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Arctic reindeer decline by over 50 per cent
Five herds in the Alaska-Canada region have declined by more than 90 per cent and show no sign of recovery.
Climate change identified as an overarching factor

Caribou and wild reindeer herds across the Arctic tundra have declined by more than 50 per cent in the past 20 years, a new report shows.

The latest Arctic Report Card, which has been published annually since 2006, indicates that Arctic air temperatures for the past five years have exceeded all records since 1900.

Out of 22 herds monitored, only two are at historic peak numbers and have not declined. Overall, migratory herds in circa-Arctic tundra regions have fallen by 56 per cent, from 4.7 million to 2.1 million in the past two decades.

Five herds in the Alaska-Canada region have declined by more than 90 per cent and show no sign of recovery. In Russia, declines are particularly apparent in the forest, mountain and island reindeer. Out of 19 herds assessed, 18 are rare, decreasing or threatened.

Researchers say the reasons for the declines are complex, and relate to a combination of forage availability, parasites, predation, hunting and climate change, which has been identified as an overarching factor.

Other emerging issues highlighted by the report include an expansion of harmful toxic algal blooms in the Arctic Ocean and an increase in micro plastic contamination, which is threatening marine life and seabirds.

Surface air temperatures in the Arctic continued to warm at twice the rate of the rest of the globe. And in 2018, Arctic sea ice remained younger, thinner and covered less area than in the past.

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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.