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: 30th March 2012
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
Escaped elephant in County Cork
Image - EBU
Incident prompts comment from RSPCA

Footage of an incident in which 'Baby', a 2.5 tonne forty-year-old Asian elephant, escaped from Courtney's Circus in Blackpool, County Cork has achieved considerable popularity online and has also prompted a comment from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA).

The elephant escaped from the circus workers assigned to his care and charged through a junction, a shopping centre, a barrier and approximately 200 metres of the nearby road towards the Blackpool Retail Park before being recaptured. Fortunately, no-one was hurt.

Commenting on the incident and its ramifications, the RSPCA's Head of Wildlife Dr Andrew Kelly said “This disturbing piece of footage highlights our concerns that wild animals such as elephants are totally unsuited to travelling circus life. If Baby has been allowed to escape, it seems likely that her environment is simply not meeting her needs. The footage shows her welfare is clearly at risk and we are particularly concerned about the use of bull hooks to try and move her. This story is a timely reminder of the plight of wild animals in circuses and the need for a proper ban.”

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

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.