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Almost 4,000 dangerous wild animals are being kept privately in the UK
Born Free found that DWA licences have been granted for the private ownership of 274 primates, including more than 150 lemurs.

Lions, primates and elephants among 'pet' animals revealed in survey.

A new survey by Born Free has found that nearly 4,000 dangerous wild animals are being kept privately in the UK. The charity is calling on the government to review licencing laws immediately in order to protect the welfare of these animals.

Currently, under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976, anyone in Britain can keep a dangerous wild animal as long as they obtain a licence from their local authority.

Born Free investigated the number of Dangerous Wild Animal (DWA) Act licences granted by local authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, and the variety of species being privately kept.

Findings highlighted that in 2020, a total of 210 DWA licences were granted for the private ownership of 3,951 wild animals including:

  • 320 wild cats including lions, tigers, leopards pumas and cheetahs
  • 274 primates including more than 150 lemurs
  • 158 crocodilians
  • 508 venomous snakes
  • 332 scorpions
  • 106 venomous lizards
  • two elephants.

Other species being kept as pets or in private collections in the UK include zebras, camels, hyena, wolves, and otters. Additionally, Born Free believes that many additional dangerous wild animals are being kept without a licence.

Although the DWA requires the applicant to demonstrate that their animals are properly contained to prevent escape, Born Free states that very little to ensure the welfare of the animals or the protection of the owner or anyone else visiting the property.

Veterinary surgeon Dr Mark Jones, who is also Born Free’s head of policy, said: “The UK likes to claim to be at the forefront of efforts to protect nature and improve the welfare of animals, yet our legislation governing the keeping of and trade in exotic pets is woefully outdated.

“The Dangerous Wild Animals Act should be overhauled as a matter of urgency, to phase out the private keeping of, and trade in, those species that clearly don’t belong in people’s homes.”

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.