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Researchers utilise International Space Station for wildlife
Turtle
Animals across the globe have been fitted with small GPS transmitters.
Project will map whereabouts of birds, bats and turtles 

Researchers are planning to use the International Space Station to help track animals and better understand their behaviour.

The ICARUS Project (International Cooperation for animal research using space) has been developed by the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology.

Animals across the globe have been fitted with small GPS transmitters and, next year, a dedicated receiver will be sent up to the International Space Station.

Once it is up, researchers hope to map the whereabouts of birds, bats and turtles in real time.

“It will be the best ever possible sensing network of life on the planet,” said project director Dr Martin Wikelski, speaking to The Atlantic.

The team have secured 19 million euros from the German Aerospace Centre, as well as 1.7 million euros from the Max Planck Society to make very small tags.

Currently the tags weigh around five grams, but the team wants to reduce this to just one. This would allow them to track light birds like swifts.

Around 50 research teams will use ICARUS to track wildlife. Eventually, all the data will be uploaded MoveBank a free online database created to help researchers share animal movement data.

“It’s a big data project for life on the planet,” adds Wikelski.

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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
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.