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Trio of tiger cubs born at London Zoo
Melati with cubs
Sumatran tigress Melati with her three cubs.

Keepers celebrate the arrival of critically endangered Sumatrans

A trio of tiger cubs have been born to ZSL London Zoo's critically endangered Sumatran tigress Melati.

Zookeepers managed to catch the cubs' first moments using hidden cameras in the flagship Tiger Territory enclosure, which opened last year.

The triplets were born in the early hours of the morning on February 3 after Melati's 106-day pregnancy.

Keepers monitored the whole birth using remote camera technology. With just 300 Sumatran tigers estimated to be living in the wild, the births represent a huge achievement for the global breeding programme.

The successful breeding comes just five months after Melati's first cub was found dead in its enclosure a few weeks after being born. The cub was thought to have drowned after falling in the pool, leaving keepers "heartbroken".

The triplets are being observed 24/7 and keepers say they are pleased with their progress and Melati's response to them. One keeper, Teague Stubbington, said: "We couldn't be more delighted with our new arrivals."

Key milestones such as the cubs opening their eyes and taking tentative first steps have been caught on the hidden cameras.

The cubs have not been sexed yet, but Teague says their personality traits are already starting to shine through.

"We've nicknamed one Trouble, as it's much bolder than the others - it was the first to start exploring its den and we've spotted it waking up its siblings when they fall asleep!"

Mother and cubs are still hidden away in special cubbing dens and Melati has only ventured away from them for food.

The zoo says exclusive footage of the cubs will will posted on ZSL's Youtube channel throughout March.

Image courtesy of ZSL London Zoo

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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."