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Charity competition to name dolphin calf
Image: dolphin
Muddy and her new calf

Born Free welcomes a new arrival for its adopted dolphin, ‘Muddy’

'Muddy’ lives in the Moray Firth, off the north coast of Scotland, which is home to 500 bottlenose dolphins protected by the Cetacean Research and Rescue Unit (CRRU).

Supported by Born Free, the CRRU researches and monitors whales and dolphins in the region, and provides veterinary treatment.

Muddy’s new calf, which is still too young to be identified as male or female, was first spotted in May and is thought to have been born in October 2016. This is Muddy’s seventh calf.

Dr Kevin Robinson, CRRU lead researcher, said: “We estimate Muddy gave birth last October, because when we saw her last in September 2016 she only had her older calf, ‘Hiccup’, with her. The new calf is known officially as CRRU ID#643, but we’re sure Born Free supporters can come up with something far better!”

Born Free has launched a competition to find a name for Muddy’s new calf. The competition is open exclusively to all Muddy adopters.

Image (C) Born Free Foundation

 

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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.