News

Baby number two on the way for critically endangered rhino at Folly Farm

Published

8 months ago

April 8, 2025

PREGNANCY is always a reason to celebrate, but when it involves a critically endangered species like the Eastern black rhino, it’s truly something special. The team at Folly Farm in Pembrokeshire is excited to announce that Dakima, their beloved rhino, is expecting her second calf—and the news has everyone at the zoo thrilled.

In the wild, Eastern black rhinos are solitary creatures, each occupying their own space. At Folly Farm, however, the rhinos reside in the Kifaru Reserve, which allows the keepers to carefully manage their breeding programme. Dakima shares her enclosure with her mate Nkosi, and the pair have been given a series of planned ‘date nights’ to increase the chances of another breeding success.

So, how exactly do keepers confirm a rhino pregnancy? No, they don’t ask Dakima to take a pregnancy test! Instead, the team uses a more scientific approach. Stool samples are collected and sent to a specialist lab at Chester Zoo, where experts analyse her hormones. The results have shown a clear increase in Dakima’s hormone levels, and with her steady weight gain, the team is optimistic that a calf is on the way. They predict that Dakima is already several months into her 15-16 month pregnancy, with the calf expected to arrive around November.

Dakima, who is now 12 years old, gave birth to her first calf, Glyndwr, in January 2020, just before the pandemic began. Glyndwr has since moved to Flamingo Land, a fellow animal park, to continue the breeding programme for this critically endangered species. His move marked a significant milestone in the zoo’s efforts to support the survival of Eastern black rhinos.

When Dakima and Nkosi first arrived at Folly Farm in 2015, the Eastern black rhino population in the wild was dangerously low, with fewer than 650 individuals remaining. Thanks to the dedication of conservationists worldwide, the situation has improved dramatically. The population of wild rhinos has more than doubled, with nearly 1,400 rhinos now roaming freely, and about 85 Eastern black rhinos in European zoos.

“This is a really exciting time for us,” said Alan Keeling, zoo manager. “Although it’s still early, we’re hopeful we’ll be celebrating another breeding success. It’s the ultimate goal for any zookeeper to help raise awareness of the challenges these animals face and to play a part in increasing their numbers, both in captivity and eventually in the wild.”

Dakima’s excellent care of her first calf, Glyndwr, has set high hopes for this pregnancy. Glyndwr was named in honour of Folly Farm’s Founding Director, Glyn Williams, and the zoo team are confident that Dakima will prove to be just as wonderful a mother the second time around.

“Dakima has always been calm and steady, and she seems to be adjusting well to her pregnancy,” Alan added. “We’ll continue to monitor her closely, ensuring she gets all the care she needs, including plenty of comfortable bedding to help her stay relaxed as she moves through the final months of her pregnancy.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

A MAN recorded in court as having no fixed abode has appeared before magistrates charged with intentional strangulation and two further assault offences.

Michael Sudbury, 50, whose address was not read out in court, but in Herald records is Glan Hafan, Llangwm, appeared before the bench facing multiple charges.

The charges relate to an incident on 22 October 2025 and include:

Intentional strangulation, contrary to section 75A of the Serious Crime Act 2015
Common assault
Assault by beating

No further details of the alleged incident were opened in court, and no plea was entered at this stage.

Sudbury was remanded on conditional bail, with the case listed to return to magistrates later this month.

Crime

Haverfordwest man sent to Crown Court on multiple serious charges

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded in custody

A HAVERFORDWEST man has been sent to Swansea Crown Court to stand trial on a series of A 49-year-old Haverfordwest resident has been committed to Swansea Crown Court to face trial on multiple serious charges deemed too grave for magistrates to handle.

David Guy, of Market Street, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates facing a series of allegations stemming from a single case. The charges, which were not detailed in open court, include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
A second count of assault
Criminal damage
An additional allegation of interpersonal violence
A public order offence

Magistrates declined jurisdiction, determining that the matters exceeded their sentencing powers, and sent the case in its entirety to Swansea Crown Court.

Guy was remanded in custody pending his next appearance. The court register notes: “Sent to Crown Court for trial in custody – next hearing at Swansea Crown Court.”

A date for the initial Crown Court hearing will be set administratively. Guy will remain in custody until then.

The Pembrokeshire Herald will provide further updates as the case progresses in the Crown Court.

Crime

Castlemartin man back before magistrates over multiple alleged assaults

Published

9 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Court Reporter

Defendant remanded on conditional bail ahead of further hearing

A CASTLEMARTIN man has appeared repeatedly before magistrates this month over a string A 40-year-old man from Castlemartin has made repeated appearances before magistrates this month in connection with a series of serious alleged offences, including assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), intentional non-fatal strangulation, common assault, and criminal damage.

Anthony Alcock, of Pwll Street, Castlemartin, is facing six linked charges stemming from incidents said to have occurred earlier this year. These appear to relate to the same complainant in what is understood to be a single ongoing domestic abuse prosecution.

During recent administrative hearings at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court, Alcock did not enter pleas while matters of bail and case management were addressed.

Charges Include:

Assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH)
Intentional non-fatal strangulation
Common assault on a woman
Criminal damage in a domestic context
Additional assault allegations involving the same complainant
Breach of bail conditions

Alcock was initially granted conditional bail but was subsequently brought before the court on two occasions for alleged breaches. On those instances, magistrates remanded him in custody ahead of further hearings. He was later re-granted conditional bail, subject to strict conditions such as no contact with the complainant and exclusion from specified locations.

Magistrates have now declined jurisdiction, ruling that the case—particularly the more serious charges involving non-fatal strangulation—is too grave for summary trial. It has been committed to Swansea Crown Court for plea, trial, or sentencing.

No detailed evidence has been presented in open court at this preliminary stage. Alcock remains on conditional bail pending his next appearance at the Crown Court.