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Sambo's death should be a 'wake up call'
elephant
Animal welfare groups have long campaigned against elephant riding and 114 global companies have recently agreed not to offer visits to venues with elephant rides and shows. (stock photo)
Campaigners call for a ban on elephant rides

The recent death of an elephant being used to ferry tourists to the Angkor Wat Temple complex in Cambodia has prompted an outpouring of grief around the world, and campaigners are now calling for a ban on elephant rides at the archeological park.

A petition on Change.org has already received more than 58,000 signatures.

Elderly elephant Sambo is reported to have collapsed and died on Friday (22 April), after ferrying tourists in temperatures of around 40ºC (104ºF).

Speaking to AFP news agency, the owner of Angkor Elephant Company, Oan Kiri, said veterinarians had attributed Sambo's death to heart failure as a result of stress caused by the temperature.

The remaining elephants' working hours will now be reduced until the temperature drops, he added.

Sambo had been working for around 45 minutes and had walked 2.1km (1.2 miles), when she collapsed on her way to an enclosure. She was thought to be around 40-45 years old, which is towards the end of an Asian elephant's lifespan.

Animal welfare groups have long campaigned against elephant riding and 114 global companies have recently agreed not to offer visits to venues with elephant rides and shows, thanks to campaigning by World Animal Protection.

Sambo's death triggered the Change.org petition, which calls on the Authority for the Protection and Management of Angkor and the Region of Siem Reap (APSARA) to ban elephant riding.

Campaigners say the elephant's death should be 'a final wake up call' for the tourism industry.

'There is no such thing as cruelty-free elephant rides,' the petition says. 'Tourists may think that riding an elephant on holiday does not cause harm - you often can't see the cruelty - it's hidden from view. What you don't realise is that a "once in a lifetime" or "bucket list" item for you, means a lifetime of misery for wild animals.'

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.