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Knut the Polar Bear
Unlike wild polar bears, Knut was born and bred in captivity. In fact, Knut was the first polar bear in thirty years to be born in the German zoo and survive past infancy. 
PETA is calling for Knut the Polar Bear to be castrated. 

Knut the polar bear became a world wide hit after his birth in 2006. Sadly, he was rejected and abandoned at birth by his mother and so it was left to the zookeepers to raise him. Bottle fed and taught to play football by workers at the zoo, Knut became increasingly popular with the public and was soon loved by millions.

However, now animal right campaigners are calling for Knut to be castrated. Knut has been sharing a compound with a three-year-old female polar bear from Munich Zoo and papers have speculated that the zoo may be hoping to mate the two animals. The German branch of PETA, however, have stated that because the bears share the same Grandfather mating the two would be incestuous. They assert that they should only be allowed to live together if Knut is castrated.

The German Zoo officials believe there is no need for castration and suggest they will not be breeding the pair. 

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.