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Rare zebra shark born at Sea Life Centre
Zebra fish
Zebra sharks are sold for human consumption and oriental medicine

Zebra sharks are currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List

Aquarists at The National Sea Life Centre Birmingham are celebrating the arrival of a rare baby zebra shark.

The pup, which has yet to be named,  hatched on Tuesday, August 19, following a six-month incubation period, after an egg was donated from an aquarium in America.

At only 25cm long, the baby is already displaying the distinctive stripes that give this shark its name. The Centre say that is could grow to a whopping 2.5 meters in length when it reaches adulthood.

Zebra sharks are currently classified as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of biological species. This is largely because they are sold for human consumption and for fish meat. There is also a huge market for shark-fin soup and oriental medicine.

James Robson, Curator at the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham, comments: “It’s always exciting when we have a new birth at the attraction, but especially in cases such as this when the species is struggling in the wild.

“We’re very happy to report that our pup is thriving. It’s currently in a nursery tank so we can keep a close eye on it but will eventually be moved to our Breed, Rescue, Protect zone where we have brown banded and horned sharks on display, alongside other developing eggs of sharks.

“The aim is to add our pup to the larger breeding population of the Zebra shark species once it comes of age in order to help protect and conserve these magnificent creatures.”

Image courtesy of the National Sea Life Centre

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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.