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Polar bear cub emerges at Scottish wildlife park
“Suddenly I saw a small, fluffy bundle next to her and had to pinch myself to check I wasn’t seeing things."

Cub is the first to be born in the UK for 25 years 

A polar bear cub has been caught on camera after emerging for the first time since its birth at Highland Wildlife Park.

Zoo keepers announced the birth just before Christmas last year, after they heard high-pitched sounds from the maternity den. However, this is the first time the cub has actually been seen.

Una Richardson, head keeper for carnivores, said the cub’s mother Victoria had started to go outside herself for short periods, but it was not known when her cub would follow.

When she visited Victoria on Sunday morning (4 March), Richardson noticed the cub stepping outside for the first time.

“Suddenly I saw a small, fluffy bundle next to her and had to pinch myself to check I wasn’t seeing things. It was a very special experience and one I’ll never forget. We also have motion-sensitive cameras safely positioned near Victoria’s den and we were delighted to see we had captured her cub’s first few steps outside.”

Up until that moment, keepers had only been able to hear sounds from inside the den, so it was uncertain whether Victoria had given birth to one or two cubs.

“Both mum and cub appear to be doing well, though this is still a sensitive time and they need as much peace and quiet as possible,” Richardson continued. “Our keeper activity at their enclosure will remain at a minimum for the next couple of weeks, after which visitors will be able to see Victoria and our wonderful new arrival.”
 
Douglas Richardson, head of living collections at the park, added: “We are thrilled with the birth and rearing of a polar bear cub for the first time in the UK for a quarter of a century.
 
“The birth goes a long way to confirming that our husbandry regime works, with polar bears managed in markedly different ways to many other zoos. This includes having very large, natural enclosures and keeping the sexes in separate parts of the park, which more closely mirrors what happens in the wild.”

Commenting on those who do not feel there is any point breeding polar bears in zoos, Mr Richardson said the question “deserves a serious answer”.

He explained: “The change in the Arctic climate, specifically the shortening of the ice season, coupled with more direct human pressures, is having a noticeably detrimental effect on the species that is likely to result in many of the wild sub-populations disappearing.
 
“If we do not develop and maintain a genetically and behaviourally robust captive polar bear population, we will not have the option, should we require it, to use them to support what is likely to be a diminished and fragmented wild population in the future.”

Footage of the cub was captured on film for a forthcoming documentary by STV Productions. The programme, Britain’s Polar Bear Cub, will air on Channel 4 at 7pm on Sunday 18 March.

Image © STV Productions/Channel 4

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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. 

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.