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Historically, grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) inhabited most of the western contiguous United States, while black bears (Ursus americanus) were common in forested areas throughout the country.

The American beaver (Castor canadensis) is a keystone species whose ponds and wetlands help replenish groundwater, serve as buffers against wildfires, and provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

In a significant victory, Colorado has banned wildlife killing contests.

In July, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed HB20-1343 into law, making Colorado the ninth US state to pass egg-laying hen confinement restrictions.

Confinement production of livestock in the United States would be virtually impossible without antibiotics.

Each year, millions of wild animals, including imperiled species, fall victim to an illegal wildlife trade with an annual estimated value between $7 billion and $20 billion.

AWI is pleased to announce publication of the tenth edition of Comfortable Quarters for Laboratory Animals, our guide to the humane housing and handling of animals in research. AWI has produced editions of Comfortable Quarters for the past half century to serve as a key resource for animal care personnel in laboratories.

The Animal Welfare Institute works to secure protections for animals in agriculture by engaging with key policymakers at the state, federal and international levels. AWI regularly provides public comments, testimony and similar input to such bodies in furtherance of our mission to reduce animal suffering. Examples of AWI public comments, testimony and other input can be found below in downloadable PDF format.

Although the captive breeding wildlife (CBW) registration system was established to facilitate the captive breeding of endangered and threatened species in order to enhance the conservation of the species in the wild, the vast majority of CBW registrants breed species in captivity with no intent to ever reintroduce any of their animals into the wild. Instead, in an attempt to meet the “conservation” requirement for obtaining or renewing a CBW registration, they make donations to in-situ conservation programs.

The multi-billion dollar trade in wildlife and wildlife parts and products is a crisis that animal species are facing worldwide. Animals are captured, killed and traded live or in parts for a number of purposes such as for food and medicine; clothing and ornaments; entertainment, including for pets, zoos and aquariums; and for research.

Results of a joint study between the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Vietnam’s Forest Protection Department revealed in May that commercial wildlife farms in Vietnam are threatening Asian animal species by depleting their populations and contributing to illegal trade.

Steel-jaw leghold traps used for the capture of wild furbearing animals inflict terrible suffering on their victims. The American Veterinarian Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, the World Veterinary Association, and the National Animal Control Association all agree that leghold traps are inhumane.

by Nancy Kellum Brown

AWI is pleased to announce publication of Compassion Makes a Difference, the third volume of discussions from the Laboratory Animal Refinement & Enrichment Forum (LAREF), edited by longtime AWI laboratory animal advisor, Viktor Reinhardt.

Whether they are thoroughbreds running full tilt around an outdoor track or walking horses stepping gracefully across an arena, horses bred for competition undergo extensive training and conditioning.