"Essex"

Page last revised:
6th November 2004

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DATE: ANIMAL: LOCATION:
26th July 2001 IGUANA South Benfleet
  SPECTACLED CAIMAN Not Known
14th April 2003 EAGLE OWL  Illford
6th February 2004 CORN SNAKE Leigh on the Sea
13th September 2004 OSTRICH Romford
1st October 2004 BLACK WIDOW SPIDER Barling
4th October 2004 LADYBIRDS (Harmonia axyridis)  Widespread

 

Barling
BLACK WIDOW SPIDER
A Black Widow Spider was found by Barry Ashdown of Barling in Essex. He found the Spider in the engine of a 1960 Deville Cadillac witch was imported from America.

Mr Ashdown managed to trap the spider in a jam jar and then took it to the Dangerous Wild Animal Rescue Facility in Great Wakering. Which is a special centre.

Mr Iain Newby who runs the centre said "It's a female black widow which is usually found in Nevada," "I understand the car had been sitting in a field in Texas for two years so in a way it's lucky there was nothing else in there. "The spider is venomous and potentially deadly. If he had been bitten it's likely he would have been unwell for some weeks."

The spider has now been passed to a private collector who will take care of it.

(Source Scotsman News - 1st October 2004)

Contributed by: Kara
Re-Written By: Cher Jenkins

File:
Ref No: 1747

Widespread
LADYBIRDS (Harmonia axyridis)
Harmonia axyridis which is also known as the Harlequin ladybird is on its way to the Uk and poses a very big threat to our wildlife

The Harlequin Ladybird is from Asia which has been introduced to North America, it was introduced to fight off Aphids. And ever since it the Ladybird has spread to Europe.

Dr Michael Majerus of Cambridge University's Genetics Department said “This is without doubt the ladybird I have least wanted to see here," said Dr Marjerus. I knew it was on its way, but I hoped that it wouldn't be so soon. Now many of our ladybirds will be in direct competition with this aggressively invasive species, and some will simply not cope." He also added "In the last decade its catastrophic increase in numbers has threatened endemic North American ladybirds and other aphid predators, many of which are plummeting alarmingly as the Harlequins consume their prey. "Despite this ... Harlequin ladybirds are still sold in continental Europe by biocontrol companies, and it now roams across France, Belgium and Holland, with numbers soaring annually."

Dr Marjerus said they are seeking a place to spend the winter and that houses may become inundated with the beetle. He added that wineries have reported a vast number of the Ladybird among their harvest as they fond of grapes. There has also been reports of the Ladybird biting people.

So its very important to monitor the beetle as it may get out of control as they may annihilate the British Ladybird.

(Source: The Scotsman - Mon 4th October 2004)

Re-Write By: Cher Jenkins

File: 2004-256
Ref No: 1756

SPECTACLED CAIMAN
A man who paid £20 in an Essex pub for what he thought was an exotic lizard ran into trouble as the creature turned out to be a Spectacled Caiman - a type of Crocodile. The Caiman - christened Carmen - was only 12 inches long when it was rescued in June 2000, but at full size could grow up to seven feet in length. When found it was severely underweight, had an infected stub on its broken tail and had two claws missing. Caimans, which require being housed in tropical conditions and fed a diet of fish and meat, have an aggressive nature. The crocodile has now been rehomed with the Amazonian reptile collection in Great Yarmouth. RSPCA inspector Chris Nice, who rescued the Caiman, said: "The licensing system is clearly far from foolproof when an animal like this can change hands in a pub for a few pounds."

Illford
EAGLE OWL
JAZZ PLAYS HOOKIE
An eagle has gone missing in Essex. Jazz, the half-mere-tall eagle owl, escaped whilst being exercised by his owner in a park near his home in Ilford.

Pet owners should be alert, as he may start to prey on cats and even dogs if he gets hungry. Although Jazz is described as good natured, people are warned not to approach him, because he may be dangerous if he feels threatened.

Eagle owls are the largest species of owl. They will eat most small animals. Mice, rabbits, hares, and even pigeons are all commonly preyed upon, but they will also go for larger animals such as foxes and deer.

Ref No: 1102

(Source: BBC News)
14th April 2003

Written by: Steve Jones

UPDATE
Regrettably, we have to report that Jazz's body has been found, it had fallen victim to a fox. It appears the four year old eagle owl was preyed upon by our british predator. and his body found near his home, under a bush.

Eagle owls are known to prey on foxes, but it is believed that it is because he was so tame, that the fox was able to get a hold of him.

Ref No: 1103

(Source: BBC News)
15th April 2003

Written by: Steve Jones

Leigh on the Sea
CORN SNAKE
Builders working in Glendale Gardens, Leigh uncovered a baby Corn Snake. These reptiles originate from South America and this particular one was believed to be an escaped pet. Iain Newby of the Dangerous Wild Animals Rescue Facility which is located in Great Wakering collected the snake. It is now being cared for by them but on a temporary basis. The snake, which is black, white and grey is said to be thin and in need of nutrition. The Rescue facility will look after the creature for a maximum of 7 days and then if not reclaimed, the snake will be rehomed.

If you think the snake is yours, call Mr Newby on (07729) 852932

(Source: this is Essex, News)
6th February 2004

Romford
OSTRICH
Godzilla flees
A 6ft Ostrich called Godzilla escaped and was chased for two hours through Romford in Essex Children enjoyed watching the chase but the RSPCA pointed out that they could have sustained a lethal injury due to the kicking ability of the bird.

Godzilla was eventually led home by its owners son.

The RSPCA are contacting the council to ascertain if the correct licence is held.

(Source: BBC News - 13th September 2004)

Written by: Paul Williams

File: 2001-226
Ref: 1671

South Benfleet
IGUANA
(Source: Ananova.com)
Runaway Iguana found up tree
A missing pet iguana has turned up safe and well in a neighbour's garden, almost a month after disappearing. The three and a half foot long reptile was spotted 30 feet up an oak tree by a woman in South Benfleet, Essex. The green iguana escaped from its owners on July 1 and had not been seen since. A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: "We found him in the tree next door. He's probably been there the whole time. We tried to catch him with a long stick called a grabber but we couldn't. We eventually managed to catch him by shaking the tree and he scampered down and fell to the ground; his fall was cushioned by leaves." The RSPCA inspector and Fire and Rescue officers spent an hour trying to entice the creature, which has now been returned to its owner. The spokeswoman said the reptile is in a good condition. "It would have found plenty to eat as this is a herbivore and lives off leaves, soft fruit and also insects."

Thursday 26th July 2001

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