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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 22nd January 2013
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Five captured elephant calves released
Fears remain despite the return of five infant elephants

The Born Free Foundation has announced that five young captured elephants have been released, news which has been confirmed by the ZNSPCA and Animals Asia.

The animals were destined for zoos in China, but the Zimbabwe Parks and Management Authority has made the decision to release them. The infant elephants arrived at Umfurudzi Park on 19th January where they will undergo rehabilitation and integration with other elephants within the secure area.

Whilst the Born Free Foundation says this is "good news" for the five calves, there remains great concern for three young elephants sent to China in November 2012. According to Animals Asia the wild-caught calves are currently in miserable conditions in Taiyuan Zoo and Xinjiang Safari Park, and a fourth animal who was sent with them has already died.

Will Travers OBE, CEO of the Born Free Foundation added: “While it’s good news for the 5 elephants that will be returned to the wild, Born Free is appalled by the fate of the 3 survivors in China and the prospect that more may yet follow. 

"The pictures we have seen of a concrete bunker and a featureless outside yard, together with temperatures that have recently fallen to more than 20 degrees below are a nightmare scenario.”

The ZNSPCA has now questioned the assessment criteria for granting export permits. According to the charity: "such criteria would appear not to prioritise animal welfare." Born Free have called for live animals to be moved only to in situ conservation projects, where they will be introduced to previous wild elephant habitat.

Animals Asia are reportedly corresponding with the China Association of Zoological Gardens, providing advice and support to aid the three calves already in China.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.