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Pangolins return to wild after illegal goods seizure
pangolin
Pangolins are hunted for their scales, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Authorities release 94 animals in Sumatra

Indonesian authorities released 94 pangolins into the wild last week, after a huge seizure of illegal wildlife goods, Mongabay reports.

Five tons of confiscated pangolin meat were burned in the provincial capital of Medan. Also seized were the live animals and 77kg of pangolin scales.

According to Mongabay, which is part of the Guardian Environment Network, the environment and forestry minister Siti Nurbaya called for harsher punishments to be handed down by judges.

Currently, offenders spend an average of eight months in jail and pay Rp10 million, yet the maximum penalty is five years in prison and Rp500 million ($38,000).

A newborn pangolin's mother and two other animals died shortly after the raid. A team of vets decided the remaining 94 animals were able to return to the wild.

Pangolins' plate-like scales are made from keratin, the same substance as rhino horn. The species is in rapid decline due to demand for its scales in traditional Chinese medicine. Pangolin meat is also considered a delicacy in Vietnam and China.

According to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), pangolins are the most illegally trafficked animal in the world, with more than a million traded in the past 10 years, despite a commercial trade ban in Asia.


 

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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."