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Hong Kong to destroy 28 tonnes of ivory
Image ivory incineration
The decision to incinerate 28 tonnes of ivory has been welcomed by conservation charities.

Conservationists rejoice at major stockpile burn

Hong Kong will destroy 28 tonnes of its seized ivory stockpile, it was announced yesterday (January 23) by the Endangered Species Advisory Committee (ESAC).

After a four-hour closed meeting with Hong Kong Government officials, the ESAC agreed unanimously to incinerate the stock of ivory. A few tonnes will be retained for use in education.

Welcoming the move, the Born Free Foundation said it could not have come at a better time, with an estimated 50,000 elephants poached for their ivory in 2013.

Will Travers OBE, CEO of the foundation, stressed the importance of the news: "It’s massive. The biggest destruction of illegal ivory stocks in history.

"Even a year ago, to think that China and Hong Kong would take such decisive action would have been fantasy. Are they now set to become truly global leaders in the fight against the ivory trade and poaching?"

The charity estimates Hong Kong's total stockpile at 33 tonnes, having recorded the seizure of at least 14.2 tonnes by law-enforcement agencies over the past two years alone.

Governments now need to go "the extra mile", according to Mr Travers, by supporting Africa's conservationists and rangers to ensure they get the necessary training and equipment to protect elephants from poaching.

Image courtesy of Born Free Foundation.

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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."