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Cecil’s son, Xanda, 'killed by trophy hunter'
Professional ‘big game’ trophy hunters shoot large animals or game in return for huge sums of money to fund conservation efforts.
Born Free calls for action on ‘obscene pastime’

Cecil the lion's son, Xanda, has been reportedly shot on a trophy hunt.

According to BBC News, Xanda is said to have died outside the Hwange National Park in northern Zimbabwe. He is six years old and a father to several young cubs.  

A professional hunter is said to have reported the death to the authorities. However, it is not yet know who paid to shoot him.

The news comes two years after dentist Walter James Palmer from Minnesota, USA, sparked international outrage by shooting Cecil - a major tourist attraction - outside the same park.

Responding to the news, Born Free Foundation co-Founder and actress, Virginia McKenna OBE, said:

“Another trophy hunting horror story from Zimbabwe. I am not alone, I am sure, in being utterly disgusted that Cecil the lion’s six-year-old son, Xanda (himself the father of cubs), has now also become a victim of this obscene pastime. It doesn’t matter that it was technically legal - please can the authorities act now.”

Her call was echoed by Jordi Casamitjana, head of policy and research at the League Against Cruel Sports, who said:

“As long as the importation of hunting trophies remains legal, entire families of lions are at risk of being exterminated by trophy hunters. The sad and senseless killing of Xanda, Cecil the lion’s six-year-old son is a stark reminder that this risk is very real.
 
“Taking place just ten days after the US Government decided to lift the ban on lion trophies from Zimbabwe, Xanda’s tragic death should be a wake-up call to the authorities of the countries still allowing the importation of hunting trophies.”

Professional ‘big game’ trophy hunters shoot large animals or game in return for huge sums of money to fund conservation efforts.

It is believed that Mr Palmer was paid $50,000 to hunt Cecil, who was later beheaded and skinned. 

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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.