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Rarest oiled bird released
Image: Arctic skua being washed at West Hatch
Single arctic skua is first to be released

An arctic skua is the first bird to be released back into the wild by the RSPCA, after being coated in a gluey substance confirmed as polyisobutene (PIB).

The rarest of the oiled birds to be rescued, the arctic skua was discovered in the second wave of birds washed up along the coastline coated in PIB - an oil additive often used in ship engines.

The substance coats the plumage of the birds, rendering them helpless by restricting their mobility and preventing them from feeding.

The RSPCA reported treating over 300 birds in the first incident, which took place in February, and estimates that over 1000 affected birds have washed up along the south coastline since 9 April.

The majority of birds have been guillemots, and this arctic skua was the only one of its kind to be found coated in the substance. After being cared for at the RSPCA's West Hatch wildlife centre in Taunton, Somerset, it is said the bird recovered quickly.

Volunteer Dave McDonald, who was present at the bird's release, said: "He was raring to go…as soon as we opened the box used to transport him he was flying directly out to sea and we just lost sight of him. We all love seeing that."

Centre manager Peter Venn, added: “This is a great early result after another two weeks of seeing so many badly affected birds come through our doors."

The RSPCA has joined the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and the Wildlife Trust in calling for a ban on the discharge of PIB at sea.

Photo credit: Steve Trewhella

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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."