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Birdworld keepers prepare for a day in the life of a parrot
parrot
Keepers will be spending the day in the Parrots in Flight aviary.
Keepers will get into character tomorrow, spending their day in the parrot aviary

Keepers at Birdworld in Surrey are preparing to step into the life of their resident parrots tomorrow, getting into character by abandoning their uniforms and donning parrots' plumage colours. 
 
Keepers Suzy Smithson and Lenka Panackova will be attempting to spend the day, from 9am until 6pm, in the Parrots in Flight aviary, interacting with the birds, and chatting to the public.
 
They will not be given anything to eat or drink all day, except for what the parrots would receive, and they will have no bathroom breaks.
 
Accustomed to seeing keepers in Birdworlds’ dark green uniform, these brightly coloured strangers will no doubt cause excitement among the birds. 
 
Suzy said: “The true challenge for us will be coping with the inquisitive birds…we will be inspected, pecked, hopped on and have our laces attacked throughout the day.”
 
The event aims to raise money and awareness of threatened species in the wild. Sponsorship will go towards the rescue of penguins in the wild, the reintroduction of the great bustard to Britain and local charities such as butterfly conservation and habitat protection.
 
To support Suzy and Lenka in this challenge, either by attending or by making a donation, or for more information about the event click here.
 

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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. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.