Zoo Says Hello Deer!

Belfast Zoo's minor baby boom continues with the birth of Pequeño, the Southern pudu baby fawn that was so small that it was the same weight as a pint of milk. The Southern pudu is the smallest member of the deer family with adults measuring approximately 43 centimetres in height and 13 kilograms in weight when grown. Zoo Manager, Mark Challis, is delighted with the newest arrivaland said: "Southern pudus are facing a high risk of extinction in the wild so the birth of the fawn is extremely important. Southern pudus originate from the dense lowland forests of South Chile and South-west Argentina and as Spanish is the native language we have named the fawn, Pequeño which means small." There are just 70 pudu kept in European zoos, the European breeding programme is managed by zoologists in Wuppertal Zoo. This recent addition brings the total number of Southern pudus at Belfast Zoo to four and visitors can easily spot Pequeño as fawns have white spots, which provide camouflage in the wild.

Sinn Fein In Election Focus

The Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams TD - who was joined by the three new party Dáil Senators Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, David Culinane and Kathryn Reilly along with Assembly candidates - was yesterday on an election walkabout and canvass just hours before the poll in west Belfast. His high profile appearance was followed by the outgoing Stormont Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness who today joined party colleagues Martina Anderson and Mitchel McLaughlin as he voted at the Model Primary School, Northland Road in Londonderry.

Adam's Extradition Adjourned

The brother of Sinn Féin TD Gerry Adams, wanted in Northern Ireland over charges of rape, indecent assault and gross indecency against his daughter, has had extradition proceedings against him further adjourned. Liam Adams, denies all the charges and is contesting the request for his surrender. His daughter Aine Tyrell waived her right to anonymity to bring the case forward. Mr Adams was remanded on continuing bail. The case is expected on May 25.

Grocer Accolade For Hendersons

The grocery trade's annual charity gala ball - the Ulster Grocer Marketing Awards - were presented recently and saw hosts Sky news broadcaster, Dermot Murnaghan and local broadcaster and journalist, Emma-Louise Johnston present the Group Marketing Department at the Spar and Vivo wholesaler, Hendersons, with two main awards and a runner-up in another category. Topping the accolades was that for Paddy Doody, Sales and Marketing Director, who walked away with the Marketing Personality of the Year trophy.

NI Water Fined Over Water Pollution

The official Government body that has responsibility for water supplies in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Water Ltd (NIW) has been fined £2,000 plus court costs of £49 at Antrim Magistrates' Court this week for making a polluting discharge to a waterway and breach of consent. On 3 May 2010 an official from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency observed untreated sewage impacting on the Six Mile Water at Antrim for approximately 500 metres. The source of the polluting discharge was traced to Massereene Sewage Pumping Station (SPS), Antrim, which is owned and operated by NIW. A sample taken at the time of the incident confirmed that the discharge contained poisonous, noxious or polluting matter which was potentially harmful to fish life in the receiving waterway.

Poyntzpass Development In hand

A development plan that will deliver key services to Poyntzpass, Co Down has been unveiled. The plan will deliver play and recreational provision, new gateway features and new public toilets. Talks are currently taking place with NI Railways, in order to get them onboard and secure tenure of the land as the scheme will be developed around the railway line to regenerate that area while delivering essential services for the entire community. The development plan will compliment the plans for redevelopment of the Handball Alley. Over the coming months there will be community consultation and the plans will be finalised, external funding secured and at long last play and recreational facilities will be a reality for the people of Poyntzpass.

(BMcC/GK)