A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Why the slow response to bird flu outbreak in cows is alarming scientists
Resistance from farmers is creating significant testing gaps for the H5N1 bird flu, raising concerns that current tracking efforts may be insufficient to prevent further transmissions.
Cultivated pet food is here! UK-based company gets ‘world’s first’ approval to sell lab-grown meat for pets
The landmark move could help usher in a more sustainable, healthy and animal-free future for the global pet food industry.
Plant-based food launches this week in the US: from vegan blue cheese to Panda Express’s orange chicken
The latest animal-free products and where to find them, also including vegan deviled eggs, mycelium bacon and more!
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.
West Hollywood introduces “groundbreaking” plant-based policy
The city will serve plant-based foods by default at city-sponsored events and meetings.
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.
‘Sponsored with blood money’: Olympic partner LVMH slammed for animal abuse
Ahead of the Paris Olympic Games, anti-cruelty messages have been projected onto the city’s famous landmarks to protest LVMH’s use of exotic skins and fur.
Denmark announces world's first climate tax on animal agriculture
With animal farming accounting for 14 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, Denmark's groundbreaking tax agreement is set to transform the food industry.
Foie gras ban overturned in New York State. Here’s why that’s bad for birds
Five years after a bill banning the sale and serving of foie gras in New York City was signed into law, the legislation has been overturned.
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.
Why you should avoid these wildlife attractions when traveling this summer
Tourism that involves animal attractions is virtually always harmful and rife with abuse.
Two puppy fattening farms that supply Vietnam’s dog meat trade close down
More than 50 puppies have been rescued, after the farmers decided to exit the dog meat trade completely.
Amazon’s complicity in the violent donkey skin trade - and how we can stop it
“Amazon should stop turning a blind eye to third-party sellers and implement standards to ensure that ejiao is not sold on its site. “
Wyoming wolf torment and killing condemned as animal cruelty by 71% of state voters, data shows
The wolf was run down with a snowmobile, dragged into a bar, tormented and shot.
Former CDC director says bird flu will cause the next pandemic
The high pathogenic H5N1 has spread to 102 dairy farms across 12 states in the US, with three humans testing positive so far.
Iceland controversially approves whaling season, 128 whales to be hunted this year
Animal welfare groups condemned the decision, saying that there is clear evidence of immense animal suffering in the country’s whaling industry.
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.
Elephants call each other by unique names, new study finds
Scientists used an AI algorithm to discover that elephants are the first non-human animals identified to communicate with each other using individual name-like sounds.
How to help animals during extreme weather disasters
As a heat wave descends on the western parts of the US this week, here are Species Unite’s recommended tips for caring for companion animals and wildlife during dangerous weather events.
World’s first retail sales of cultivated meat announced in Singapore
The historic milestone means customers in the country will be able to buy and cook at home cultivated meat - real meat that’s made from cells instead of slaughtered animals.