Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Born Free calls for a review of zoo regulations
The plan calls on the government to end the import, sales and keeping of wild-caught mammals as pets.
Priority plan to reform the keeping of captive wild animals

A 15-point plan to protect and ensure the future of captive wild animals in the UK will be launched at a special event in Westminster this evening (22 March).

Compiled by the Born Free Foundation, the plan calls on the government to:

    •    Establish a full-time and centralised zoo inspectorate to ensure consistency in licensing and inspection of zoos
    •    Act swiftly on a ban on the use of wild animals in travelling circuses across the UK
    •    Introduce a ban on the trade in, and private keeping of, all species of non-human primate
    •    End the import, sale and keeping of wild-caught mammals, reptiles and amphibians as pets.

The plan will be unveiled at Beyond the Bars: The Welfare of Captive Wild Animals in the UK - a high-profile event involving animal welfare experts, veterinary surgeons, MPs and wildlife NGOs.

“The Prime Minister recently claimed that the UK was number two in the world when it came to animal welfare. However, the lack of attention and effort that has been paid to the keeping of wild animals in captivity seriously undermines that claim,” commented Will Travers OBE, Born Free president.

“Without resolute action, not only will our reputation suffer, but more importantly, wild animals in our care will suffer unnecessarily.

The event comes after South Lakes Zoo in Cumbria was refused a new zoo operating licence. A damning report by zoo inspectors revealed that 486 animals had died at the zoo in four years. It also exposed a catalogue of animal welfare concerns.

Born Free claims that many UK zoos do not provide their animals with the best possible living conditions or standards of care, and sometimes put the visiting public at risk.

“While the UK has been proud of its attitude to animal welfare, and historically introduced some significant legislation to protect animals, we may now have rested on our laurels for too long, particularly in the case of wild animals in captivity,” explained Chris Draper, Born Free’s associate director for animal welfare & care.

“Our understanding of the needs of wild animals has improved significantly in recent years, and we now need to face the unfortunate possibility that our current laws, regulations and standards may no longer adequately safeguard the welfare of wild animals in captivity.”


Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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. 

Click here for more...
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.