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Over half of world's primates facing extinction, experts warn
Gibbon
Only 25 Hainan gibbons remain in the wild.

Threatened by habitat destruction, hunting and illegal trade

More than half of the world's primate species, including gibbons, lemurs and monkeys, are heading towards extinction, according to conservation experts.

The main threats are habitat destruction - particularly from the burning and clearing of tropical forests - as well as the hunting of primates for food, and the illegal wildlife trade.

New additions to the list of the world's 25 most endangered primates include the Philippine tarsier and the Lavasoa Mountains dwarf lemur. 

The list also highlights the plight of the Hainan gibbon, of which there are just 25 remaining in the wild. Similarly, around just 50 northern sportive lemurs remain in their native Madagascar.

Updated every two years, the list has been put together by primatologists working in the field who have first-hand knowledge of the causes of threats to primates.  

One of the editors of the report is Dr Christoph Schwitzer, director of conservation at Bristol Zoological Society and a world-leading primatologist.
 
Explaining the significance of the report, Dr Schwitzer said: “This research highlights the extent of the danger facing many of the world’s primates. We hope it will focus people’s attention on these lesser known primate species, some of which most people will probably have never heard of, such as the Lavasoa Mountains dwarf lemur from Madagascar - a species only discovered two years ago - or the Roloway monkey from Ghana and Ivory Coast, which we believe is on the very verge of extinction.”
 
He added: “Some of these animals have tiny populations remaining in the wild and support and action to help save them is vital if we are to avoid losing these wonderful animals forever.”

The report was compiled by Compiled by the Primate Specialist Group of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission, Bristol Zoological Society, the International Primatological Society, and Conservation International.

A link to the full report can be found at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kkgo1ecgth7dmzp/AADQdd7qfgqHZqdmx8CSgKbLa?dl=0

Image (C) Zhao Chao

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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.