Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Zoo animals enjoy summer treats to stay cool
“The animals here at ZSL London Zoo are very much enjoying the warm weather, thanks to their imaginative keepers."

Meerkats dig into heart-shaped ice cubes filled with treats 

Keepers at London Zoo have been coming up with imaginative ways to keep the animals cool, as temperatures in the UK reach record and prolonged highs.

The zoo’s troupe of meerkats have enjoyed pawing at heart-shaped ice cubes filled with frozen peas and sweetcorn, while a family of critically endangered western lowland gorillas tucked into frozen cucumbers in their Gorilla Kingdom.

Meanwhile, pygmy hippo Nikki munched on slices of refreshing watermelon and the two bearded pigs had a cooling shower before wallowing in their favourite muddy pool.

Head of primates Dan Simmonds commented: “The animals here at ZSL London Zoo are very much enjoying the warm weather, thanks to their imaginative keepers.
 
“All over the Zoo, we’ve been giving out frozen cooling treats – this morning the gorillas have had iced cucumbers and the meerkats have enjoyed a bit of ‘peabobbing’ – with their favourite peas frozen into ice cubes for them to enjoy.
 
“Nikki the pygmy hippo went for a morning swim in her moat and munched on a breakfast of watermelon slices, and the otters had fun diving for frozen crayfish in their pond.
 
“Elsewhere the Sumatran tigers have been swimming in their pool and the Asiatic lions have been dipping their toes in their moat whenever they’ve wanted to take a break from basking in the glorious sunshine.”

Image © ZSL London Zoo

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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.