A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Volkswagen to develop plant-based leather made from hemp in sustainability push
The car manufacturer plans to use the innovative material for its car interiors from 2028.
Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson must stay in jail, court rules
The veteran campaigner is currently being held in a Greenland prison over an international arrest warrant for past anti-whaling interventions.
Thousands protest in Turkey against controversial stray dog bill
Protesters are calling for a repeal of the newly-passed “stray slaughter law” which activists say has already led to a country-wide massacre of stray dogs.
US Tennis Association joins New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ plant-based food initiative
In a win for animals and the planet, the US Open commits to reducing food-related carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2030 as part of the Plant-Powered Carbon Challenge.
This sanctuary is trying to rescue these animals from a ‘hellhole’ zoo - here’s how you can help
An investigation has revealed heartbreaking conditions for animals at a monkey zoo on the popular tourist island of Koh Samui in Thailand.
Restoring nature: Klamath River runs free for first time in a century after largest dam removal in US history
Tribes have spent decades campaigning for the restoration project, which will now finally see salmon reintroduced to more than 400 miles of river after populations had plummeted by 90 percent.
Young lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine now safe at new sanctuary home
Yuna, who had been living in a small concrete space in a private home in Ukraine, felt grass beneath her paws for the first time in her life when she arrived at the Big Cat Sanctuary in the UK.
Freedom at last: ex-circus and zoo elephant returns to the wild after 40 years
Charlie the elephant was being held in South Africa’s national zoo, but was finally freed after the country’s government reviewed scientific evidence that showed elephants suffer in zoos and that they do not belong in captivity.
Over 100 dogs rescued from suspected dog fighting ring in Florida
Welfare experts from the ASPCA who assisted in the operation said many of the dogs have scarring consistent with organized dog fighting.
Massachusetts bans the use of elephants, big cats, and other wild animals in circuses
The legislation received broad public support and reflects the industry’s increasing move away from forcing animals to perform.
Wandering Mexican gray wolf “Asha” denied freedom, as authorities decide to keep her in captivity
The young female wolf has become well-known for her restless roaming, after she traveled from Arizona into New Mexico.
“Well-known” grizzly bear shot and dismembered by wildlife officials in Yellowstone highlights human-caused conflict
Authorities clarified that the bear was killed after becoming conditioned to human food and repeatedly breaking into houses.
Turkey passes ‘massacre law’ to remove millions of free-roaming dogs
The country’s parliament has approved a controversial new law to round up millions of free-roaming dogs and put them into shelters, with animal lovers and the main opposition party seeking to fight the legislation.
Anti-whaling activist and Sea Shepherd founder arrested in Greenland and could be extradited to Japan
The arrest of Captain Paul Watson, who also co-founded Greenpeace, is thought to have been for his previous anti-whaling interventions in the Antarctic region.
Activists fight to stop the ‘massacre’ of four million free-roaming dogs in Turkey
A controversial new bill wants to confine millions of the country’s free-roaming dogs, alarming activists who fear the move will result in the widespread killing of the animals.
Former police officer jailed for illegal possession of critically endangered pangolins
Nearly six years after being caught illegally possessing 81 pangolins in Malaysia, a former police officer has received one of the longest prison sentences for a crime involving the world's most trafficked animal.
Spain’s infamous ‘running of the bulls’ began this week: what is it and why do animal welfare groups want it banned?
Thousands of tourists descended upon the Spanish city of Pamplona this week for its controversial bull run, with several visitors gored and injured on the festival’s first day.
National park service bans bear baiting in Alaska
The ruling is the first step to protect bears in national preserves, as advocates say other cruel hunting methods like killing cubs and pups in dens must now also be stopped too.
NYC carriage horses suffering in extreme heat, welfare group says, as bill to finally ban the city’s horse carriage industry is reintroduced
The bill’s reintroduction comes as the horses’ continue to endure grueling working conditions and sweltering weather in Central Park.
Heartbreaking new investigation shows that animal farming can never be high welfare
Advocacy group Animal Rising has released the largest undercover investigation in UK history, revealing systemic cruelty at every ‘high-welfare’ facility.