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Captive breeding 'not the solution'
clown fish
Capture and pre-sale mortality rates are said to be 80-98 per cent in 'aquarium' fish.
Clifford Warwick calls for positive lists or outright ban
 
Biologist Clifford Warwick has criticised those who promote the captive breeding of exotic pets as a good alternative to the sale of wild-caught animals.

Writing in The Ecologist, he said that for the individual animal "the abuses inherent to being captive-bred are as bad as they are to being wild-caught".

He believes an outright ban on keeping wild animals as pets, or a 'positive list' system (where species are verified as 'safe' to sell or keep), is the only way to address the welfare and conservation issues.

The issues with wild-caught animals being supplied to the pet trade are well-known - animals are transported across the globe in crowded, unsanitary conditions, facing shockingly high mortality rates.

In 'aquarium' fish, the capture and pre-sale death rates are said to be 80-98 per cent. The 'industry standard' mortality rate for amphibians, reptiles and mammals is 70 per cent in their first six weeks at wholesalers.

The trade also has implications for wild populations, Mr Warwick argues. The rising demand for clown fish after the release of popular film Finding Nemo, resulted in a 75 per cent decline in the species.

However, Mr Warwick points to the unsuitable environments in which captive bred animals are often kept.

He also questions the conservation benefits of captive breeding, writing: "If welfare is set aside, not that it should be, but if it is, then does the evidence demonstrate unequivocal conservation and ecological benefits from artificially raising animals? From over 30 years as a wildlife trade investigator I can confidently state that it does not."

While researching his article for The Ecologist, he claims he could find no examples of captive breeding endeavours that met a list of criteria and were associated with successful conservation or reintroduction of species.

For the full article, visit: http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_analysis/2985202/captive_breeding_saving_wildlife_or_saving_the_pet_trade.html

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."