Idaho Falls Zoo Amur tiger passes away
18-year-old Amur tiger, Basha
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - The Idaho Falls Zoo announced Thursday the passing of its 18-year-old Amur tiger, Basha.
She passed due to complications associated with old age on April 6.
She was the oldest living tiger at any Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo. The average life span for females of her species is 14.3 years.
With her advancing age, veterinary and animal care staff had been closely monitoring and evaluating Basha’s health over several years. In recent months, she experienced a significant decline in her health that dramatically accelerated over the last few weeks. When her condition advanced to the point that medical treatment no longer kept her comfortable and pain free, animal care and veterinary teams jointly decided that euthanasia was the most humane option.
Meal scheme will switch for half-term
The free meal system for school pupils will change over the February half term – as the government tries to balance its books by using a different department’s funding for the food.
In a switchover that has the potential to spark some administration issues, meals for those that need it will continue, but paid for from a different area.
Currently the Department for Education are in charge of providing cash for school meals during the coronavirus outbreak in term-times.
But when half term arrives something called the Covid Winter Grant Scheme, which comes from the DWP, will supply the money. It has £170m of funds.
Scandal over school meal parcels in lockdown have dominated in past 48 hours
But opaque finances and loophole-heavy guidance sees funding go elsewhere
Supply firms also make profit for delivering packages to save staff time
And smart card system for free meals has seen millions wiped each year
It gives pupils credit on cards to spend on meals in school throughout term
In lockdown the allowance is replaced by the parcels sent out to children
The under-fire schools food provider has apologised and vowed to raise standards after parents railed against the paltry lunches it was sending their children.