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Buzzards left in a cage outside wildlife centre
buzzards
Sadly, the pair are unable to fly due to the cramped conditions in which they were kept.

Scottish SPCA appealing for information

Two buzzards were found abandoned in a dog crate outside the Scottish SPCA's National Wildlife Rescue Centre. The charity is appealing for information.

Staff at the centre in Fishcross, Clackmannanshire, discovered the birds on Tuesday last week (12 July).

Centre manager Colin Seddon commented: "The birds were in a filthy condition and, judging by the amount of faeces inside the crate, had been kept in there for a considerable amount of time."

Sadly, the pair are unable to fly due to the cramped conditions in which they were kept. According to Mr Seddon, it is too early to say if they will ever be able to fly again.

"It will take a significant amount of work on the part of our wildlife team to get the birds flying if this is possible and then we will have to ensure they are in a suitable condition to fend for themselves in the wild," he added.

It is not yet known how the birds came to be left at the centre. It is a criminal offence to take buzzards from the wild to keep as pets. The Scottish SPCA is asking anyone with information to phone its animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

Image © Scottish SPCA

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.