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: 18th August 2015
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

Panda enclosure closed amid pregnancy hopes
Tian Tian
Tian Tian's enclosure is now closed until further notice.

Keepers believe Tian Tian may be expecting a cub

The panda enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo is closed until further notice due to the possible pregnancy of giant panda Tian Tian.

Britain's only female panda was artificially inseminated for the third time earlier this year. Experts say that she did conceive, but they did not know for sure if she was pregnant.

Now keepers at the Zoo have closed off Tian Tian's enclosure in the hope of the arrival of a rare cub.

A statement on the Edinburgh Zoo website says:  "Please be aware that due to our giant panda Tian Tian's potential pregnancy, the panda enclosure is now closed until further notice and both her and Yang Guang's panda cams have also now been turned off. There is no further news at this stage.

"Many thanks to our visitors and members for their understanding during this exciting, but delicate period."

Tian Tian was artificially inseminated in March after two previous attempts failed to produce a panda cub.

The procedure was carried out by an expert team of three veterinary surgeons, together with Doctor Wang Chengdong from the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Pandas. Only semen from the zoo's male giant panda Yang Guang was used during the procedure.

Tian Tian and Yang Guang arrived at Edinburgh Zoo in December 2011 and they are the first adult giant pandas to have ever come out of China.

Image (C) RZSS Edinburgh Zoo

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

Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.