PRESS RELEASE

2001/03a

 

November 20, 2001

 

NEW TOOL FOR VETERINARY PROFESSION

 

Despite the years of intensive training, there are moments in every veterinary surgeon’s and veterinary nurse’s life when the presentation of one of Britain’s more unusual wildlife species in the surgery or an emergency call in the field brings a longing to have instant access to current knowledge and information.

 

The launch of the Wildlife Information Network’s UK Wildlife – First Aid and Care CD-ROM turns aspiration into reality.

 

A truly comprehensive encyclopaedia of wildlife health and management, it deals with every wild mammal, bird, reptile and amphibian found in Britain, providing detailed information on species identification; natural history; catching, handling and transportation; feeding and housing; rehabilitation and release; common diseases and their treatment and a full databank of wildlife legislation.

 

Prepared by WIN’s team of veterinary surgeons – chief editor Suzanne Boardman, head of research Dr Debra Bourne and veterinary researcher Becki Lawson – the data is fully referenced and can be browsed.

 

With a laptop computer, the simplicity of the CD-ROM means that, even in the field, access is instantly available to confirm species identification, problem diagnosis and appropriate care.

 

The purchase price (£31.50 including VAT and postage and packing, direct from Wildlife Information Network, The Royal Veterinary College, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU) includes a full year’s unlimited access individual subscription to the WildPro website, which contains other modules including the Electronic Library where many external documents are reproduced and hyper-linked into the main system for quick and easy reference. It also includes individual password-protected access to constantly updated information and frequently asked questions and, on renewal, the opportunity to start to collect your own library of WIN CD-ROMs.

 

UK Wildlife – First Aid and Care has been produced with the support of the Bridge House Estates Trust Fund, Corporation of London.

 

Corporate subscriptions for libraries, universities and commercial organisations are also available.

 

ends

 

A complimentary copy of UK Wildlife – First Aid and Care is enclosed for review purposes.

 

For further information, please contact Lindy Margach of Woodcote Communications, telephone 020 8660 4168.

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1                    The Wildlife Information Network was set up 10 years ago by Yorkshire-born Suzanne Boardman, then a veterinarian at London Zoo who was receiving requests for information and technical support from all corners of the globe. The information existed, but was fragmented and, in emerging countries, very difficult to obtain. WIN was inaugurated as a paper network of newsletters and collated information. It became a registered charity (No. 1048059) in 1995.

2                    Suzanne Boardman, BVMS, MRCVS; Debra Bourne, MA, VetMB, PhD, MRCVS; Becki Lawson, MA, VetMB, MSc, MRCVS