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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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FIVP launches CMA remedies survey

News Story 1
 FIVP has shared a survey, inviting those working in independent practice to share their views on the CMA's proposed remedies.

The Impact Assessment will help inform the group's response to the CMA, as it prepares to submit further evidence to the Inquiry Group. FIVP will also be attending a hearing in November.

Data will be anonymised and used solely for FIVP's response to the CMA. The survey will close on Friday, 31 October 2025. 

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News Shorts
CMA to host webinar exploring provisional decisions

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to host a webinar for veterinary professionals to explain the details of its provisional decisions, released on 15 October 2025.

The webinar will take place on Wednesday, 29 October 2025 from 1.00pm to 2.00pm.

Officials will discuss the changes which those in practice may need to make if the provisional remedies go ahead. They will also share what happens next with the investigation.

The CMA will be answering questions from the main parties of the investigation, as well as other questions submitted ahead of the webinar.

Attendees can register here before Wednesday, 29 October at 11am. Questions must be submitted before 10am on 27 October.

A recording of the webinar will be accessible after the event.