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The count is on…
Both ZSL London and Colchester zoo keepers have begun their annual stock take, counting all the animals in the zoos.

At the end of each year, all the zoo’s animal records are updated to allow for births, new arrivals and movements to other zoos. This information is then sent off to ISIS, a global information network that all zoos contribute to in order to ensure there is an accurate global record of animals in zoos.

London Zoo and Colchester Zoo keepers are currently undergoing this mammoth task, which is expected to take around 2 weeks.

In London Zoo, there are over 16,000 different creatures and 700 different species including around 10,000 invertebrates, more than 4,000 fish and nearly 100 reptiles. Therefore, individually head counting every animal is quite an undertaking.

Claire Saunders, Animal Records Officer, at Colchester Zoo says, “With some species such as the leaf cutter ants it is possible to take an estimate of likely numbers, otherwise it would be a real headache getting them all to stay still enough long enough to have an accurate count!”

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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Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November.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.