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Stowaway gecko found inside box of musical instruments
The tiny gecko scuttled out of a shipment of musical instruments.
Asian House Gecko travelled 4,800 miles from China to Kent.

A gecko who travelled thousands of miles across the world inside a box of musical instruments is seeking its forever home after being rescued by the RSPCA. 

The surprising stowaway survived a 4,800-mile journey inside a sealed ocean container that had travelled from China to Kent. It was not until three months later when staff at the musical instrument company finally opened the shipment that the little creature was found.

“It’s amazing that this little gecko survived such a long journey and such a long time shut inside the sealed packaging but they were able to confine him and then called us for help,” commented RSPCA animal rescuer Clive Hopwood. 

Mr Hopwood took the gecko - who has been affectionately named ‘Thin Lizard’ – to experts at Brighton Reptile Rescue where it was identified as an Asian House Gecko. It will now remain at the centre until a specialist home can be found.

The RSPCA said the gecko was lucky to survive so long - particularly over the winter months - without specialist equipment to regulate temperature. It added that it hopes the gecko’s remarkable trip will remind holidaymakers to always check their cases thoroughly before heading home in case they too pick up a surprising stowaway. 

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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.