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A bird's eye view
Credit: Wildlife Conservation Society
'Superbird' sea bird filmed feeding

 For the first time researchers have been able to watch an imperial cormorant, a bird found just off the coast of Argentina, as it dives underwater to feed.

The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the National Research Council of Argentina were able to fit the bird with a small camera to see it dive 150 feet in 40 seconds, feeding on the ocean floor for 80 seconds, and returning to the surface after another 40 seconds.

While on the ocean floor the bird caught a snake-like fish which it brought back to the surface to eat. The research team have described the cormorant as 'superbird' after the unexpected dive.

Before now, the birds have been tracked using other technological equipment including tags and GPS loggers, but this recent information will help identify new priority feeding areas to be protected and enable researchers to further understand their habits.

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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."