News

Folly Farm Zookeeper travels the world

Published

7 years ago

December 23, 2016

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.

Crime

Unanimous verdict in Ceredigion sexual assault case

Published

22 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A CEREDIGION man has been convicted to three years and six months in prison for sexually assaulting a woman in her own bed after the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict.

27-year-old Suroj Bk, from Llangrannog, was sentenced this week following a week-long trial at Swansea Crown Court (May 1).

On 7 October 2023, Dyfed-Powys Police received a report that Bk entered the victim’s home and sexually assaulted her while she lay in her bed.

When the victim realised what was happening, she kicked Bk out of her bed and called the police.

Upon receiving the report, officers quickly attended the victim’s home and conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area using police dogs and scenes of crime officers.

Evidence gathered from scene, together with extensive local enquiries, led officers to arrest Suroj Bk the next day (8 October).

While Bk was in custody, detectives, crime scene investigators, and digital forensic officers worked tirelessly to uncover the evidence that ultimately placed Suroj Bk at the scene.

After hearing the evidence, the jury took less than two hours to agree a unanimous guilty verdict.

The detective in charge of the case has praised the victim for her ‘tremendous courage’ in reporting the assault to police.

“Incidents of this nature are thankfully very rare within Ceredigion, and I’d like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident, and that the identification and arrest of suspect was done quickly and efficiently,” said Detective Inspector Sam Gregory.

“The victim in this case demonstrated tremendous courage in reporting to police, and while this investigation was not straightforward in its nature, it was through the expertise and tenacity of forensic officers, working together with the investigation team, and the victim, that led to this successful prosecution.

“I hope the sentence given to Suroj Bk sends a clear and strong message that Dyfed-Powys Police takes reports of sexual offences seriously.

“We will listen to you, and we will work tirelessly to get justice.”

On Wednesday, 1 May 2024, Saroj Bk was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and a five-year restraining order, and he will be on the sex offenders register for life.

If you have been a victim of a crime such as this, report it to Dyfed-Powys Police either through a direct message on social media, online at: https://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101.

In an emergency, always call 999.

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org.

News

Body recovered confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, say police

Published

23 hours ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DYFED-POWYS police have said today that the body found on Wednesday, May 1, has been confirmed to be Luke Stephenson, who was reported missing from the Pembroke Dock area on April 14.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We will continue to support the family and will assist with issuing a tribute publicly if the family wish to do so.”

In a statement, his family said: “Luke was a joyful and funny young man and always wanted to help others. He was a loving son, brother, grandson and uncle, and will be forever missed.
“We have lost a huge part of our family, and our loss is shared by his many friends who also loved him dearly.
“We would like to thank the local community for the overwhelming support we have received.”

Business

Port of Milford Haven now official ‘a great place to work’

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE PORT of Milford Haven has been officially accredited as a Great Place to Work-Certified™ organisation. As the first Port Authority in Britain to secure this Certification™, it is a significant achievement.

“We are very proud to be Great Place to Work-Certified™,” said Vidette Swales, HR Director at the Port of Milford Haven. “It means so much that our employees have reported a consistently positive experience with their colleagues, their leaders and their jobs. Offering a positive employee experience is not only beneficial for the people who work with us but is also key for our continued business success.”

Tom Sawyer, CEO at the Port of Milford Haven added: “Our team is operating the UK’s leading energy port, and it is of the utmost importance that we do that safely, responsibly and effectively. We’re striving for excellence and aim to provide a world class service to our customers as well as supporting sustainable coastal communities for the prosperity of future generations. Our employees are clearly at the centre of this which is why I’m delighted that they feel supported in their role. I’m especially proud that this Certification™ demonstrates our core values of Safety, Excellence, Collaboration and Sustainability so perfectly.”

“We congratulate the Port of Milford Haven on achieving their Certification™,” said Benedict Gautrey, Managing Director of Great Place to Work® UK. “Organisations which put the employee experience at the heart of their business gain their employees’ trust and, in turn, are truly able to build a great workplace culture that delivers outstanding business results.”

Find out more about careers at the Port of Milford Haven here: www.mhpa.co.uk/about/careers-at-the-port/.