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Conservationists publish strategy to save endangered royal fish
Sturgeons were once common in UK rivers and along the coastline.

Plans will help restore native sturgeon, declared ‘royal fish’ by King Edward II.

A team of conservationists led by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) have launched the UK Sturgeon Conservation Strategy and Action Plan, to recover the numbers of native sturgeon in UK waters. Both species of native sturgeon (European and Atlantic) are both critically endangered.

The sturgeon was declared a ‘royal fish’ by King Edward II in the 14th century, and the action plan has been launched to mark the Coronation of King Charles III.

The plan outlines the necessary steps to restore the sturgeon population, and includes identifying essential habitats, restoring migratory passages and reducing accidental bycatch.

The UK-wide plan, follows successful conservation work in France and Germany that has helped save European sturgeons from extinction.

Sturgeons can grow up to five metres in length, with long whisker-like barbels and diamond-shaped armoured plates along their backs. Once common in UK rivers and along the coastline, their numbers have declined in the latter half of the 20th century due to overfishing and the construction of dams that have blocked their migration routes.

Hannah McCormick, one of the experts behind the plan said: “The decline of sturgeons is a worldwide problem: these ancient fish outlived the dinosaurs and in fact still closely resemble their ancestors, which swam in earth’s seas and rivers 100 million years ago. 

“But after pushing them to the very brink of extinction, all 26 sturgeon species are under threat of being lost forever – earning them the undesirable title of being the most threatened group of animals of the IUCN Red List. The UK Sturgeon Conservation Strategy and Action Plan offers a solid, evidence-based way forward to restore the species – and a vital chance to save them.” 

Ms McCormick added: “It’s fitting that we mark the historic Coronation of King Charles III with the launch of this important plan to restore a once royal fish to the UK.”

The action plan was created as part of the work of the UK Sturgeon Alliance, a team of scientists and conservationists from ZSL, Blue Marine Foundation, Institute of Fisheries Management, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, Severn Rivers Trust, and Nature at Work.  

Image (C) Zoological Society of London

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.