Port Townsend author emerges as defender of mountain goats slated for extirpation “Attached is a copy of a flyer I have put together in defense of the mountain goats of the Olympic Peninsula,” emailed Mike O’Connor of Port Townsend, Washington, on May 17, 2018, in response to the May 8, 2018 ANIMALS 24-7 article Goat sacrifice to begin at Olympic National Park. “I […]
One alleged shark-dragger walks, but may testify against the other two
Two felony charges dropped TAMPA, Florida––Claiming a lack of evidence sufficient to warrant a continued prosecution, Florida assistant state attorney Andrew Hubbard on May 1, 2018 informed Hillsborough Circuit Judge Mark Wolfe at a preliminary hearing that the state has dropped all charges against Spencer Heintz, 23, who had faced two counts of aggravated […]
Who killed ivory trade investigator Esmond Martin, why?
Survived more than 30 years of work in some of the world’s most dangerous places, only to be stabbed in his bed NAIROBI, Kenya––Nairobi police homicide detectives appear to believe that renowned elephant ivory and rhino horn trafficking investigator Esmond Bradley Martin Jr., 75, was murdered on February 5, 2018 in connection with a […]
China halts ivory sales, but leads the world in live elephant imports
No more “state-approved ivory dealers” BEIJING, China; HARARE, Zimbabwe––All trade in elephant ivory is now illegal in China, effective January 1, 2018, except in Hong Kong, which is reportedly soon to enact a similar prohibition, to take effect in 2022. “From now on, if a merchant tells you ‘this is a state-approved ivory dealer’… […]
Animals to humans: “Save us from things that go BANG!!! in the night!”
Concern each year soars & fades with the rockets Ushered in with the traditional fusillade while animals cringe and whimper, rolling around the world from the first cruise ships firing rockets across the International Dateline, through Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, North America, and finally Hawaii, 2017 will go out with a bang too, just […]
Why has Paul Watson asked 58 groups to drop a boycott of Mexican shrimp?
Alleges boycott jeopardizes anti-poaching work to save the vaquita SAN FELIPE, Mexico––Leading an international boycott of Mexican shrimp called on behalf of the endangered vaquita porpoise, the Animal Welfare Institute, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Center for Biological Diversity have yet to publish a promised response to a December 3, 2017 appeal […]
Are vaquita captures for breeding or for show? Mexican report raises question
Mexican environment secretary talks tourism SAN FELIPE, Mexico––The first-ever capture of an extremely endangered vaquita porpoise on October 18, 2017 in the Sea of Cortez, disclosed a day later, upstaged statements by Mexican environment secretary Rafael Pacchiano indicating that the capture might have been undertaken less from the hope of saving an endangered animal […]
Why Guangzhou dog rescue reveals more about China than Yulin dog-eating festival
Rescue in hub of dog meat trade won more notice than festival held to boost dog-eating YULIN, China––The largest-ever rescue of dogs from a truck hauling them to slaughter, accomplished on June 19, 2017 in Guangzhau, the longtime hub of dog-eating in China, very nearly upstaged the 2017 Yulin Lychee & Dog-Eating Festival, which […]
Rumored Yulin dog meat festival cancellation still unconfirmed
Global media frenzy overlooks lack of official notice from China YULIN, China––Chinese media, including those that usually publicize government announcements, had through May 20, 2017 remained conspicuously silent about a purported week-long suspension of dog meat sales said to have been introduced in Yulin, China coinciding with the annual Yulin Lychee & Dog-Eating Festival. The […]
Fishers’ riot may hasten extinction of the vaquita porpoise
Rioters damaged marine law enforcement capacity throughout the Sea of Cortez GOLFO DE SANTA CLARA, Sonora, Mexico––Wall or no wall along the Mexican border, the furious rejection of environmental regulation characterizing U.S. President Donald Trump’s first six weeks in office appears to be shared by some of the violent lawbreakers whom […]