Wildlife/Marine Mammals
U.S. proposes more changes to chip away at Endangered Species Act
The federal government has fired another volley in its assault on the Endangered Species Act, and this time it’s aimed at paving the way for corporations to take over lands that could, if conserved and restored, help in the recovery of imperiled American wildlife. Under . . .
U.S. mink industry in free fall as demand for fur plummets
The U.S. mink industry is in rapid decline, with the drop beginning well before coronavirus outbreaks on mink fur farms here and overseas renewed concerns over this outmoded and cruel industry that’s responsible for so much animal suffering. Last year was the industry’s worst on . . .
USDA suspends license of roadside zoo where Joe Exotic abused tigers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has suspended the license of the roadside zoo where self-styled “Tiger King” Joe Exotic bred, held captive and mistreated hundreds of tigers and other wild animals for two decades. Soon after news of the suspension—which is for a period of . . .
HSUS, HSI lawsuit forces U.S. to act to protect pangolins, world’s most trafficked mammals
Pangolins—the most trafficked mammals in the world—are one step closer to getting legal protections in the United States that could help reverse their slide toward extinction. In a settlement approved by a federal court today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service agreed to consider listing . . .
Breaking news: Coronavirus outbreak reported at two Utah mink fur farms
Mink on two fur farms in Utah have tested positive for the coronavirus. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported today that “unusually large” numbers of animals had died at the two farms, which also reported positive cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, . . .
Shaking it up for sharks in 2020
We’ve never cared for the cheap, lurid television programming tied to Shark Week, preferring to join with other groups and media outlets in a celebration of this apex species found in all of the world’s oceans and even sometimes in rivers. Sharks are part of . . .
Celebrating lions – and protecting them – across the globe
Today, on World Lion Day, we celebrate lions as an iconic wild cat species, and we recommit to our campaigns to halt their exploitation and destruction in the United States and abroad. We are giving it all we’ve got. In the wild, of course, this . . .
Virtually the best conference ever: registration open for Taking Action for Animals Online 2020
The fundamental purpose of our marquee advocacy training event, Taking Action for Animals Online, occurring on September 19 and 20, is to support greater political and social engagement by those who care about animals. COVID-19 hasn’t changed a thing in that regard, and TAFA 2020 . . .
Utah’s wildlife agency goes trigger happy with cougar killing quota increase
For the better part of a decade, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has proposed annual increases to the number of cougars that trophy hunters can kill in that state, despite widespread public opposition. Now, DWR is looking not merely to increase hunting quotas, . . .
House passes second funding package with welcome news for chimpanzees, right whales and farm animals
The U.S. House has just approved additional help for animals, including right whales, chimpanzees and farm animals, as it continues the process of appropriating funds for federal agencies and departments for FY2021. The provisions that passed the full floor today by a vote of 217 . . .
Industry support for Humane Cosmetics Act grows, with 900 companies supporting an end to animal testing
Momentum for passing a federal law against animal testing for cosmetics continues to grow, with some of the strongest support coming from the industry that makes and markets these products. This week, we reached an important milestone with 300 independent companies now officially endorsing the . . .
Vietnam cracks down on wildlife trade in wake of pandemic
Vietnam’s prime minister has issued a directive that will ban most wildlife imports into the country and crack down on the illegal wildlife trade there. The directive from Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, which will go into effect immediately, comes in response to concerns about . . .
