Author describes simple wood and plastic perches that have been tested successfully with several hundred rhesus monkeys and forty stumptailed monkeys of both sexes and various ages over the past three years at Wisconsin Regional Primate Center.
Meanwhile, veterinarian and ethologist, Viktor Reinhardt—at that time an attending veterinarian at the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center—was busy laying the foundation for a new paradigm in primate housing. Viktor recognized that the housing and care of animals in research needed to change, and proceeded to find feasible ways to make improvements for the monkeys— mostly rhesus macaques—at the Center. He documented the psychological suffering of social primates who were housed in isolation, and the pain and distress of those who endured forcible restraint for blood draws and other procedures.
Every year, humans deliberately and accidently dump more than 8 million tons of plastic into the ocean. It doesn’t go away. Some of it coalesces into massive gyres. Some is eaten by animals.
A Plea for the Animals is largely a compendium, providing summary descriptions of the horrible sufferings imposed upon animals resulting from factory farming, animal experimentation, trafficking in wildlife, and “animals in entertainment”—everything from shooting animals for trophies to bull fighting to circuses.
Envelopes with white powder and a threatening message were sent to two people associated with Matthew Block, founder of Worldwide Primates, which imports primates for experimentation.
The European Commission proposed a ban on laboratory use of wild-caught apes and monkeys this past November—just short of asking that primate experiments be phased out altogether.
Because nonhuman primates are recognized as man's closet living relatives, they are used in numerous scientific studies ranging from biomedical to behavioral research. Nonhuman primates, however, are not merely research tools. They are intelligent animals with highly developed social skills. It is an ethical imperative to provide them not only with optimal care but also with an optimal environment.
A semi-natural habitat that was designed to house a social group of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus sciureus) at Goucher College, in Maryland is described. The design could be readily adapted for use with other small primate species.
From Lewis and Clark shooting the first ones they encountered, to sport hunters today killing hundreds in Alaska each year, humans have long persecuted North America’s brown (a.k.a. grizzly) bears. The bears, often acting in self-defense, have also occasionally attacked humans. A Shape in the Dark: Living and Dying with Brown Bears recounts some of these violent and tragic events, while weaving in the author’s own close encounters with, and complex feelings toward, these powerful yet vulnerable animals.
Mice are the most common animal used in research. Many routine procedures (including blood pressure measurement, injections, and blood collection) require the mouse to be restrained. As manual restraint can be stressful and traumatic, mice are most commonly held in a restrainer—typically a hard, smooth cylinder or cone.
AWI couldn’t achieve all we do without the support of our members, and as we move into the second half of 2024, we can celebrate our successes, continue our important work, and look forward to future opportunities to help animals.
For 16 years—the past two for AWI—Dr. Naomi Rose has been a member of the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) Scientific Committee. She is an invited participant on the sub-committees on whalewatching and environmental concerns, and also participates in discussions in other sub-committees, including those concerned with small cetaceans, human-induced mortalities, and aboriginal subsistence whaling.
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and the Humane Education Network (HEN) announced the winners of the 2019 A Voice for Animals contest. The annual contest offers monetary awards to high school students age 14–18 for essay, video, or photography submissions advocating against animal cruelty and for protection of species and prevention of animal suffering.
From nursing orphan rhino calves in South Africa to helping to preserve endangered salmon in the Pacific Northwest, the winners of the 2018 A Voice for Animals contest show they not only care about protecting animals and safeguarding their habitat, but are also willing to get involved, make a difference and educate others.
From documenting how a hungry sea turtle might mistake a plastic bag in the ocean for a jellyfish, to employing forensic science to curb pangolin trafficking, the winners of the 2020 “A Voice for Animals” contest show they not only care about protecting animals and safeguarding their habitat, but also are willing to get involved, make a difference, and educate others.
From shuttling India’s street dogs to veterinary offices to writing a children’s book about how plastic pollution harms marine life, the winners of the 2021 “A Voice for Animals” contest show they not only care about protecting animals and safeguarding their habitats, but also are willing to get involved, make a difference, and educate others.
From documenting how tourist attractions intruded on the habitat of the Grand Cayman blue iguana, to discussing how post-pandemic housing insecurity impacts animals, the winners of the 2023 “A Voice for Animals” contest use creative storytelling and log countless volunteer hours to protect disappearing species from human-caused hazards.
From documenting the plight of city pigeons to describing how the barn owl is harmed by folklore and superstition, the winners of the 2022 “A Voice for Animals” contest use their voices to explore urban wildlife struggles, showcase volunteer work benefiting animals, and examine how cultural beliefs influence attitudes about animal welfare, among other topics.
From exploring the impact of the critically endangered golden coin turtle on Hong Kong’s ecological balance and cultural identity, to spreading awareness about the mental health of companion animals to help prevent abuse, participants in the 2024 “A Voice for Animals” contest prioritize education and community engagement to protect a range of species from human-caused suffering.
The Humane Education Network’s 20th annual "A Voice for Animals" high school essay contest runs February 1 through March 31. The contest gives students the opportunity to express concerns about animal welfare and present solutions.
A Warbler’s Journey, written by Pennsylvania naturalist Scott Weidensaul and illustrated by Nancy Lane, is a beautiful and informative book. Through the travels of the yellow warbler, readers learn about the migratory path and the ecological role of this little bird. From the tropical rainforest, over the Gulf of Mexico, and up to Northwest Canada, the yellow warbler is depicted in colorful paintings that capture the natural beauty of each region. Younger readers especially will enjoy spotting the petite yellow bird, and other animals, in many of these lovely illustrations.
What if an animal could entertain and educate millions of people annually, enhance productivity (thereby increasing the number of fish in the sea), mitigate climate change, feed billions of marine animals, generate billions of dollars in revenue g
In rich detail, A World on the Wing: The Global Odyssey of Migratory Birds unveils the captivating world of migratory birds, the threats they face, and the scientists and conservationists who strive to protect them. From beginning to end, author Scott Weidensaul induces a sense of awe. Just a few of the tantalizing facts he shares: The annual, pole-to-pole (and back again) journey of some Arctic terns has been tallied at 57,000 miles. Certain songbirds fly up to a week without stopping, fueled by short naps in the air. Some daredevil migratory species fly directly into hurricanes—using the wind to propel them to their destination.
