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Public to see Giant Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo
Photo: Robyn Rowles
Tian Tian and Yung Guang to go on display

Edinburgh Zoo's new star attractions, the giant pandas Tian Tian ('Sweetie') and Yang Guang ('Sunshine'), are going on display to the general public for the first time.

The pair originally arrived in the UK on December 4th, but their keepers felt it best to let them recover from their trip from China before they were introduced to the public. They were welcomed to the UK in a ceremony attended by Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Scottish Secretary Michael Moore, Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb and the Chinese Charge d'Affaires Qin Gang.

The first six hundred visitors to their new ￡250,000 enclosures at Edinburgh Zoo booked far in advance of the 9.15 AM showing, but subsequent showings will occur every half  hour. Visitor numbers are already expected to be double the usual of a Friday in December, and Zoo officials also said that pre-booked tickets for the first weekend were up 80% on that expected of a December weekend.

It is hoped that the pair will be able to breed. Tian Tian has had cubs in the past and Yang Guang has previously fathered cubs, although they have not mated together. The pair will be introduced to each other when Tian Tian comes into season, which is expected to be some time around February or March. The Giant Panda is so severely endangered it is at risk of outright extinction, so any cubs would be welcomed warmly by conservationists.

Edinburgh's world-renowned Zoo is delighted with their new animals, but the pandas will hopefully appreciate their new surrounding too. BBC Scotland correspondent Colin Blane said: "I have been told the male panda, Yang Guang, is very fond of a roll around in the snow. The conditions should be to his liking.”

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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."