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Ape escape caught on tape!
Photo copyright: Splash
Five chimps escape from zoo enclosure

Footage of the moment five chimpanzees broke out of their enclosure using a ladder they had fashioned together out of tree branches has emerged.

The incident happened at Experience Zoo, in Hanover, Germany and caught on camera by visitor Kai Hauser. The primates mingled with the 2,500 tourists, getting a taste of life on the other side of the fence.

Mr Hauser was walking with his girlfriend and her sister’s family towards the enclosure area called ‘Gorilla Hills’ when they heard loud screaming, but of the human variety.

He said: “Nobody saw anything, only the loud screaming from the chimps that came through the bushes, so it was frightening and everyone on the way stopped walking and was looking around with open mouths.”

He continued: “'Then we heard a woman behind the bushes shouting, ‘Oh no! Stop, come back’. A few seconds later one chimp came around the corner - he was very relaxed and walked up to a man and gave him a hug. The chimp looked like he wanted to kiss him... but then he opened his mouth revealing his big teeth and we feared he could bite his chin off.” Much to everyone's relief the chimp let go of the man and walked off, Mr Hauser said.

Four of the five chimps - seven in total live in the enclosure - tasted freedom and decided they didn’t like it much and wandered back to the enclosure on their own.

An enquiry is now underway to determine what happened. The zoo could be faced with a huge bill for the fleet of police, ambulances and fire engines that raced to the scene.

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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.