Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Newborn for red-bellied lemur family
Zoo successfully breeds vulnerable species

A red-bellied lemur at Edinburgh Zoo gave birth to her first pup on May 4. Both mother and baby are said to be doing well.

Four-year-old Gizmo was hand-reared after being rejected by her own mother back in 2009. Despite this, the zoo says she is proving to be a "natural" with her baby.

Staff reported that the birth went well and that the newborn is now beginning to make an appearance to visitors.

"The birth occurred Saturday afternoon and [Gizmo] was back to eating and moving about normally almost immediately" said Donald Gow, the zoo's senior keeper for primates and hoofstock.

"Despite being a small, fluffy bundle, visitors have been able to catch glimpses of the newborn, which I am sure must be a nice surprise for them."

It is thought that, once Gizmo was strong enough to be reintroduced to the family, she learned about motherhood from watching her brothers being reared.

The family were brought to Edinburgh from Linton Zoo in November 2009 and Gizmo's mate, Bart, arrived from Jardin Zoologique Tropical, France, last year.

Red-bellied lemurs are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, therefore parents Gizmo and Bart are a crucial part of the species' breeding programme.

"We had no problems introducing Bart to Gizmo when he arrived," explained Mr Gow.

"She immediately accepted him, displaying lots of grooming behaviour and also became very territorial and protective, which was just what we wanted to see."

The pup's gender will remain unknown until he or she is a few months old.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

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
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.