News

Folly Farm welcomes two new ‘fantastic beasts’

Published

8 years ago

June 1, 2018

FOLLY FARM has welcomed twin black and white ruffed lemurs to the zoo.

Joining their five other siblings, the brothers were born this month to mum Kirindi, 18, who came to Folly Farm in 2003 from Drusillas Park in Sussex, and dad Leonardo, 17, who came from Paradise Wildlife Park in Hertfordshire in 2002.

The lemurs got together as soon as Kirindi arrived and they already have five children Harry, Ron and Neville born at Folly Farm in 2004, and George and Hermione born four years later.

Continuing the Harry Potter theme, the keepers have named the latest additions Vernon and Dudley.

Rosie Griffin, senior zoo supervisor and primate keeper at Folly Farm, said: “All living together, the lemurs are such a happy family, and you can tell Kirindi and Leonardo are still very much in love.

“Kirindi is besotted with the two new additions to the family, as her last babies are now 10 years old. Leonardo is less interested at the moment but does pop over to check in every once in a while.

Rosie Griffin: With Dudley and Vernon

“Black and white ruffed lemurs are the only species of lemurs to make nests, so we suspected Kirindi was expecting, when she started collecting leaves and making a nest up high on a shelf a few weeks ago.

“Kirindi will feed the twins for around four months, so her job at the moment is to cuddle up with the new-borns and make sure she has as much fruit and veg as possible to keep her energy levels up.

“We’re giving her lots of treats, like raisins and fruit and we’re even delivering the new mum breakfast in bed.”

The gestation period for black and white ruffed lemurs is around three months and the lemurs weighed around 100 grams when they were first born, with lots of fluffy fur. They are pretty helpless at the start of their life but grow up fast, and within six weeks, are clinging on to mum. Folly Farm is also home to four red ruffed lemurs and 10 ring tailed lemurs.

The birth of Vernon and Dudley is a significant step for the zoo in helping to grow the community of endangered black and white ruffed lemurs now in captivity.

The species, classified as critically endangered in 2000, primarily only inhabit the island of Madagascar in the wild. Due to their large size and apparent need for tall primary forest, the black and white ruffed is susceptible to human encroachment and habitat loss. The conservation of these animals is therefore extremely important and their on-going existence in captivity is reliant on effective breeding programmes in zoos across the world.

Rosie continued: “Vernon is slightly more curious and outgoing, and Dudley is a bit more of a mummy’s boy, but that might change as soon as they are off playing with their brothers and sisters.

“As keepers, it’s great for us to see Kirindi and Leonardo continue to keep having babies as it shows us they are really content and happy here at Folly.”

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

11 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

11 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

11 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.