A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Vietnamese Province Granted $2.2m to Phase Out Elephant Riding
Dak Lak, home to the country’s largest elephant population, will end all riding by 2026 in favor of elephant-friendly alternative tourism ventures thanks to financial support from the Animals Asia Foundation.
Victory! Mandatory Animal Testing Scrapped by FDA Modernization Act 2.0
The groundbreaking decision will allow the use of alternative methods to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a new drug, ending a decades-old federal mandate that required animal testing.
Declaration Calls for a 15-Year Ban on the Slaughter of Donkeys for their Skins
Pressure to protect Africa's remaining equines from the ejiao trade builds as delegates from 55 member states propose a 15-year moratorium on donkey slaughter.
Why You Should Try Vegan For 7 Days This January
In 2023, make a New Year resolution that matters to animals, the planet, and your health. From January 1st, step your toe into vegan living with the ultimate 7-Day Challenge.
Progress! New York Prohibits the Sale of Dogs, Cats and Rabbits from Pet Stores
Animal rights activists celebrated the huge step forward in the fight to end puppy-mill farming, with the new legislation going into effect from 2024.
The Top Species Unite Podcast Episodes of 2022
A cellular agriculture expert, a lawyer, and an iconic musician and composer are among our most listened-to guests for 2022.
Victory! New York Becomes the Tenth State to Ban Cosmetics Tested on Animals
The groundbreaking victory for animals comes after nearly 2,000 Species Unite supporters called on Governor Kathy Hochul to sign the New York Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act into law.
Wolf Trapping and Hunting in Montana to Resume, Judge Rules
The ruling will see hunters continue with the mass slaughter of 456 wolves, nearly 40 percent of the state’s wolf population, using unrestricted killing methods.
SeaWorld Criticised For Sending “Rescue” Dolphins to Abu Dhabi
Animal welfare campaigners have blasted SeaWorld for “secretly” sending 24 dolphins, including two who were rescued from the wild, to a new entertainment park rather than to a sanctuary.
Victory! Big Cat Public Safety Act Passes the Senate Unanimously
Once signed into law, the measure will prohibit the private ownership of tigers, lions, leopards and other big cats as “pets”.
The Year is Almost Over. Here Are Five Urgent Petitions You Can Still Support
As 2022 draws to a close, here are five petitions you can sign to help make the world a better place for animals in the years to come.
Cambodian Wildlife Official Arrested In US for Trafficking Macaques for Medical Research
Eight people, including a Cambodian wildlife official, have been arrested by federal prosecutors for their alleged involvement in a multimillion-dollar smuggling ring to export endangered monkeys for use in medical research in the US.
Donkey Skin Trade a ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ for Spread of Deadly Diseases
In addition to causing immense animal suffering, a new report warns that the rapidly growing demand for donkey skin is putting the world at risk of dangerous zoonotic diseases.
World’s “Loneliest Gorilla” Denied Freedom After 33 Years Caged in a Shopping Mall
Animal activists are calling for the release of Bua Noi, who has spent almost all her life at a zoo inside a Bangkok shopping centre.
Wolf Trapping Season in Montana Starts in 18 Days. This Lawsuit is Trying to Stop It
In an effort to prevent this mass slaughter of around 40 percent of the wolf population, conservation groups have filed an urgent lawsuit.
Lulu The Sea Turtle Has Spent 82 Years In A Tank - Now Campaigners Are Trying To Rescue Her
Investigators documented ‘heartbreaking’ scenes of the elderly green sea turtle swimming in circles around her ‘tiny tank’ and sitting motionless in a corner at Sea Life Brighton, the world’s oldest aquarium.
Sanctuary Spotlight: How Do Leopards Communicate?
To replicate the natural habitat of leopards rescued from conflict situations across India, animal sanctuary Wildlife SOS has strategized several measures that help the leopards communicate with one another.
US Appoints First Diplomat For Animals and the Planet
The new Special Envoy for Biodiversity and Water Resources will tackle global environmental issues to help reverse the loss of biodiversity and promote water security.
Animal Dissection in School Classrooms is "Unnecessary", New Report Shows
More than ten million animals are killed and dissected for the school curriculum in the United States every year, despite safer and more effective teaching methods available, including interactive digital dissection software and synthetic dissectible models.
Baby Chimpanzees Kidnapped From Sanctuary
Abductors have posted a distressing video of the chimps being held hostage, and are demanding ransom money for their safe return.