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Orcas escape frozen-over waters
Shift in winds brings lifeline to whale pod

A pod of orcas that have been struggling to survive since becoming trapped under sea ice are safe again, after winds changed and produced openings in the water.

On Tuesday (January 8), it was reported that a dozen orcas - commonly known as killer whales - were struggling to breath in Canada's Hudson Bay, due to a lack of gaps in sea ice.

Fortunately, locals from the village of Inukjuak, where the orcas were stuck, have reported that winds have shifted overnight, pushing the ice away from the coast and opening up the water.

The bay froze over a few days ago, when the whales were thought to be hunting for seals in the bay. The unusually mild weather meant the whales were still around when the cold weather hit, and a hunter spotted them trying to find space between the ice to come up for air.

The following day locals called on the Canadian government to send icebreaker ships to help free the orcas and, otherwise, intended to launch their own rescue operation.

However, since the ice has shifted, the orcas have managed to leave the area.

Marine Researcher Lyne Morissette said this may not mean the whales have escaped danger, adding that they will have to travel more than 100 kilometres (62 miles) to reach the open waters of the northern Atlantic Ocean.

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Annual submission deadline small pet animal exemptions

News Story 1
 Companies marketing medicines for small pets exempt from authorisation must submit their annual return to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) by 30 November 2026.

Submitting this annual return ensures continued compliance with regulatory requirements for products marketed without a full Marketing Authorisation. The exemption specifically applies to products intended for animals, cage birds, terrarium animals, small rodents, ferrets and rabbits.

For further details and submission guidelines, visit the gov.uk website.  

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News Shorts
BVA urges 'continued vigilance' over bluetongue

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has urged vigilance following a concerning rise in Bluetongue (BTV) cases in sheep and cattle.

In a recent statement, the BVA noted that members are reporting more severe clinical signs and higher mortality rates than in previous years.

'We know that farm vets are working hard to support farmers and animals affected by this outbreak, during what is an extremely difficult time for all involved,' they stated. 'Continued vigilance to identify disease early is vital and vaccination remains the best way of protecting animals from this disease.'