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

Team goat deployed to New York park
goats
Not only prodigious climbers, goats have four stomachs and can consume a quarter of their bodyweight in vegetation every day. (stock photo)
Animals will help to restore habitat after storms

A herd of goats has arrived at a park in New York, tasked with restoring woodlands that were damaged by Hurricane Sandy and other severe storms.

The team of eight will being working in the northeast corner of Prospect Park, which has been hit hardest, losing more than 50 trees. Without the trees, invasive plants have thrived, causing erosion and damage to habitats.

But removing the weeds isn't as simple as it sounds, according to Christian Zimmerman, vice president at Prospect Park Alliance, which preserves and maintains the park. Steep hillsides in the area present a challenge for human staff and machinery, but they are easily manoeuvred by goats.

Not only prodigious climbers, goats have four stomachs and can consume a quarter of their bodyweight in vegetation every day.

Their work at the park is not just about beautifying the area, but also fortifying habitat and food sources for local fauna, including countless bird species.

Mr Zimmerman said: "Once their work is complete, we will then plant new native trees and shrubs, including red and white oaks, spicebush and service berry, which will help to bring back important habitat for birds and other wildlife."

The goat team comprises a mixture of Nubian, Angora and pygmy breeds. They were provided by Green Goats, a farm in Rhinebeck, New York, that specialises in landscape restoration.

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.