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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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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.