A pair of Amur leopards have been captured on camera for the first time since their birth. The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland announced the birth in July, but with human presence being kept to a minimum, it was not known how many cubs had been born.

Motion sensitive cameras have now revealed that two cubs emerged from the den - at least one of which may be released into the wild in Russia within the next two or three years. The Amur leopard habitat is not open to the public, to help ensure the cubs retain their wild instincts and behaviour. Image RZSS

Surveillance activity is underway in south Cornwall after a confirmed sighting of an Asian hornet in the Fowey area. APHA bee inspectors are working to identify any nests so they can be destroyed.

Asian hornets pose no greater threat to human health than a bee but they present a serious risk to honey bee colonies.

Nicola Spence, Defra's deputy director for plant and bee health, said: "Following the successful containment of the Asian hornet incursion in North Devon last year and Tetbury previously, we have a well-established protocol in place to eradicate them and control any potential spread."

The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) - the veterinary division of International Cat Care - has announced its first annual conference dedicated to veterinary nurses. The day offers an opportunity to meet up with colleagues and enjoy more than five hours of stimulating CPD.

The conference is being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Stratford-Upon-Avon, on Saturday 15 September 2018. Tickets are 95 per person and include lunch, coffee breaks, downloadable proceedings and CPD certificate. For details and to book your place visit www.eventbrite.co.uk

Sri Lankan veterinary surgeon Dr Nalinika Obeyesekere has become the first recipient of the WSAVA's new award for companion animal welfare.

Developed by the WSAVA's Animal Wellness and Welfare Committee (AWWC), the award recognises individual veterinary surgeons who have made a significant contribution to animal welfare and inspired others to play their part.

"Nalinika's approach to animal welfare is grounded in science and this has enabled her to lobby successfully on a range of welfare issues with government agencies and other stakeholders," said co-chair of the WSAVA AWWC, Dr Melinda Merck. "Nalinika is a beacon of excellence in Sri Lanka and beyond."

Plastic bag sales in England's supermarkets are down 86 per cent since the introduction of the 5p charge, according to new figures.

Published by Defra, the figures show that customers of the 'big seven' supermarkets bought almost a quarter fewer plastic bags last year compared to 2016/17 - that's a staggering fall of some 300 million bags.

Defra notes the figure is equal to 19 bags per person, compared to 140 bags since the government introduced the 5p charge in 2015. Image (C) MichaelisScientists

Vets have saved a tiny Humboldt penguin chick after her egg was accidentally broken by her parents. Keepers at ZSL London Zoo were shocked to find the chick, named Rainbow, still alive and rushed her straight to the Zoo's on-site veterinary clinic.

It was a little way to go until the chick should have hatched, so the process was touch and go. Vets removed bits of shell from around the chick with tweezers until she could be lifted out and placed in a makeshift nest.

Rainbow is now in a custom-built incubation room where she spends her days cuddled up to a toy penguin. Keepers will hand-fed Rainbow for the next 10 weeks until she is healthy enough to move to the penguin nursery.