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: 29th April 2015
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

In with the spiders
Spider in hands
ZSL London's new exhibit is set to bring people face-to-face with amazing spiders from around the world.

Europe's first walk-through spider enclosure to open in London

Europe's first walk-through spider enclosure is set to open at ZSL London Zoo in a bid to change people's perspective of the arachnid.

Opening on Saturday, 23 May 'In with the spiders' will bring the public face-to-face with amazing spiders from around the world in a completely unique and immersive experience.

Visitors will first get acquainted with the UK native species and regular house guest 'spider in a bathtub', before meeting captivating and exotic species such as the huntsman, black widow and giant bird-eating spiders.

Visitors will then discover the true meaning of 'up close' as they enter into the forest home of uniquely sociable spiders and stunning, golden orb spiders. Here they can pose for a picture in front of the 'Spider Selfie' mirror.

A glimpse inside the spider nursery will allow visitors to see the varied breeding work carried out by keepers, and hopefully a sneak peek of tiny spiderlings too. The exhibit will also be home to the fen raft spider, one of the UK's most endangered animals.

Furthermore, celebrating the creature whose very name has been slandered over the years, the Zoo hope that 'Talking tarantula' will help to dispel the myths surrounding spiders to reveal why they are in fact friend, not foe.

London Zoo already knows a thing or two about converting spider haters into spider-lovers. Their hugely successful Friendly Spider Programme is carefully designed to ease or eliminate the condition of arachnophobia. Led by ZSL's head of invertebrates Dave Clarke, in conjunction with John Clifford at the Centre of Clinical Hypnosis, success is measured by participants catching a house spider under a glass and taking it outside.

"Visitors are sure to leave the exhibit with a new-found appreciation for arachnids," said a Zoo spokesperson.

In with the spiders is included in the entry ticket price. For more information visit www.zsl.org.

Image (C) ZSL London

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

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.