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Top 100 most unique and endangered birds published
Spoon-billed Sandpiper
Spoon-billed Sandpiper

Diverse list represents millions of years of unique evolutionary history.

Experts at Yale University and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) reveal the world’s 100 most unique and endangered birds in a paper published in Current Biology.

The list was produced by ranking the birds according to how Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) they are.

Scientists assessed numerous species, not only those threatened with extinction, but those highly unique in the way they look, live and behave. These range from the ankle-high sandpiper to the prehistoric-looking greater adjutant, which stands as tall as an adult human.

The northern bald ibis from Morocco is one of the most critically endangered birds listed. This bird suffered a severe population crash following the introduction of pesticides in the 1950s, and it is believed there are less than 300 adult birds remaining in the wild.

The Philippine eagle is another example of a bird becoming ever more endangered. It preys on monkeys and flying lemurs, but despite its strength, it is now under threat from deforestation. It requires an area bigger than the city of Oxford to rear a single chick.

Carly Waterman, EDGE Programme Manager at ZSL, said: “Half of the 100 highest ranked EDGE bird species are receiving little or no conservation attention. We lament the extinction of the dodo, but without action we stand to lose one of its closest relatives, the tooth-billed pigeon or ‘little dodo’, and many other extraordinary birds.

“The release of the EDGE Birds list enables us to prioritise our conservation efforts in the face of a mounting list of endangered species. These one-of-a-kind birds illustrate the incredible diversity that exists in our natural world.”

Image credit: SIMON BUCKELL

 

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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.