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Lingering pollutant problem revealed
The English Channel is home to one of the last remaining large European populations of bottlenose dolphins.
Researchers say more needs to be done to tackle pollutant residues in the oceans

The English Channel is home to one of the last remaining large European populations of bottlenose dolphins. A study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, has found some of the highest recorded levels of toxic chemicals and mercury in the bodies of bottlenose dolphins off the French coast.

Researchers took tissue samples from more than 80 dolphins living in waters off Normandy and Brittany. They found high concentrations of mercury in skin and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in their blubber.

Worryingly, other industrial chemicals, such as dioxins and pesticides, were also found in blubber samples, and these pollutants are passed down from mother to calf. "Our results indicated the important transfer of PCBs by females to their young, which may raise concern for the population," said the team of researchers led by Dr Krishna Das of the University of Liege, Belgium.

According to Rob Deaville, from the Zoological Society of London, who is involved with the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, the study endorses data from wider investigations of strandings.

"As apex predators, bottlenose dolphins are at higher risk of exposure to some of the chemicals mentioned in this study – and as many of the European coastal populations of bottlenose dolphins are relatively small in size, they may, therefore, be under greater conservation threat," he said.

PCBs, used in plastics, paints and electrical equipment, were banned several decades ago, but persist in the environment, where they can build up in the blubber of dolphins and whales.
The chemicals have been found in the blubber of bottlenose dolphins washed up on beaches around Europe.

The scientists say the bottlenose dolphin's habitat – an area known as the Normanno-Breton Gulf – should become a special area of conservation to protect the population.

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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.