Dear BERGers,

We trust that you all had a splendid Wednesday afternoon off last week! As you all undoubtedly know, this week many are participating in the UCU Stirling strikes that are taking place Monday through Wednesday of this week [Feb 24-26], Mon-Thurs of the following week [Mar 02-05], Mon-Fri of the week after that [Mar 09-13], and Mon-Tues of the final week [Mar 16-17]. http://ucustirling.org.uk/?p=5632

As BERG organisers, we discussed the possibility of cancelling BERG for these strikes. Ultimately we decided that because BERG attendance has always been optional, meetings take place outside of regular office hours, and the meetings are meant to be social gatherings in which members mingle and discuss current research, that it would be perfectly acceptable and non-political to continue hosting them. 

All members should feel free to attend, but as always, the meetings are non-obligatory! We hope to see you there!

This week, Dr. Krissy Green will be presenting a talk titled 

"Reptile Mental Health: Excessive Anthropomorphism, or Emerging Welfare Concern?"

Dr. Green is a veterinarian and an RCVS advanced practitioner in Zoological Medicine. She will presently be giving a talk at the AHH ("Advancing Herpetological Husbandry") Conference in March.

A short abstract for the talk:

Do reptiles have mental health, and what importance does this have? Is it excessive anthropomorphism to consider mental health problems in reptiles or is this a welfare concern that the hobby should become engaged in? This talk explores human negative mental health states and shows where they are applicable to specific reptile cases I have seen in exotic animal veterinary practice.

As always, refreshments and nibbles will be provided.

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The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.