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ZSL partners with living biobank to save endangered wildlife
Nature’s SAFE has already successfully stored live cells from multiple endangered species through its partnerships.

The bank stores the living genetics of some of the planet's most threatened species.

ZSL London Zoo has announced a partnership with Nature's Safe, one of Europe's first Living Biobanks, to preserve the live genetics of some of the planet's most endangered species.

Through the partnership, ZSL will provide samples from post-mortems carried out at ZSL's London and Whipsnade conservation zoos.

From southern white rhinos to critically-endangered mountain chicken frogs, the samples will be sent to Nature's SAFE dedicated laboratory in Shropshire, where they will be processed and stored in a living state at -196°C.

Once thawed, the cells could one day be used in cell culture or assisted reproductive technologies to continue the existence of threatened species and maintain genetic diversity within the gene pool. 

ZSL senior vet, Dr Taina Strike, commented: “With so many animals at risk of extinction, outside-of-the-box thinking and collaboration is vital for the preservation of threatened species. For almost 200 years, international conservation charity ZSL has been at the forefront of wildlife science and conservation and we'll continue to explore all avenues to keep one step ahead of the threats facing animals across the world.”

Nature’s SAFE has already successfully stored live cells from multiple endangered species through its partnerships, including the black rhino, Asian elephant, eastern bongo and Javan green magpie.

Professor Suzannah Williams, chief scientist at Nature’s SAFE and founder of the Rhino Fertility Project at Oxford University, said: “Nature’s SAFE is acting now to preserve species before they are lost using both established methodologies and exploring the most promising innovations in assisted reproductive technologies; our partnerships are critical to achieving impact now and, in the future.

"It’s thanks to passionate organisations such as ZSL, that we can continue to develop innovative strategies to protect the incredible species on our planet.”

Image (C) ZSL London Zoo.

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."