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Threatened water voles return to Yorkshire
Watervole
The water vole is one of Britain’s most threatened mammals.
Rangers optimistic creatures will recolonise the Malham Tarn

Following a 50-year absence, one of the UK’s most threatened species is returning to the Yorkshire Dales.

According to the National Trust, around 100 water voles are set to be released into the Malham Tarn - England’s highest freshwater lake.

The project is the largest of its kind ever carried out in Britain and forms part of a major new vision for land management.

“By reintroducing water voles to the Tarn, we hope to give these rare animals the chance to recolonise streams in the high Yorkshire Dales,” said Roisin Black, National Trust Ranger at Malham Tarn.

The water vole is one of Britain’s most threatened mammals. Once common, the creatures have vanished from almost 90 per cent of streams and rivers where they once lived.

Ecologists believe that Malham Tarn’s water voles were wiped out in the 1960s by mink, which escaped from local fur farms.

The National Trust say they plan to release 200 specially-bred water voles to the lake over the next two years.

It is hoped the voles will play an important part in the ecosystem at the lake, grazing the riverbank and providing space for rare plants to grow. They will also provide a source of food for struggling predators like otters and barn owls.

“We know water voles have thrived at Malham Tarn in the past. With no records of mink in the Tarn for two decades, the habitat here is perfect for water voles again,” said Roisin.

Over the coming years, rangers will monitor the health of the water vole population. Rangers are optimistic the creatures will recolonise the Tarn and its surrounding streams.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.