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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 18th September 2013
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Boom in butterflies

Warm weather leads to population boost

The unusually warm weather this summer has led to a welcome boom in the UK's butterfly populations, according to the Big Butterfly Count 2013.

The annual survey aims to monitor the populations of 21 target butterfly species across the UK, this year running from July 20 and August 11.

A record-breaking 46,400 people took to their gardens and local parks to count butterflies, which is a 72 per cent increase on last year's participants.

 

The results revealed dramatic population inclines in many target species, with peacock numbers increasing by over 3500 per cent compared to the 2012 count.

 

Members of the public taking part saw an average of 23 individual butterflies and moths of the 21 target species, compared to only 13 individuals in 2012. 

 

Of the 21 species, almost 75 per cent showed year on year population increases, and 12 species inclined by more than 50 per cent. 

 

Although many species increased in abundance, a few also declined compared to the previous year's count, including meadow brown, which had declined by a third compared to 2012, marbled white, which are 59 per cent down and ringlet, 52 per cent down.

 

The Big Butterfly Count is expected to return again next summer to continue to observe trends in butterfly species. 

 

For the full 2013 results for all 21 species click here.

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."