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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 4th December 2013
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

A fifth of elephants could be lost to poaching
Extinction fears as illegal killings in Africa are estimated at 22,000

New figures have revealed that if elephant poaching continues at its current pace, Africa could lose a fifth of its elephants in the next ten years.

Poaching data suggests that in 2012 alone, 15,000 elephants were killed illegally across the 27 African countries taking part in a CITES programme called Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE).

Revealing the new figures, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says that according to MIKE analysis, the total number of elephants poached across the country as a whole is estimated at 22,000.

Secretary-general for CITES, John Scanlon, says the situation is "critical", fearing we could soon see local extinctions if poaching continues at the same rate.

He said: "The situation is particularly acute in Central Africa—where the estimated poaching rate is twice the continental average."

The latest figures were revealed as representatives for African elephant range, transit and destination countries gather in Botwana for a summit organised by IUCN and the government of Botswana.

It is hoped strong commitments will be made by delegates to take action to stop the illegal ivory trade, bolstering national laws tackling wildlife crime and improving co-operation between countries.

Dr Holly Dublin, chair of the IUCN/SSC African Elephant Specialist Group, said: "We are very pleased to be able to present updated information to the African Elephant Summit.

"The picture painted by this new information should provide motivation for all delegates at the Summit to come together to agree on much-needed urgent action on behalf of Africa’s elephants."

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

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."