Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th December 2022
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Winners of RSPCA Young Photographer Awards revealed
Ben's image of a mountain hare at sunset scooped first prize in the prestigious RSPCA photography competition.

Ben Harrot scooped first prize for his image of a mountain hare at sunset.

The winners of the 2022 RSPCA Young Photographer Awards have been revealed, with 17-year-old Ben Harrot clinching the top prize of a weekend photography break.

Ben was crowned overall winner for his image of a mountain hare at sunset. Judges praised his ability to capture the rare encounter with such a shy animal, and the bravery of the near-abstract composition.

He said: “I’m so happy that the judges liked my photo of a Mountain Hare so much. Winter at my local moorland is often cold, and this particular day was freezing! The winter sun was out which didn't help at all, and after walking for hours I finally spotted this mountain hare. 

“After an hour of steady approach, I was the closest I've ever been to a mountain hare. The sun was setting, and the mountain hare was fully relaxed in my presence, so I was able to photograph this individual up close as the sun was going down.”

This is not the first time Ben has won an award in the RSPCA annual photo competition for young people. In the 2021 awards, he was named runner-up in the portfolio category for a series of red fox images. 

The RSPCA Young Photographer Awards invites youngsters aged 18 years and under to capture the animal kingdom on a camera or a mobile device. 

Other prize winners included Lily Logan from Yorkshire, who was a runner-up in the 12-15 mobile category with her portrait of Angus the cat; Thomas Easterbrook, from Buckinghamshire, whose image of an orange tip butterfly was commended in the Small World category and Demmi Havenhand from Northumberland for ‘Baby Face’, her portrait of puppy Carrie, which won the Pet Personalities category. 

The judging panel included wildlife photographer, TV presenter and RSPCA vice president Chris Packham; wildlife photographer Rachel Bigsby, former competition winner-turned-professional photographer Catriona Parfitt; professional wildlife photographer and photographic guide Ellie Rothnie; and RSPCA photographers Andrew Forsyth and Emma Jacobs. 

Ben received a weekend photographic "Deer Rut Special" break with the crew at Natures Images of award-winning wildlife photographer Danny Green. Winners in each category also received trophies and a variety of gifts. 

Image (C) Ben Harrot/RSPCA.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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."