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Sniffer dog finds £1m haul of illegal rhino horn
The ivory haul was found by sniffer dog Lizzy at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. (Stock photo)
Largest haul seized in South Africa in recent years 

Customs officials in South Africa have seized illegal rhino horn worth around £1 million, after it was sniffed out by a detection dog.

A haul of 36 horns and horn fragments were tightly packed in eight boxes, along with other items such as decorations and doormats, BBC News reports.

The boxes were ready to be shipped to Dubai, according to the South African Revenue Service.

Weighing 116kg (256lbs), the haul is thought to be one of the biggest seized in South Africa in recent years. It was found by sniffer dog Lizzy at OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

Despite successful conservation efforts in South Africa in recent years, WWF says the number of rhinos poached in the country has increased by 9,000 per cent since 2007, from 13 to 1,215 in 2014.

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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. 

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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.