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Britain’s 'last lion tamer' refused licence
Mr Chipperfield owns two lions and a tiger.
Thomas Chipperfield owns two lions and a tiger

A lion tamer from Hampshire has been refused a licence to use three big cats in his travelling big top show.

Thomas Chipperfield from Winchester is Britain’s only remaining lion tamer. According to BBC News, his appeal against the decision by Defra was also rejected in court.

A Defra spokesperson said: “We remain absolute in our commitment to banning wild animals in circuses and intend to introduce the ban prior to the regulations expiring in January 2020.
 
“Until then, we will impose the strictest possible standards to ensure the welfare needs of these animals are met.”

Mr Chipperfield, who owns two lions and a tiger, submitted an application to Defra in April last year for his Big Cats Live circus. He appealed against Defra’s decision in July, but it was later upheld by North Staffordshire Magistrates Court.

BBC News said that the court rejected the appeal over concerns that, while he was experienced with big cats, he may be unable to maintain stable care plans for the animals and to provide written itineraries.

Defra has confirmed it does not intend to renew regulations allowing animals in travelling circuses when they expire in January 2020. 

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RCVS Knowledge appoints Veterinary Evidence editor-in-chief

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has welcomed Professor Peter Cockcroft as editor-in-chief for Veterinary Evidence.

A world-renowned expert in evidence-based veterinary medicine, Prof Cockcroft will lead the strategic development and editorial quality of the open-access journal. He was previously in the role from 2017-2020.

Katie Mantell, CEO of RCVS Knowledge, said: "We are excited about the extensive knowledge of evidence-based veterinary medicine and clinical veterinary research that Peter brings, and we look forward to working with him over this next phase of the journal's development." 

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News Shorts
Defra to host bluetongue webinar for vets

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will be hosting a webinar for veterinary professional on bluetongue on Thursday, 25 April 2024.

Topics covered will include the transmission cycle, pathology and pathogenesis, clinical signs (including signs seen in recent BTV-3 cases in the Netherlands), and control and prevention.

The session, which will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm, is part of Defra's 'Plan, Prevent and Protect' webinar series, which are hosted by policy officials, epidemiologists and veterinary professionals from Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency. The bluetongue session will also feature insights from experts from The Pirbright Institute.

Those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions. Places on the webinar can be booked online.