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Cites bans export of live-caught African elephants to zoos
African elephants from Zimbabwe and Botswana are currently listed on Appendix II of Cites.
Near-total ban agreed after days of discussions 

Governments have voted to ban the export of wild, live-caught elephants from Africa to zoos around the world, apart from in ‘exceptional circumstances’.

This is following a long and intense week of discussions at the 18th Cites meeting in Geneva.

African elephants from Zimbabwe and Botswana are currently listed on Appendix II of Cites, with an annotation that allows live elephants to be exported to ‘appropriate and acceptable destinations’.
Under this definition, live baby African elephants have been captured from the wild for transport to zoos in China and elsewhere.

From 2012, more than 100 elephant calves were sent from Zimbabwe to Chinese zoos.

The EU originally opposed the ban but eventually changed its vote after intensive negotiations, resulting in a change to the wording. Exports will now be allowed, only in exceptional circumstances, if approved by the Cites Animal Committee and IUCN specialist group.

Eventually, the ban was passed with 87 votes to 29, with 25 abstentions.

Wildlife director Audrey Delsink, of Humane Society International/Africa, described the decision as “momentous”.

She added: “Public sentiment is shifting, and people are increasingly outraged at the senseless and cruel practice of snatching baby elephants from the wild to live a life as a zoo exhibit…

“The definition of what is an appropriate destination is key, and the independent oversight by elephant specialists is critical, and so we will remain vigilant as that discussion develops, and fight against any attempts to justify or prolong trade in live baby elephants for captive purposes.”

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.