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Outrage over possible export of wild-caught animals to China
“To imagine dozens of individual mountain gorillas, okapis, bonobos being caught from the wild and destined for a lifetime in captivity is outrageous.”

Letter appears to request endangered species from Africa 

Wildlife groups are urging the Chinese authorities not to allow imports of wild-caught endangered animals from Central Africa.

The plea comes after the details of a letter came to light, referencing a request from a Chinese company asking for wild animals to be exported to two zoos in China.

According to the Born Free Foundation, the letter refers to a request for 12 mountain gorillas, 16 bonobos, 16 chimpanzees, eight African manatees and 20 okapi, to be sent from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to Taiyuan and Anji Zhonghan zoos.

Born Free says the letter was a response to Mr Liu Min Heng, CEO of Tianjing Junheng International Trade Corporation Ltd; from DRC’s environment minister, Dr Amy Ambatobe Nyongolo. It proposes to send a team from the DRC’s Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature to inspect the zoos’ premises in China.

Will Travers OBE, who is co-founder and president of Born Free, said: “There is nothing to suggest that this is not an authentic communication and I am sure that our sense of profound shock and outrage will be shared by conservation experts and NGOs, as well as the international community and the public at large.

“To imagine dozens of individual mountain gorillas, okapis, bonobos being caught from the wild and destined for a lifetime in captivity is outrageous.”

Should the proposals go ahead, Mr Travers warned that capturing these animals from the wild will put lives at risk. In addition, it is feared that the zoos in question will not be able to meet the complex needs of the animals - assuming they survive capture and transport.

There are also concerns that the animals may be used in “demeaning and degrading public performances”.

Born Free and 15 other civil society groups have written to CITES authorities, requesting them to intervene on this issue as a matter of urgency.

A petition on Change.org is also urging the Congolese Government not to allow the export of wild animals to China.

Image © Ian Redmond

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.