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Edinburgh Zoo reveals first look at giant anteater pup
Staff will decide on a name for the pup after its first health check.

New birth offers ‘potential lifeline’ for declining species

A giant anteater pup, born at Edinburgh Zoo in November, has been spotted for the first time riding on its mothers back.

It is expected to be a few months yet before the pup is large enough to move around independently. It will soon have its first health check and be weighed, sexed and named.

Edinburgh Zoo’s head of carnivores Alison MacLean said, “Both mum and baby are spending a lot of time in their off-show area at the moment while the youngster grows.

“Giant anteaters are vulnerable to extinction in the wild, so every birth is a potential lifeline for the species.”

The pup’s mother, Nala, and father, Lucifer, arrived at the zoo in 2009. Since then they have produced two pups, a female born in 2010 and a male in October 2012. Both of which have moved on as part of the European breeding programme for giant anteaters.

Image (c) RZSS/Sian Addison

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.