A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Nineteen scarlet macaws rescued from wildlife traffickers and returned to Guatemala jungle
Stunning photos show the birds flying free from their transport cages as they returned to their natural habitat.
More than 90% patient satisfaction rate for NYC hospital’s plant-based meals by default program
The city’s pioneering health scheme has made plant-based meals the default option for patients, who are still welcome to request meat dishes. Now a comprehensive review has found that the vast majority choose - and enjoy - plant-based meals.
Indian temple welcomes life-size mechanical elephant in move to protect wildlife
The lifelike robot offers an ethical alternative to the country’s estimated 2,500 temple elephants who are kept in captivity to be used in processions and in acts of worship.
New York urged to ban “brutal” ejiao trade which kills millions of donkeys each year
The United States is one of the largest importers of products containing ejiao, a gelatin made from boiled donkey hides.
This new bill could finally be the key to permanently safeguarding American bison, grizzly bears, and gray wolves
The Tribal Heritage and American Bison, Grizzly Bear, and Wolf Restoration and Coexistence Act would establish permanent federal protections for these three species and expand recovery efforts and coexistence measures.
Former Pentagon official pleads guilty to running a brutal dogfighting ring for over two decades
The shocking case has reignited calls for tougher laws to help curb animal fighting crimes, which welfare groups say are “prevalent” across the US.
Wolves at risk in US: Biden administration looks to remove Endangered Species Act protections, allowing the animals to be hunted
“While wolves are protected, they do very well, and when they lose protections, that recovery backslides,” warns a leading conservation group.
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.