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SGA warns on Capercaillie second extinction
Calls for control of Pine Marten population

The Scottish Gamekeepers' Association (SGA) has warned that the rare capercaillie (a large woodland grouse) could be driven back into extinction if predation by pine martens is not brought under control. The species became extinct in Scotland some time around 1785, but was reintroduced after transplants from still extant populations in Sweden in the early 19th century.

The SGA has called upon Scottish Natural Heritage to introduce licences to sanction the control of pine martens, which are one of Scotland's rarest mammal species. Proposed methods of population control include trapping and subsequent relocation or outright culling.

"Predation levels across the board have risen and are now far too high for capercaillie numbers to get above the levels required to be safe. There is little point in wasting public money in creating new habitat (for capercaillie) if you don't control the predators that are eating them" said an SGA spokesman.

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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. 

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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."