The BVA has elected Tony Buxton as the new chairman of its Members' Services Group (MSG), the committee tasked with reviewing the membership package and developing new services for its members.

Mr Buxton is a small animal veterinary surgeon practising in North West England. He teaches and mentors veterinary students at the University of Liverpool, and he is committed to increasing support for new graduates. He said: "I am delighted to be elected as the new chairman of MSG, which deals with hugely important issues that are close to my heart."

Champion British racing driver, Darren Turner, has formed a partnership with international wildlife charity the Born Free Foundation.

Darren will represent the charity by sporting the Born Free Logo when he races his Aston Martin Vantage GTE, and by partaking in a series of fundraising events to raise awareness of the charity's work.

He said: "Choosing Born Free was very easy for me as they are campaigning for some of the most incredible creatures on the planet."

Darren's first fundraising event will be the British 10k on the July 13, which he will run alongside TV presenter Michaela Strachan as part of the "Born to Run" team sponsored by Tiger Balm.

A leading animal welfare expert from the University of Bristol will discuss the mind of a domestic cat at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival this year. Dr John Bradshaw, of the university's Anthrozoology Institute will explain what goes on in a cat's mind, dispelling myths and decoding body language. He said: "Unlike dogs, cats evolved as solitary hunters, and, while many have learned to live alongside humans and even feel affection for us, they still don't quite "get us" the way dogs do, and perhaps they never will. But cats have rich emotional lives that we need to respect and understand if they are to thrive in our company." His talk Cat Sense will take place at the festival in Cheltenham on June 7 at 6pm. The talk is free and seats are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Two llama babies have been born at ZSL London Zoo, just one day apart.

The male youngsters have been named Mocha and Latte by the zookeepers, and are the first llamas to have been born at the zoo in 10 years.

Mark Habben, the zoological manager said: "To have one baby llama is exciting in itself, but to have two born a day apart is just fantastic and it was brilliant for our visitors to be able to experience this with us twice too!"

Mocha and Latte are out and about in their paddock in the Animal Adventure children's zoo for visitors to see.

The number of bull breed dogs adopted from the RSPCA has almost doubled, the charity says. Adoptions rose by 48 per cent in the first three months of 2014, compared to the same period the previous year. The 17 national centres rehomed 134 Staffordshire bull terriers between January and March this year, compared to 89 in 2013. Staffies are by far the most common bull breed cared for by RSPCA, followed by the American bulldog. Southridge centre manager Anna White said: "I think Staffies make wonderful pets because they are so adaptable, they fit into almost every environment." Image RSPCA

A new meerkat enclosure has recently opened at Edinburgh Zoo, which allows visitors to get up close and personal with these charismatic creatures.

To celebrate the opening, Edinburgh based Alexander McCall Smith, author of the best-selling series The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, read a selection of his works to VIP attendees at the opening ceremony. Visitors also enjoyed African-themed music and face-painting.

For more information about the new enclosure, or any of the zoo's other recent developments, visit the Edinburgh Zoo website here.