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Elephant artist raises money
Shanti pays for new enclosure

An Indian elephant named Shanti from Prague Zoo, Czech Republic, has taken the art market by storm.

Shanti is able to paint with her trunk, and her works can earn up to £1,500 each, with profits being put towards a new 1,400 square metre enclosure for her and her herd. She began painting two years ago as part of an experiment into elephant intelligence, but has also starred in movies and worked as a circus performer.

Zoo director Pavel Bobek commented: "Each painting takes her about 20 minutes and luckily she doesn't tire of doing them because there is always a snack at the end of one and she's always hungry."

"She destroyed quite a lot of easels and canvases in the early days but she now has a very light touch," said her keeper Veronika Struplova.

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.