucky to survive before he was rescued by the RSPCA.

After a stay at the charity’s reptile rescue centre in Brighton, Eddie has now been rehomed at the Oceanarium aquarium in Bournemouth. He is living in a purpose-built iguana enclosure that includes tree trunks, basking spots, and a pool.

The aquarium has worked with the RSPCA over the last 25 years to rehome various animals, some of which have been linked to the illegal pet trade.

Oliver Buttling, a curator at the Oceanarium, said: “We are very pleased to be able to give Eddie a forever home following the suffering he endured. It is very sad to think there are people out there who think it’s okay to treat animals in that way.

“I want to stress that pet owners need to be aware of the full requirements prior to taking on any animal.

“We are very excited to see how Eddie gets on at the Oceanarium. Already he has settled in well and is very active. He enjoys climbing and sitting in his pool.”

 

Image (C) Oceanarium

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.