"Dorset"

Page last revised:
7th October 2004

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DATE: ANIMAL: LOCATION:
Friday 29 August 2003 WOLF Stoke Abbot
5th February 2004 WILD BOAR Bridport
26th March 2004 BUTTERFLIES. Locally
12th May 2004 MANTIS SHRIMP Weymouth

 

Bridport
WILD BOAR
Herd of 30 Wild Boar escape
A herd of Wild Boar worth more than £20,000 have escaped from a Dorset farm.
The 30-strong herd, escaped from the farm in Bridport, with up to 50 sightings of them so far, their owner had urges the general public not to approach or confront these largely nocturnal beasts. They weigh approx 331 pounds (150 kilos).

These animals must be kept according to provisions under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (amended 1984) Which requires a licence to keep them, for proper precautions to be put in place, and ensure both their safety and care.

(Source: BBC News)
5th February 2004

Contributed by: Lisa Willow

File: 2004-111
Ref No: 1021

Stoke Abbot
WOLF
On August 31st 2003 a pensioner Mr Doudley Tolley of Stoke Knapp farm near to Stoke Abbot, claims to have seen a wolf whilst walking down a lane near to Lewsdon Hill. He stated that ”When it was 15 yards away from me I could see it was a wolf. It was dark grey, taller than a large Alsatian with spindly legs, not as thick set as an Alsatian It looked at me I reckon it was thinking shall I go back or shall I go through the hedge, it was certainly unhurried, it was a beautiful animal and in very good condition. I have never seen a wolf in the wild before” Mr Tolley contacted the local constabulary, He also contacted the Animal Health team at DEFRA. and is hoping that someone will capture it.

(Source: Bridport & Lyme Regis News)
Friday 29 August 2003

Contributed by: Mark Fraser

File: 2003-83
Ref No: 839

Weymouth
MANTIS SHRIMP
Tropical mantis shrimp have been discovered in Weymouth, Dorset. Two of the crustaceans, which can strike at approximately 75ft per second, were found by fishermen as they were trawling. The mantis shrimp is usually found near equatorial coral reefs. It has a front leg shaped like a club, which it uses to kill prey. It is unusual for the shrimp to attack humans, but people have been warned to stay away, if they should happen to encounter one.

The Stomatopods are being kept in a specially reinforced tank at Weymouth Sea Life Centre.

(Source: SKY News)
12th May 2004

Contributed by : Lisa Willow
Written by: Steve Jones

File: 2004-162
Ref: 1243

BUTTERFLIES
LOST UK BUTTERFLY THRIVING
The large blue butterfly which became extinct in the UK in 1979 is making a comeback with a population of around 6000, possibly the highest figure since the 1950s.

In 1983 large blue butterflies were reintroduced from Sweden. They are now thriving in 6 out of the 9 colonies set up then. (Maculinea arion) is the only one of the six blue butterfly species native to the UK. All six are classified as endangered or vulnerable by the IUCN.

Source: BBC News)
26th March 2004

Written by Paul Williams
Contributed by Lisa Willow

File: 2004-135
Ref No: 1115


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