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Operation relaunched to tackle crimes against badgers
“To this day, badgers remain among the most persecuted of all species despite having one of the highest levels of legal protection” – Craig Fellowes.
New short film produced to raise awareness.

The UK Badger Crime Priority Delivery Group (BCPDG) has relaunched Operation Badger to tackle crimes that harm badgers.

The initiative, which was relaunched on National Badger Day on 6 October, aims to raise awareness of criminal activities against badgers, such as illegal trapping, poisoning, badger baiting and sett disturbance, and encourage people to report them.

A UK-wide police operation, Operation Badger gathers evidence of badger persecution and identifies and targets offenders. The operation is overseen by the National Wildlife Crime Unit and is supported by police wildlife crime units, Badger Trust, Scottish Badgers, and local badger groups.

A new short film, narrated by wildlife television presenter Megan McCubbin, has been released alongside the operation's online information library.  

Operation Badger relies on members of the public to report suspected crimes and the library contains resources to help people identify and report crimes against badgers.

Craig Fellowes MBE, Badger Trust wildlife crime officer and trainer, said: “Badgers have a long history of cruelty and persecution in the UK, spanning hundreds of years. To this day, badgers remain among the most persecuted of all species despite having one of the highest levels of legal protection.

“It’s up to all of us to work together to protect our badgers and stand up for them to stop badger crime. This new Operation Badger short film and the resources in the information library explain how.”

The information library, along with the short film, can be accessed here.

Image © Shutterstock

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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
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.