The idea that non-human animals have rights similar to humans is an evolving concept in international law and two recent rulings in Ecuador and the United States are expanding the boundaries of the concept. Closely involved is the concept of “rights of nature” that seek to expand legal rights to rivers, forests and other non-humanContinue reading “Courts in Ecuador, United States Hand Down Rulings Expanding Animal Rights Law”
Monthly Archives: March 2022
“Species Royalties”: Conservation Revolution or Ethical and Practical Minefield?
The idea is, on the surface, rather simple: Help fund conservation causes by paying animals royalties when their images are used, It is a seemingly simple idea and likely appealing to that broad and varied segment of humanity called “animal lovers.” that is where the issues begin. “Animal Lover” covers a broad range of humanContinue reading ““Species Royalties”: Conservation Revolution or Ethical and Practical Minefield?”
Flip Sides of Life With Leopards in India: Wandering Leopard Shuts Down Mercedes Assembly Line; Rabari Tribe Has Unique Relationship to Leopards
As we noted recently, India is home to 15 of the world’s wild cat species. The populous nation works hard to protect its animal heritage. Leopards are a special case because they are big enough to be classed as big cats but small enough to eke out a living close to human ways and works.Continue reading “Flip Sides of Life With Leopards in India: Wandering Leopard Shuts Down Mercedes Assembly Line; Rabari Tribe Has Unique Relationship to Leopards”
Pennsylvania Wildlife Misery: Deer Leap to Their Deaths From Overpass; Transit Officials to Offer Solution
Pennsylvania means “Penn’s Woods. ” The state has been forested and ripe for hunting and wildlife viewing since before Daniel Boone. Today, wildlife officials in the state are wrestling with a significant problem. The current estimate is that about two dozen white-tailed deer have leaped off a 219 Freeway overpass. The overpass is in ElkContinue reading “Pennsylvania Wildlife Misery: Deer Leap to Their Deaths From Overpass; Transit Officials to Offer Solution”
As India Works to Protect Wild Cats, Kidney Failure Emerges as Cause of Death in Captive Breeding Programs
India is home to 15 species of wild cats, including the only Asiatic Lions, most of the world’s tigers and many of the planet’s leopards. As has been reported here, India will take strong measures for feline conservation, including moving villages. But while there has been progress on some fronts, the Delhi Zoo recently acknowledgedContinue reading “As India Works to Protect Wild Cats, Kidney Failure Emerges as Cause of Death in Captive Breeding Programs”
Alaska Fighting A Familiar And Unpopular Invasive Species: Rats; State Works To Eliminate Them
The issue of invasive species is a problem world wide. Creatures are brought from their native habitats intentionally or by accident and the results can be anything from beneficial to disastrous. Recently we have written about invasive hippos in Colombia, domestic cats (gone feral) in Australia, and spiders in the United States. Of the threeContinue reading “Alaska Fighting A Familiar And Unpopular Invasive Species: Rats; State Works To Eliminate Them”
Captured, Collared,Utah Wolverine Gives Scientists Glimpse Into Elusive Animal’s World
Just yesterday we reported on an elusive wolverine caught on video by a tourist in Yellowstone National Park. Wolverines are rare in that park that a three-year survey turned up only a handful. It is now reported that Utah wildlife officials are thrilled because they have captured, collared and released a male whose travels willContinue reading “Captured, Collared,Utah Wolverine Gives Scientists Glimpse Into Elusive Animal’s World”
Rare Wolverine Sighted In Yellowstone Park By Tourist Who Snaps A Video
A tourist in Yellowstone National Park took a once-in-a-lifetime video by capturing a wolverine on film. This is a feat experienced naturalists say is very rare. The incident occurred March 5 when Carl Kemp took video of the animal. The animal was encountered between Lamar Valley and Cooke City. Wolverines are considered rare throughout theirContinue reading “Rare Wolverine Sighted In Yellowstone Park By Tourist Who Snaps A Video”
Ukrainian Wildlife, Domestic Animals Caught Up In War, Organizations Step Up to Help
It was U.S. General William T. Sherman who famously said “War is Hell.” and that is as true for animals as it is for humans. Humans have always had a bad habit of involving animals in their conflicts. Whether it is riding horses into battle, training dogs to fight, or attaching burning brands to pigeonsContinue reading “Ukrainian Wildlife, Domestic Animals Caught Up In War, Organizations Step Up to Help”
Invasive Joro Spider May Colonize Entire US East Coast; Do Genetic Weapons Hold Key to Battle Against Invasive Species?
It is the stuff of an arachnopobes nightmare: large as a human palm and spreading a huge web – it is the invasive Joro spider and it appears to have colonized Georgia and seems likely to spread throughout the eastern seaboard. The joro spider is native to Japan. It began showing up in Georgia recentlyContinue reading “Invasive Joro Spider May Colonize Entire US East Coast; Do Genetic Weapons Hold Key to Battle Against Invasive Species?”