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Vet accidentally darts zoo worker
gorilla
The zoo has denied reports that the keeper was dressed as a gorilla.
Keeper shot in gorilla escape drill "not dressed as a gorilla"

A zoo worker has been hospitalised in Tenerife after being accidentally shot with a tranquilliser dart meant for a 200kg gorilla.

A gorilla escape drill was being carried out at the Loro Park Zoo last week, when a vet darted the 35-year-old zoo worker in the leg by mistake.

Initial reports in a local Spanish paper suggested the keeper was dressed in a gorilla suit at the time. It was widely reported in the press that the vet was not informed of the escape drill and confused the man with a real gorilla.

A spokesperson has since denied the reports, saying the dart simply fired accidentally.

"He was not disguised as a gorilla and was not wearing a hairy costume, and the vet did not get confused. It is impossible to confuse a gorilla with a human," Patricia Delponti told the Guardian.

The zoo worker was treated at the Tenerife University Hospital and is said to have made a full recovery. 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.