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NSA take action against re-introduction of wild lynx
Wild lynx
"It’s all very well to talk about the release of six or eight lynx, but how do you control them in the years to come when numbers get to a point where they threaten sheep in the area?"

Association believes lynx pose a 'real threat' to British livestock

Further to the announcement that wild lynx could be introduced to parts of the UK, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has contacted Natural England and a leading UK peer to voice its opposition.

The NSA believes reintroducing lynx after more than 1,300 years of extinction will pose a real threat to British livestock. They say that even trial work with the wild cat could lead to the predation of livestock - particularly lambs and ewes.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker has written to James Cross, head at Natural England, and Lord De Mauley, parliamentary under-secretary for Defra.

 “Our primary concern is that the lynx will threaten livelihoods and businesses within the farming industry. Ewes and lambs would be much easier prey than deer because they can’t get away so quickly,” says Mr Stocker.

The Eurasian lynx is thought to have been hunted to extinction for its fur between 500 and 700 AD in Britain. The Lynx UK Trust hopes that reintroducing lynx to the UK will help to control numbers of deer and protect forests from deer damage caused by overpopulation.

"We were heartened to receive a speedy response from Natural England, assuring us that, if and when it receives an application from the Lynx UK Trust, it will consult 'all relevant parties' and consider the socio-economic impacts of the reintroduction, as well as impacts on the environment and the animals themselves.

This is vitally important, as the progress will disrupt vulnerable ecosystems and challenge the viability of sheep farms. This will, in turn, have damaging impact on farmers' livelihood and businesses if the lynx prey on sheep."

Mr Stocker feels that the charity hasn’t considered the long-term implications of the project.

“It’s all very well to talk about the release of six or eight lynx, but how do you control them in the years to come when numbers get to a point where they threaten sheep in the area?

“The Lynx UK Trust is going to try to soften the blow by talking about a five-year project, but I think putting a stop to it after five years will be very difficult.

“I understand people’s interest in reintroducing extinct predators back into the countryside, however, we have to be practical and realistic, and look at how things have changed in the last 1,300 years.”

Image (C) Bernard Landgraf

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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. 

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.