One last bit of uplifting animal news in the North West for 2023, as a critically endangered species most commonly known as a ‘dancing lemur’ has been born at Chester Zoo.
The award-winning wildlife conservation park and zoo has had another great 12 months, helping improve nature recovery around the Cheshire region, welcoming multiple rare breeds like the Bornean orangutan, baby okapis and black jaguar, and now helping give birth to another endangered primate.
Arriving back in September and pictured for the first time ahead of the festive period, one of the Chester Zoo‘s female Coquerel’s sifakas, a.k.a. the ‘dancing lemur’, gave birth to a 120g baby following a five-month pregnancy, one of just handful in Europe.
The tiny new arrival was born to parents Beatrice, 11, and 10-year-old Elliot, whose family are the only dancing lemurs anywhere in the UK. Incredible.
Seen here, the Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) are dubbed dancing lemurs due to the unique way they move, springing from side to side along the ground, as well as leaping more than 20 feet into the air and among the treetops.
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With their population wiped out by around 80% over the past three decades, not mention more than 90% of their indigenous home in the northwestern forests of Madagascar — the only place where lemurs are found in the wild on Earth — having also been destroyed, the significance of his birth cannot be overstated.
Clinging to its mother’s fur in these early months, the baby is soon expected to start branching out and exploring on its own, at which point the zookeepers will be able to determine whether it is a girl or a boy. Lemurs are a rarity in the mammal world as they are one of the few species that are female-dominant.
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Once again, this is important to determine in regards to the survival of the animal as, sadly, 94% of all lemur populations are at risk of dying out and several larger species have already gone extinct. They also play a huge role in maintaining forest health and diversity through seed dispersal and pollination.
Speaking on the birth, Dr Nick Davis, Primatologist and General Manager of Mammals at the zoo, said: “A new arrival into the conservation breeding programme is a huge boost for the species, especially as the little one will be joining only five other Coquerel’s sifaka living in zoos across Europe, so every addition is very special.
“The new baby was born with a thick fuzzy white coat, just like its parents, and is already wide-eyed and full of personality. Mum Beatrice is being kept very busy with her playful arrival who is feeding from her regularly and has, so far, shown great signs of development.”
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Chester Zoo’s Director of Animals and Plants, Mike Jordan, added that the conversation and charity arm has helped “develop a special area of protected [Madagscan] forest, spanning more than 27,000 hectares, to safeguard the island’s unique wildlife including lemurs, frogs and reptiles.”
The hope is to “ensure species like the Coquerel’s sifaka can thrive for generations to come” and, thanks to the zoo’s vital work, they’re backing up that mission statement across all manner of wildlife.
Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse cancels PVRIS gig at last minute as water pours through ceiling
Daisy Jackson
The O2 Victoria Warehouse has had to turn away PVRIS gig-goers as doors opened after the thunderstorms across Manchester proved too much for the venue’s roof.
Thousands were excitedly heading to the huge music venue to see American pop-rockers PVRIS perform.
But the band’s gig has now been postponed, with the news announced after the official door opening time.
PVRIS said that the cancellation was caused by a ‘massive leak in the venue’s ceiling’ and shared a video of the hall with pools of water on the floor.
Fans who were already inside the O2 Victoria Warehouse have shared videos of water pouring through the roof inside.
Many said that they were being turned away before either the band or the venue had issued an update.
O2 Victoria Warehouse posted: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, tonight’s performance at O2 Victoria Warehouse Manchester with #PVRIS – Sun 12 May 2024 – is postponed.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and all customers are advised to retain tickets until further notice.”
PVRIS has said: “We are so sorry to have to cancel the show tonight due to a massive leak in the venue’s ceiling causing flooding right before doors.
“We’ve tried everything we could to find an alternative to still perform for you all tonight but due to circumstances beyond our control there is unfortunately no options for the show to go ahead.
“We were looking forward to our first gig back in the UK and to spend it with you & we are just as disappointed but everyone’s safety is #1 priority.
“We are doing our best to find a way to reschedule this show ASAP.
“More info coming as soon we know more, we are in the dark just as much you are about the situation.”
Mancs stunned as Northern Lights glow above Greater Manchester in rare solar storm
Daisy Jackson
Greater Manchester was treated to a once-in-a-lifetime display of the Northern Lights overnight.
The skies above our region lit up in shades of pink and green in a shimmering spectacle that had the nation stunned.
The Northern Lights are normally only visible much further north, with many travelling to countries like Iceland and Norway to catch a glimpse – but last night, the show came to Manchester.
It’s all been caused by a ‘severe solar storm, which hit Earth on Friday night, and may continue into Saturday.
Space weather experts issued the rare geomagnetic storm warning – the first in 20 years – on Friday.
But most of us were blown away to actually see the Northern Lights dancing over Manchester.
The huge solar storm predicted by NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) supercharged the Aurora Borealis.
They said that ‘additional solar eruptions could cause geomagnetic storm conditions to persist through the weekend’.
Then here comes the science: “A large sunspot cluster has produced several moderate to strong solar flares since Wednesday at 5am ET.
The Northern Lights pictured over Greater Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
“At least five flares were associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that appear to be Earth-directed. SWPC forecasters will monitor NOAA and NASA’s space assets for the onset of a geomagnetic storm.
“CMEs are explosions of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. They cause geomagnetic storms when they are directed at Earth.
“Geomagnetic storms can impact infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially disrupting communications, the electric power grid, navigation, radio and satellite operations.
“SWPC has notified the operators of these systems so they can take protective action.
“Geomagnetic storms can also trigger spectacular displays of aurora on Earth.”
If you look to the skies over Manchester tonight, there’s a chance you’ll see the Northern Lights again.
Just try not to cry as much as we did.
In pictures – the Northern Lights over Manchester
Joyful as a big kid. Mesmerising. Real life moment, never seen them before. Anyone else looking up? pic.twitter.com/a7B4kqBkfY
— NOT QUITE LIGHT – NQL (@NotQuiteLight) May 10, 2024