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: 5th January 2011
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
The count is on…
Both ZSL London and Colchester zoo keepers have begun their annual stock take, counting all the animals in the zoos.

At the end of each year, all the zoo’s animal records are updated to allow for births, new arrivals and movements to other zoos. This information is then sent off to ISIS, a global information network that all zoos contribute to in order to ensure there is an accurate global record of animals in zoos.

London Zoo and Colchester Zoo keepers are currently undergoing this mammoth task, which is expected to take around 2 weeks.

In London Zoo, there are over 16,000 different creatures and 700 different species including around 10,000 invertebrates, more than 4,000 fish and nearly 100 reptiles. Therefore, individually head counting every animal is quite an undertaking.

Claire Saunders, Animal Records Officer, at Colchester Zoo says, “With some species such as the leaf cutter ants it is possible to take an estimate of likely numbers, otherwise it would be a real headache getting them all to stay still enough long enough to have an accurate count!”

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

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.