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Dogs find illegal ivory 'within minutes'
dog nose
The dog team and their handlers are able to detect a range of illegal wildlife products, arms and ammunition. (stock photo)
Specially trained team celebrates first find in Tanzania
 
A pair of specially trained sniffer dogs have nabbed their first haul of illegal ivory, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) reports.

The dog team and their handlers from Tanzanian National Parks (TANAPA) are able to detect a range of illegal wildlife products, arms and ammunition.

On 13 August, they were given instructions to carry out a late night house search in a village outside Tanzania's Ruaha National Park, after authorities received a report of illegal ivory being stored in a residence.

Within minutes of searching the compound outside the house, Belgian malinois dog Jenny found something hidden underneath a parked vehicle. Her keen sense of smell had led the team to four concealed tusks hidden in plastic. According to TANAPA officials, the tusks are small and presumed to be from young elephants that had not yet reached middle age.

One man has been taken into custody and is helping authorities with their enquiries.

WCS conservationists say the successful seizures and arrests are the result of two years' work, which involved building safe kennels, training dogs and handlers, ensuring the health of the dogs in Ruaha and equipping a specialist vehicle.

WCS project director Aaron Nicholas said: "This ivory bust shows what a powerful tool the detection dog unit is. It adds to the government's strategy to curb elephant poaching in Tanzania. Well done to the TANAPA handlers and staff and our four-legged front line friends."

Dr Tim Davenport, WCS country director in Tanzania, also warned: "This arrest is a very clear warning to those wanting to poach elephants in the Ruaha-Rungwa landscape. Jenny and Dexter are now on duty, and they will find you."

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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.