Chester Zoo has released the first pictures of a highly-endangered deer fawn that was born at the end of last year.
Meet Lyra.
Born at the UK’s largest charity zoo just before Christmas back in December 2021, Lyra is a Philippine spotted deer – a species which is said to have become regionally extinct on several islands in the Philippines as a result of intensive and devastating hunting and deforestation, which is estimated to have left as few as 700 remaining in the wild, according to The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Now, the deer can only be found in the wild on the islands of Panay and Negros.
The population of the Philippine spotted deer at Chester Zoo is part of an acclaimed conservation breeding programme set up at the request of the Philippine government to ensure a genetically-viable population of the deer can live in leading European zoos.
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Lyra’s birth was a “significant addition” to this programme.
Despite being a few months old now, Lyra has only recently emerged outside for the first time, and Chester Zoo has made sure to capture her first outing on camera and on video to share with the eagerly-awaiting public.
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🦌 SUPER RARE DEER BORN! 🦌
We’re celebrating the birth of Lyra – a tiny Philippine spotted deer.
Only 700 remain in the wild ❌ so here’s how we're helping to prevent their extinction with conservation friends at the @Talarak_TFI 🎥
Lyra has been named after a constellation of stars, and shares the theme with her parents Nova and Cosmos.
“Every Philippine spotted deer birth is absolutely crucial to the long term survival of this species, so we were absolutely overjoyed to see a fluffy bundle alongside mum Nova one morning,” explained Emma Evison – Keeper at Chester Zoo.
“At birth, Lyra only stood at 30cm tall and weighed just 3kg, but after a few weeks on mum’s milk, she’s already shot up and has gained in strength and confidence.
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“She’s full of personality and is keeping mum busy with her new found energy.”
Chester Zoo is working to protect the Philippine spotted deer in its homeland, while “educating and empowering local communities that live alongside them,” Emma explained.
Lyra is a Philippine spotted deer – a species which is said to have become regionally extinct on several islands / Credit: Chester Zoo
Conservationists at the zoo have been supporting efforts to protect and restore the habitat in the Philippines, while also funding critical breeding centres for a number of highly endangered species – including spotted deer – for more than two decades, and back in 2020, the zoo and partners safely reintroduced a group of 28 Philippine spotted deer back to the wild into a protected nature reserve.
“We’re very pleased to report that the group is now thriving in their new home,” revealed Stuart Young, Regional Field Programme Manager for South East Asian Islands at Chester Zoo.
“This is the first time a reintroduction of this scale has been attempted in the region and is a landmark moment for the future of the species, thanks to a worldwide collaboration of conservationists.”
Featured Image – Chester Zoo
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Drinks prices revealed as Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub opens inside T2
Emily Sergeant
It’s official… Manchester Airport’s first-ever JD Wetherspoon pub has officially opened its doors inside Terminal 2.
The 300-seater pub – which welcomed its first customers earlier this week – is named The Belle Vue after Manchester’s historic showground.
Throughout the pub, you’ll spot design features that nod to the city’s sporting heritage – including vintage event posters and memorabilia, a ‘locker wall’ hosting trophies and other sporting exhibits, and a cricket-themed design in the carpets and bar panels.
Creating around 150 jobs in the process, The Belle Vue is the final planned new eatery to open in the airport’s redeveloped Terminal 2, marking one of the final steps in the super-terminal’s decade-long, £1.5bn transformation.
Manchester Airport’s first-ever Wetherspoons pub has opened inside Terminal 2 / Credit: Supplied
According to the MEN, pints are priced from £6.20 for Carling and Coors lager, £6.45 for Budweiser, £6.60 for Guinness, and £6.70 for Poretti and 1664 Biere.
Prosecco is £9.20 for 175ml glass and £37.10 for the full bottle, while spirts and mixers are £6.80 for singles and £10.20 for doubles.
There’s also the classic Wetherspoons tea and coffee machines, where you can refill as many times as you like for just £3.60.
“It’s a proud moment to see the final new retail unit opening in our new-look Terminal 2,” commented Richard Jackson, who is the Retail Director at Manchester Airport.
“To be rounding off this 10-year programme by adding such an iconic name as Wetherspoon to the terminal is particularly special and we know that it will prove extremely popular with passengers. We think they’ll love the nods to Manchester’s heritage in the décor and design – and of course the name.”
The Belle Vue will be open from the first flight to the final flight each day, and food will be served from opening until 10pm.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Iconic Manc movie 24 Hour Party People is set to return to cinemas for its anniversary
Emily Sergeant
One of Manchester’s most iconic movies is set to return to the big screen next month.
Remastered in 4K and returning to UK cinemas to mark 24 years since its original release, Michael Winterbottom’s 2002 biographical comedy drama film, 24 Hour Party People, tells the story of Manchester‘s popular music community from 1976 to 1992 – specifically about Factory Records‘ founder Tony Wilson.
The film begins with the punk rock era of the late 1970s, before moving through the 1980s into the rave and DJ culture, and of course, the ‘Madchester‘ scene of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
The narrative largely follows the career of Tony Wilson, played by Middleton-born actor Steve Coogan, while also covering the careers of the major Factory Records artists – especially Joy Division and New Order, as well as A Certain Ratio, The Durutti Column, and Happy Mondays.
If you haven’t seen 24 Hour Party People before, it’s a dramatisation based on a combination of real events, rumours, and urban legends, as the film is sure to make clear.
Coogan is joined by a cast by a mixture of big names and, at the time, rising stars like Paddy Considine, Shirley Henderson, Lennie James, John Simm, Ralf Little, Andy Serkis, Sean Harris, John Thomson, and even Peter Kay, alongside cameos from other figures connected to the Manchester music scene.
Before it returns to cinemas, the film will first open music and media festival/conference, Beyond The Music, at MediaCity in Salford on 6 October.
The screening at the festival will also be followed by a Q&A with Coogan, Winterbottom, and producer Andrew Eaton.
24 Hour Party People will then be re-released in UK cinemas from 9 October, and you can check your local cinema for screening times and book tickets online now.
Emily Sergeant -
23rd March 2022 
