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Smoking ban for Orangutan
Photo: COP
Orangutan's smoking habit to be stubbed out

Zookeepers in Indonesia are determined to help Tori the orang-utan overcome her decade-long smoking addiction.

Tori picked up the habit ten years ago by imitating zoo visitors, who would throw their cigarette butts into her open cage, and has been smoking ever since. She is said to hold up two fingers to her mouth to show that she wants a cigarette and grows angry and throws things if none are to hand.

Keepers at Taru Jurug zoo in Solo have tried luring the ape away with food and extinguishing cigarette butts with water, but with little success. Now, with help from the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) from Borneo, there are plans afoot to move Tori and her partner to a small island on the premisses by August.

It is hoped the large trees, rope swings and views over the facility will help Tori forget her addiction. Until then, extra volunteers from the centre are guarding her cage and mesh netting will be installed to prevent visitors throwing in cigarettes.

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Antibiotic Amnesty survey opens

News Story 1
 The Responsible Use of Medicines Alliance - Companion Animal and Equine (RUMA - CA&E) has launched a survey which seeks to measure the success of this year's Antibiotic Amnesty campaign.

Its results will help the group to calculate how many unused or out-of-date antibiotics were returned as part of the campaign throughout November. Practices are also asked how they engaged with clients to raise awareness of the issue.

Participating practices can enter a prize draw to win up to 100 in vouchers for taking part. Further prizes from BSAVA and Webinar Vet will be available for practices with the best input.

The survey takes a few minutes to complete and will be running throughout December. It can be accessed via this link

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue cases lead to restricted zone extension

Following the detection of new cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), the restricted zone has been extended to include additional parts of Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and North Yorkshire, as well as Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and part of Dorset.

The zone now covers 28 counties and unitary authorities in England. As of 16 December, 185 cases of BTV-3 have been confirmed in England and Wales during the current vector period.

Bluetongue is a notifiable disease. Suspected cases must be reported on 03000 200 301 in England or 03003 038 268 in Wales. In Scotland, suspected cases should be reported to the local field services office. Suspected cases in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.

A map of the area where movement restrictions apply can be found here.