“Super Typhoon Ragasa” hit six nations in four days before blowing out HONG KONG, MANILA––Super Typhoon Ragasa, expected to be one of the deadliest and most damaging typhoons on record, instead seems to have proved chiefly that weather is still often unpredictable, and as regards animals, that animal welfare organizations in Southeast Asia are well […]
Chinese bear bile industry is doomed by new products, science suggests
“Bio-transformed bear bile powder,” of non-bear origin, shows promise of overtaking the bear bile industry SHANGHAI, China––The good news for bears in China appears to be that the bad news reported recently by hunting writer Ted Williams via Animal Wellness Action is not quite as bad as it looks, based on scientific journal reports, […]
International animal advocacy influencer Brian Davies dies at 87
Founded IFAW to fight the Atlantic Canada seal hunt CAPE COD, Massachusetts––Brian Davies, 87, founder of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Network for Animals, the Political Animal Lobby, and Animal Survival International, died after a prolonged illness on December 27, 2022. Born on February 4, 1935 in Tonyrefail, Wales, an impoverished mining village, […]
Queen Elizabeth II honors Thai street dog rescuer John Dalley
Global recognition for Soi Dog Foundation PHUKET, Thailand––John Dalley, co-founder and president of Soi Dog Foundation International, was on October 10, 2020, the official birthday of Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, made a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for service to animal welfare in Southeast Asia. The term “Soi […]
Will lawsuits slow use of dogs as “ambassadors” for dangerous breeds?
Attacks by “service dog” and “reading dogs” illustrate risky practices ATLANTA, Georgia; BAKERSFIELD, California––Pending lawsuits on behalf of the victims of dog attacks aboard a Delta Airlines flight and in an elementary school classroom could potentially slow down the deployment of dangerous dog breeds as “canine ambassadors” in public places––or not, depending on the […]
Jasper’s gift: the real-life care bear
“Poster bear” for ending bile farming Jasper, 30, the moon bear who became “poster bear” for the Animals Asia Foundation campaign against farming bears to extract bile from their livers, was euthanized on April 29, 2016 due to incurable cancer. “Moon bear Jasper spent 15 years in a Chinese bile farm crush cage,” the Animals […]
Queen honors British Hen Welfare Trust founder Jane Howorth
12th animal advocate awarded MBE since 1998 LONDON, U.K.–– British Hen Welfare Trust founder Jane Howorth, 55, of South Molton, Devon, on January 1, 2016 became at least the 12th prominent animal advocate to be admitted to the Order of the British Empire since 1998. Membership in the Order of the British Empire is presented […]
China’s largest bear bile producer is chickening out of the market
Five-year plan to develop synthetic alternatives HONG KONG––The Animals Asia Foundation on July 31, 2014 cautiously welcomed a report that KaiBao Pharmaceutical, the world’s largest maker of bear bile pharmaceuticals, has embarked upon a five-year-plan to develop synthetic alternatives using byproducts from poultry slaughter. Reality is that there are already synthetic alternatives for every […]
Bear bile farm to become a bear sanctuary
Had yet to tap bears BEIJING––The Hong Kong-based Animals Asia Foundation on April 15, 2014 announced at a Beijing media conference that it will take custody of 130 moon bears at the financially troubled Nanning Bear Farm, and will convert the farm into a sanctuary for about 100 bears. The […]
Global response to ANIMALS 24-7 debut
ANIMALS 24-7 officially launched at 2:27 a.m. on April 12, 2014. Reader response began arriving from around the world just nine minutes later. From India: Great effort, Merritt! All my best wishes, as always. ––Debasis Chakrabarti, founder Compassionate Crusaders Trust, Kolkata, India <animalcrusader@gmail.com> Editor’s note: Debasis Chakrabarti’s 2003 essay […]