A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Dog Meat Trade Banned In Indonesia’s Capital City of Jakarta
South-East Asia’s biggest city has outlawed the dog and cat meat trade in what campaigners are calling a “watershed” moment.
Kiska, ‘World’s Loneliest’ Orca Dies Alone in Captivity
Originally taken from the wild back in 1979, Kiska spent over four decades in a tank at Canada’s Marineland.
405 Coyotes Slaughtered During Illinois Wildlife Killing Contest
The competition featured categories such as ‘the smallest kill’, with participants seen celebrating amount piles of dead coyotes.
Hershey Launches Plant-Based Versions of Iconic Products
Reese’s peanut butter cups and Hershey’s chocolate go plant-based, as the Hershey Company says more and more people are choosing animal-free alternatives.
New York City Could Ban Elephant Captivity As Landmark Bill Introduced
If passed, the legislation will outlaw the keeping of elephants in zoos in the city, and will require current captive elephants - like Happy in Bronx Zoo - to be transported to a sanctuary.
Entire Population of Vervet Monkeys to be Eradicated from this Country
Primate experts are calling for the government-funded cull to be replaced with a humane sterilization program.
Meat and Dairy Will Contribute More Than 50% of Future Food-Related Global Warming - Report
New study shows that global food production alone will add nearly 1 °C to warming by 2100 - but also outlines how four collective and individual actions can help halve emissions.
Fish May Be Self-Aware, New Study Finds
The new study suggests that some fish can recognize themselves in photographs, challenging our existing assumptions about these animals.
Amazon is Being Sued for Selling Donkey Skin
A new lawsuit is suing Amazon for violating California state law for selling products containing “ejiao” or “donkey-hide gelatin,” an animal product made from donkey skin.
PUMA To Stop Using Kangaroo Leather for Shoes
Around two million kangaroos are killed for their skins every year, and major brands like Nike and Adidas use the material to make sports shoes. Now PUMA’s new ban could signal an industry shift away from kangaroo leather.
Major Travel Companies Still Selling Exploitative Animal Attractions, Report Reveals
Trip.com and TUI are among the worst offenders in the report, which shows the companies still profiting from the likes of elephant riding and tiger selfies.
Washington Bill Seeks A Ban on Octopus Farms
With the world’s first commercial octopus farm set to open later this year, there are growing concerns that it could mark the start of the mass farming of these intelligent animals.
This Robot Elephant Could Replace India’s Captive Temple Elephants
Amid animal welfare concerns and hundreds of human deaths caused by temple elephants, one temple is now welcoming a mechanical elephant as an innovative and ethical alternative.
IKEA Plans To “Remove or Replace” Dairy In Sustainability Push
Swedish retail giant served food to over 500 million customers last year alone, and is now looking to ditch carbon-intensive dairy products and make 50 percent of its food plant-based to help lower its carbon footprint.
Six Notorious Tiger Poachers Have Been Caught in the Act
A tiger skin, a tiger skeleton, and a leopard skeleton were also seized during the joint operation by the Tamil Nadu Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and Wildlife SOS.
Bill That Could Have Saved Colorado’s Horses from Slaughter Scaled Down after Pushback from Ranchers
The new measure, which has advanced to the Senate floor, now focuses on the conditions under which the animals are transported to slaughterhouses.
New Vegan Leather Material Debuts at Milan Fashion Week
Lenzing Group and Natural Fiber Welding have collaborated to create a sustainable, animal-free leather material that is free from plastic and fully traceable from material to finished product.
Cambridge University Students Vote For 100 Percent Plant-Based Catering
Students at the prestigious university vote in favor of transitioning the campus to 100 percent plant-based catering, in a move to help lower the university’s impact on animals and the planet.
This Mushroom Meat Alternative Just Got an $8.5 Million Investment to Help Revolutionize the Food System
Fable Foods secured the multi-million dollar Series A funding round with support from the likes of ex-global CEO of KFC’s Yum! Brands and esteemed ethical philosopher Peter Singer.
Fourth Dolphin Dies in Under a Year at Las Vegas Attraction
The bottlenose dolphin who had been living at the hotel venue for over 30 years, has passed away, bringing attention to the ongoing debate about the ethics of keeping marine mammals in captivity.