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: 16th September 2014
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

Animals rescued from bombed-out zoo
FOUR PAWS helping a surviving animal
More than 80 animals died when a zoo in northern Gaza was severely damaged by airstrikes.

FOUR PAWS are helping the surviving animals of Al-Bisan Zoo in the North of the Gaza Strip

An emergency team from the international animal charity FOUR PAWS is helping the surviving animals of Al-Bisan Zoo in the North of the Gaza Strip by providing urgently needed medical treatment.

More than 80 animals died when the zoo was severely damaged by airstrikes during the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. A FOUR PAWS emergency team, led by Dr Amir Khalil and local supporters, are now providing help to the 20 surviving animals.

Because FOUR PAWS is well connected in the region, zoo manager Shady Hamad officially asked the organisation for help because the surviving animals had been left without water or food.  

Very concerned about the state of the zoo, Dr. Amir Khalil said: "Most of the enclosures have been severely damaged. There are several dead animals lying around the enclosures. The few surviving animals, among them three lions, are traumatised, ill and very weak."

Equipped with antibiotics, worming medicine and disinfectants, the emergency team is now administering medical treatment on site. Food deliveries have been arranged from Gaza and the team is also restoring the water supply by repairing pipes. As the lions enclosure was damaged, the team are first focusing on making the enclosure secure and undertaking security measures.

The Sinai Peninsula and the border area between Egypt and Israel, suffer frequent terrorist attacks. Dr Khalil said: "We had to plan the operation from Cairo, working with the Egyptian authorities and local NGOs. The team's safety was our top priority. We were finally able to reach the Gaza Strip accompanied by military convoy."

It is not yet clear if the zoo will be able to carry on.  Dr. Khalil added: "We will now assess whether the lions can be transferred to a safe place outside Gaza as well as finding a solution for the other remaining animals." FOUR PAWS say that this is likely to be decided in the next few days.

Image © FOUR PAWS

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."