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University of Sydney confirms 480 million animals killed in NSW bushfires
Australia supports more than 300 native species and is the only great land mass to contain three major groups of living mammals: marsupials, monotremes and placentals.

Australia reportedly holds world’s highest rate of species loss

A new study from the University of Sydney states that 480 million animals have been affected by the bushfires in New South Wales (NSW) since September. It outlines Australia’s diverse mammal population, and explains how the authors have calculated this figure.

The findings were based on a report, published for the WWF in 2007, that author Professor Chris Dickman contributed to. The report used published studies to obtain estimates of mammal population density in NSW. These estimates were then multiplied by the amount of land that was approved to be cleared by the state government between 1998 and 2005, to then calculate the impact of land clearing on NSW’s wildlife.

Using this formula, Prof Dickman of the School of Life and Environmental Sciences was then able to estimate that 480 million animals have been affected by the bushfires since September 2019, although the authors stated that they intentionally used vastly conservative estimates while making their calculations, and the actual loss of animal life is expected to be much higher.

Many of these animals were most likely killed directly by the fires, while others would have perished as a result of the depletion of food and shelter. This figure only relates to NSW, and does not include insects, bats or frogs.

Australia supports over 300 native species, and is the only great land mass to contain three major groups of living mammals: marsupials, monotremes (platypus and echidna) and placentals. According to the study, 81 per cent of these unique mammals are found only in Australia.

Around 34 species and subspecies of native mammals have become extinct in the continent over the last 200 years, this, according to Prof Dickman, is the highest rate of loss for any region in the world.

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.