News
The number of news found: 22.
01/30/2015 KEEPING ORCAS CAPTIVE FOR PROFIT NOW BANNED IN ONTARIO
Although there is only one orca whale currently being held captive in the city, Ontario's local government has made an announcement that will, hopefully, represent a victory for imprisoned orcas worldwide. As of this week, Ontario will no longer allow orca whales to be held in tanks for profit. The campaign to change Ontario's laws and protect captive orcas has been spearheaded by Phil Demers, who worked as senior trainer at the Marineland amusement park. Ontario's positive legal changes come in the wake of a groundbreaking 2014 bill which banned holding wild-caught or captive-bred orcas for entertainment purposes in California.
01/29/2015 MAYOR DE BLASIO HIRES ANIMAL ADVOCATE AS STAFFER
Animal rights activists now have an insider in the New York City government as Mayor de Blasio just hired an animal advocate to be part of his staff. Jeff Dupee, who worked for the Farm Sanctuary as a development manager, started on January 12 as a community-affairs staffer dedicated to animal issues. "We're proud to welcome Jeff Dupee to our administration, where he is charged with working on various animal-related issues and outreach out of our community-affairs unit," stated City Hall spokeswoman Christina Levin about the newest employee who will be making $65,000 per year. De Blasio has been pushing to get horse carriages pushed out of New York City in order to protect the horses and was even elected PETA's person of the year in 2014.
01/28/2015 ITALIAN COURT CONVICTS LAB-DOG BREEDERS
A criminal court in the northern Italian city of Brescia has handed down jail sentences to three employees of a company that breeds beagle dogs for scientific research. The three have been charged with cruelty to animals in their care, and with unjustifiably putting down some of the dogs. The court found a fourth defendant innocent. Roberto Bravi, director of the Green Hill facility in Montichiari near Brescia — which belongs to the US-based animal-breeding company Marshall BioResources — was given a one-year jail sentence. Renzo Graziosi, a veterinary surgeon at the facility, and Ghislaine Rondot, who manages Marshall's activities in Europe, each received one and a half years. The judgement was announced on 23 January, but the reasoning behind the verdict will not be made known for another two months. The three who were convicted will be able to appeal. If the sentences are confirmed, however, the defendants will be unlikely to serve jail time because in Italy sentences of less than three years are generally converted to fines or to a probation period.
01/27/2015 MIAMI DOLPHINS PART WAYS WITH SEAWORLD
SeaWorld has lost yet another marketing partnership; with the latest to swim away none other than the NFL Miami Dolphins. The separation ends a marketing deal that included registry in a SeaWorld sweepstakes for registering on the Dolphins' website and theme-park deals for the team's fans. SeaWorld was marketed as the place "where the Dolphins play," a statement that is now grossly inaccurate for two meaning: the Miami Dolphins no longer play there, and the captive dolphins of the park never played there. The Dolphins-SeaWorld contract ends in March 2015. Other corporate sponsors to part ways with SeaWorld include Virgin Airlines, Panama Jack, and Southwest Airlines.
01/26/2015 SEAWORLD CUT OUT OF ANOTHER MAJOR HOLLYWOOD FILM
After a critically-acclaimed documentary methodically eviscerated SeaWorld for their inhumane practices, the marine entertainment company may not see the big screen again in any way. Paper Towns, a forthcoming summer film based on the book from The Fault in Our Stars author John Green, has cut a scene in which its two main characters break into SeaWorld Orlando. In the 2008 bestseller, a wild night finds Quentin and Margo sneaking into the theme park in Florida: the one state where she hasn't broken into anything. Now, however, SeaWorld has been switched out for the SunTrust building. This isn't the first time a major Hollywood production has reconsidered putting SeaWorld on film since the revelations from Gabriela Cowperthwaite's Blackfish in 2013. Pixar's anticipated animated film Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo, had its ending reworked, which was set in a SeaWorld-like marine park.
01/23/2015 CATS ARE FATTER AND UNHEALTHIER THAN EVER
Cats are showing more cases of diabetes and obesity than ever before. According to Dr. Jennifer Scarlett with the San Francisco SPCA, it is estimated that today 60 percent of cats in the United States are obese or overweight. "That's about 43 million cats with an incident rate of diabetes of about one in 400 cats," she explained. The main reasons behind that less than purrfect weight is unsurprisingly diet and a sedentary lifestyle. The lack of physical activity and proper nutrition leads cats to develop type II diabetes as their insulin can't properly do its job. The good news is that if put in a low carb diet, cats will lose weight and, just like humans, sometimes even reverse the diabetes. To tell if your cat is at risk of having diabetes, some telling signs are if they're drinking a lot of water, urinating more than usual or just eating more but not gaining any weight.
01/22/2015 TIGER POPULATION ON THE RISE IN INDIA
After some dismal statistics in past years showing a rapidly dwindling population of tigers in the wild, the newest census in India has shown a drastic increase in their numbers. The 2014 census showed that there are at least 2,226 tigers in Indian forests. The number is up 500 from the census carried out four years ago. Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar explained that the country used more than 9,700 cameras to calculate the number accurately. He also considered the increased population a definite success stemming from the continued effort for conservation of the tiger reserves around India. The main threats to tigers in the wild are poachers and having their habitats taken away by human development and deforestation.
01/21/2015 HUMANS PUSHING OCEAN LIFE TO EXTINCTION
It seems humans have proven their immense and uncontrollable power once again, as the oceans, the salty blue expanse that covers some 70% of the Earth's surface, are set to face irrevocable damages. A group of researchers have analyzed information from hundreds of sources and concluded humans have pushed the oceans to the brink of unprecedented problems. Published in the journal Science, this comprehensive analysis, which studied fossil records, migration, seabed mining, fishing, and involved many other factors and syntheses, details an immediate and distant future where plant and animal life underwater will go extinct. The report states how climate change has aided in the erosion of coral reefs, with carbon emissions making seawater more acidic. Fish farms, the prevalence of container ships, and the use of bottom trawlers around the world alter and affect species and their habitats. What's more, 460,000 square miles underwater have been contracted out for mining operations to date.
01/20/2015 ASSAM BANS ANIMAL FIGHTING
Angry revelers on Friday blocked the East-West national highway in Assam at Anhatguri area in Morigaon in Central Assam by burning tryes and chasing rogue buffaloes on the highway in protests against Assam government's order imposing ban on buffalo and bulbul fight which are held as part of age-old tradition during this time of the year as part of celebration of Bhogali or Magh Bihu (post-harvest festival) in the Middle of January. The events have been banned by Assam government citing a ban imposed by the Supreme Court of India in this regard. The Supreme Court had passed an order prohibiting all animal races and fights, thereby directing the Animal Welfare Board of India and the government to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.
01/19/2015 SPAIN BANS BESTIALITY BUT NOT ANIMAL FIGHTS
The Spanish government has approved measures to imprison people who have sex with animals but ruled out punishing organizers of illegal shows in which animals are mistreated. Spain's Justice Commission announced on Friday that bestiality would become punishable by up to one year in prison as part of a new law which will reform the penal code. The ruling came after more than 135,000 people signed a Change.org petition organized by the non-profit animal rights group Observatorio Justicia y Defensa Animal. But the commission infuriated animal rights supporters by ruling that although it would fine people who harmed animals in shows like cockfighting events, the organizers of such shows would not face charges. It also ruled out punishing organizers of organized public events that led to the death of animals. Other European countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and France have already criminalized bestiality, with Sweden bringing in a new law early in 2014.
01/16/2015 DELAWARE UNVEILS NEW ANIMAL WELFARE LICENSE PLATE
Animal lovers in Delaware have a new way to help animals and flaunt their love while they drive with a brand new animal welfare license plate. The yellow plate with paw prints and an illustration of a dog and a cat touching noses was designed by Wilmington Illustrator Andy Lendway. The 55-year-old designer won the First State Paw Draw Contest hosted by the Delaware Division of Public Health's Office of Animal Welfare (OAW). The license plate is available at the Department of Motor Vehicles for $50, $35 of which goes directly to the Animal Welfare License Plate Fund. The money is used in efforts to reduce the cat and dog populations by paying for spay and neuter surgeries for community cat colonies, offering low-cost or free spay and neuter services for those who do not qualify for the State Spay & Neuter Program, and adding to the already existing spay and neuter funds for Delaware shelters.
01/15/2015 SOUTH KOREA ANNOUNCES PLANS TO END COSMETICS TESTING ON ANIMALS
The South Korean government announced last week their plans to end needless testing on animals for cosmetics. The news comes following two years of diligent work between Cruelty Free International and South Korea's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The ban is part of the Ministry's 5 Year Plan for Animal Welfare, which includes banning the testing of finished cosmetics product on animals. There will also be consideration of a further ban on the testing of ingredients. Though the animal testing won't end immediately, South Korea is following the same strategy used by the European Union. Back in 2004, the E.U. banned the testing of complete cosmetics on animals, followed by a ban on testing cosmetic ingredients on animals in 2008, and then a complete ban for all cosmetic testing on animals in 2013. In addition to the EU, South Korea also joins China, Brazil and India in their efforts to eradicate cosmetic testing on animals.
01/14/2015 DEAD HORSE PROP OUTSIDE COUNCIL DISTRICT OFFICES
With signs saying, "Horse Carriages + Traffic = Disaster," and "Ban Horse Carriages," animal rights advocates staged protests that included a fake dead prop horse in front of the Mid-Island and South Shore council district offices on Friday. New Yorkers for Clean, Livable and Safe Street displayed a fake dead prop horse in front of the district offices of Councilmen Vincent Ignizio and Steven Matteo to protest the politican's opposition to a proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages. Legislation was introduced in the City Council in December that would phase out horse carriages by the middle of 2016, with some exceptions for film sets and parades. To help the 400 drivers and stable hands currently employed by the industry, the bill offers job training classes and waives most fees for a license to drive an outer-borough green taxi. Ignizio and Matteo have both said that their objection to the ban boils down to job loss.
01/13/2015 FREELANCERS FOR ANIMALS
#FreelancersForAnimals is an online platform which is aimed at making it easier for animal-friendly freelancers to get hired, for animal-friendly clients to get serviced, and for animals and animal protection organizations across the world to get help, while incorporating animal-friendly values into the business and entrepreneurial worlds. This is a platform through which the very work for the animals will be able to be presented and easily supported by a flow of donations coming from the registered freelancers, who will both be donating a part of their fee to help animal projects while getting the competitive edge of being featured as ethically engaged professionals, thus being able to capture the attention and get hired by ethically engaged clients. To help #FreelancersForAnimals come to life, a crowdfunding campaign on IndieGogo has been started to raise the sources. Please spread the word and support this campaign!
01/12/2015 1,300 MONKEYS SAVED FROM HARSH FATE
After a bitter struggle that lasted more than 20 years to close down the Mazor Farm - which breeds and exports monkeys for medical experiments - which included stormy protests, threats and mutual mudslinging, had ended and the activists won. The farm is set to be shut down completely and its 1,300 monkeys will be set free. The surprising conclusion to the struggle came thanks to Ady Gil, a multimillionaire Israeli living in the US, who laid out no less than $2 million to spare the monkeys a life of suffering. "To be honest, I wasn't planning on spending $2 million right now," Gil admitted. "I said to myself that I don't want to end up knowing that I had a chance to save 1,300 monkeys and didn't do so - not that I'm entirely sure that it's the best way to spend the money. With $2 million, I could save a lot more monkeys - if I manage to amend the laws that permit experiments on them by going to war with the US Food and Drug Administration. The question is whether I can do both, and I think I can. So I decided to take on the financial responsibility and act."
01/10/2015 DEER FIGHTS BACK AGAINST HUNTER WHO SHOT HER
A Wisconsin bow hunter had the tables turned on him when a deer he shot with an arrow fought back and sent him to the hospital. The 72-year-old shot the deer in the leg, wounding her, near Taycheedah. When he attempted to track the doe, she "leaped out and went after him" while he was amidst "some thick brush" Fond du Lac Sheriff's Officer Jeff Bonack told the Fond du Lac Reporter. The feisty deer then head-butted his leg and fled the scene. The hunter was taken to a hospital, but his condition has not been released.
01/10/2015 HOMELESS MAN CHOOSES LIFE ON THE STREET RATHER THAN GIVING UP HIS DOG
Strangers are currently banding together to help support a homeless man and his dog, who have been living on the streets in Linden, New Jersey. Dave has nothing - aside from his constant companion, "Petey," a pit bull who Dave is unwilling to relinquish. According to those who are trying to help Dave, shelters that might offer respite from the cold have all indicated that if Dave stays... Petey goes. As word of Dave and Petey's plight spread via social media, offers to help started to pour in. Those in the area wanted to bring food, clothing and toys for the dog. Dave's current housing is temporary - he is hoping to find an apartment, garage or basement that he can rent - somewhere that he and his best friend can keep warm. If an affordable rental is not found, Petey and Dave will go back to their makeshift home, which is not a "home" at all, beside train tracks in the area.
01/09/2015 CHINESE MAN JAILED 13 YEARS FOR EATING TIGERS
A wealthy Chinese tycoon sentenced to 13 years in prison for illegally buying and eating three tigers in 2013 had his sentence upheld last Tuesday. The man known only by his surname, Xu, held dinner parties to feast on the meat with friends. The man is suspected of buying the tigers from smugglers who brought them into the country. Video footage showed Xu present as one of the three tigers was electrocuted to death and butchered for his purchase, according to The Tribune, a newspaper published in India. He told authorities he bought the tigers for just under $71,000 each, which comes out roughly to $161 per pound if the tigers were of average size. Along with his jail sentence, he was fined around $250,000. Authorities found the meat and bones of other endangered animals, including cobras and a giant gecko, in his home. Fourteen other individuals who Xu reportedly hired to deliver the tiger meat to his dinner party were sentenced for five to six-and-a-half years.
01/08/2015 ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC ANGERS ANIMAL RIGHTS GROUPS AFTER "SHOOTING" MOOSE
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been criticized by animal rights groups in Sweden after reportedly shooting a moose during a hunting trip. The Paris Saint-Germain striker is enjoying his mid-season break in his homeland but the Swedish newspaper Expressen ran a story on its front page claiming the 33-year-old had killed the 500kg animal "with one shot through its heart." Camilla Björkbom, of Sweden's Animal Rights' Union, told Expressen about his actions, "It is problematic . It is always problematic when famous people do things like that, because then it looks like they support this type of activities." Hunting is legal in Sweden, with an estimated 300,000 hunters in a population of just over nine million. Ibrahimovic, who is believed to have held a hunting licence since 2010, has spoken of his love for the pastime many times and even appeared in a Volvo advert earlier this year where he was shown aiming his rifle at a moose.
01/07/2015 BRIGITTE BARDOT ASKS EU TO BAN FRENCH FAVORITE FOIE GRAS
French film star and celebrity animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot has appealed to the European Union to ban the "barbaric practice" of force-feeding ducks and geese to make seasonal delicacy foie gras. According to the Fondation Brigitte Bardot, the 80-year-old former movie icon has the support of Danish Agriculture Minister Dan Jorgensen who has lodged a formal appeal with the EU Commission to impose a ban. Foie Gras, which translates as "fat liver," is protected under French law as "belonging to the protected cultural and gastronomical heritage of France." France produces around 80 percent of the world's foie gras. Denmark, Germany and Finland have banned force-feeding, which involves introducing a tube into the throat of ducks and geese to force an unnaturally large high-starch mixture into their stomachs.
01/05/2015 NORWEGIAN MAN SAVES DUCK FROM A FROZEN LAKE
A Norwegian man named Lars Jorun Langøien did something he can be proud of - he saw a duck’s life in danger and did something many people wouldn't think of doing. The images of the amazing deed was posted to Imgur where the story took the internet by storm.
01/05/2015 FOR TOKYO WITH MEAT FREE DISHES
In a bright, modern restaurant in west Tokyo, a quiet revolution is being plotted. About 30 vegetarians have met to discuss how they can convince the restaurants of Japan's capital city to start serving vegetarian food. Tokyo may be the gastronomic capital of the world – with more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other city – but it has lagged behind in catering for those who don't eat meat. But with Japan hosting the Olympics in 2020, and the associated influx of vegetarian tourists, the group Tokyo Smile Veggies aim to get 50,000 restaurants – the number of convenience stores in Tokyo – to offer vegetarian dishes by the time they arrive. They plan to do this by hosting workshops explaining what vegetarianism means, by offering recipes and training to chefs, and by getting restaurants that are vegetarian-friendly to display signs.
The number of news found: 22.
