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Crocodile Attacks Lawnmower
Australian crocodile attacks and destroys machine.

The keepers of Elvis, a 50 year old saltwater crocodile of unusual violence from the Australian Reptile Park in Sydney, were obliged to effect a daring rescue of a lawnmower after the irritated reptile attacked and seized it from Operations Manager Tim Faulkner and Keeper Billy Collett.

Elvis, presumably objecting to the noise of the machine, pulled the machine under water in his enclosure and 'drowned' it. He then sat patiently watching his catch for over an hour.

''Once he got it, he just sat there and guarded it,'' said Mr Faulkner. ''It was his prize, his trophy. If it moved, then he would attack it again.''

The lawnmower was eventually recovered when Mr Collett bravely decoyed Elvis to the other end of the enclosure with kangaroo meat, allowing Mr Faulkner to jump the fence and hurriedly retrieve it. Upon closer inspection, the lawnmower was discovered to be damaged beyond repair. Elvis also lost two teeth, possibly when his teeth punctured the mower's top casing.

This is not the first time Elvis has acted violently. He was first caught after attacking fishing boats in Darwin Harbour and he ate two females at the Crocodile Farm shortly after being taken into captivity.

''He is so full of testosterone that he views everything as a threat,'' explained Mr Faulkner. ''Even potential mates.''

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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.