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Asiatic Black Bears to be returned to the wild
Image - Todd Pierson/Shutterstock
Seven bears previously kept as pets

An official from the Wildlife Rescue Centre of Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam has confirmed that seven Asiatic Black Bears will be taken into their care prior to being returned to the wild. The animals, which weigh approximately 300kg and are between eight and nine years old, were kept as pets by a local entrepreneur in small cages for seven years.

The Asiatic Black Bear is also known as the 'Moon bear' due to a yellow crescent shape mark on its chest. The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies them as 'Vulnerable' and they are on the IUCN's Red List due to the threat from loss of habitat, illegal killing and the trade in bear parts.

Nguyen Van Cuong, an official of the Wildlife Rescue Centre, was not able to confirm how long the bears would be in the Centre's care before they could be released. "It will take us lots of time and effort to prepare them for the wild as they have got used to an environment with human beings around." explained Mr Van Cuong. 

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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
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."