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

Charity competition to name dolphin calf
Image: dolphin
Muddy and her new calf

Born Free welcomes a new arrival for its adopted dolphin, ‘Muddy’

'Muddy’ lives in the Moray Firth, off the north coast of Scotland, which is home to 500 bottlenose dolphins protected by the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit (CRRU).

Supported by Born Free, the CRRU researches and monitors whales and dolphins in the region, and provides veterinary treatment.

Muddy’s new calf, which is still too young to be identified as male or female, was first spotted in May and is thought to have been born in October 2016. This is Muddy’s seventh calf.

Dr Kevin Robinson, CRRU lead researcher, said: “We estimate Muddy gave birth last October, because when we saw her last in September 2016 she only had her older calf, ‘Hiccup’, with her. The new calf is known officially as CRRU ID#643, but we’re sure Born Free supporters can come up with something far better!”

Born Free has launched a competition to find a name for Muddy’s new calf. The competition is open exclusively to all Muddy adopters.

Image (C) Born Free Foundation

 

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

Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.