News

Historic tiger birth at Manor House Wildlife Park offers new hope for endangered species

Published

5 months ago

July 30, 2025

PEMBROKESHIRE has become home to the largest litter of Sumatran tiger cubs ever born in the UK, following the birth of four critically endangered cubs at Manor House Wildlife Park.

The rare litter arrived on 8 June, born to 11-year-old mother Terima, marking a major milestone in the fight to save one of the world’s most endangered big cats. Staff at the zoo, based near St Florence, kept the births under wraps for several weeks to allow the cubs to settle and bond with their mother.

Now around six weeks old, the cubs — described as “very noisy, and very cute” — remain under close observation. Their genders have yet to be confirmed, but excitement is already building over what this means for the future of the species.

“This is the largest litter in the UK, possibly in Europe, and it’s very exciting,” said Anna Ryder Richardson, celebrity interior designer and owner of Manor House Wildlife Park. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The tigers have a very important job to do because they have been genetically matched to breed.”

The new arrivals bring the park’s tiger population to seven — a significant achievement in light of how difficult it is to breed Sumatran tigers successfully in captivity. There are estimated to be fewer than 400 left in the wild, their numbers decimated by illegal poaching and habitat destruction.

Kim Wilkins, head keeper at the park, said the birth of four cubs from a single litter is “exceptionally rare”.

“A typical litter is two, maybe three, so when I saw four I was over the moon. What an achievement,” she said.

The tigers at Manor House are part of the European Endangered Species Programme, an international breeding initiative that manages genetic diversity across zoos to ensure the health of captive populations. All matches are coordinated by a studbook holder, who considers a range of factors before making breeding recommendations.

“When these babies grow up, they will also join the wider breeding programme and may be moved across the world to continue that process,” Ms Wilkins explained.

Manor House has been working to breed from their resident pair — male Jaya and female Terima — for over eight years. Despite years of unsuccessful attempts, their first cub, Zaza, was born earlier in 2024. The arrival of this new litter has now exceeded all expectations.

“This is incredibly rare. Our zoo will probably not be allowed to breed again unless we bring in another male or swap the females, which we don’t want to do,” said Ryder Richardson. “For Wales, it’s a rare opportunity and it’s important for people to come and see, and learn.”

She added: “You won’t be able to see Sumatran tigers in the wild during our lifetime, or even our children’s. It’s happening in front of our eyes, and it’s tragic.”

The cubs will eventually be named once their sexes are confirmed, and the park has invited the public to offer suggestions. Ryder Richardson, who has a deep connection to Wales, said she is hopeful that some of the names chosen will reflect Welsh heritage.

The birth places Pembrokeshire firmly on the map in terms of tiger conservation. While other zoos in the UK have had smaller litters — such as London Zoo and Chester Zoo — none have seen a litter as large as this.

With the world’s wild population of Sumatran tigers under relentless threat, the arrival of four new cubs at a small zoo in West Wales represents a beacon of hope — not just for the species, but for global conservation efforts as a whole.

Crime

Man charged with strangulation and assault offences after October incident

Published

3 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

3 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

4 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.