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Chinese Zoo to wed ram and deer
Image: STR/Agence France-Presse
Tickets on sale for Valentine's Day Wedding

A Chinese Zoo will hold a distinctly unconventional wedding on Valentine's Day after an equally unconventional relationship between a male sheep and a female deer captured the public imagination. According to China Daily, the Yunnan Provincial Wildlife Park in Kunming City of the South-Western Yunnan Province is selling tickets to the wedding at 66 yuan (£6.60, $10USD) each. 'Wedding clothes' are also being arranged for the happy couple.

Visitors have flocked to the Yunnan Provincial Wildlife Park to see the sheep Changmao (meaning 'long-haired') and the deer Chunzi (meaning 'pure'). The animals were raised together in a single group at the park because of their similar dietary requirements. "We put them together because they were all herbivores" said Liu Gencheng, a park official.
 
The zookeepers noted that the animals became affectionate towards one another, with Changmao attacking any male deer that approached Chunzi and Chunzi often licking Chungmao's hair. When Chungmao fathered a lamb last year and was moved to another enclosure, Chunzi squeezed through the fence to join him.

However, experts have warned against attaching human qualities to the behaviour of animals. The Xinhua official news agency has quoted biologist Wang Dajun opining that "Leaving them alone is the best choice."

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.