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Review calls for sea turtle monitoring
All seven species of sea turtle are seeing population declines.
The Dick Vet says immediate action is needed.

A review from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has called for immediate action to safeguard sea turtle populations.

The researchers found that critically endangered turtles, such as the Kemp’s ridley and the hawksbill, were significantly underrepresented in monitoring studies. They also raised concern for the flatback sea turtle, which currently has no assessed conservation status due to the lack of monitoring data.

The research team reviewed more than 600 publications, spanning four decades, to consider the population monitoring efforts for sea turtle species.

Although conservation efforts are ongoing to protect the sea turtle, the findings highlight an immediate need to protect the animal. All seven species of sea turtle are seeing population declines.

Researchers are therefore pushing for population monitoring data to better inform conservation policies. This includes increased monitoring in Southeast Asia and Northern and Central Africa, where sea turtle populations are poorly understood.

Sea turtle population monitoring is usually managed using field-based methods, such as satellite tracking and nest surveys.

However, researchers say that genetic approaches are being underutilised in sea turtle population monitoring. They believe that this could ensure a higher genetic diversity, so turtle species can adapt to environmental changes.

The data from these studies could play an important part in updating official species assessments for the Red List of Endangered Species.

Despite evidence of significant population declines, some turtle species have not had updated assessments for over 15 years. The flatback turtle has not been assessed since 1996.

The research team say that it is urgent that there is international cooperation and collaboration with local communities to protect sea turtles, and therefore their local marine ecosystems.

Haley Hendrix, MSc student and first author, said: “The findings of this study serve as a call for immediate efforts to conserve sea turtle populations and safeguard the oceans they inhabit.

“Failure to address the identified gaps in sea turtle population monitoring could jeopardise not only these iconic marine animals but also the health and functioning of entire marine ecosystems.”

The full study can be found in the journal Diversity.

Image © Shutterstock

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Charities' XL bully neutering scheme closes

News Story 1
 A scheme that helped owners of XL bully dogs with the cost of neutering has closed to new applications due to high demand.

The scheme, run by the RSPCA, Blue Cross, and Battersea, has helped 1,800 dogs and their owners after XL bullies were banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act.

In England and Wales, owners of XL bully dogs which were over one year old on 31 January 2021 have until 30 June 2024 to get their dog neutered. If a dog was between seven months and 12 months old, it must be neutered by 31 December 2024. If it was under seven months old, owners have until 30 June 2025.

More information can be found on the Defra website. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu cattle outbreak spreads to tenth US state

Cattle in two dairy herds in Iowa have tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), making it the tenth state in the USA to be affected by the ongoing outbreak of the disease in cattle.

Since March 2024, more than 80 herds across the USA have been affected by the virus and three dairy workers have tested positive. Authorities have introduced measures to limit the spread of the virus and farmers have been urged to strengthen their biosecurity protocols.

Mike Naig, Iowa secretary of agriculture, said: "Given the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within dairy cattle in many other states, it is not a surprise that we would have a case given the size of our dairy industry in Iowa.

"While lactating dairy cattle appear to recover with supportive care, we know this destructive virus continues to be deadly for poultry."