A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Global outrage as Japan’s new whaling ‘mother ship’ ready to set sail
The whaling industry hopes that the new $47M vessel will help create more consumer demand for whale meat.
Tyson Foods dumps millions of pounds of toxic slaughterhouse pollutants into US rivers and lakes, report finds
Tyson released 87 billion gallons of wastewater, containing contaminants including blood, bacteria, and animal feces, directly affecting water sources relied upon for drinking, fishing, and recreation.
Walmart launches budget plant-based range
Cheese, ice cream, and boxed mac and cheese are part of the new plant-based products available, with most priced at under $5.
Florida becomes the first state to ban cultivated meat
Despite cultivated meat not being widely available yet, Florida has passed a law prohibiting the production and sale of the alternative protein, citing it as a threat to the state's agriculture.
‘Strong Evidence’ of First mammal-to-human transmission of H5N1 bird flu
Researchers believe that the virus initially crossed over from birds to cows in Texas, and then spread between herds across states, before transmitting to a worker.
Impossible Foods Transforms Former Cattle Ranch Into New “Impossible Ranch”
The 70 acres of farmland will now grow and harvest key Impossible ingredients like soybeans and sunflowers, while also providing a safe haven for rescued cattle to live freely.
Cow's Milk at US Grocery Stores Tests Positive for Bird Flu
The news comes just weeks after H5N1 bird flu was identified for the first time among dairy cattle in Texas and Kansas.
Future of Food: This Company Just Opened the World’s First “Air Protein” Factory
Solar Foods’ revolutionary protein is made from a microorganism that can be cultivated with CO2 - meaning sustainable protein can be made from air.
Global Attempts to Ban “Meaty” Labels on Plant-Based Foods Aren’t Working
Legal actions to limit the use of words like “steak” and “burger” on plant-based meat alternatives are losing in the courtroom as both France and South Africa ruled this week in favor of plant-based companies.
New Footage Reveals Wyoming’s Tormented Wolf’s Final Moments
Heartbreaking footage has revealed the final moments of the wolf who was run down with a snowmobile, dragged into a local bar and tormented, before being shot.
NYC Health Initiative Has Now Served Over 1 Million Plant-Based Meals In Hospitals
“Many of the conditions that bring our patients to the hospital – like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes – can be improved with plant-based eating”, says the hospital’s President.
Man Tapes Wolf’s Mouth Shut, Parades Around Bar, Then Shoots Dead - He was Fined $250
The Wyoming man allegedly ran the wolf down with a snowmobile, then prolonged the animal’s suffering by showing them off at a local bar. Now, Species Unite’s 95,000-strong community is calling for justice.
US County Set to Decide Whether to Ban Factory Farms in Historic Vote
Over 35,000 citizens of Sonoma County have pledged support for the ban, which is now headed for the ballot and could set a landmark precedent in the fight against factory farms.
Wild Horse Advocates Win lawsuit challenging Bureau of Land Management’s handling of Mustang roundups
In a rare legal win for wild horse advocates, a US judge ruled that the Bureau of Land Management delayed herd management plans for a Nevada wild horse roundup where 31 mustangs died.
‘Monkeys Will Suffer’: Petition To Stop Plans for the Biggest Macaque Breeding Facility in the US Passes 10,000 Signatures
The proposed facility in a small town in Georgia could hold up to 30,000 monkeys who will be sold to be used in animal testing, but the plans are facing pressure from Species Unite supporters.
Chick-fil-A To Allow Antibiotics in its Chicken Products
The fast food giant is ditching its “no antibiotics ever” label in a move that highlights the meat industry’s reliance on feeding antibiotics to farmed animals.
Bird Flu Detected for First Time in Cow’s Milk Across Texas, Kansas and New Mexico
The US Department of Agriculture has identified cases of bird flu on dairy farms in the US, describing the situation as ‘rapidly evolving’.
‘Significant Victory’: Canada’s Largest Horse Slaughter Feedlot has Permanently Closed
The majority of horses exported for slaughter from the United States were sent to Bouvry Exports Prime Feedlot, where they endured appalling conditions for up to six months.
This New Plant-Based Octopus Tentacle Could Help Keep Octopus in the Ocean
An innovative company has unveiled the first-of-its-kind plant-based tentacle in a move that could help solve the world’s unsustainable demand for octopus meat.
“World’s First” Pet Food With Cultivated Chicken Set to Launch
With the pet food industry responsible for around 20 percent of meat globally, cultivating meat in a lab rather than farming animals could help transform the market in a healthy and sustainable way.