Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 3rd October 2011
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Return to the Wild for European Bison
Europe's largest mammal, the bison, has been reintroduced to the wild after near-extinction.

In 1919, the last of Europe's wild bison was shot by a poacher. Now, almost a century later, the bison bonasus has been taken off the endangered species, after a reintroduction programme has seen the wild bison population of central Europe soar up to 800 from a mere 54.

Towards the end of the 1920s, a bison restitution centre opened in Poland in an attempt to preserve the species, and just four bulls and three cows went on to found the current population.

In 1951, the first bison were reintroduced to the wild at Bialowieza Forest, which lies between Poland and Belarus. Today that population numbers 800 and a small number have been reintroduced to the Czech Republic, two hundred years after they were wiped out of existence in that country.

Eight bison are currently making their home in the Ralsko Reserve in the Czech Republic. The original bull and five cows have so far produced two young, and spend their time acclimatising to the Czech pasture, following their Polish upbringing.

Unlikely ever to roam the Czech forests in the same huge numbers as before, the reintroduction programme nonetheless demonstrates a start in repairing the damage of hunters to Europe's "gentle giants."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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."