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Sharpness Canal
CROCODILIAN
There have been reports of a possible Crocodilian which has been sighted in a Gloucestershire Canal, however little is know about this at the moment.

25th June 2003

File: 2003-78
Ref No: 1325

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Slimbridge
SNAKE
Gloucestershire Constabulary have issued a warning after a sighting of a 6 foot snake in the village of Slimbridge. The large grey snake was seen on 10th August in a field behind the church of St John the Evangelist.

(Source: BBC News 4th August 2004)
Contributed & written by: Lisa Willow

File: 2004-213
Ref No: 1506

UPDATE
Our Reditch Representative "Karen Alison" contacted the Gloucestershire Police and the Gloucestershire Echo, but no one as yet has any further information on this, if you know of anything about this snake, or any other out of place animals in or around you area, we'd love to hear from you.

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Staunton
WILD BOAR
A herd of 12 or 13 wild boar invaded the village of Staunton, roaming the woods and lanes and digging up a lawn.
Resident Jack Cockburn found six of them rooting in his flower beds on Monday. “There were two mature females, two half-grown ones and two very young,” he said. “They weren’t threatening ...They just trotted off in their own good time. He added that he had been told the full herd of about 12 animals, led by a boar, is roaming High Meadow Wood. “These are new to the area. They could have escaped from somewhere.”

Val Long, spokesperson for the forestry commission, stated: “We were called out on Monday and found them wandering the back lane towards Redbrook. We were able to herd them back into the woods. They seem very tame so we’re fairly certain they have been dumped for whatever reason.”

There have been reports of increasing numbers of wild boar in woods near Ross-on-Wye, just across the Herefordshire border from Staunton. Matthew Price, groups secretary of the National Farmers Union in Ledbury and Ross-on-Wye, said in January 2004, that dozens of wild boar had been spotted in local woodlands, and the population was rapidly expanding.

(Sources:The Citizen 29th November 2004, Birmingham Post 20th January 2004)

Contributed & Written by: Lisa Willow

File:
Ref No: 1940

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Stonebench, River Severn
PORPOISE
A porpoise has been spotted in the River Severn, near Elmore lane in Stonebench.
The mammal, which is the member of the dolphin family was seen by a passer by, who spotted its fin going in and out of the water. The RSPCA were called, they decided a rescue wasn't needed as it looked ok. The porpoise normally lives in salt water. It is believed that the tide brought it in from the Severn Estuary. They can survive in fresh water, but it is unusual to see them this far upstream. Mike May, who lives by the river spotted the creature when leaving his house. He was going through his gate, when he looked over and saw what looked like a sea lion or a porpoise in the water. When he got close he saw a fin coming in and out of the water, like a dolphin. He said it seemed to be in the shallow water looking for food. He said that he had seen sea lions come up with the tide before, and thinks that this one did too.

RSPCA inspector, Josie Oak said the animal didn't appear to be distressed so they were not going to try to capture it and return it to the sea at the moment. She said that it was difficult to see the animal clearly in the water, but she said it appears to be a porpoise around 4 feet long. She has spoken to experts, who say it is not unusual for porpoises to go into rivers. Although that one was quite a way upstream, she said it could be for a number of reasons, following food or sick and disorientated.

She said it was showing normal behaviour, so they are just monitoring it at present. An environmental spokeswoman said that two of their officers live near to the area so they are going to keep an eye on the animal and call the RSPCA if seems distressed. They would then offer their services if needed with a rescue saituation.

The Environment agency for the midlands and the River Severn can be contacted on 08708 506 506
The RSPCA can be contacted on 0870 5555 999

11th June 2004
(Source: Gloucester Citizen)

Written by: Karen Allison
Contributed by: Lisa Willow

File: 2004-177
Ref No: 1294

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Tuffley
MONITOR LIZARD
Lizard on run in Gloucester
A three foot long monitor lizard has escaped from its owners home in the Tuffley area of Gloucester. It is mottled grey and brown in colour.

The public have been advised not to try and capture it but to inform police. It is not likely to deliberately harm anyone but may bite if scared or provoked

(Source: Ananova News)
16th July 2003

Written by: Paul Williams