Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 20th November 2019
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

British Airways opens rescued lion enclosure
The lionesses are settling into their brand new enclosure.

Move forms part of airline’s commitment to end ‘exploitative tourism’

A new rescued lion enclosure in South Africa has been opened by British Airways Holidays in partnership with Born Free. The enclosure is already home to two lionesses, Alpha and Cora, who were initially rescued from a failed zoo in Spain.

The move follows British Airways' announcement earlier this year about the launch of its new animal welfare policy. Developed in partnership with Born Free, the policy aims to bring an end to ‘exploitative tourism’ that sees animals kept in captivity.

Born Free provided specialist care to the lionesses as they travelled from their temporary home in Belgium to London, and then on a British Airways flight to Cape Town. Alpha and Cora then travelled a short distance by road to the 40-acre Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.

The lionesses are settling into their brand new enclosure, which is a world away from the cramped and neglected conditions they were experiencing in Spain and will allow them to exhibit natural behaviour. The zoo in Spain has been closed following a raft of infringements.

Claire Bentley, managing director of British Airways Holiday, said: “We are delighted to have been able to support Born Free and enable Alpha and Cora to spend the rest of their lives in their natural habitat. We know our customers are behind us in supporting causes like this and we are proud that our new Animal Welfare Policy and its various initiatives will help improve the lives of animals living in captivity all over the world.”

Forming part of the partnership between Born Free and British Airways is the “Raise the Red Flag” Initiative that allows members of the public to report concerns about wild animals being kept in captivity.

Dr. Chris Draper, head of animal welfare & captivity at Born Free, said: “It’s extremely gratifying to see how much Alpha and Cora have improved and are settling into their brand-new enclosure. It is virtually impossible to enable big cats brought up in horrific conditions in captivity to be released to the wild, so their new home will create an environment as close to their natural habitat as possible and encourage them to exhibit their natural behaviour.”

Image (C) Born Free.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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."