Welcome to the jungle

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/8370348.stm

Not exactly local news to me, but it is news and it is fantastic news!

Wild Boar were hunted to extinction in Great Britain in the 13th Century. With the odd escape from farms in parts of the country there are some small herds in the UK today, yet these populations of wild boar are shot in the night on a regular basis by poachers in Kent and the New Forest where they have had recorded sightings of small groups.

I remember watching a programme a few years back, where an organization were trying to re-introduce wild boar to their area, alongside otters, beavers and...... EUROPEAN WOLVES! This is where my love for re-introduction and conservation was really born. If anybody knows the organization or programme, please let me know...

It is all too common to go abroard on holiday and become amazed by the wide range of wildlife in their country, but if it wasn't for poachers we would easily have a wildlife collection to boast about.

The re-introudction of these boars to part of Scotland, is an attempt by 'Trees for life' to re-juvinate parts of ancient Scottish forests which have come under threat from rogue bracken, one of the boars favourite foods.

If this project is well managed then I see no reason why it can not be a success. It would be interesting to see if a few sows were added to this batchelor group at a later date.

Regards,

Martin

ARB - MUFFIN'S HERD

Let me introduce you to my herd of African Pygmy Hedgehogs. They currently consist of:

One Brown Female (Bought May 2009 from PricklyWeir Hedgehogs)

One Chocolate Male (Bought March 2009 from Graham Stedman)

One Chocolate Pinto Male (Bought November 2009 from Graham Stedman)

One Ruby Eyed Cinnicot Male (Bred 3/10/09)

One Albino Male (Bred 3/10/09)

Our chocolate male, Orinoco, aptly named after an inquisitive Womble was bought in as a mate for Snuffles (deceased) in March 2009, his striking colour caused amazement through many people as he is a very, very dark colour. He is yet to breed with any of the females due to his age, although he is due to mate before the end of 2009. He is now 10 months old so he is approaching his prime. He is very friendly and does not resent to being picked up. Until recently he was a very pygmy, pygmy hedgehog but recently he seems to have gained a lot more weight, which gives me confidence he is ready to breed.

When Hufflepuff was added to the herd in May 2009, I had the idea for her to be a future breeder and a second choice to Snuffles, but since Snuffles  passed away, Hufflepuff is the only female hedgehog currently in the herd which is a shame. However, we are looking to add another female to the herd in February 2010. Hufflepuff was bred by Kerrie Mafham of PricklyWeir hedgehogs, Hufflepuff is a beautiful brown colour like her mother, Aerial. On 3/10/09 Hufflepuff produced her first litter, she originally had 4 hoglets, yet 2 did not surpries, however 2 do remain and they are both happy, healthy boys.

The two boys were as a result of Jack x Hufflepuff. Jack (Albino) belongs to another breeder and was on temporary breeding loan whilst Orinoco was too young. One hoglet is Ruby Eyed Cinnicot, whereas the other is a beautiful Albino like his father.

Paddy is the latest addition to herd, he is an amazing Chocolate Pinto, he is almost half white and half Chocolate. Pinto hedgehogs are a colour mutation which often appears as a patch of quills on a hedgehog without any pigmentation, in the UK it is uncommon for the patch to be very big, however Paddy is almost half and half, which makes him very special. If a pinto girl can be added to the herd we should have some very nice baby hoglets in the future.

With a ratio of 4:1 males:females I obviously realise that the herd is a little male dominated at the moment, when the litter from 3/10/09 move on, I will consider adding another female to the herd, until then these 5 little hedgehogs have all of my attention.