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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 28th November 2013
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Meerkats get merry
George investigating his Christmas stocking

Santa stockings and fireplace make for festive enrichment

As the festive spirit hits, keepers at Whipsnade Zoo are helping their meerkats join in the merriment with personalised Christmas stockings.

Meerkat trio Paul, George and Ringo each have a stocking full of treats hung on their very own fireplace, to encourage them to investigate something new as part of their daily enrichment activities.

Zookeeper Mark Holden said: "Paul, George and Ringo have definitely made it onto Santa’s nice list this year, so we stuffed their stockings full of their favourite cricket snacks as a pre-Christmas treat.

"Stuffed stockings are a great way of keeping the trio stimulated and encouraging them to be inquisitive."

Whipsnade's Meet Santa experience launched last week, coinciding with the meerkat's festive enrichment. Fitting in with the theme, the zoo will be offering children the chance to learn more about reindeers during daily talks at their paddock.

Image courtesy of ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
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BSAVA announces 12th Edition of the Small Animal Formulary

The BSAVA has published an updated edition of its Small Animal Formulary, which includes new drug monographs and emergency drug doses for rabbits, rodents, birds and reptiles.

One of BSAVA's most trusted and widely used clinical resources, this 12th edition of the manual also includes seven new client information leaflets and information on drugs used for the management of urinary incontinence.

Part A of the Formulary, Canine and Feline, sees Fergus Allerton return as Editor-in-Chief, while Part B: Exotic Pets was edited by Joanna Hedley. For more information, visit the BSAVA website.