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London Zoo welcomes Chinese giant salamanders
Professor 'Lew' is already a big hit with zookeepers.

Four Chinese giant salamanders have been taken in by ZSL London Zoo after Border Force prevented an attempt to smuggle them into the country. The animals are critically endangered, often referred to as living fossils, and have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

One of the animals already on display is called Professor ‘Lew’, named after the Chinese for ‘dragon keepers’. Zookeepers will eventually introduce one of the other salamanders in an attempt to boost their numbers.

ZSL’s curator of amphibians, Ben Tapley, said: “Chinese giant salamanders may not be everyone’s idea of beautiful – I’ve heard them described as giant brown blobs with eyes – but Professor Lew’s crinkly purple tail and slimy smile have already made the newcomer a big hit with all our keepers, who have been finding any excuse to visit the Reptile House.”

Image (C) ZSL London.

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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.