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NZ dolphin conservation effort leads to progress
Image - animaladay.blogspot.co.uk
Marine Protection Area slows population decline

A study by researchers from the University of Otago has confirmed that a designated Marine Protection Area (MPA) off the coast of Christchurch, New Zealand has led to an improvement in the survival rate of the local population of rare Hector's dolphins (Cephalorhynchus hectori). The New Zealand government is currently devoting consideration to extending the MPAs further in the hope of further gains.

The models used by the team suggest that the survival rate of the dolphins had improved by 5.4% to an overall rate whereby the population is now declining at a rate of approximately 1% per year instead of 6% as was previously the case. The team's findings may be found in the Journal of Applied Ecology.

Commenting, Dr Liz Slooten of the University of Otago's team said "The good news is that the situation has improved. The population was doing a nose-dive...The bad news is that the protected area is still too small. It would need to be extended further offshore to allow the population to stop declining and better still to grow and recover towards its original population size. The MPA hasn't quite yet 'saved' the dolphins but it's been a major step in the right direction."

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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."