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Knut the Polar Bear
Unlike wild polar bears, Knut was born and bred in captivity. In fact, Knut was the first polar bear in thirty years to be born in the German zoo and survive past infancy. 
PETA is calling for Knut the Polar Bear to be castrated. 

Knut the polar bear became a world wide hit after his birth in 2006. Sadly, he was rejected and abandoned at birth by his mother and so it was left to the zookeepers to raise him. Bottle fed and taught to play football by workers at the zoo, Knut became increasingly popular with the public and was soon loved by millions.

However, now animal right campaigners are calling for Knut to be castrated. Knut has been sharing a compound with a three-year-old female polar bear from Munich Zoo and papers have speculated that the zoo may be hoping to mate the two animals. The German branch of PETA, however, have stated that because the bears share the same Grandfather mating the two would be incestuous. They assert that they should only be allowed to live together if Knut is castrated.

The German Zoo officials believe there is no need for castration and suggest they will not be breeding the pair. 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.