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Vets save lions from illegal zoo in Bulgaria
FOUR PAWS vets provided care to all the lions and sterilised two male lions to prevent further inbreeding.

Big cats were the result of inbreeding 

An urgent rescue mission has been launched by vets to save five lions from an illegal zoo in the city of Razgrad, Bulgaria.

International animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS said that the big cats have been severely neglected in recent years. The cats are the result of inbreeding and are living in dreadful conditions.

The zoo is owned by the city, so FOUR PAWS convinced the mayor of Razgrad to intervene. The veterinary team provided  care to all the lions and sterilised two male lions to prevent further inbreeding.

One lion that was considered to be in a critical condition was moved by FOUR PAWS to a nearby zoo for further treatment. The organisation aims to move most of the former zoo lions, which include two cubs, to its own sanctuaries.

"To see the animals like that was shocking. Never in their lifetime have these lions been examined by a vet,” said FOUR PAWS big cat expert Barbara van Genne. “This is very serious, especially in light of the systematic inbreeding of the big cats. Here, the descendants of siblings have procreated uncontrolled due to lack of care.”

In the past, bred lions were sold to other zoos, circuses and private individuals. However, the introduction of stricter legislation in 2008 led to a fall in demand - hence why the lions remained in the Razgrad Zoo.

Due to lack of physical exercise, FOUR PAWS says that the older lions suffer from severe spinal problems and that it is likely the cubs will too. A three-year-old lion, who was checked over in the nearby zoo, was found to have sand in his bladder and fibrosis in the kidneys.

The Razgrad Zoo lost its licence in 2014, but it is still open to visitors for free. According to FOUR PAWS, the unprofessional breeding and sale of lions was used to finance the enterprise.  

Only one lion will remain in Razgrad until local authorities have decided whether to shut down the zoo. Until then, FOUR PAWS will keep a close eye on the wellbeing of the cats, as well as that of the other zoo inhabitants.

Image (C) FOUR PAWS

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Free CPD announced for BVNA members

News Story 1
 Zoetis is to present a CPD event for free to members of the British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA).

Led by veterinary consultant Ruth Moxon, the one-hour online session is designed to help veterinary nurses discuss parasiticide options with clients. It will advise on structuring recommendations, factors for product choice and moving away from 'selling'.

'How do you recommend parasite treatments to your clients?' will be presented on Tuesday, 20 May at 7.30pm. It is free for BVNA members, with £15.00 tickets for non-members.

Veterinary nurses can email cpd@bvna.co.uk to book their place. 

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DAERA to reduce BVD 'grace period'

DAERA has reminded herd keepers of an upcoming reduction to the 'grace period' to avoid BVD herd restrictions.

From 1 May 2025, herd keepers will have seven days to cull any BVD positive or inconclusive animals to avoid restrictions being applied to their herd.

It follows legislation introduced on 1 February, as DAERA introduces herd movement restrictions through a phased approach. Herd keepers originally had 28 days to cull BVD positive or inconclusive animals.

DAERA says that, providing herd keepers use the seven-day grace period, no herds should be restricted within the first year of these measures.

Additional measures, which will target herds with animals over 30 days old that haven't been tested for BVD, will be introduced from 1 June 2025.

More information is available on the DAERA website.