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Animals die in zoo fire
Cause of blaze currently unknown

A number of exotic animals have died at a zoo in Scotland, after a fire broke out.

About 50 firefighters were called to the scene at Five Sisters Zoo in Polbeth, West Lothian, after its tropical house was found ablaze.

Fire crews attempted to contain the fire to the one-storey 25 by 15 metre (82 by 49 foot) building, after the alarm was raised at 3.50am on Sunday, April 14.

While two dwarf crocodiles and an otter were rescued, a number of the zoo's animals died. Reportedly, snakes, lizards, turtles, tortoises and meerkats.

The full extent of damage will not be known until it is safe for zoo staff to access the affected areas, however, no humans were harmed.

According to to Scotland's Fire and Rescue Service, high winds made firefighting conditions more difficult.

An investigation into the cause has begun.

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue RZ extended across Scotland

The Scottish Government has announced an extension to a Bluetongue Restricted Zone that is in place in south-west Scotland.

From 3 October, the Restricted Zone will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland. The Animal, Plant and Health Agency (APHA) says this is in response to further disease spread, as well as simplify trading conditions ahead of the autumn.

Since the whole country will share a disease status, it will no longer be necessary to have a movement license to move susceptible livestock around the country. Restrictions on germinal products remain.

As of 1 October 2026, there were 1,979 cases of BTV-3 in England, 389 cases in Wales and 40 cases in Scotland.