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Pumpkin puzzles at London Zoo
cub with pumpkin
Sumatran cub with pumpkin enrichment.

Zoo residents treated to spook-tacular enrichment

Halloween's dark delights are not to be missed by the residents of London Zoo, as keepers serve up a variety of spooky snacks.

For the first time, the zoo's three Sumatran tiger cubs - Nakal, Budi and Cinta - revelled in the fearsome festivities by devouring pumpkins that were scent-marked to encourage the cubs' natural hunting instincts.

Other animals including penguins enjoyed pumpkins stuffed with their favourite treats. Giant Galapagos tortoise Dirk munched through his own pumpkin while the squirrel monkeys rooted their favourite nutty snacks out of pumpkin puzzles.

Squirrel monkey keeper Hannah Duprey said: "Our residents love getting involved with the spooky festivities at the Zoo, especially because they get terrific treats in their pumpkins!
 
"Giving our animals Halloween treats is fantastic enrichment for them; it encourages their natural hunting or foraging behaviours, and offers something new for them to investigate."

Image courtesy of ZSL London Zoo.

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.