In this issue: Read a rundown of the numerous attempts thus far in the 115th Congress to weaken the Endangered Species Act. Examine the evolutionary fallout of "sustainable use" as a model for wildlife management. Learn how one Texas teacher is promoting compassion for all Earth's inhabitants in her classroom and how AWI is lending a hand to help the Kenya Wildlife Service ward off poachers with aerial patrols.
In this issue, we profile Dr. Samuel K Wasser, the 2018 recipient of AWI’s Schweitzer Medal in honor of his pioneering use of DNA analysis to combat poaching and illegal trade in wildlife. Read about our partnership with bestselling author Katherine Applegate and HarperCollins Children’s Books aimed at inspiring youth to rally around endangered species protection. And learn why a wilderness road in Senegal has been named after AWI’s founder.
In this issue, we discuss the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s egregious proposal to remove endangered species protections for gray wolves across the United States. Meanwhile, grade school kids across the country are raising awareness about the need to protect endangered species. AWI announces grant opportunities to develop and test innovative methods to improve the welfare of animals in research through refinements in care, husbandry, and housing.
AWI’s successful campaign to end wildlife-killing contests in Colorado. Reviews of two nature documentaries that aim to inspire and thoughts on how Tiger King fell short. How the COVID-19 pandemic, which has profoundly altered so much of human society, has implications for animal welfare as well—from dogs and cats in shelters to marine mammals in aquariums to bears in Yosemite. We also examine how expanding trade in wildlife and inhumane treatment of farm animals greatly increases the risk of pandemics.
A campaign to end wildlife killing contests gains ground. AWI welcomes Scientific Committee members dedicated to advancing animal welfare, while an ill-conceived ocean noise study in Norway threatens to do more harm than good. A far different study shows mice in research react positively to playtime. The myth of benign dog-proof traps is exposed. AWI gets USDA to open up access to humane slaughter enforcement records. Animal welfare bills in Congress need the support of your legislators.
AWI examines the state of industrial farming in the United States amid efforts by some US states to improve living conditions for animals in agriculture. Atrocities at a beagle breeding facility in Virginia prompt court intervention. An ambitious project aims to suppress Hawaii’s invasive mosquito population and improve the outlook for the Islands’ endangered birds. Celebrating success and looking to the future as the Marine Mammal Protection Act turns 50. And a note of thanks to all our members for your vital support.
AWI is helping rangers in Africa take to the wing to ground poachers. We’re celebrating a new international agreement to protect ocean biodiversity. We’re seeking to end the unseen suffering of pigs in slaughterhouses and the needless killing of rats used in a university classroom. AWI thanks our supporters and invites readers to answer a quick survey that offers a chance to provide feedback on our programs and tell us which animal welfare issues mean the most to you!
We examine the scope and efficacy of state-level farmed animal protection laws, and we award the Schweitzer Medal to Dr. Temple Grandin for her pioneering work to promote more humane treatment of farmed animals. AWI and partners press the US government to implement long-overdue regulations aimed at reducing the death of marine mammals as bycatch in global fishing gear. Exposing the trade in exotic animal skins as a horror—rather than a fashion—show. AWI members help sanctuaries give new life to animals retired from research.
AWI is working to develop federal legislation that would establish a national beaver conflict-mitigation grant program to help tribes, states, agencies, local governments, landowners, conservation organizations, and others pay for
In October, the US Supreme Court denied a petition to review the Fourth Circuit ruling that struck down portions of the Property Protection Act—North Carolina’s latest ag-gag law—on the grounds that recording audio or video in nonpublic farm areas
The repeated attempts by Illinois-based Cavel International, Inc. to continue slaughtering horses in the face of a state ban on the practice and the will of the people of Illinois were quashed for a final time today, when the Supreme Court of the United States denied the slaughterhouse's petition for certiorari.
In addition to declining to hear the foie gras challenge, the Supreme Court passed on the opportunity to weigh in on another farm animal welfare challenge, this time with respect to state laws regarding confinement.
On April 20, the U.S. Supreme Court, in United States v. Stevens, handed a victory to animal abusers when it overturned the federal statute (18 U.S.C. §48) prohibiting the creation, sale, and possession of "crush videos" and other depictions of animal cruelty for commercial purposes.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear a case challenging California’s Proposition 12, a voter initiative requiring pork, veal, and eggs sold in the state to come from animals raised in environments where they can move freely, extend their limbs, and tu
AWI presented the Schweitzer Medal to Scott McVay in 1973 to honor his work on behalf of the endangered great whales. McVay has long been in the thick of the battles to save whales and dolphins, as well as countless other conservation efforts worldwide.
For many government officials and scientists responsible for the management of the planet’s wildlife species, “sustainable use” is synonymous with “perpetual exploitation.” It is a dogma that insists wildlife cannot be protected unless people can profit.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) applauds US Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Suzan DelBene (D-WA), and US Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) for reintroducing the Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings (SWIMS) Act today.
Determining the role of a drug or gene on our ability to learn is a truly difficult task. We all learn in slightly different ways. Add in disease states (such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s), or addictions (such as alcohol or drug), or different stages of life, and it becomes apparent that this is a very complicated issue, where “one size” does not fit all.
The many swim-with captive dolphin attractions around the world are very popular and lucrative for the tourism industry. Although it may seem like a fun and harmless way to spend an afternoon while on vacation, it is far from harmless for the dolphin and could be dangerous to humans.
