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Research samples could assist wildlife forensics, study finds
The study encourages collaboration between wildlife forensic geneticists and conservation and research-focused biobanks.
Samples shared through wildlife conservation-focused biobanks could help to fight wildlife crime. 

A review study has found that the fight against wildlife crime could be accelerated by the sharing of samples through wildlife conservation-focused biobanks.

Published in the journal Forensic Science International: Animals and Environments, the study aims to highlight the importance conservation and research focused biobanks as a way of obtaining reference samples for wildlife DNA forensics.

The research found that biobanks focused on conservation could improve access to research samples, for things such as rare, endangered, or remote species.

The study then proposes that the samples from these biobanks can then be used to develop genetic tools which will help identify the species and geographical location of samples collected during a wildlife forensics crime scene investigation.

Researchers say that wildlife crime is one of the key drivers for disease spread from animals to humans through the illegal wildlife trade, and the study proposes that law enforcement for combatting wildlife crime could be accelerated by using the samples from the biobanks, combined with an increasing sharing of DNA data – which could facilitate efforts by wildlife forensic geneticists to provide the necessary robust evidence to courts.

A report by The Roslin Institute is available to read here, and the study is open access and available to read at sciencedirect.com

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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.