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.
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

Conservationists launch wildlife trade app
Elephants
The Wildlife Witness app was developed by zoos in Australia led by Taronga.
Enlists tourists to report wildlife trade offences

Members of the public are being encouraged to report wildlife trade offences when they see them via a smartphone app.

Forming part of Taronga Zoo’s Lend Your Eyes to the Wild campaign, the Wildlife Witness app allows tourists and locals to easily report wildlife trade by taking a photograph and pinning it to the exact location of the incident.

The details are then passed on to TRAFFIC, a monitoring network for wildlife trade.

“We want people to be the eyes and ears in the fight against illegal wildlife trade,” said Dr Chris Shepherd, TRAFFIC’s South East Asia regional director.

Lend Your Eyes to the Wild is an international campaign to combat the trade in illegal wildlife.

Supported by Taronga Zoo in Australia, Santiago Zoo in the US and Chester Zoo in the UK, the campaign was launched in April 2016 in response to ‘an unparalleled spike’ in illegal wildlife trade.

“Given that world Zoos are visited by more than 700 million people annually, imagine how quickly the illegal wildlife trade would be stopped if everyone took action together. We’re hoping the Lend Your Eyes campaign will make this a reality,” said Cameron Kerr, director of Taronga Zoo.

The Wildlife Witness app was developed by zoos in Australia led by Taronga.

Illegal wildlife trade is considered the fourth largest in the world, after drugs, counterfeiting and human trafficking.

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

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.