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Vet accidentally darts zoo worker
gorilla
The zoo has denied reports that the keeper was dressed as a gorilla.
Keeper shot in gorilla escape drill "not dressed as a gorilla"

A zoo worker has been hospitalised in Tenerife after being accidentally shot with a tranquilliser dart meant for a 200kg gorilla.

A gorilla escape drill was being carried out at the Loro Park Zoo last week, when a vet darted the 35-year-old zoo worker in the leg by mistake.

Initial reports in a local Spanish paper suggested the keeper was dressed in a gorilla suit at the time. It was widely reported in the press that the vet was not informed of the escape drill and confused the man with a real gorilla.

A spokesperson has since denied the reports, saying the dart simply fired accidentally.

"He was not disguised as a gorilla and was not wearing a hairy costume, and the vet did not get confused. It is impossible to confuse a gorilla with a human," Patricia Delponti told the Guardian.

The zoo worker was treated at the Tenerife University Hospital and is said to have made a full recovery. 

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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.