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Monkey Twins Born
Tic and Tac make father Minty proud.
Twin silvery marmosets born at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo have been named Tic and Tac after the famous mint sweets and join a family that’s truly “minted”.

The tiny pair were born to mum Humbug and dad Minty and are being looked after by the proud parents and sister Murray.
 
Keepers chose the minty names due to the brilliant silvery white colouring of the monkeys, who originate from the South American Rainforests. The pair were born two months ago but are only now clearly visible to visitors who can see them as they take their first leaps away from mum and dad in their indoor and outdoor quarters, to the right of the otter pond.

The pair were born two months ago but are only now clearly visible to visitors
The marmosets were only 5cms (2ins) in size when born and when fully grown will reach about 20cms (8ins) long, minus their tails. Keeper Carole Day said bringing up the pair is a family affair.


The marmoset are attracting much attention.
“The are a close-knit group and both dad and mum take their fair share of feeding and carrying and so does big sister as it is all part of her training for when she is a mum herself,” she said.

“The twins are already getting used to outdoors as they are carried out regularly by the family. You can even hear them screech as they are left out on a branch, but this is all part of growing up.”

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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
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.