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 […]
Soi Dog Foundation & Indian Ocean tsunami heroine Gill Dalley, 58
Lost legs rescuing a dog in 2004 PHUKET, Thailand––“It is with profound regret and unfathomable sadness that we announce the passing of Gill Dalley,” the Soi Dog Foundation announced on February 13, 2017. “The inaugural winner of the Canine Hero of the Year award at the 2011 Animals for Asia conference in Chengdu, China, […]
Legacy of Thai king included arrest of man who “liked” cartoon of his dog
The king and the dog helped to improve treatment of street dogs in Thailand BANGKOK, Thailand––Thai King Bhumibol Aduladej, 88, died on October 13, 2016 with charges apparently still pending against factory worker Thanakorn Sirpaiboon, 28, for having allegedly insulted the king’s dog Tong Daeng by “liking” a cartoon about the dog posted by someone else […]
“Zoo of Death” celebrates 100th year by jailing critic
Issues involve “no-kill” philosophy of zoo management JAKARTA, Indonesia––Singky Soewadji, of Surabaya, Indonesia, was until August 22, 2016 just another middle-aged online animal advocate, with a wife named Lucky Anie Paat, an interest in breeding and exhibiting Rottweilers, and at least a seven-year history of concern about conditions at the soon-to-be-100-year-old Surabaya Zoo, expressed […]
Has the Tiger Temple run out of lives?
Tigers impounded, abbot on the run, but tourist trap has survived raids before KANCHANABURI, Thailand––Thai authorities, assisted by personnel from the Wildlife Friends Foundation of Thailand, on May 30, 2016 began impounding the 137 tigers kept by erstwhile Buddhist monks at the internationally notorious Tiger Temple. The monks-turned-tiger-keepers initially turned the impoundment team away, as […]
Taiwan shelter director suicide illustrates global crisis
Jian Zhicheng was casualty of pressure to go no-kill Part I of a three-part series Part II: Many human casualties in global shelter “culture war.” Part III: Shelter culture war: “Heal. Then get up to fight the next battle.” TAIPEI, Taiwan––Veterinarian Jian Zhicheng, director of the Xinwu Animal Protection and Education Centre, on May […]
Fur farm releases in China reflect falling fur demand worldwide
Raccoon dogs freed twice in eight months BEIJING, China––For the second time in eight months a Chinese fur farmer appears to have released his animals in response to three years of steeply falling pelt prices and fur garment demand worldwide, with no upturn in sight. Reported the Beijing Daily News on April 13, […]
Is Thai “Tiger Temple” trafficking?
Exposed by Australian charity & National Geographic BANGKOK, Thailand––More than 15 years of allegations that the renowned Tiger Temple is engaged in breeding and trafficking tigers for body parts gained weight with the January 21, 2016 release of a detailed investigative report and collection of documents from the Australian wildlife charity Cee4Life, founded by […]
“On behalf of my suffering brothers & sisters, the insects, please help them.”
Injuring invertebrates should bug the animal rights movement by A. Rosen While visiting India several years ago, I met people who practice the Jain religion. I think the Jain movement is ahead of the animal rights movement in some ways. For example, Jains include insects in their kindness to animals. I think that except for […]
Vultures at play keep ghouls away
Loss of vultures haunts the Indian subcontinent CHANDIGARH, NAIROBI, LITTLE ROCK––Vultures darkening the sky, trees, and rooftops in growing numbers near slaughterhouses throughout the U.S. South and Midwest in recent years signify as Halloween 2015 approaches that the U.S. has little to fear from ghouls. Ghouls, in original definition, are grave robbers and scavengers […]