Category: News

Plastic Pollution in Antarctica Five Times Worse Than Anticipated

Plastic Pollution in Antarctica Five Times Worse Than Anticipated

Posted by | Jun 23, 2017 |

The Southern Ocean was thought to be immune from contamination from microplastics, but a new scientific study from the University of Hull and British Antarctic Survey (BAS) reveals levels of microplastics in the Antarctic marine system five times worse than supposed. According to Dr. Catherine L. Waller, lead author of the study and scientist from University of Hull: “Antarctica is thought to be a highly isolated, pristine wilderness. The ecosystem is very fragile with whales, seals and penguins consuming krill and other zooplankton as a major component of their diet. “Our research highlights the urgent need for a co-ordinated...

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VICTORY – Gajraj the Elephant Rescued After 50 Years in Chains

VICTORY – Gajraj the Elephant Rescued After 50 Years in Chains

Posted by | Jun 20, 2017 |

Gajraj the elephant is finally free. For the past five decades, he had been kept in cruel confinement and severely abused as a “temple elephant” in India. His ivory tusks were sawed off. He was shackled and forced to stand on hard, man-made ground, leading to excruciating foot conditions. He had untreated abscesses and open sores, and has long displayed troubling behaviors related to severe stress. But thankfully, last week, after years of campaigns and calls for justice, Wildlife SOS transported Gajraj to the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura, India. PETA India made the travel arrangements, and also funded...

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L’Oreal is Growing Human Skin in Labs to Stop Animal Testing

L’Oreal is Growing Human Skin in Labs to Stop Animal Testing

Posted by | Jun 15, 2017 |

L’Oreal is now manufacturing human skin that renders testing cosmetics on animal skin completely unnecessary. Their EpiSkin provides a tangible way to test products without torturing animals. This is good news for people, too — synthetically engineered human skin tests are more reliable than those performed on other species. In animal cosmetics tests, innocent rabbits, dogs, monkeys and other animals are imprisoned in laboratories where they are exposed to high doses of toxic chemicals. Scientists can do anything they want to their victims without so much as administering painkillers. This skin-growing technology will spare animals the agony of at least some...

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Study: Your Dog Knows When You’re Being Unfair

Study: Your Dog Knows When You’re Being Unfair

Posted by | Jun 14, 2017 |

The sense of inequity is often seen as exclusively human, however, new research reveals that dogs have an inherent sense of inequity shared with their untamed relatives: wolves. Tests have shown that dogs not only understand when they are treated unfairly, but feel resentful enough that they refuse to cooperate when they are under-rewarded. Scientists conducted an experiment that required two dogs and two wolves to press a buzzer on command. After pressing the buzzer, both dogs and wolves were rewarded the same, while at other times one was rewarded while the other received nothing. Eventually, the animals reacted...

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Dog Hopelessly Trapped Inside Tree Rescued By State Troopers

Dog Hopelessly Trapped Inside Tree Rescued By State Troopers

Posted by | Jun 9, 2017 |

Two off-duty Kentucky State Troopers were mowing a cemetery lawn last Thursday when they heard what sounded like barking coming from a forested area nearby. When they went searching, they discovered the source of the distress: a dachshund trapped inside the trunk of a tree, with just his little head sticking out of a small hole. Later identified as Rocco, the dog had apparently climbed into a nearby groundhog hole, which led to a cavity in the tree. Once stuck, Rocco was unable to get himself back out. After a few unsuccessful attempts to free Rocco, the troopers called...

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Toxic Drugs, Cosmetics and Pesticides Found in Turtles of Great Barrier Reef

Toxic Drugs, Cosmetics and Pesticides Found in Turtles of Great Barrier Reef

Posted by | Jun 9, 2017 |

A three-year study reveals that the blood of the green turtle of the Great Barrier Reef is shockingly contaminated by human pollution. The ‘Rivers to Reef to Turtles’ project detected thousands of different chemicals and metals associated with  industry and agriculture, indicating the influence of human activity on the ecosystem. Upon thorough collection and analyzation of clinical samples including blood, scute (bits of shell), and stomach contents, as well as water, sediment, and seagrass (food for the turtles), a complex list of chemicals was uncovered in the animals’ bloodstream. Among those identified were an alarming list of pharmaceutical drugs, and cosmetic and...

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The Peregrine Falcon is Making a Comeback in Michigan

The Peregrine Falcon is Making a Comeback in Michigan

Posted by | Jun 9, 2017 |

Peregrine falcons are threatened, but one company is doing its best to repopulate this beautiful bird. Consumers Energy, one of Michigan’s largest landowners and a major energy provider, places nesting boxes around many of its properties and works with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to band new chicks each year. Since they began the program two decades ago, they’ve helped hatch at least 80 peregrine falcons. Why the Peregrine Falcon? Consumers Energy is in a unique position to help the peregrine falcon population recover. “We’ve got the habitat and location that is conducive to their nesting and mating,” Senior Public Information Director...

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Two Rescued Circus Lions Killed by Poachers in Brutal Sanctuary Break-In

Two Rescued Circus Lions Killed by Poachers in Brutal Sanctuary Break-In

Posted by | Jun 8, 2017 |

Freed from the abuse. The torment. The arenas filled with crowds of on-lookers, bright lights, loud music, and trainers with whips. Freed from countless days of performing for human amusement. For rescued circus animals, the life meant by nature can be lived at an animal sanctuary. But for ex-circus lions José and Liso, a life of rest and peace was short lived, stolen by poachers who broke into the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary (EBCS) in South Africa last week, killing both lions before severing their bodies, most likely to sell the parts. According to nonprofit animal advocacy organization Animal Defenders International (ADI), the lions...

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