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Avian malaria wipes out Exmoor Zoo penguins
humboldt penguin
As a coastal species, penguins do not have evolutionary immunity to avian malaria. (stock photo)
Ten die in “quick and devastating” outbreak
 
Exmoor Zoo has lost its entire population of penguins after the birds contracted avian malaria. Despite the efforts of staff and veterinary surgeons, the birds, some of who were offspring of the zoo’s original penguins when it opened in 1982, all perished.  

As a coastal species, penguins do not have evolutionary immunity to avian malaria, which is a protozoan that is transmitted by mosquitoes and biting flies which do not occur near the sea. With over 60 known strains of the disease, captive colonies only develop resistance to strains that they are regularly exposed to.   

Anti-malarial drugs are ineffective for those already infected, however, if administered in time they can prevent other birds contracting the disease. Symptoms are difficult to identify and the disease cannot be detected in blood samples.

In a statement on Facebook, Exmoor Zoo explained: 'Our penguins were in moult in August and would have been stressed (as they would be in the wild/naturally) and their resistance would have been at a low ebb and their skin exposed. The rainfall and high humidity with the lack of wind this summer especially may have allowed a reservoir of disease to accumulate here.'

The outbreak occurred only days after Longleat Safari Park lost many of their Humbolt penguins to the disease. Exmoor Zoo are now assessing whether their location poses an additional risk to potential future colonies and the decision to reinstate a new population will be carefully considered.

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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.