18th April News review

Super pigs roaming free across Canada

Large, hairy pigs, called wild hogs have been spotted taking over more land in Canada than previously thought.

The hogs are offspring of European wild boars that were brought to Canada to be raised for meat in the 1980s and 1990s. Since then, they have spread across western and central Canada.

Ryan Brook, one of the lead researchers of the study says that “ Breading between wild hogs and domestic hogs may have lead to super pigs. These animals produce large litters of offspring and can survive in many different climates.

A heroic fundraiser

On 6 April 2020 Tom Moore began a fundraising campaign to help the National Health Service during Coronavirus lockdown by aiming to complete one hundred, 25 m laps of his garden, before his 100th birthday. He has successfully completed his goal and captured the hearts of people around the world who have now donated over £20 million to his cause.

He was a captain in the Duke of Wellington’s regiment in the second world war and this army veteran is a true British legend.

Animal of the week

Red panda

Lifespan:

12 to 14 years

Diet:

bamboo, grasses, roots and nuts, but they will occasionally eat insects and small rodents too.

Habitat:

Red pandas live in the mountains of Nepal and northern Myanmar (Burma), as well as in central China.