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Zoo animals indulge in festive cheer
ZSL keepers provided the Asiatic lions with presents full of their favourite treats to rip open.
Keepers provide Christmas enrichment 

Zoo animals are getting into the Christmas spirit, tucking into festive treats and even enjoying a thick blanket of snow in Scotland.

Keepers at ZSL London Zoo provided a range of seasonal surprises for their residents, including presents for the Asiatic lions to rip open, sacks full of carrots for the donkeys and mini Santa stockings for the squirrel monkeys. The zoo’s Humboldt penguin colony even had their very own Christmas tree, complete with presents.

ZSL’s zoological manager Mark Habben said: “We love a bit of Christmas cheer at ZSL London Zoo, and like to find fun ways for the animals to join in the celebrations.
 
“We’ve come up with a variety of activities to encourage them to use their natural skills, like foraging or sniffing out their next meal: our lionesses will love using their hunting prowess to rip open their presents, while our penguins will be searching for treats under the tree - just like kids all over the country on Christmas day.”

Meanwhile, a thick blanket of snow has fallen at RZSS Highland Wildlife Park, where many of the animals that are adapted to cold weather are relishing the change to their environment.

The muskox and Amur tigers particularly enjoyed exploring and ripping into wrapped presents, giant snowballs and Christmas trees to get at their favourite treats, keepers said.

“The tigers definitely give the impression of being just large domestic cats in how they interact with the keeper-provided distractions,” said Douglas Richardson, head of living collections. “Whereas the muskox are as interested in their ‘toys’ but they are definitely trying to pummel their presents into the ground.”

Image © ZSL

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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.