More happy news over at Chester Zoo as a rare giant otter has just arrived at the best zoo in the UK and, surprise, surprise, he’s a cutey.
The rare species, originally from the Guyanas to Central-North Argentina and which once spread across other parts of South America, is currently at risk of going extinct altogether but the addition of this new male otter could help bring it back from the brink.
Arriving at the end of April, this fine young fellow has now joined his new female partner, Tibiri, as part of a crucial international conservation breeding programme.
Manchester, meet Manú, Chester Zoo‘s newest and most camera-ready animal.
Manú, the rare and giant male otter, makes his Chester Zoo debut.
Zookeepers have now released the first heartwarming images of the otters meeting for the very first time, where they can be seen swimming and playing together and, judging by how loud and vocal the pair have been, it looks like they’re already getting on like a house on fire.
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With no more than 5,000 giant otters remaining across the whole of South America, conservationists are hopeful the duo will go on to have pups in the near future.
The decline in numbers is a result of mass-scale deforestation, water pollution and illegal hunting in the region. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listed the species as endangered back in 2020 and it’s now the job of places like Chester and other Zoos to stop them from going extinct.
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Three-year-old Manú – who travelled all the way from Budapest Zoo in Hungary – is said to have been genetically matched with Tibiri, 8, giving the species the best possible chance at a more secure future.
A handsome boy already cosying up to his new mate. (Credit: Chester Zoo)
The species, which can grow up to nearly two metres in length and 30kg in weight (the largest of all otter species, as the name would suggest) has sadly already been declared extinct in Uruguay and its ancestral home of Argentina. There are thought to be less than 5,000 left in the entire world.
But that’s where the likes of Manú and Tibir come in: they could help popular future generations of the giant otter and hopefully see them return to lakes, rivers and wetlands in numbers one day.
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Speaking on the arrival, Chester Zoo Carnivore Keeper, Anna Starkey, said: “Since arriving at the zoo only a few days ago, Manú has settled into his new surroundings very quickly… So far we’ve seen really positive signs between the two and they can be heard using a range of vocalisations while playfully swimming together, which shows us that they’ve instantly bonded.
“[They’re] apex predators in the South American ecosystems and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of freshwater habitats. They do this by hunting prey populations, keeping the health and biodiversity of their environments in check. But sadly, the wild population feel enormous pressures from pollution and mass deforestation which continue to threaten their survival altogether.”
They’re nicknamed ‘river wolves’ for their razor-sharp teeth, muscular bodies and skilled hunting. (Credit: Supplied)
Each giant otter typically has unique markings of white or cream fur on their throat and under their chin, which allows every individual to be identified by experts.
Unusually though, Manú does not have any markings and his throat is chestnut brown, which makes him easily identifiable from his new lady friend.
Starkey added: “It will now be the role of conservation zoos like ours to play a pivotal role in turning the tide and safeguarding their future on the planet.”
Channel 4 takes all episodes of Married at First Sight UK off air after rape allegations
Emily Sergeant
Channel 4 has stripped all episodes of Married at First Sight UK from air following rape allegations from previous participants.
The broadcaster said ‘very serious allegations of wrongdoing’ have been made against a small number of past participants in the popular reality TV series, which sees single people – matched by experts – ‘marry’ strangers who they meet for the first time on their wedding day, leading to the show being fully taken off air.
It comes as the BBC and a Panorama special reported allegations from two women who alleged they were raped during filming of the show, and a third described an allegation of a non-consensual sex act.
Each of the past participants all alleged that the show did not do enough to protect them.
Channel 4’s recently appointed CEO, Priya Dogra, confirmed that the broadcaster had instructed an external review of contributor welfare on Married at First Sight UK (MAFS UK) last month.
The broadcaster says it expects the review to report in the coming months, and will share a summary of findings and recommendations at the ‘appropriate time’.
Channel 4 takes all episodes of Married at First Sight UK off air after rape allegations / Credit: James West (via Flickr)
A formal statement issued by Channel 4 addressing the matter reads: “In April, Channel 4 was presented with serious allegations of wrongdoing against a small number of past contributors, allegations that we understand those contributors have denied.
“The channel is mindful of the privacy and continuing duty of care towards all contributors, and cannot comment on or disclose details of those allegations.
“Related to those allegations, Channel 4 was asked to respond to claims of failures in welfare protocols. Channel 4 believes that when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time.
“Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.”
Explaining the decision to remove all episodes of the show from air and streaming services, the statement continued: “While the review is ongoing and until we receive any conclusions and recommendations, all previous seasons of MAFS UK have been removed from Channel 4 streaming and linear services at this time, alongside Channel 4’s MAFS UK social channels.”
Channel 4 says this move considers the ongoing duty of care to all contributors, the seriousness of the allegations levelled against a small number of past contributors, and is made ‘out of an abundance of caution to avoid fuelling speculation or jigsaw identification’.
Featured Image – Channel 4
News
Vision to host the Olympics in the North of England takes step forward
Daisy Jackson
The government has taken a serious step forward in its vision to bring an Olympic and Paralympic Games bid to the north of England.
A strategic assessment has officially been commissioned to see if the first northern Olympics could be viable in the 2040s.
The assessment will test the impact that hosting could have on the North’s regeneration and growth.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said that our corner of the country produces some of the UK’s finest sporting talent, but that the region itself has been overlooked for hosting a global event of this size.
She said that the government is now ‘starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North’.
An initial strategic assessment has been commissioned from UK Sport to see whether the UK could host an Olympic and Paralympic Games up north.
It will assess key factors such as potential cost, socioeconomic benefit and any bid’s chance of success.
Lisa Nandy said: “London 2012 showed what the Olympics can do for our country. It inspired a generation through sport, attracted huge investment and showed the best of Britain to the world.
“But while the North of England has driven so much sporting excellence, no matter the talent we produce, the sporting moments we create, and the world-class events we attract – for too long we have been told the Olympics is simply too big and too important to be hosted in the North.
“Not any more. It’s time the Olympics came North and we showed what we can offer to the world. I couldn’t be more pleased to announce that we’re starting the firing gun on a long overdue vote of confidence in the North.”
Manchester is already home to world-class cycling facility, the National Cycling Centre. Credit: Unsplash, Dylan Nolte
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Britain’s sporting prowess is recognised and respected around the world. It’s something we are determined to capitalise on to breathe life into our communities and build a stronger and more secure economy.
“That’s why we’re throwing our full support behind bringing the Games back home which will boost our Northern Growth Corridor. It’s also why we’re backing stadium regeneration plans, like at Elland Road, to deliver new homes, business opportunities and public spaces in Leeds and beyond.”
Chair of The Great North, North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “From our great cities and towns to our coastlines and countryside, the North has the venues, the passion and the sporting pride to deliver a world-class Olympic and Paralympic Games that showcases the very best of Great Britain to the world.
“A Great North Olympics would be a global showcase, leaving a legacy of prosperity, unity and renewal. It’s an opportunity not to be missed, delivering transformational investment in transport, regeneration and public spaces across the North of England.
“This could become the most people-powered Games ever hosted: inspiring millions of people into sport, volunteering and community action.”
The news comes ahead of a major sporting summer for the UK, which includes events like the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, and the Tour de France and Tour de France Femmes Grands Départs.
The Government is already backing bids to host the World Athletics and Para-Athletics Championships in 2029, as well as the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as part of its commitment to driving a decade of change in women’s sport.
Danny Jones -
1st May 2024 
