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Government to step in to help import tiger after PMQs plea to Cameron Government to step in to help import tiger after PMQs plea to Cameron
(about 2 hours later)
Government officials have said they will work to help the Isle of Wight zoo import a tiger held in isolation in Belgium after David Cameron promised his support when the topic unexpectedly came up during Jeremy Corbyn’s first appearance at prime minister’s questions as leader of the opposition.Government officials have said they will work to help the Isle of Wight zoo import a tiger held in isolation in Belgium after David Cameron promised his support when the topic unexpectedly came up during Jeremy Corbyn’s first appearance at prime minister’s questions as leader of the opposition.
Andrew Turner, Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, used the first question after Jeremy Corbyn’s PMQs debut to plead with the prime minister to aid the zoo in breaking through a “bureaucratic logjam” to import the tiger.Andrew Turner, Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, used the first question after Jeremy Corbyn’s PMQs debut to plead with the prime minister to aid the zoo in breaking through a “bureaucratic logjam” to import the tiger.
Simi had been a circus tiger in Germany but was taken on welfare grounds to a Belgian rescue centre two years ago to be held at isolation. Turner told Cameron: “She was firstly cruelly treated in a circus and now has been kept in isolation for nearly two years despite Belgium being wholly free from rabies.” Simi had been a circus tiger in Germany but was taken on welfare grounds to a Belgian rescue centre two years ago, to be held at isolation. Turner told Cameron: “She was firstly cruelly treated in a circus and now has been kept in isolation for nearly two years despite Belgium being wholly free from rabies.”
Cameron said: “I do want to hear about the tiger. We will help with the Defra animal and plant health agency.” Cameron said: “I do want to hear about the tiger. We will help with the Defra Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
A spokeswoman for the agency said: “Quarantine waivers are strictly controlled and only issued if certain criteria can be met by the premises of origin and destination. APHA will work with the Isle of Wight zoo to ensure that the correct procedures are followed.” She said certain criteria had not been met so far.A spokeswoman for the agency said: “Quarantine waivers are strictly controlled and only issued if certain criteria can be met by the premises of origin and destination. APHA will work with the Isle of Wight zoo to ensure that the correct procedures are followed.” She said certain criteria had not been met so far.
The zoo’s director, Charlotte Corney, said: “It’s good news obviously, and we weren’t expecting it to be raised today, so that was a bit of a surprise. We’re in negotiations with Defra and we are optimistic that we can get the move pushed through.The zoo’s director, Charlotte Corney, said: “It’s good news obviously, and we weren’t expecting it to be raised today, so that was a bit of a surprise. We’re in negotiations with Defra and we are optimistic that we can get the move pushed through.
“From our perspective everything lies on the welfare of the tiger who’s been living in a holding facility for some while, having come from a particularly unpleasant background, and the sooner she can be settled with the people who are bonding with her and caring for her for the rest of her life, the better.” “From our perspective everything lies on the welfare of the tiger, who’s been living in a holding facility for some while, having come from a particularly unpleasant background, and the sooner she can be settled with the people who are bonding with her and caring for her for the rest of her life, the better.”
The naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, who is Corney’s partner, said the tiger would live a better life in the UK.The naturalist and broadcaster Chris Packham, who is Corney’s partner, said the tiger would live a better life in the UK.
“This ex-circus tiger has probably had a pretty tough life but if it comes to live out its retirement on the Isle of Wight it will be pampered, loved and become a great educational ambassador for its wild counterparts,” he told the Guardian.“This ex-circus tiger has probably had a pretty tough life but if it comes to live out its retirement on the Isle of Wight it will be pampered, loved and become a great educational ambassador for its wild counterparts,” he told the Guardian.
Cameron also revealed that he had intervened in a similar case by helping Cotswold Wildlife Park in his constituency to import a rhino. He said the park named the rhino Nancy after his daughter.Cameron also revealed that he had intervened in a similar case by helping Cotswold Wildlife Park in his constituency to import a rhino. He said the park named the rhino Nancy after his daughter.
“And Nancy has been breeding ever since she arrived in Burford and I hope this tiger is also as effective,” Cameron said.“And Nancy has been breeding ever since she arrived in Burford and I hope this tiger is also as effective,” Cameron said.