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Bubble machine is a hit with zoo’s penguins
The bubble machine is a "firm favourite" with penguins, said zoo keeper Lorna Moffat.
Colony filmed chasing and popping bubbles 

Edinburgh Zoo’s penguin colony has been caught on camera playing with their new bubble machine on Penguin Awareness Day (20 January).

The colony of more than 130 birds can be seen waddling around their enclosure, chasing after the bubbles and trying to pop them.

Penguin keeper Lorna Moffat said the colony “enjoy lots of different types of enrichment, from their water slide to their floating platforms” but the bubble machine is a “firm favourite”.

It was given to the zoo as a Christmas present via its Amazon wishlist for the animals.

“All three of our penguin species loved playing with the bubbles, especially our youngest rockhopper chick who was taking part for the first time,” Lorna added.

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is home to Europe’s largest outdoor penguin pool. It plays an important role in penguin conservation around the globe through Project Pinnamin, which is a collaboration between RZSS, the British Antarctic Survey, RSPB, Tristan Conservation and the Government of South Africa.

Together, they are spearheading research into the endangered northern rockhopper and the factors affecting its population numbers on Tristan da Cunha, in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Image © RZSS/Siân Addison.
 

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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."