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Easter treats for animals at ZSL London Zoo
"The gorillas loved tearing into their colourful Easter pinatas in search of snacks" - Dan Simmonds.

Meerkats and gorillas enjoyed egg hunts and snacks. 

Animals at ZSL London Zoo have been enjoying some Easter festivities, as zookeepers held Easter egg hunts for the meerkats and gorillas.

Keepers decorated papier-mâché eggs with bright paint and eye-catching designs, before filling them with treats for the zoo's meerkats to find. 

Meerkats Frank, Dracula, Penelope and Meko climbed, stretched and explored to discover the treat-filled eggs hidden around the sandy rocks in their enclosure, and they certainly seemed to enjoy the surprise.

It wasn't only the meerkats that got involved with some Easter celebrations – vegetable-filled Easter piñatas were hung about around the Western lowland gorillas' enclosure for Mjukuu, Alika and Gernot to discover. 

“The gorillas loved tearing into their colourful Easter piñatas in search of snacks,” said Dan Simmonds, head zookeeper at ZSL London Zoo. But despite there being plenty to go round, the meerkats were eggstremely protective over their festive hoard - something that other families might find familiar this Sunday!” 

Images (C) ZSL London Zoo

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.