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Illegal Wildlife Trade Review launched in Malawi
African elephant
Wild animals in Malawi are significantly affected by poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
Review to aid Illegal Wildlife Trade Action Plan

A technical review on illegal wildlife trade has been launched in Malawi.

According to the Born Free Foundation, the review will be used as a framework for the development of the Malawi government's Illegal Wildlife Trade Action Plan.

Investigations, research and interviews engaging all key government agencies and NGOs were key to the assessment.

The project team also carried out a review of the National Parks and Wildlife Act of Malawi. They have presented recommendations for a Parliamentary Review that will ensure that the law is strengthened and more compliant with the CITES Legislation Project.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Hon Kondwani Nankhumwa, information, tourism and culture minister, said: "Wildlife crime is high on the agenda in Malawi as we are well aware of the impact it it having on our wildlife, which is extremely valuable to us, not just in terms of it contribution to tourism and the economy but also to biodiversity.

"Thanks to this report we now know the full extent of the challenge and will be able to respond accordingly."

Recommendations in the report cover legislation, data collection, law enforcement and prosecution. It is hoped that the key actions highlighted in the assessment will help to combat illegal wildlife trade throughout the chain.

Adam Roberts, CEO of the Born Free Foundation, said: "Wild animals in Malawi - elephants, hippo, turtles and many other species - are significantly affected by poaching and illegal wildlife trade. I hope that the recommendations in this comprehensive and detailed report will enable national decision-makers in the country to tackle this trade, benefitting Wildlife in Malawi and throughout the region."

The report was produced on behalf of Department of National Parks & Wildlife by GIZ, Lilongwe Wildlife Trust, the Born Free Foundation and the International Environmental Law Project. 

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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."