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One of the family!

Keepers at Colchester Zoo have bonded so strongly with two Patagonian sealions that they can now swim and play with them as if they were members of the sealions' family!

Previously it has been common for people to swim with the Californian sealion species but this is almost certainly the first time that this has ever been attempted in the UK with Patagonian sealions, due to their wilder nature.
 
It started with the keepers swimming with the sealions to clean the 24m long underwater tunnel through their enclosure and has slowly developed to a stage where keepers can now confidently swim and play with the two friendliest sealions, Winnipeg and Sydney.
 
Kate Broad, Head Sealion Keeper said "We had to ensure that the welfare of the animals was the top priority so we started this process very slowly but there is no doubt that this interaction has enriched the lives of our sealions both physically and mentally.’
 
Patagonian sea lions are agile swimmers and the males can reach weights of up to 2.5 metres in length and 340kg in weight. They have been persecuted in the past by the fur trade and are still affected by pollution and entrapment in fishing nets.

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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.