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Marine experts baffled by unusual turtle finds
Leatherback turtle
Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on earth and can grow up to two meters in length.

Four leatherback turtles strandings found off the coast of Scotland in the last month

An unusual number of leatherback turtles have been found stranded off the Scottish coast in the last month, the Scottish Marine Animal Strandings Scheme (SMASS) have revealed.

Four of the reptiles were found in the last fortnight, including an adult male which was reported entangled in creel ropes in deep water off Lochinver, North West Scotland.

The latest case, found in Dunbar, East Scotland, also appears to have been entangled in creel ropes.

A post-mortem examination was carried out on in Edinburgh on Monday.

Speaking to BBC News Scotland, Dr Andrew Brownlow, a pathologist for the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme, said it was "very unusual" to have four deaths in Scottish waters.

He said:  "We found evidence of entanglement most likely from creel ropes due to bruising and impressions left in the tissue.

"There was also congestion in the lungs which is a consistent finding in animals that have run out of oxygen underwater."

"We also found a small amount, about 30cm, of fishing twine, which although it had nothing to do with its death, shows these animals are vulnerable to ingesting marine debris."

Leatherbacks are the largest turtles on earth and can grow up to two meters in length and exceed 900 kilograms. Once prevalent on every ocean expect the Arctic and Antarctic, the leatherback population is declining at an alarming rate due to egg harvest, fishery by catch and coastal development.

In light of the recent finds, the SMASS are urging people to spread the word to those around the coastline of Scotland and to keep a lookout for any other strandings. 

Image (C) Rabon David, US Fish and Wildlife Service

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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.