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.
Marc Jacobs bans reptile and ostrich skins
The luxury fashion company has joined the growing number of brands shunning exotic skins for ethical reasons, following undercover investigations that uncovered widespread animal welfare violations.
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.
Wyoming Wolf Torture Incident Sparks Calls to Prohibit Killing of Wildlife With Snowmobiles
Wyoming and Idaho allow coyotes and wolves to be chased, bludgeoned and run over by snowmobiles.
Saved! Wild Horses To Stay at North Dakota National Park as Roundup Plans Cancelled
Controversial plans to roundup and remove the herd of 200 wild horses have been dropped, and wildlife services will now help to maintain the animals inside the park instead.
Grizzly Bears Will Return to Washington State In Government Restoration Effort
The species was hunted to near extinction during the 20th century, but now federal plans will see the bears finally return to their natural home in the North Cascades ecosystem.
South Dakota Governor Condemned for Shooting Her Family’s Dog and Goat
The politician has been widely criticized after comments in a new book revealed how she took a goat and 1-year-old dog to a gravel pit and shot them both dead.
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.
California’s Salmon Fishing Ban Kept in Place for Second Year as Fish Stocks Still Haven’t Recovered
All commercial and recreational salmon fishing has been banned off the coast of California for only the fourth time in state history.
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.
Retailers Still Selling New Fur Products In California Despite Ban, Undercover Investigation Reveals
The state’s historic ban on fur products came into effect last year, but undercover video has exposed some retailers knowingly flouting the rules.
Could the Fur Industry Cause the Next Global Pandemic?
A new study has revealed fur farms in China are holding thousands of animals in close proximity despite the risk of zoonotic disease spread.
Birth Control Could Help Manage Rats in NYC, New Bill Suggests
The bill aims for safer and humane alternatives for rat control, and hopes to protect the city’s wildlife who can be killed by eating poisoned rats - including Flaco the Owl who died back in February.
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.
Conservation Groups Launch Legal Challenge Against Government’s Inaction for Wolves in Northern Rockies
The lawsuit says the US Fish and Wildlife Service is illegally denying protections to wolves.