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Chinese icon launches anti-poaching campaign
Photo credit: Liu Ranran
Yao Ming joins conservationists in public education

A major public awareness campaign was launched on 16 April by Chinese icon and former NBA Yao Ming, who has joined forces with WildAid, Save the Elephants and the African Wildlife Foundation to target ivory and rhino horn consumption in China.

Yao Ming believes education is the key to reducing the purchase of ivory products. He says: "Poaching threatens livelihoods, education, and development in parts of Africa due to the insecurity it brings and loss of tourism revenue.

"No one who sees the results firsthand would buy ivory or rhino horn. I believe when people in China know what's happening they will do the right thing and say no to these products."

A survey conducted by Chinese research company HorizonKey indicated that over 50 per cent of the 1000 participants thought elephant poaching was uncommon, and 34 per cent believe ivory is obtained through natural elephant mortality.

A previous WildAid campaign of Yao's was followed extensively by the Chinese Media, and is hailed as reducing the consumption of shark fin in China by 50-70 per cent, according to media reports, shark fin traders and Hong Kong import statistics.

The campaign is also believed to have contributed to the decision by the Chinese government to remove shark fin soup from all state banquets over the next three years.

Public awareness campaigns similar to this are also planned for Vietnam later in 2013.

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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."