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French President Macron suspends controversial glue trapping of birds

Emmanuel Macron has put a temporary stop to a controversial practice of hunting thrushes and blackbirds by trapping them with glue smeared on sticks, the French presidency said Thursday.

Macron decided to suspend the practice for the current hunting season pending a final decision of the European Court of Justice on the practice. Last year, there had been a quota of 42,000 birds.

In July, the European Commission urged France to "reexamine" the method of catching birds, which activists have called "barbaric".

Birds captured by glue hunting are caged and used as "callers" to attract others for shotgun hunting trips. After they are trapped in the glue, they are washed with chemicals to remove the sticky goo.

Environmentalists say that 150,000 birds die annually from non-selective hunting techniques such as glue traps and nets at a time when Europe's bird population is free-falling.

France is the last country in Europe to still allow glue hunting.

Reference: France 24: NEWS WIRES 1 day ago: 27th August 2020

'Luxury' giraffe hotel set to open in Kent as visitor waiting list hits 9,000

A luxury hotel where guests can come face-to-face with giraffes has been given the green light to open in the UK.

The first of its kind in the western hemisphere, Giraffe Hall in Kent will offer guests the chance to make friends with their giraffe neighbours.

The new project, which is part of Port Lympne Reserve, is yet to open its doors, but 9,000 people have already signed up to the waiting list, Kent Online reports.

A Grade II listed house is set to be restored into a hotel and 10 luxury en-suite bedrooms will be built, alongside five pods in the Aspinall Foundation-owned grounds for up to 40 guests.

Guests will have front row seats as giraffes wander up the bedroom windows.

New pathways suitable for both guests and giraffes will be built, and the existing "Lapa" restaurant at the wildlife park will also be extended to provide a new decking area and additional bar and restaurant space.

Port Lympne's managing director Tony Kelly told Kent Online: "We are delighted that the application was approved and will now start the detailed work to restore and develop the French House into Giraffe Hall to add to our portfolio of luxury accommodation here at Port Lympne.

"It is too early to announce an opening date at this stage as there is much work to do. We expect Giraffe Hall to be exceptionally popular as we already have a wait list of over 9,000 people."

The waiting list opened in May last year after the project was announced by conservation charity Aspinall Foundation.

"Once opened, Giraffe Hall will not only offer a once in a lifetime holiday destination but will also become a sought after venue for weddings and private parties," the organisation said at the time.

"The gardens are also undergoing improvements which will not only include a route for the giraffe to wander the grounds but also a cabana style retreat, where guests can take in the stunning views, whilst relaxing with a drink.

"Once completed, the hotel will offer a luxury safari feel, whilst incorporating the comforts and décor of an English stately home."

The plans were approved by Folkestone and Hythe District Council despite objections from nearby residents over traffic, noise and damage to the area.

Reference: Evening Standard: Imogen Braddick 10 hrs ago: 28th August 2020

Polar bear kills man in Norway's Arctic Svalbard archipelago

OSLO (Reuters) - A man was killed by a polar bear in the Norwegian Arctic Svalbard islands early on Friday, local authorities said, the first such deadly incident in nine years.

The man, a foreign national, was attacked at a camping site in the pre-dawn hours. No further details about his identity were immediately available.

"The bear was shot at by people on site and walked towards the airport, which is nearby," Svalbard Deputy Governor Soelvi Elvedahl said in a statement. "(The bear) was shortly afterwards found dead in the airport's parking lot."

Halfway between the northern tip of Europe and the North Pole, the Svalbard archipelago of snow-capped mountains and glaciers is home to 2,939 people and 975 polar bears, according to Norway's statistics office and the Norwegian Polar Institute.

Polar bears are a protected species and shooting them is allowed only for self-defence and as a last resort.

Outside Svalbard's main settlements, people are obliged by law to carry the means to scare the animals away or defend themselves, with authorities recommending they take a gun.

The islands are seeing increased activity, mainly from tourism and scientific research, and encounters between humans and animals are increasing. In addition, the Arctic ice sheet is shrinking, reducing the amount of space polar bear can roam on.

Reference: Reuters: 9 hrs ago: 28th August 2020: (Reporting by Nora Buli; Editing by Mark Heinrich) 

‘World’s most expensive sheep’ fetches £367,500 at auction

A lamb from Cheshire has reportedly become the world’s most expensive sheep after it sold for £367,500 at auction.

Double Diamond, a pedigree Texel ram, was sold at the Scottish National Texel Sale in Lanark, Scotland on Thursday.

The opening bid of £10,500 quickly shot up, before the “exceptional animal” was bought by a coalition of three farmers.

Celebrating his prize, one of the buyers, Jeff Aiken said: “He is the best lamb I have ever seen – so correct on his legs, bright, with a great top. He’s got it all.”

Explaining the staggering sum, Mr Aiken said: “The Texel for a start is the best breed in the UK and the pedigree side of it is getting bigger.

“If you want the best you have to try and buy the best.

“It’s an exceptional animal and the best Texel sheep I’ve ever seen. Hopefully he’ll do a good job on all three flocks.”

Mr Aiken, flock manager at Procters Farm, stressed the price is a “one-off” and said he did not want it to give the wrong impression of the farming industry.

“There’s a small percentage of pedigree buyers that can club together and pay big money,” he said.

“But at the end of the day the commercial farmers are just as important if not more important – they are putting food on our tables.

“I’m in the fortunate position that I can spend that sort of money.”

The lamb was sold by Charlie Boden and family from their Sportsmans flock in Stockport, Cheshire.

The Texel Sheep Society said the previous price record-breaker was a Texel called Deveronvale Perfection, who sold for £231,000 in 2009.

The society said that Texel sheep originate from the island of Texel, one of the north-western islands off Holland and now dominate the UK sheep industry.

Reference: Evening Standard: Harriet Brewis 2 hrs ago: 28th August 2020