A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Here’s why animals lost in the 2024 US election
The 2024 election cycle will continue to be discussed and debated by pundits and social scientists for years to come, but the majority will overlook one group that lost big in this election: animals.
“Left to die one by one”: Canada’s controversial Marineland zoo announces five beluga whales have died this year
The zoo and aquarium has faced years of animal abuse allegations, and now welfare groups are calling on the government to step in to prevent further deaths.
US dietary guidelines set to prioritize plant protein over meat protein
The proposed guidelines, used by federal nutrition programs and health professionals, will emphasize that protein can come from different sources, and recommend plant-based proteins over animal-based proteins.
Final 23 surviving Alamogordo chimpanzees to be moved to sanctuary
The retired research chimpanzees at the Alamogordo Primate Facility, where they were once used as test subjects, will soon be relocated to Chimp Haven sanctuary.
US university blasted for parading a live tiger during football game
The stadium’s decision to use a live tiger has been widely criticized as cruel and outdated.
Veterans call on US Army to end weapon-wounding experiments on animals
Over 250 U.S. veterans are urging the Army to stop testing weapons on live animals, a practice involving shootings, mutilations, and lethal trauma experiments.
Fur ban and slaughterhouse ban proposals rejected in Denver
Two pro-animal initiatives have failed to gather enough support after appearing on the ballot for all Denver voters.
Starbucks removes extra charge for non-dairy milk in US and Canada
The world’s largest coffee chain has announced it will no longer make customers pay a surcharge for plant-based milks like oat, soy, and almond.
HappyCow celebrates its 25th anniversary: how the app continues to change the world for animals
With over 4 million downloads, HappyCow remains an essential app for anyone wanting to help animals and create positive change.
US detects H5N1 bird flu in a pig for the first time
Scientists are alarmed by the virus spreading to pigs, warning that this development brings it one species closer to a major human outbreak.
Appeals court rules in favor of monkey breeding facility - but local residents say the fight continues
A recent court ruling sided with the company planning to build a controversial monkey breeding facility in the small town of Bainbridge, but opponents remain resolute, vowing, "this is far from over."
Heartbreaking new footage shows beagle puppy being trained to inhale toxins
The footage was reportedly recorded at Marshall BioResources in North Rose, New York, where up to 22,000 dogs - mostly beagles - are being bred for animal experimentation.
Oakland Zoo’s last remaining elephant is sent to a sanctuary, in “watershed moment” for the evolution of zoos
The compassionate move comes after modern research into animal welfare has shown that elephants do not cope well in captivity, with zoo enclosures unable to meet the complex needs of elephants.
SeaQuest Fort Worth closes amid animal cruelty investigation
The aquarium chain has shut its Texas location after whistleblower reports revealed animal abuse including sharks likely starving to death and marine animals dying in plastic bags during transport.
‘Humanewashing’: Inside the reality of PQA-approved pig farms
The certification is intended to assure consumers the certified meat is high-quality and safe. However, the findings reveal that dire conditions and inhumane treatment of pigs are commonplace in the pork industry.
Conservation groups urge US government to ban controversial ‘cyanide bombs’, which poisoned over 6,000 animals last year
The government's little-known Wildlife Services continues to use the ‘horrifying’ bombs in national forests to kill wildlife including coyotes and foxes.
Microplastics found in dolphin breath, alarming study finds
The scientific research reveals that microplastic exposure is now so widespread that it has been detected in wild bottlenose dolphins.
California company launches plant-based milk made from watermelon seeds
MILKish, the “world’s first” watermelon seed milk, is described as a creamy milk alternative that is an excellent source of calcium and has significantly less calories than cow’s milk.
Company behind huge monkey-breeding facility in Georgia vows to build the facility despite opposition
PETA’s Senior Science Advisor, Dr. Lisa Jones Engel pushes back against Safer Human Medicine’s claims that the facility will benefit Bainbridge residents.
Florida man who tied his dog to a pole and then abandoned him during Hurricane Milton is charged with a felony
Viral footage of law enforcement discovering the stranded dog near a highway led to mass calls for the owner to be identified and held accountable.