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Endangered wildcat kittens born at Highland Wildlife Park
Viewing areas were reopened this week to allowed visitors to get a closer look at the kittens.

Litter of four could be ‘potential lifeline for the species’

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) has announced the birth of four wildcat kittens at Highland Wildlife Park, near Aviemore.

In a statement announcing the birth of the kittens, animal collection manager at Highland Wildlife Park Keith Gilchrist said: “We are thrilled to welcome the birth of four kittens, who were born during lockdown in May, to mum Fiain and dad Blair.

“It has been great watching them grow and it is fantastic to now be able to welcome visitors to meet them too.”

Wildcat viewing areas were reopened this week to allow visitors to get a better look at the new litter. Guests are being encouraged to wear a facemask in these areas to keep other guests and the animals safe.

The new kittens, named Strom, Eilein, Druim and Vaara were born as part of RZSS’s Saving Wildcats project, which aims to preserve this rare and threatened species by breeding and releasing wildcats into the wild.

Ex-situ conservation manager of Saving Wildcats David Barclay said: “Following a sad history of habitat loss, persecution and, more recently, breeding with domestic cats, wildcats are on the brink of extinction in Scotland, but it’s not too late.

“By bringing together the expertise and skills of national and international organisations, the Saving Wildcats project can secure a future for the Highland tiger by breeding and releasing wildcats into the wild, so every birth is a potential lifeline for the species.”

The Saving Wildcats project is being carried out in collaboration with groups such as NatureScot, Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) and The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA).

Image (c) Alyson Houston/RZSS.

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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.