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World's oldest male captive giant panda dies
An Ocean Park conversion suggests that one year of age for pandas is roughly equivalent to three human years.

Ocean Park's famous resident An An was 35 years old.

The world's oldest male giant panda in captivity has died aged 35, as reported by BBC News.

An An, who lived at Ocean Park in Hong Kong, was euthanised after showing steady signs of deterioration over the last few weeks.

Ocean Park, a hybrid amusement park and zoo, has been where An An lived since 1999, after he was gifted to Hong Kong from China's central government. 

An An's age, equivalent to 105-years-old in human years, made him the world's oldest male giant panda in captivity. 

In a Facebook announcement, Ocean Park said that it was 'deeply saddened' by the loss of An An, and encouraged visitors to sign the condolence books in the park if they wished to pay tribute to the beloved panda. 

Those in charge of the elderly panda's care noticed that his food intake had declined significantly and progressively, and shortly after that, An An refused solid food entirely. 

Alongside this, his activity levels had declined, and caretakers noticed that he was resting for an increasingly longer amount of time.

Paolo Pong, chairman of Ocean Park Corporation, told BBC News: "An An has brought us fond memories with numerous heart-warming moments. His cleverness and playfulness will be dearly missed.”

 

Image (C) Ocean Park

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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."