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Folly Farm Zookeeper travels the world

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Jack with rangers: At Ujung Kulon National Park

Jack with rangers: At Ujung Kulon National Park

IN A BID to improve his knowledge of conservation and research of the critically endangered Javan and Sumatran rhinos, a 24- year old zookeeper from Pembroke has travelled to Indonesia on a rhino expedition.

Jack Gradidge is a rhino keeper at Folly Farm and is responsible for two eastern black rhinos, Manyara and Nkosi, living at their latest enclosure in the Kifaru Reserve.

Self-funding his trip, Jack travelled to Singapore and two Indonesian islands, Java and Sumatra, with keepers from the Aspinal Foundation in a bid to learn as much as he could about the Asian rhinos and hopefully catch a glimpse of one in the wild.

Jack, who joined Folly Farm in 2014 after finishing an Animal Management Degree at Sparsholt College, has already visited zoos across the world, including Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Australia, and hopes to continue to travel, learning as much as he can about the animals.

“I have a great relationship with the rhino keepers at the Aspinal Foundation and they were going to the International Elephant and Rhino Conservation and Research Symposium hosted by Singapore Zoo and I decided to join them and planned to visit a few national parks.

“We organised a four-day expedition in Java where we spent most of our time with local rangers, chatting all things rhino and exchanging stories about the ones we care for back home.

“There is said to be only 63 Javan rhinos left in the wild. The rangers have identified all 63 rhinos at the Ujung Kulon National Park using camera traps and each now has a name. This is the only place Javan rhinos exist in the world.

“We patrolled the parks and spent time tracking the wild animals, looking at their footprints, mud wallows and trail of poo. We were on a canoe travelling down a river and we actually heard a rhino crashing through the forest; they were just metres away.”

“We then travelled up to Sumatra where there are just 100 Sumatran rhinos left in the wild and their population is fragmented, which means they can’t reach each other to breed. We visited a semi-wild reserve in the Way Kambas National Park, where we got to meet four of the seven rhinos, including a small calf, Delilah, who was just six months old.

“This was great, as we’re expecting a breeding female to join the two rhinos at Folly Farm next year and hope to hear the pitter patter of tiny rhino feet in the future.

“The whole experience was just amazing, I’ve learned so much and will be able to feedback to the keepers and visitors at Folly Farm about the pressure the world’s rhinos are facing. I’m so passionate about their conservation – I want to learn as much as possible.”

Folly Farm raises money for the Rhino Dog Squad appeal by Save the Rhino at Kifaru Reserve. All money raised will help train dogs and dog handlers as they play a vital role in protecting rhinos across wildlife conservancies by tracking the scent of rhinos, their horns, guns and ammunition as well as being able to attack poachers in order to disable the gun holding arm.

“I don’t know what it is about rhinos, they’re just so sensitive and surprisingly affectionate. I’ve always loved animals. I grew up on a sheep farm in Wiltshire, and I had a lot of animal toys when I was growing up – I even used to make my own little zoos.

“When I returned from being away for three weeks, the rhinos were a bit grumpy as if to say ‘where have you been?’, but soon warmed up after a few hours. They love attention – especially Nkosi, who rolls over to be scratched and likes a good belly rub. Manyara’s a bit more reserved and likes her own space, but she does love showers, especially when it’s hot.

“They’re also incredibly intelligent animals. Manyara has been doing some target training where she has to touch a ball on a stick to get a treat, and she’s also been doing some mouth training so it’s easier for us to get to their teeth and check their oral health. They have a very strange mouth with hooked lips that helps them browse the trees and shrubs, and huge teeth to crush the branches.”

The rhinos’ daily routine starts with checking they are happy and healthy, before their morning feeds are made up and given to them.

The outside exhibits are then cleaned while the rhinos are eating inside, before they are let out again and provided with any enrichment they need.

Jack continued: “When you get to work with such amazing animals, it doesn’t feel like a job at all. The best part is seeing the animals content and happy, and I particularly like feeding time because of the contact and closeness you get to experience with the animals.”

With fewer than 650 eastern black rhinos left in the wild, the IUCN Red List categorises them as critically endangered and they will be the 16th European Endangered Species Breeding Programme, of which Folly Farm is an active member.

 

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Vote.wales: Information website launched to give people voting confidence

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Vote.wales to host all essential election information for the Senedd election

A BRAND new voter information website, vote.wales, has been launched today (2 March) by the Electoral Management Board for Wales, part of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.

Vote.wales is the first website of its kind in Wales and tells people everything they need to know about the election, including advice about voting, information about the Senedd, and a postcode search function to provide tailored local information.

The website holds information about who can register to vote, how voting works in polling stations, as well as postal and proxy voting, and what accessibility support people can expect when they go to vote.

A postcode search function on vote.wales allows voters to see which of Wales’ 16 new constituencies they will be voting in, as well as telling them where their local polling station is located.

Once nominations have closed, the website will also inform voters which political parties and independent candidates are standing in their area.

The website explains how the Senedd works and what it does, highlighting which policy areas are devolved to the Senedd and which remain the responsibility of the UK Parliament. It also sets out the difference between the Senedd and the Welsh Government.

Further developments are expected in the coming weeks. In a first for Welsh elections, voters will soon be able to access detailed accessibility information about their local polling station. Political parties and independent candidates will also be able to publish their election leaflets on the platform, so voters can see not only who is standing but what they stand for.

Following the election, vote.wales will publish the full election results.

Commenting on the launch, Shereen Williams MBE OStJ, Chief Executive of the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru, said:

“An important election is coming on 7 May, and vote.wales is the place to go to find out all about it.

“We know that people across Wales are looking forward to making their voices heard at this election, but many people don’t feel they have all the information they need before they go and vote.

“If you have questions about this election, then head to vote.wales. Voting confidence starts here.”

 

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Crime

Pencoed: Assault victim dies and murder investigation launched 

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THE POLICE investigation into the serious incident which happened on Felindre Road, Pencoed, in the early hours of Saturday, February 28, is now being treated as murder. 

We can confirm the 58-year-old man who was critical in hospital passed away earlier today – his family are being supported by specially trained officers at this time, and our thoughts are with them. 

The Major Crime Investigation Team at South Wales Police is now leading the investigation, and the 26-year-old man arrested remains in police custody. 

Detectives investigating the incident are appealing to anyone who may have been in the vicinity of Felindre Road, Pencoed, between midnight and 5am on Saturday to get in touch. 

Motorists are urged to their check dashcams for any footage which may be relevant. 

Detectives would like to speak to two potential witnesses – two elderly people who are believed to have walked along Felindre Road between 12.30am and 4am on Saturday. 

Detective Inspector Graham Williams, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Sadly, a 58-year-old man has died in hospital following the incident on Saturday morning. Our thoughts are with his family at this time and they are being supported. I would like to reassure the local community that we have somebody in custody and are not looking for anybody else at this time. I thank everyone in the community who has helped our investigation so far, and I urge anyone with information which may be relevant to our investigation – particularly the two potential witnesses – to get in touch.” 

If anybody does have information, they should contact 101 quoting reference 2600063517. Alternatively, they can submit information via the Major Incident Public – https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP26C30-PO1 

 

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Crime

School lockdown lifted after telephone threat as police continue enquiries

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PUPILS and staff at Maesydderwen Comprehensive School in Ystradgynlais were released safely on Monday afternoon (Mar 2) after a lockdown was implemented following a reported telephone threat.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed officers were called to the school earlier in the day and worked with staff to ensure the safety of everyone on site. As a precaution, the school activated its lockdown procedure while enquiries were carried out.

Police said there were no reports of injuries and that all pupils and staff were safe and secure throughout the incident.

Officers remain at the scene while “diligent enquiries” into the threat continue. At this stage, no arrests have been made, and police have confirmed there is no evidence of any ongoing risk to pupils or staff.

Reassurance patrols will take place in the coming days to support pupils, staff, parents and the wider community.

Parents and guardians will continue to receive updates directly through the school messaging app, including confirmation on whether the school will open as normal on Tuesday.

Maesydderwen Comprehensive School is located in Ystradgynlais, Powys, and is served by Dyfed-Powys Police.

 

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