The%20US%20administration%20of%20President%20Joe%20Biden%20on%20Thursday%20announced%20further%20protections%20for%20endangered%20species%20and%20their%20habitats%2C%20restoring%20a%20set%20of%20regulations%20weakened%20by%20Donald%20Trump.%0A%0AThe%20new%20rules%20were%20touted%20as%20evidence%20of%20Biden's%20commitment%20to%20tackling%20climate%20change%2C%20though%20some%20environmental%20groups%20said%20the%20changes%20fell%20short%20of%20fully%20resurrecting%20necessary%20protections.%0A%0A%22These%20revisions%20underscore%20our%20commitment%20to%20using%20all%20of%20the%20tools%20available%20to%20help%20halt%20declines%20and%20stabilize%20populations%20of%20the%20species%20most%20at-risk%2C%22%20Martha%20Williams%2C%20director%20of%20the%20US%20Fish%20and%20Wildlife%20Service%2C%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release.%0A%0AThe%20changes%20include%20the%20reinstatement%20of%20a%20rule%20that%20classifications%20of%20endangered%20species%20and%20habitats%20should%20be%20made%20without%20reference%20to%20the%20possible%20economic%20impacts%20of%20that%20definition.%0A%0ABut%20some%20environmental%20groups%20complained%20that%20the%20Biden%20administration%20had%20failed%20to%20reverse%20all%20of%20the%20changes%20made%20by%20then-president%20Trump%20in%202019%2C%20setting%20the%20path%20for%20further%20harm%20to%20US%20wildlife.%0A%0A%22The%20Biden%20administration%20had%20the%20opportunity%20to%20fully%20reverse%20the%20damage%20inflicted%20upon%20the%20Endangered%20Species%20Act%20and%20the%20imperiled%20species%20it%20protects%2C%20but%20only%20got%20partway%20there%2C%22%20Drew%20Caputo%2C%20a%20lawyer%20for%20EarthJustice%2C%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0ABen%20Jealous%2C%20executive%20director%20for%20environmental%20group%20Sierra%20Club%2C%20also%20called%20on%20the%20US%20government%20to%20go%20further%20to%20%22end%20the%20nightmare%20Donald%20Trump%20created%20for%20wildlife.%22%0A%0A%22At%20this%20moment%2C%20we%20should%20be%20listening%20to%20scientists%20and%20acting%20urgently%20to%20save%20biodiversity%2C%20not%20letting%20Donald%20Trump's%20gutting%20of%20environmental%20safeguards%20and%20sellouts%20to%20Big%20Business%20stand%2C%22%20Jealous%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AThe%20US's%20main%20wildlife%20protections%20were%20supported%20by%20the%201973%20Endangered%20Species%20Act%2C%20which%20was%20credited%20with%20saving%20many%20iconic%20American%20species%2C%20until%20Trump's%20administration%20weakened%20some%20measures%20in%202019.%0A%0AThe%20changes%20included%20modifications%20allowing%20companies%20to%20build%20roads%2C%20pipelines%2C%20mines%2C%20and%20other%20industrial%20projects%20in%20areas%20designated%20as%20%22critical%20habitat%22%20for%20a%20species.%0A%0AThe%201973%20Act%20had%20been%20linked%20to%20the%20resurgence%20of%20the%20gray%20wolf%2C%20which%20saw%20its%20population%20decimated%20in%20the%20early%2020th%20century%2C%20but%20staged%20a%20remarkable%20comeback%20thanks%20to%20the%20law%20and%20is%20now%20legally%20hunted%20in%20the%20Northern%20Rockies.

US restores wildlife protections removed by Trump

The%20critically%20endangered%20northern%20white%20rhino%20could%20be%20saved%20from%20the%20brink%20of%20extinction%20after%20scientists%20performed%20the%20first%20successful%20embryo%20transfer%20in%20white%20rhinos.%0A%0AAfter%20the%20last%20male%20northern%20white%20rhino%2C%20Sudan%2C%20died%20in%202018%2C%20the%20disappearance%20of%20the%20species%20looked%20imminent.%20Just%20two%20infertile%20female%20northern%20white%20rhinos%20%E2%80%93%20Fatu%20and%20Najin%20%E2%80%93%20remain%2C%20and%20are%20under%2024-hour%20armed%20protection%20at%20a%20conservation%20reservation%20in%20Kenya.%20But%20a%20new%20scientific%20advancement%20means%20the%20mother%20and%20daughter%20may%20not%20be%20the%20last%20of%20their%20kind.%0A%0AAn%20international%20team%20of%20researchers%20from%20BioRescue%20%E2%80%93%20a%20consortium%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20German%20government%2C%20which%20aims%20to%20halt%20extinctions%20%E2%80%93%20has%20performed%20the%20first%20successful%20embryo%20transfers%20in%20southern%20white%20rhinos%2C%20paving%20the%20way%20for%20the%20technique%20to%20be%20used%20for%20their%20rarer%20northern%20counterparts.%0A%0AIn%20September%202023%2C%20scientists%20transferred%20two%20southern%20white%20rhino%20embryos%20into%20surrogates%20at%20the%20Ol%20Pejeta%20Conservancy%20in%20Kenya%2C%20resulting%20in%20a%20successful%20pregnancy.%20While%20commonly%20used%20in%20humans%2C%20horses%20and%20cows%2C%20the%20method%20had%20never%20been%20used%20in%20rhinos%20before.%0A%0AThe%20father%20and%20the%20pregnant%20mother%20died%20after%20contracting%20a%20rare%2C%20unrelated%20bacterial%20infection%20when%20the%20foetus%20was%2070%20days%20old%2C%20but%20researchers%20said%20the%20pregnancy%20was%20proof%20that%20the%20technique%20can%20work.%0A%0AThomas%20Hildebrandt%2C%20the%20BioRescue%20project%20head%20and%20a%20professor%20at%20the%20Leibniz%20Institute%20for%20Zoo%20and%20Wildlife%20Research%2C%20said%20the%20technique%20was%20a%20key%20step%20in%20saving%20the%20northern%20white%20rhino.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20little%20baby%20is%20the%20proof%20of%20everything%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20told%20the%20Guardian.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20sperm%20injection%2C%20the%20fertilisation%2C%20the%20liquid%20nitrogen%2C%20the%20thawing%20%E2%80%93%20this%20was%20never%20done%20before%20for%20rhinos.%20All%20of%20it%20could%20have%20failed.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AFor%20the%20process%20to%20have%20worked%20in%20rhinos%20represented%20a%20major%20breakthrough%2C%20he%20said.%20In%20comparison%3A%20%E2%80%9CHumans%20are%20simple!%20We%20are%20working%20with%20a%20two-and-a-half-tonne%20mammal.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABy%20May%20or%20June%20this%20year%2C%20scientists%20plan%20to%20implant%20the%20first%20northern%20white%20rhino%20embryo.%20The%20Northern%20rhino%20embryos%20were%20created%20using%20sperm%20gathered%20from%20two%20now-dead%20males%2C%20and%20eggs%20gathered%20from%20Fatu.%20They%20will%20be%20carried%20by%20a%20southern%20white%20rhino%20surrogate%20in%20Kenya.%20Just%2030%20embryos%20remain%20%E2%80%93%20stored%20in%20liquid%20nitrogen%20at%20-196C%20in%20Berlin%2C%20Germany%20and%20Cremona%2C%20Italy.%0A%0AThe%20surrogate%20rhino%20is%20injected%20with%20the%20embryo%20through%20its%20anus.%20If%20the%2016-month%20pregnancy%20is%20successful%2C%20it%20would%20be%20the%20first%20northern%20white%20rhino%20born%20since%202000.%20It%20could%20also%20pave%20the%20way%20for%20the%20conservation%20of%20the%20Sumatran%20rhino%2C%20which%20number%20about%2040%20in%20the%20wild.%0A%0AResearchers%20said%20they%20would%20perform%20more%20embryo%20transfers%20if%20the%20first%20pregnancy%20seemed%20to%20be%20going%20well%2C%20meaning%20that%20as%20many%20as%20six%20northern%20white%20rhino%20calves%20could%20be%20born%20in%20a%20short%20period.%20Scientists%20said%20it%20would%20be%20important%20for%20the%20calves%20to%20meet%20Fatu%20and%20Najin%20while%20the%20pair%20were%20still%20alive%2C%20to%20learn%20how%20to%20behave%20like%20a%20northern%20white%20rhino.%0A%0AEven%20if%20several%20northern%20white%20rhino%20calves%20are%20born%2C%20however%2C%20they%20will%20not%20be%20genetically%20diverse%20enough%20to%20produce%20a%20viable%20population%2C%20Hildebrandt%20said.%20The%2030%20surviving%20northern%20white%20rhinos%20embryos%20are%20all%20based%20on%20eggs%20from%20Fatu%20and%20sperm%20from%20two%20males.%0A%0AIf%20more%20mammals%20are%20born%2C%20researchers%20said%20they%20would%20seek%20to%20use%20gene%20editing%20to%20improve%20the%20genetic%20diversity%20of%20future%20offspring%2C%20also%20taking%20genetic%20material%20from%20museum%20samples.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20go%20to%20the%20skulls%20and%20find%20genetic%20materials%2C%E2%80%9D%20Hildebrandt%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThen%20we%20would%20use%20gene%20editing%20to%20put%20them%20into%20the%20population.%20We%20plan%20to%20go%20to%20all%20the%20museums%20with%20northern%20white%20rhino%20specimens.%20It%20is%20not%20just%20a%20scientific%20experiment%2C%20we%20really%20want%20to%20bring%20it%20back.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ALast%20year%2C%20it%20was%20announced%20that%20southern%20white%20rhino%20populations%20increased%20for%20the%20first%20time%20since%202012%2C%20rising%20from%2015%2C942%20at%20the%20end%20of%202021%20to%2016%2C803.%20But%20concerns%20remain%20about%20their%20longterm%20survival.%0A%0AErustus%20Kanga%2C%20the%20director%20general%20of%20Kenya%20Wildlife%20Service%2C%20said%20they%20were%20thrilled%20with%20the%20breakthrough%20to%20save%20the%20subspecies.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CKenya%20Wildlife%20Service%20is%20delighted%20to%20have%20been%20part%20of%20this%20journey%20for%20the%20last%2013%20years%2C%20since%20the%20northern%20white%20rhinos%20were%20brought%20to%20Kenya%20in%202009%2C%20and%20for%20being%20part%20of%20the%20great%20initiative%20of%20the%20BioRescue%20consortium%20over%20the%20last%20four%20years%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20great%20milestone%20in%20the%20preservation%20of%20the%20northern%20white%20rhino%20genetic%20lineage.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AJustin%20Heath%2C%20the%20CEO%20of%20Ol%20Pejeta%20Conservancy%2C%20said%20it%20was%20a%20huge%20breakthrough%20for%20conservationists%2C%20but%20was%20bittersweet%20after%20losing%20the%20surrogate%20and%20bull%20to%20the%20bacterial%20infection.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CTo%20have%20had%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20pregnancy%20in%20a%20rhino%20after%20a%20successful%20surrogate%20transfer%20on%20Ol%20Pejeta%20Conservancy%20is%20a%20point%20of%20great%20pride%20for%20us%20all%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20look%20forward%20to%20welcoming%20future%20surrogates%E2%80%99%20rhino%20calves%20under%20the%20foothills%20of%20Mount%20Kenya%20very%20soon.%E2%80%9D%0A

First IVF rhino pregnancy could save species

outh%20Korea%E2%80%99s%20parliament%20has%20passed%20a%20landmark%20ban%20on%20the%20production%20and%20sale%20of%20dog%20meat.%0A%0AAlthough%20only%20a%20small%20minority%20of%20people%20still%20consume%20dog%20meat%20in%20South%20Korea%2C%20the%20ancient%20practise%20has%20been%20the%20subject%20of%20sharp%20criticism%20from%20foreign%20media%20and%20animal%20rights%20advocates.%20In%20recent%20years%2C%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20younger%20generations%20have%20joined%20calls%20to%20ban%20it.%0A%0AOn%20Tuesday%209%20January%2C%20parliament%20heeded%20their%20calls.%20The%20new%20bill%20will%20make%20slaughtering%2C%20breeding%20and%20sales%20of%20dog%20meat%20for%20human%20consumption%20illegal%20from%202027%20and%20punishable%20by%20two-to-three%20years%20in%20prison.%20It%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20provide%20any%20penalties%20for%20eating%20dog%20meat.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EHow%20common%20is%20dog%20meat%20in%20South%20Korea%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0ADog%20meat%20consumption%20is%20neither%20explicitly%20banned%20nor%20legalised%20in%20South%20Korea.%20%0A%0ARecent%20surveys%20show%20more%20than%20half%20of%20South%20Koreans%20want%20dog%20meat%20banned%20and%20a%20majority%20no%20longer%20eat%20it.%20But%20one%20in%20every%20three%20South%20Koreans%20still%20opposes%20a%20ban%20even%20though%20they%20don%E2%80%99t%20consume%20it.%0A%0AThere%20is%20no%20reliable%20official%20data%20on%20the%20exact%20size%20of%20South%20Korea%E2%80%99s%20dog%20meat%20industry.%20Activists%20and%20farmers%20say%20hundreds%20of%20thousands%20of%20dogs%20are%20slaughtered%20for%20meat%20each%20year.%0A%0AIn%202022%2C%20South%20Korea%E2%80%99s%20national%20broadcaster%20KBS%20reported%20that%20more%20than%20half%20a%20million%20dogs%20were%20being%20raised%20for%20food%20across%20the%20country%20and%201%2C600%20restaurants%20were%20selling%20dog%20meat.%0A%0AAs%20of%20February%202022%2C%20there%20were%201%2C156%20farms%20breeding%20dogs%20for%20meat%20and%2034%20slaughterhouses%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Agriculture%2C%20Food%20and%20Rural%20Affairs.%0A%0AA%20grace%20period%20of%20three%20years%20will%20be%20given%20to%20allow%20the%20industry%20to%20transition%20and%20close%20down%2C%20with%20crackdowns%20starting%20in%202027.%20%0A%0A%3Cb%3ESouth%20Korea%E2%80%99s%20dog%20meat%20ban%20passed%20unanimously%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AThe%20National%20Assembly%20passed%20the%20bill%20by%20a%20208-0%20vote.%20It%20will%20become%20law%20after%20being%20endorsed%20by%20the%20Cabinet%20Council%20and%20signed%20by%20President%20Yoon%20Suk%20Yeol%2C%20considered%20formalities%20since%20his%20government%20supports%20the%20ban.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20law%20is%20aimed%20at%20contributing%20to%20realising%20the%20values%20of%20animal%20rights%2C%20which%20pursue%20respect%20for%20life%20and%20a%20harmonious%20co-existence%20between%20humans%20and%20animals%2C%E2%80%9D%20the%20legislation%20says.%0A%0AThe%20bill%20offers%20assistance%20to%20dog%20farmers%20and%20others%20in%20the%20industry%20in%20shutting%20down%20their%20businesses%20and%20shifting%20to%20alternatives.%20Details%20are%20to%20be%20worked%20out%20among%20government%20officials%2C%20farmers%2C%20experts%20and%20animal%20rights%20activists.%0A%0AHumane%20Society%20International%20called%20the%20legislation%E2%80%99s%20passage%20%E2%80%9Chistory%20in%20the%20making%E2%80%9D.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20never%20thought%20I%20would%20see%20in%20my%20lifetime%20a%20ban%20on%20the%20cruel%20dog%20meat%20industry%20in%20South%20Korea%2C%20but%20this%20historic%20win%20for%20animals%20is%20testament%20to%20the%20passion%20and%20determination%20of%20our%20animal%20protection%20movement%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20JungAh%20Chae%2C%20executive%20director%20of%20HSI%E2%80%99s%20Korea%20office.%0A%0A%3Cb%3EIs%20there%20public%20support%20for%20the%20ban%3F%3C%2Fb%3E%0A%0AA%202023%20survey%20by%20animal%20rights%20group%20Korea%20Humane%20Society%20International%20(Korea%20HSI)%20and%20research%20agency%20NielsenIQ%20showed%20public%20support%20for%20a%20dog%20meat%20ban%2C%20with%2057%20per%20cent%20of%20the%201%2C500%20respondents%20in%20favour.%0A%0AMore%20than%2086%20per%20cent%20of%20the%20adults%20surveyed%20said%20they%20have%20no%20intention%20of%20eating%20dogs%20in%20the%20future%2C%20regardless%20of%20whether%20they%20had%20in%20the%20past.%0A%0AIt%20also%20found%20an%20increased%20negative%20perception%20of%20dog%20meat%20among%20those%20in%20their%2040s%20and%2050s%2C%20and%20increased%20consensus%20on%20the%20need%20to%20protect%20the%20welfare%20of%20the%20animals.%0A%0AFarmers%20were%20extremely%20upset%20by%20the%20bill's%20passage%2C%20however.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20a%20clear%20case%20of%20state%20violence%20as%20they%20are%20infringing%20on%20our%20freedom%20to%20choose%20our%20occupation.%20We%20can%E2%80%99t%20just%20sit%20by%20idly%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Son%20Won%20Hak%2C%20a%20farmer%20and%20former%20leader%20of%20a%20farmers%E2%80%99%20association.%0A%0ASon%20said%20dog%20farmers%20will%20file%20a%20petition%20with%20the%20Constitutional%20Court%20of%20Korea%20and%20hold%20demonstrations.%20He%20said%20farmers%20will%20meet%20on%20Wednesday%20to%20discuss%20other%20steps.%0A%0AThe%20anti-dog%20meat%20campaign%20received%20a%20huge%20boost%20from%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20first%20lady%2C%20Kim%20Keon%20Hee%2C%20who%20has%20repeatedly%20expressed%20her%20support%20for%20a%20prohibition.%20She%20has%20become%20the%20subject%20of%20withering%20criticism%20and%20crude%20insults%20during%20demonstrations%20by%20farmers.%0A%0AThe%20legislation%20doesn't%20clearly%20specify%20how%20dog%20farmers%20and%20others%20in%20the%20industry%20will%20be%20supported%20after%20the%20ban%2C%20which%20will%20likely%20result%20in%20continued%20animosities%2C%20observers%20say.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDogs%20are%20different%20from%20cows%2C%20chickens%20and%20pigs%2C%22%20said%20Kim%20Myung-ae%2C%20a%2058-year-old%20Seoul%20resident.%20%22Why%20would%20you%20still%20eat%20dogs%20when%20they%20are%20now%20seen%20more%20as%20family-like%20pets%20than%20food%3F%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAnother%20Seoul%20resident%2C%20Jeong%20Yoon%20Hee%2C%20disagreed%2C%20saying%20whether%20to%20eat%20dog%20meat%20is%20a%20matter%20of%20a%20personal%20choice%20and%20dietary%20culture.%20%E2%80%9CDogs%20are%20dogs%2C%20not%20humans%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.

South Korea bans sale and production of dog meat

The%20European%20Commission%20has%20introduced%20proposals%20to%20establish%20minimum%20common%20welfare%20standards%20for%20breeding%20and%20keeping%20pet%20animals%20in%20the%20European%20Union.%0A%0AThe%20new%20rules%20aim%20to%20improve%20pet%20traceability%2C%20end%20illegal%20practices%20such%20as%20ear%20cropping%20and%20enhance%20animal%20welfare%20standards%20for%20cats%20and%20dogs.%20This%20legislative%20initiative%20addresses%20a%20long-standing%20gap%20in%20EU%20regulations%2C%20as%20there%20is%20currently%20no%20framework%20for%20the%20welfare%20of%20animals%20kept%20as%20pets.%0A%0AKey%20measures%20include%20mandatory%20identification%20of%20dogs%20and%20cats%20with%20electronically-readable%20transponders%20before%20being%20placed%20on%20the%20market.%20This%20will%20enhance%20traceability%20and%20help%20control%20animal%20welfare%20conditions.%20The%20proposals%20also%20include%20a%20ban%20on%20painful%20practices%20like%20ear%20cropping%20and%20tail%20docking%2C%20measures%20to%20ensure%20a%20level%20playing%20field%20for%20operators%20across%20the%20EU%20and%20the%20introduction%20of%20common%20goals%20for%20breeders%20and%20sellers.%0A%0AThe%20rules%20also%20aim%20to%20address%20issues%20related%20to%20the%20online%20sale%20of%20dogs%20and%20cats%2C%20which%20has%20been%20growing%20with%20around%2060%25%20of%20pet%20owners%20purchasing%20through%20online%20platforms.%20The%20new%20traceability%20system%20will%20be%20built%20on%20the%20Digital%20Service%20Act%2C%20regulating%20online%20commerce%20and%20platforms.%20Additionally%2C%20the%20proposals%20seek%20to%20combat%20illegal%20trade%20from%20outside%20the%20EU%2C%20introducing%20animal%20welfare%20requirements%20for%20imports%20of%20dogs%20and%20cats%20from%20third%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20legislative%20initiative%20is%20part%20of%20an%20animal%20welfare%20package%20that%20also%20includes%20new%20EU%20rules%20for%20the%20transport%20of%20live%20animals.%20The%20proposals%20are%20expected%20to%20apply%20to%20around%2024%2C000%20to%2030%2C000%20commercial%20dog%20breeders%20and%20between%208%2C000%20to%2010%2C000%20commercial%20cat%20breeders.

EU proposes new rules to improve animal welfare

The%20tiny%20Caribbean%20island%20of%20Dominica%20is%20creating%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20first%20marine%20protected%20area%20for%20one%20of%20earth%E2%80%99s%20largest%20animals%3A%20the%20endangered%20sperm%20whale.%0A%0ANearly%20300%20square%20miles%20(800%20square%20kilometers)%20of%20royal%20blue%20waters%20on%20the%20western%20side%20of%20the%20island%20nation%20that%20serve%20as%20key%20nursing%20and%20feeding%20grounds%20will%20be%20designated%20as%20a%20reserve%2C%20the%20government%20announced%20Monday.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20want%20to%20ensure%20these%20majestic%20and%20highly%20intelligent%20animals%20are%20safe%20from%20harm%20and%20continue%20keeping%20our%20waters%20and%20our%20climate%20healthy%2C%E2%80%9D%20Dominica%20Prime%20Minister%20Roosevelt%20Skerrit%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AScientists%20say%20the%20reserve%20not%20only%20will%20protect%20the%20animals%2C%20but%20it%20will%20also%20help%20fight%20climate%20change.%0A%0ASperm%20whales%20defecate%20near%20the%20surface%20because%20they%20shut%20down%20non-vital%20functions%20when%20they%20dive%20to%20depths%20of%20up%20to%2010%2C000%20feet%20(3%2C000%20meters).%0A%0AAs%20a%20result%2C%20nutrient-rich%20poop%20remains%20along%20the%20ocean%20surface%20and%20creates%20plankton%20blooms%2C%20which%20capture%20carbon%20dioxide%20in%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20drag%20it%20to%20the%20ocean%20floor%20when%20they%20die.%20And%20sperm%20whales%20in%20Dominica%20are%20believed%20to%20defecate%20more%20than%20whales%20elsewhere%2C%20said%20Shane%20Gero%2C%20a%20whale%20biologist%20and%20founder%20of%20the%20Dominica%20Sperm%20Whale%20Project%2C%20a%20research%20program%20focused%20on%20sperm%20whales%20in%20the%20eastern%20Caribbean.%0A%0AIt%E2%80%99s%20unclear%20why%20sperm%20whales%20seem%20to%20defecate%20more%20in%20Dominica.%20Gero%20said%20it%20could%20be%20they%E2%80%99re%20eating%20twice%20as%20much%2C%20or%20maybe%20there%E2%80%99s%20something%20particular%20about%20the%20type%20of%20squid%20they%E2%80%99re%20eating.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20some%20respects%2C%20sperm%20whales%20are%20fighting%20climate%20change%20on%20our%20behalf%2C%E2%80%9D%20Gero%20said%20in%20an%20interview.%0A%0ALess%20than%20500%20sperm%20whales%20are%20estimated%20to%20live%20in%20the%20waters%20surrounding%20Dominica%2C%20part%20of%20a%20population%20that%20moves%20along%20the%20Lesser%20Antilles%20chain%2C%20swimming%20as%20far%20south%20as%20St.%20Vincent%20and%20north%20into%20Guadeloupe.%20Unlike%20sperm%20whales%20elsewhere%20in%20the%20world%2C%20the%20ones%20around%20the%20eastern%20Caribbean%20don%E2%80%99t%20travel%20very%20far%2C%20Gero%20said.%0A%0AHe%20noted%20that%20sperm%20whales%20are%20a%20matrilineal%20society%2C%20with%20young%20males%20leaving%20and%20switching%20oceans%20at%20some%20point%20in%20their%20lives.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20protecting%20the%20species%20is%20key%2C%20especially%20if%20few%20female%20calves%20are%20born%2C%20he%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COne%20calf%20being%20entangled%20can%20mean%20the%20end%20of%20a%20family%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0ASperm%20whales%20can%20produce%20a%20single%20calf%20every%20five%20to%20seven%20years.%0A%0AIn%20waters%20around%20Dominica%20and%20elsewhere%2C%20sperm%20whales%20have%20been%20hit%20by%20ships%2C%20entangled%20in%20fishing%20gear%20and%20affected%20by%20agricultural%20runoff%2C%20limiting%20their%20survival.%20In%20the%20pre-whaling%20days%2C%20an%20estimated%202%20million%20sperm%20whales%20roamed%20the%20Earth%E2%80%99s%20deep%20waters%20before%20they%20were%20hunted%20for%20oil%20used%20to%20burn%20lamps%20and%20lubricate%20machinery.%20Now%2C%20some%20800%2C000%20are%20left%2C%20Gero%20said.%0A%0AThe%20government%20of%20Dominica%20said%20the%20reserve%20will%20allow%20sustainable%20artisanal%20fishing%20and%20delineate%20an%20international%20shipping%20lane%20to%20avoid%20more%20deaths%20of%20sperm%20whales%2C%20which%20have%20the%20largest%20brain%20in%20the%20world%20and%20can%20grow%20up%20to%2050%20feet%20(15%20meters).%0A%0AOnce%20the%20reserve%20is%20created%2C%20the%20prime%20minister%20said%20his%20administration%20will%20appoint%20an%20officer%20and%20observers%20to%20ensure%20the%20area%20is%20respected%20and%20that%20whale%20tourism%20regulations%20are%20enforced.%20Visitors%20can%20still%20swim%20with%20sperm%20whales%20and%20see%20them%20from%20a%20boat%2C%20but%20in%20limited%20numbers.%0A%0AThe%20move%20was%20praised%20by%20scientists%20and%20conservationists%20including%20Enric%20Sala%2C%20an%20explorer-in-residence%20at%20National%20Geographic.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20government%20of%20Dominica%20has%20realized%20that%20the%20sperm%20whales%2C%20which%20were%20probably%20here%20before%20humans%2C%20are%20also%20citizens%20of%20Dominica%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CThese%20whales%20will%20spend%20most%20of%20the%20year%20offshore%20the%20island.%20So%2C%20they%20are%20taking%20care%20of%20some%20of%20their%20citizens%20in%20a%20way%20that%20few%20nations%20have%20ever%20done%20before.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAn%20estimated%2035%20families%20of%20sperm%20whales%20spend%20most%20of%20their%20time%20in%20waters%20surrounding%20Dominica.%20Gero%20said%20some%20are%20likely%20more%20than%2060%20years%20old%2C%20and%20they%20communicate%20via%20clicking%20sounds%20in%20a%20vocalization%20known%20as%20codas.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThat%E2%80%99s%20kind%20of%20like%20asking%2C%20%E2%80%98I%E2%80%99m%20from%20Dominica%2C%20are%20you%3F%E2%80%99%E2%80%9D%20Gero%20said.%20%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20a%20symbolic%20marker.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AGero%20and%20his%20team%20of%20researchers%20also%20have%20named%20individual%20whales.%20One%20is%20dubbed%20%E2%80%9CSnow%E2%80%9D%20because%20one%20scientist%20was%20reading%20a%20Margaret%20Atwood%20book%20with%20a%20character%20named%20%E2%80%9CSnowman.%22%20Another%20sperm%20whale%20was%20nicknamed%20%E2%80%9CFruit%20Salad%E2%80%9D%20because%20a%20researcher%20happened%20to%20be%20snacking%20on%20that%20at%20the%20time.%20That%20whale%E2%80%99s%20calf%20was%20named%20%E2%80%9CSoursop%2C%E2%80%9D%20in%20keeping%20with%20the%20theme.

Dominica set up world's first sperm whale reserve

The%20export%20of%20livestock%20for%20slaughter%20and%20fattening%20will%20be%20permanently%20banned%20under%20legislation%20announced%20in%20the%20King%E2%80%99s%20Speech.%0A%0AThe%20Government%E2%80%99s%20previous%20attempt%20to%20impose%20a%20ban%20as%20part%20of%20wider%20animal%20welfare%20reforms%20was%20scrapped%20earlier%20this%20year%2C%20but%20the%20new%20law%20will%20be%20more%20tightly%20focused%20on%20exports.%0A%0AIt%20will%20ban%20the%20export%20of%20cattle%2C%20sheep%2C%20goats%2C%20pigs%20and%20horses%20in%20a%20move%20welcomed%20by%20campaigners%2C%20including%20actress%20Dame%20Joanna%20Lumley%2C%20who%20have%20long%20called%20for%20a%20prohibition.%0A%0ALive%20exports%20will%20still%20be%20permitted%20in%20some%20circumstances%2C%20including%20racehorses%20being%20allowed%20to%20move%20for%20breeding%20and%20races.%0A%0AIf%20the%20Animal%20Welfare%20(Livestock%20Exports)%20Bill%20passes%2C%20it%20will%20prevent%20animals%20being%20sent%20to%20the%20continent%20for%20slaughter%20from%20England%2C%20but%20the%20UK%20Government%20plans%20to%20work%20with%20the%20administrations%20in%20Scotland%20and%20Wales%20to%20make%20this%20apply%20across%20Great%20Britain.%0A%0AThe%20measure%20is%20possible%20as%20a%20result%20of%20Brexit%2C%20which%20allows%20the%20UK%20to%20break%20away%20from%20the%20European%20Union%E2%80%99s%20rules%20governing%20live%20animal%20exports.%0A%0AAlthough%20no%20animals%20have%20been%20exported%20for%20slaughter%20since%20the%20Government%20announced%20its%20intention%20to%20ban%20the%20practice%20in%202021%2C%20the%20legislation%20will%20ensure%20this%20is%20put%20on%20a%20permanent%20basis.%0A%0AThe%20Bill%20also%20includes%20promises%20of%20money%20for%20farmers%20to%20improve%20animal%20welfare%20conditions%20and%20a%20%C2%A34%20million%20fund%20for%20smaller%20abattoirs.%0A%0ADame%20Joanna%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20absolutely%20marvellous%20news.%20Now%20the%20Government%20must%20deliver%20and%20ban%20the%20archaic%20practice%20of%20transporting%20live%20animals%20on%20long%20and%20arduous%20journeys%20overseas%20for%20slaughter%20or%20fattening%20once%20and%20for%20all.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CExporting%20live%20animals%20is%20utterly%20unnecessary.%20They%20suffer%20enormous%20stress%2C%20exhaustion%2C%20dehydration%20and%20overcrowding.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20seen%20a%20series%20of%20broken%20promises%20from%20Government%20on%20this%20subject%20over%20the%20years%2C%20so%20this%20is%20very%20welcome%20news.%20This%20Bill%20must%20now%20be%20passed%20as%20a%20matter%20of%20urgency.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ACompassion%20in%20World%20Farming%E2%80%99s%20chief%20public%20affairs%20manager%20James%20West%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20is%20the%20first%20King%E2%80%99s%20Speech%20since%20Rishi%20Sunak%20became%20Prime%20Minister%20last%20October%20and%20we%20are%20really%20delighted%20he%20is%20taking%20the%20opportunity%20to%20address%20this%20issue.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20welcome%20the%20Government%20choosing%20to%20recognise%20the%20widespread%20public%20and%20cross-party%20support%20by%20including%20a%20Bill%20to%20ban%20live%20exports%20during%20this%20parliamentary%20session%20and%20hope%20we%20will%20see%20swift%20progress%20on%20this%20issue%2C%20which%20is%20long%20over-due.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhile%20animal%20welfare%20groups%20welcomed%20the%20proposed%20ban%20on%20live%20exports%2C%20there%20were%20concerns%20at%20the%20absence%20of%20measures%20to%20outlaw%20the%20importation%20of%20hunting%20trophies%20in%20the%20King%E2%80%99s%20Speech.%0A%0AThe%20Tory%20manifesto%20in%202019%20pledged%20to%20ban%20imports%20from%20trophy%20hunting%20of%20endangered%20animals%20but%20backbench%20legislation%20aimed%20at%20implementing%20this%20was%20effectively%20talked%20out%20in%20the%20House%20of%20Lords.%0A%0AClaire%20Bass%2C%20senior%20director%20of%20campaigns%20and%20public%20affairs%20at%20Humane%20Society%20International%2FUK%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99ve%20had%20enough%20of%20this%20Government%20promising%20a%20lot%20and%20delivering%20very%20little%20to%20stop%20animal%20cruelty.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBritish%20trophy%20hunters%20travel%20around%20the%20world%20killing%20animals%20for%20fun%20%E2%80%93%20including%20endangered%20species%20like%20polar%20bears%20and%20leopards%20%E2%80%93%20and%20ship%20their%20souvenirs%20home%20to%20the%20UK%2C%20and%20over%2080%25%20of%20the%20British%20public%20believe%20this%20should%20stop.%20Today%20the%20Government%20has%20turned%20its%20back%20on%20them.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20Prime%20Minister%E2%80%99s%20official%20spokesman%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20committed%20to%20the%20manifesto%20pledge.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20will%20continue%20to%20explore%20the%20right%20way%20forward%20to%20meet%20that%20commitment.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABut%20he%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20not%20setting%20that%20out%20at%20this%20point.%E2%80%9D

Live exports of livestock to be banned

Paris%20will%20ban%20pony%20rides%20for%20children%20in%20its%20public%20parks%20from%202025%20following%20a%20campaign%20by%20animal%20rights%20activists%20who%20argue%20that%20the%20ponies%20are%20not%20well%20treated.%0A%0APony%20rides%20have%20been%20a%20popular%20feature%20in%20Paris%20parks%20like%20Champ%20de%20Mars%2C%20Parc%20Monceau%20and%20Parc%20du%20Luxembourg%20for%20decades%2C%20mostly%20on%20the%20weekends%20and%20during%20school%20holidays.%0A%0AAnimal%20rights%20groups%20have%20campaigned%20for%20years%20to%20ban%20the%20rides%2C%20arguing%20that%20ponies%20have%20to%20work%20long%20days%20without%20ever%20having%20their%20bit%20removed%2C%20have%20no%20permanent%20access%20to%20fresh%20water%20and%20hay%2C%20and%20suffer%20hours%20in%20transport%20trucks%20into%20town.%0A%0A%22Ponies%20are%20not%20toys.%20Children%20learn%20nothing%20about%20them%20from%20these%20walks%2C%20no%20emotional%20link%20is%20created.%20It%20just%20turns%20ponies%20into%20entertainment%20objects%2C%22%20Paris%20Animaux%20Zoopolis%20(PAZ)%20activist%20Amandine%20Sansivens%20said.%0A%0AA%20PAZ%20petition%20to%20ban%20the%20rides%20has%20gathered%20more%20than%208%2C400%20signatures.%0A%0AAfter%20introducing%20a%20charter%20for%20the%20well-being%20of%20ponies%20in%202021%2C%20city%20hall%20last%20month%20decided%20to%20phase%20out%20the%20ride%20operators'%20licences.%0A%0AStephane%20Michaud%2C%20director%20of%20AnimaPoney%20-%20which%20operated%20pony%20rides%20in%20several%20Paris%20parks%20but%20has%20now%20closed%20half%20of%20these%20-%20said%20his%20ponies%20work%20only%20about%20150%20days%20per%20year.%0A%0AAt%20his%20Rambouillet%20pony%20center%20south%20of%20Paris%2C%20he%20said%20that%20from%20the%20nineties%20he%20had%20started%20bringing%20ponies%20from%20the%20countryside%20into%20Paris%20because%20at%20the%20time%20ponies%20were%20kept%20in%20stables%20in%20the%20city%20in%20less-than-optimal%20conditions.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20been%20working%20with%20ponies%20for%2035%20years%2C%20I%20know%20their%20needs.%20They%20have%20everything%20they%20need%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AParisians%20taking%20their%20offspring%20on%20a%20pony%20ride%20had%20doubts%20about%20the%20ban.%0A%0A%22For%20the%20kids%20it%20is%20a%20treat.%20They%20love%20the%20contact%20with%20the%20ponies%2C%22%20said%20Celine%20Papouin%2C%20whose%20daughter%20confidently%20sat%20astride%20a%20pony%20in%20Parc%20Monceau.%0A%0AMeryem%2C%2063%2C%20walking%20with%20two%20ponies%20on%20a%20leash%2C%20each%20carrying%20one%20grandchild%2C%20said%20if%20the%20rides%20are%20banned%2C%20city%20hall%20should%20explain%20its%20reasons.%0A%0A%22But%20then%20what%20else%20do%20we%20need%20to%20stop%3F%20Horseback%20riding%2C%20mounted%20police%2C%20breeding%20race%20horses%3F%22%20she%20said.

Paris bans pony rides for children in public parks

The%20Icelandic%20government%20suspended%20whale%20hunting%20for%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20summer%20on%20Tuesday%2C%20following%20a%20report%20that%20found%20the%20practice%20contravenes%20the%20country's%20animal%20welfare%20standards.%0A%0A%22I%20have%20taken%20the%20decision%20to%20suspend%20whaling%22%20until%20August%2031%2C%20Food%20Minister%20Svandis%20Svavarsdottir%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AIceland's%20Food%20and%20Veterinary%20Authority%20recently%20concluded%20that%20the%20killing%20of%20whales%20during%20the%20hunt%20took%20too%20long%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Animal%20Welfare%20Act%2C%20and%20provided%20a%20video%20showing%20a%20whale%20being%20hunted%20for%20five%20hours.%0A%0AThe%20fate%20of%20Iceland's%20whale%20hunters%0A%0AThe%20practice%20has%20declined%20in%20recent%20years%2C%20thanks%20to%20suspensions%20in%20previous%20years%20and%20in%20large%20part%20to%20a%20drop%20in%20demand%20for%20whale%20meat.%0A%0ABut%20this%20year's%20suspension%2C%20which%20likely%20means%20that%20the%20hunt%20will%20not%20take%20place%20at%20all%20due%20to%20the%20limited%20season%2C%20may%20signal%20the%20end%20for%20Iceland's%20whale%20hunters.%0A%0AOnly%20one%20whaling%20company%20remains%20active%20and%20its%20license%20is%20set%20to%20expire%20this%20year.%20Whalers%20are%20allowed%20to%20kill%20up%20to%20209%20fin%20whales%20and%20217%20mink%20whales%20but%20catches%20have%20often%20been%20low.%0A%0APolls%20have%20also%20shown%20that%20the%20general%20public%20in%20Iceland%20has%20also%20turned%20against%20the%20traditional%20whale%20hunt%2C%20with%2051%25%20saying%20in%20June%20that%20they%20were%20opposed.%0A%0AIceland's%20booming%20tourist%20industry%2C%20which%20includes%20popular%20whale-watching%20tours%2C%20is%20also%20in%20direct%20opposition%20to%20the%20hunt.%0A%0A%22If%20the%20government%20and%20licensees%20cannot%20guarantee%20welfare%20requirements%2C%20these%20activities%20do%20not%20have%20a%20future%2C%22%20Svavarsdottir%20said.%0A%0ACalls%20for%20permanent%20ban%20continue%0A%0AThe%20move%20drew%20praise%20from%20animal%20rights%20groups%2C%20amid%20calls%20for%20a%20further%20complete%20ban.%0A%0A%22Whales%20already%20face%20so%20many%20serious%20threats%20in%20the%20oceans%20from%20pollution%2C%20climate%20change%2C%20entanglement%20in%20fish%20nets%20and%20ship%20strikes%2C%20that%20ending%20cruel%20commercial%20whaling%20is%20the%20only%20ethical%20conclusion%2C%22%20Humane%20Society%20International's%20director%20Ruud%20Tombrock%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0ABesides%20Iceland%2C%20only%20Norway%20and%20Japan%20allow%20whale%20hunting.%20Robert%20Read%20of%20Sea%20Shepherd%20UK%20called%20the%20suspension%20%22a%20huge%20blow%22%20to%20whaling%20in%20general.%0A%0A%22If%20whaling%20can't%20be%20done%20humanely%20here...%20it%20can't%20be%20done%20humanely%20anywhere%2C%22%20he%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Icelandic%20government%20said%20that%20the%20minister%20would%20seek%20expert%20and%20stakeholder%20opinions%20on%20possible%20future%20limitations%20to%20whaling.

Iceland suspends annual whale hunt

Animal%20welfare%20advocates%20in%20New%20York%20are%20heralding%20the%20recent%20approval%20of%20a%20statewide%20law%20that%20prohibits%20the%20sale%20of%20dogs%2C%20cats%20and%20rabbits%20at%20retail%20pet%20stores%20to%20%E2%80%9Cend%20the%20puppy%20mill-to-pet%20store%20pipeline%20and%20stop%20abusive%20breeders%E2%80%9D%20and%20help%20more%20stray%20and%20abandoned%20pets%20find%20homes.%0A%0AThe%20law%2C%20which%20goes%20into%20effect%20in%202024%2C%20will%20not%20outright%20bar%20pet%20shops%20from%20having%20four-legged%20friends%20on%20display%20as%20retailers%20may%20charge%20rescue%20organizations%20rent%20to%20present%20ready-to-adopt%20companion%20animals.%20But%20it%20has%20been%20hailed%20as%20a%20major%20achievement%20for%20animal%20welfare%20by%20its%20backers.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDogs%2C%20cats%20and%20rabbits%20across%20New%20York%20deserve%20loving%20homes%20and%20humane%20treatment%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20New%20York%20state%20governor%20Kathy%20Hochul%2C%20who%20greenlighted%20the%20legislation%20on%2015%20December.%20The%20law%2C%20Hochul%20said%2C%20%E2%80%9Cwill%20make%20meaningful%20steps%20to%20cut%20down%20on%20harsh%20treatment%20and%20protect%20the%20welfare%20of%20animals%20across%20the%20state%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AOpponents%2C%20who%20are%20largely%20pet%20shop%20owners%2C%20contend%20that%20it%20will%20decimate%20their%20business%20and%20push%20pet%20sales%20into%20the%20shadows%2C%20potentially%20ramping%20up%20the%20risk%20for%20purchases%20from%20breeders%20of%20ill%20repute.%20Emilio%20Ortiz%2C%20general%20manager%20of%20Citipups%20pet%20store%20in%20the%20Chelsea%20neighborhood%20of%20Manhattan%2C%20criticized%20the%20law%20as%20harmful%20to%20legitimate%20retailers%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20and%20ineffective%20toward%20fighting%20bad%20actors.%20The%20law%2C%20he%20said%2C%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20shut%20down%20puppy%20mills%20or%20hold%20inhumane%20breeders%20accountable.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20doesn%E2%80%99t%20prohibit%20them%20from%20continuing%20to%20sell%20dogs%2C%20either%20on%20the%20internet%20or%20face-to-face%2C%20and%20it%20does%20not%20increase%20the%20standards%20of%20care%20that%20these%20breeders%20have%20to%20abide%20by%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ortiz%20said.%20%E2%80%9CAll%20it%20does%20is%20prohibit%20the%20sale%20of%20puppies%20at%20pet%20shops.%20Now%2C%20is%20that%20going%20to%20stop%20bad%20pet%20shops%20that%20were%20working%20with%20bad%20breeders%3F%20100%25.%20But%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20also%20going%20to%20make%20it%20illegal%20for%20responsible%20pet%20stores%20that%20get%20their%20dogs%20from%20breeders%20who%20raised%20them%20humanely.%20It%E2%80%99s%20going%20to%20make%20it%20illegal%20for%20them%20to%20do%20that%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20and%20those%20are%20the%20people%20that%20they%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20put%20out%20of%20business.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMatt%20Bershadker%2C%20president%20and%20CEO%20of%20the%20American%20Society%20for%20the%20Prevention%20of%20Cruelty%20to%20Animals%2C%20touted%20the%20law%20as%20a%20long-sought%20victory%20for%20animals%20and%20their%20pet-parents.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBy%20ending%20the%20sale%20of%20cruelly%20bred%20puppy%20mill%20dogs%20in%20state%20pet%20shops%2C%20New%20York%20is%20shutting%20down%20the%20pipeline%20that%20enables%20retail%20sellers%20and%20commercial%20breeders%20to%20profit%20from%20unconscionable%20brutality%2C%E2%80%9D%20Bershadker%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20a%20result%2C%20New%20York%20will%20go%20from%20having%20one%20of%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20highest%20concentrations%20of%20pet%20stores%20that%20sell%20puppy%20mill%20puppies%20to%20a%20place%20that%20refuses%20to%20be%20an%20accomplice%20in%20this%20cruel%20process.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThere%20are%2010%2C000%20estimated%20US%20puppy%20mills%20and%20a%20number%20are%20notorious%20for%20their%20allegedly%20inhumane%20treatment%20of%20canines.%20These%20commercial%20breeding%20facilities%20churn%20out%20puppies%20for%20retail%20pet%20stores%20as%20well%20as%20online%20and%20direct-to-public%20sales%2C%20such%20as%20at%20flea%20markets%20or%20through%20classified%20ads%2C%20on%20a%20massive%20scale%2C%20with%20little%20regard%20for%20the%20animals%20they%E2%80%99re%20producing%2C%20the%20Humane%20Society%20of%20the%20United%20States%20said.%0A%0AAs%20the%20quick%20production%20of%20puppies%20is%20tantamount%20to%20profitability%20at%20these%20outfits%2C%20they%20%E2%80%9Cdisregard%E2%80%9D%20dogs%E2%80%99%20emotional%20and%20physical%20health.%20The%20organization%20said%20that%20fewer%20than%203%2C000%20of%20US%20puppy%20mills%20are%20regulated%20by%20the%20US%E2%80%99s%20federal%20agricultural%20agency.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20animals%20that%20come%20from%20the%20puppy%20mills%20are%20often%20not%20in%20great%20shape%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Katy%20Hansen%2C%20director%20of%20marketing%20and%20communications%20for%20Animal%20Care%20Centers%20of%20New%20York%20City.%20%E2%80%9CThey%E2%80%99re%20not%20healthy.%20They%20have%20behavior%20issues.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20really%20want%20people%20to%20go%20to%20shelters%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20we%20have%20a%20pet%20overpopulation%20problem%20here.%20There%20are%20wonderful%20pets%20waiting%20for%20people%20at%20shelters%2C%20and%20especially%20as%20the%20economy%20is%20struggling%2C%20people%20are%20struggling%20to%20keep%20their%20pets%2C%E2%80%9D%20Hansen%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWe%2C%20right%20now%2C%20have%20almost%20600%20pets%20looking%20for%20a%20home%2C%20and%20they%20range%20from%20large%20breed%20dogs%20to%20small%20breeds.%20We%20have%20some%20Maltese%2C%20we%20have%20some%20Yorkies.%20The%20animals%20that%20come%20from%20us%20have%20all%20been%20vaccinated%2C%20they%E2%80%99ve%20been%20sterilized%2C%20they%E2%80%99ve%20been%20microchipped.%20They%E2%80%99ve%20been%20checked%20by%20a%20vet.%20So%20really%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20the%20better%20deal.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABenjamin%20Katz%2C%20a%20New%20York%20City%20attorney%20whose%20practice%20focuses%20on%20animal-related%20issues%2C%20such%20as%20pet%20custody%20and%20estate%20planning%2C%20voiced%20similar%20sentiments.%0A%0AThe%20legislation%20%E2%80%9Cencourages%20people%20to%20go%20to%20agencies%20and%20societies%20that%20are%20geared%20more%20towards%20helping%20abandoned%20pets%2C%20animals%20that%20are%20on%20the%20streets%2C%20and%20also%20limiting%20any%20sales%20to%20breeders%2C%20who%20take%20proper%20care%20of%20these%20animals%E2%80%9D%2C%20Katz%20said.%20%E2%80%9CPuppy%20mills%20have%20been%20generating%20puppies%20and%20cats%20and%20other%20animals%20for%20stores%20based%20upon%20the%20demand%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20and%20based%20upon%20profit.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ADog%20and%20cat%20breeders%20%E2%80%93%E2%80%93%20which%20are%20not%20banned%20under%20this%20legislation%20%E2%80%93%E2%80%93%20still%20work%20for%20profit%2C%20but%20legislation%20prevents%20them%20from%20committing%20puppy-mill%20style%20abuses.%20%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20strict%20requirements%20that%20they%20need%20to%20meet%20in%20order%20to%20maintain%20their%20licenses%20and%20their%20ability%20to%20continue.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%9CPeople%20are%20going%20to%20be%20encouraged%20to%20adopt%20rather%20than%20to%20go%20out%20and%20buy%2C%20and%20if%20they%20do%20buy%2C%20they%E2%80%99re%20buying%20from%20reputable%20breeders%20rather%20than%20puppy%20stores%20or%20pet%20stores%20that%20don%E2%80%99t%20necessarily%20follow%20up%20on%20the%20quality%20of%20the%20pets%20that%20they%E2%80%99re%20getting%2C%E2%80%9D%20Katz%20said.%0A%0ASome%20worry%2C%20however%2C%20the%20law%20might%20not%20do%20enough%20to%20prevent%20abuses%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20and%20that%20another%20pipeline%20for%20puppy%20mill%20animals%20will%20avail%20itself.%0A%0ARichard%20Bruce%20Rosenthal%2C%20a%20Long%20Island%2C%20New%20York%20attorney%20who%20bills%20himself%20as%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Dog%20Lawyer%E2%80%9D%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CI%20think%20it%E2%80%99s%20a%20good%20thing%20to%20the%20extent%20that%20it%20stops%20the%20stores%20that%20are%20buying%20from%20the%20puppy%20mills%2C%20however%20the%20way%20it%E2%80%99s%20structured%20and%20the%20way%20any%20of%20these%20are%20structured%2C%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20stopping%20the%20%5Bpuppy%20mill%5D%20breeders%20from%20selling%20the%20dogs%E2%80%93%20%E2%80%93%20it%E2%80%99s%20not%20stopping%20them%20from%20breeding%20the%20dogs%20irresponsibly%2C%20and%20so%20all%20that%E2%80%99s%20going%20to%20happen%20is%20they%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20find%20other%20ways%20of%20selling%20them.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ARosenthal%2C%20who%20made%20clear%20that%20he%20is%20%E2%80%9Cnot%20in%20favor%20of%20commercial%20breeding%20because%20of%20the%20abuses%E2%80%9D%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20way%20it%E2%80%99s%20done%2C%20I%20don%E2%80%99t%20think%20it%E2%80%99s%20going%20to%20effectuate%20a%20major%20change.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBut%20if%20people%20are%20looking%20for%20a%20particular%20type%20of%20dog%2C%20and%20they%20can%E2%80%99t%20find%20it%20in%20the%20store%2C%20they%E2%80%99re%20going%20to%20start%20looking%20online%20for%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20Rosenthal%20said.%20%E2%80%9CUnfortunately%2C%20that%E2%80%99s%20the%20way%20everything%20has%20gone%20nowadays.%E2%80%9D

New York bans retail sale of dogs, cats, rabbits

The%20federal%20government%20has%20set%20a%20goal%20to%20prevent%20any%20new%20extinctions%20of%20Australian%20wildlife.%20It%20is%20the%20first%20time%20a%20federal%20government%20has%20announced%20a%20zero%20extinctions%20target%20for%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20plants%20and%20animals.%20The%20goal%20forms%20part%20of%20a%2010-year%20plan%20to%20improve%20the%20trajectory%20of%20110%20species%20and%2020%20places%2C%20and%20protect%20an%20additional%2050m%20hectares%20of%20land%20and%20sea%20area%20by%202027.%0A%0AThe%20environment%20and%20water%20minister%2C%20Tanya%20Plibersek%2C%20said%20the%20government%20was%20setting%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20strongest%20targets%20we%E2%80%99ve%20ever%20seen%E2%80%9D%20to%20try%20to%20turn%20around%20the%20nature%20crisis%20documented%20in%20the%20State%20of%20the%20Environment%20report%20this%20year.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COur%20current%20approach%20has%20not%20been%20working.%20If%20we%20keep%20doing%20what%20we%E2%80%99ve%20been%20doing%2C%20we%E2%80%99ll%20keep%20getting%20the%20same%20results%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20builds%20on%20a%20document%20released%20by%20the%20previous%20government%20and%20includes%20the%20Albanese%20government%E2%80%99s%20earlier%20commitment%20to%20ensure%2030%25%20of%20both%20land%20and%20sea%20areas%20are%20in%20conservation%20reserves%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20number%20of%20priority%20species%20has%20also%20increased%20from%20100%20to%20110%20and%20locations%20have%20increased%20from%20six%20to%2020.%0A%0AConservationists%20welcomed%20aspects%20of%20the%20plan%2C%20including%20clear%20objectives%20such%20as%20the%20zero%20extinctions%20target.%0A%0ASmall%20black%20greater%20glider%20sits%20on%20a%20gumtree%20branch%20at%20night%0ASixty%20endangered%20greater%20gliders%20found%20in%20Victorian%20forests%20tagged%20for%20logging%0ARead%20more%0ABut%20they%20were%20critical%20that%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20threatened%20species%20strategy%20was%20still%20%E2%80%9Cpicking%20winners%E2%80%9D%20by%20identifying%20so-called%20priority%20species%20when%20almost%202%2C000%20are%20listed%20as%20threatened%20under%20national%20laws.%0A%0AThey%20said%20preventing%20extinctions%20would%20require%20vastly%20increased%20funding%20for%20conservation%20measures%20and%20threatened%20species%20recovery%20as%20well%20action%20to%20stop%20key%20threats%2C%20particularly%20habitat%20destruction.%0A%0AThe%20Australian%20Greens%20said%20the%20goals%20would%20be%20%E2%80%9Cunattainable%E2%80%9D%20if%20governments%20continued%20to%20open%20new%20coal%20and%20gas%20reserves.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20wonderful%20to%20see%20Australia%20join%20other%20developed%20countries%2C%20including%20New%20Zealand%20and%20members%20of%20the%20EU%2C%20in%20setting%20a%20target%20of%20zero%20new%20extinctions%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Rachel%20Lowry%2C%20the%20chief%20conservation%20officer%20at%20WWF-Australia.%0A%0AAdvertisement%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHalting%20extinctions%20is%20achievable%2C%20particularly%20for%20a%20wealthy%20nation%20with%20science-based%20solutions.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABut%20Lowry%20said%20it%20was%20unclear%20how%20the%20plan%20would%20help%20non-priority%20species%2C%20such%20as%20the%20endangered%20greater%20glider.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAustralia%20has%20more%20than%201%2C900%20listed%20threatened%20species.%20This%20plan%20picks%20110%20winners%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCosted%20and%20time-bound%20recovery%20plans%20are%20essential%20for%20all%20threatened%20species.%20Otherwise%20we%20will%20see%20more%20native%20animals%20silently%20crossing%20the%20extinction%20line.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABasha%20Stasak%2C%20the%20nature%20program%20manager%20at%20the%20Australian%20Conservation%20Foundation%2C%20said%20stopping%20the%20ongoing%20destruction%20of%20habitat%20was%20key%20to%20reversing%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20%E2%80%9Cwoeful%E2%80%9D%20record%20on%20extinction.%0A%0AShe%20said%20this%20would%20require%20strengthening%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20national%20environmental%20laws%2C%20as%20recommended%20by%20a%20review%20led%20by%20the%20former%20competition%20watchdog%20head%2C%20Graeme%20Samuel%2C%20and%20more%20funding.%0A%0AThe%20government%20has%20promised%20a%20response%20to%20that%20review%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20year%20and%20has%20committed%20%24224.5m%20for%20a%20saving%20native%20species%20program.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CScientists%20estimate%20%241.69bn%20a%20year%20is%20needed%20to%20tackle%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20extinction%20crisis%2C%E2%80%9D%20Stasak%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20urge%20the%20government%20to%20include%20funding%20to%20halt%20extinction%20in%20this%20month%E2%80%99s%20federal%20budget.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20new%20priority%20species%20include%20the%20critically%20endangered%20King%20Island%20scrubtit%2C%20while%20the%20new%20places%20include%20the%20Blue%20Mountains%20and%20the%20Australian%20Alps.%0A%0AThe%20plan%20is%20divided%20into%20targets%20focusing%20on%20specific%20issues%20such%20as%20species%20recovery%2C%20invasive%20species%2C%20habitat%20protection%20and%20climate%20change.%0A%0AIt%20includes%20targets%20to%20improve%20the%20trajectory%20of%20priority%20species%20and%20the%20condition%20of%20priority%20places%2C%20reducing%20the%20impact%20of%20feral%20cats%20and%20foxes%20on%20important%20habitat%2C%20%E2%80%9Ccontemporary%E2%80%9D%20approaches%20to%20conservation%20planning%2C%20and%20securing%20at%20least%2080%25%20of%20threatened%20plant%20species%20in%20insurance%20collections.%0A%0AJames%20Trezise%2C%20the%20conservation%20director%20of%20the%20Invasive%20Species%20Council%2C%20said%20achieving%20the%20plan%E2%80%99s%20goals%20would%20require%20significant%20investment%20in%20threat%20abatement%20strategies.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhilst%20zero%20extinctions%20is%20an%20incredibly%20important%20goal%2C%20the%20key%20test%20will%20be%20whether%20the%20decisions%2C%20reforms%20and%20funding%20commitments%20that%20are%20made%20by%20the%20government%20will%20get%20us%20there%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%0A%0ASpeaking%20on%20the%20ABC%E2%80%99s%20Radio%20National%20on%20Tuesday%20morning%2C%20Plibersek%20said%20the%20plan%20was%20more%20ambitious%20and%20focused%20than%20previous%20iterations.%0A%0AShe%20said%20designating%20priority%20species%20did%20not%20mean%20other%20plants%20and%20animals%20would%20be%20overlooked.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThey%E2%80%99re%20really%20key%20species%20in%20particular%20environments%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAnd%20if%20we%20focus%20on%20those%20species%2C%20we%20create%20a%20kind%20of%20halo%20effect%20for%20the%20whole%20ecosystem%20the%20plant%20or%20animal%20is%20part%20of.%E2%80%9D%0A%0APlibersek%20said%20the%20government%20still%20planned%20to%20introduce%20new%20environmental%20laws%20next%20year.%0A%0AEuan%20Ritchie%2C%20a%20professor%20in%20wildlife%20ecology%20and%20conservation%20at%20Deakin%20University%2C%20said%20all%20levels%20of%20government%20would%20need%20to%20work%20together%20to%20prevent%20the%20underlying%20causes%20of%20environmental%20decline%20and%20species%20extinctions%2C%20including%20land%20clearing%2C%20invasive%20species%20and%20the%20ongoing%20reliance%20on%20fossil%20fuels.%0A%0AHe%20said%20the%20increased%20ambition%20in%20the%20plan%20was%20welcome%20but%20it%20still%20%E2%80%9Cfalls%20well%20short%20of%20what%20will%20be%20required%20to%20arrest%20and%20turn%20around%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20biodiversity%20decline%20and%20extinction%20crisis%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AOn%20Tuesday%2C%20the%20government%20also%20announced%2015%20new%20species%2C%20including%20the%20parma%20wallaby%20and%20the%20pretty%20beard%20orchid%2C%20and%20three%20ecological%20communities%20had%20been%20added%20to%20Australia%E2%80%99s%20threatened%20list.

Australia vows new plan to stop extinction crisis

This%20Ukrainian%20rights%20organisation%20is%20fighting%20to%20protect%20animals%20from%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20Russian%20invasion.%0A%0AUAnimals%20has%20uncovered%20a%20string%20of%20rights%20violations%20across%20the%20country%20-%20inflicted%20not%20just%20against%20civilians%2C%20but%20against%20the%20creatures%20they%20were%20forced%20to%20leave%20behind.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWhen%20the%20war%20started%2C%20we%20realised%20every%20day%20that%20it's%20becoming%20worse%20and%20worse%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Olha%20Chevhaniuk%2C%20co-founder%20and%20CEO%20of%20the%20rescue%20force.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Russians%20shoot%20adults%2C%20children%20and%20even%20animals.%20They%20have%20no%20moral%20values%20at%20all.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhat%20dangers%20are%20the%20animals%20in%20Ukraine%20facing%3F%0A%0AOperating%20across%20a%20network%20of%20bomb%20shelters%2C%20abandoned%20towns%20and%20bombarded%20cities%2C%20UAnimals%20locates%20and%20rescues%20displaced%20creatures%20caught%20up%20in%20the%20conflict.%0A%0ATheir%20members%20scour%20the%20country%20in%20search%20of%20at-risk%20animals%20-%20some%20of%20which%20have%20been%20without%20food%2C%20water%20and%20shelter%20for%20weeks%20on%20end.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20found%20a%20shelter%20in%20Borodyanka%20where%20animals%20were%20left%20in%20locked%20cages%2C%E2%80%9D%20continues%20Chevhaniuk.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20were%20485%20dogs%20there%20at%20the%20start%20of%20the%20war.%20Yesterday%20our%20volunteers%20were%20able%20to%20reach%20it%2C%20and%20only%20150%20dogs%20were%20still%20alive.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20was%20no%20food%2C%20no%20water.%20Hundreds%20just%20died%2C%20suffering.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20organisation%20says%20this%20is%20a%20familiar%20story%20all%20across%20the%20country%2C%20where%20thousands%20of%20animals%20remain%20trapped%20due%20to%20the%20conflict.%0A%0AUAnimals%20is%20appealing%20for%20so-called%20%E2%80%98green%20corridors%E2%80%99%20to%20be%20established%20-%20demilitarised%20zones%20which%20would%20act%20as%20evacuation%20routes%20for%20some%20of%20Ukraine%E2%80%99s%20threatened%20creatures.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCurrently%20it%E2%80%99s%20only%20once%20our%20army%20is%20able%20to%20reach%20these%20territories%20that%20we%20are%20able%20to%20deliver%20food%2C%20search%20for%20cages%2C%20provide%20transport%2C%20veterinary%20doctors%20and%20whatever%20else%20we%20need%20to%20save%20the%20animals%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Chevhaniuk.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CHaving%20green%20corridors%20to%20animal%20shelters%20is%20super%20important%20and%20would%20save%20lives.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AEnd%20the%20war%20in%20order%20to%20end%20the%20suffering%0A%0AWhile%20many%20of%20the%20UAnimals%20team%20remain%20underground%2C%20its%20co-founder%2C%20Oleksandr%20Todorchuk%2C%20has%20joined%20the%20Ukrainian%20army.%0A%0AHe%20is%20one%20of%20many%20civilians%20who%20have%20taken%20up%20arms%20after%20the%20Russian%20invasion.%20But%20despite%20recent%20success%20on%20the%20battlefield%2C%20Chevhaniuk%20and%20her%20team%20know%20that%20the%20only%20real%20solution%20to%20the%20war%20is%20peace.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20only%20stop%20the%20suffering%20of%20animals%20if%20we%20stop%20the%20suffering%20of%20people%20first%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20says.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20believe%20in%20victory.%20I%20just%20hope%20it%20will%20come%20as%20soon%20as%20possible.%E2%80%9D

Volunteers saving Ukraine’s animals from war

A%20landmark%20court%20ruling%20has%20led%20Ecuador%20to%20become%20the%20first%20country%20in%20the%20world%20to%20give%20legal%20rights%20to%20wild%20animals.%0A%0AThe%20ruling%20came%20after%20a%20woolly%20monkey%20was%20moved%20from%20its%20home%20to%20a%20zoo%20and%20died%20a%20week%20later.%20The%20monkey%2C%20named%20Estrellita%2C%20was%20taken%20from%20the%20wild%20at%20one%20month%20old%20and%20kept%20as%20a%20pet%20for%2018%20years%20by%20librarian%20Ana%20Beatriz%20Burbano%20Proa%C3%B1o.%0A%0AOwning%20wild%20animals%20is%20illegal%20in%20Ecuador%20so%20the%20pet%20was%20seized%20by%20authorities%20in%202019%20and%20after%20being%20taken%20to%20a%20zoo%20she%20passed%20away.%0A%0ABefore%20knowing%20that%20she%20has%20died%2C%20her%20owner%20filed%20a%20habeas%20corpus%20petition%20-%20a%20legal%20mechanism%20to%20determine%20if%20the%20detention%20of%20an%20individual%20is%20valid.%20She%20asked%20for%20Estrellita%20to%20be%20returned%20to%20her%20and%20for%20the%20court%20to%20declare%20that%20the%20monkey%E2%80%99s%20rights%20had%20been%20violated.%0A%0ALast%20December%2C%20the%20court%20ruled%20in%20favour%20of%20Ana%20Beatriz%20Burbano%20Proa%C3%B1o%20but%20also%20added%20that%20the%20animal%E2%80%99s%20rights%20had%20been%20violated%20when%20it%20was%20removed%20from%20its%20natural%20habitat.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20verdict%20raises%20animal%20rights%20to%20the%20level%20of%20the%20constitution%2C%20the%20highest%20law%20of%20Ecuador%2C%E2%80%9D%20says%20Ecuadorian%20environmental%20lawyer%20Hugo%20Echeverr%C3%ADa.%0A%0AIn%202008%20Ecuador%20became%20the%20first%20country%20in%20the%20world%20to%20recognise%20nature%20as%20a%20legal%20entity%2C%20enshrining%20the%20right%20of%20its%20people%20to%20live%20in%20a%20healthy%20environment%20in%20its%20constitution.%20Echeverr%C3%ADa%20adds%20that%20while%20the%20rights%20of%20nature%20were%20already%20part%20of%20the%20constitution%2C%20it%20was%20not%20clear%20whether%20individual%20wild%20animals%20could%20benefit%20from%20them.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20Court%20has%20stated%20that%20animals%20are%20subject%20of%20rights%2C%20protected%20by%20rights%20of%20nature.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIt%20is%20thought%20to%20be%20the%20first%20time%20the%20law%20around%20the%20rights%20of%20nature%20has%20been%20applied%20in%20a%20court.%0A%0AWhat%20does%20this%20mean%20for%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20wild%20animals%3F%0A%0AWithin%20the%20case%2C%20the%20court%20also%20noted%20that%20%E2%80%9Cwild%20species%20and%20their%20individuals%20have%20the%20right%20not%20to%20be%20hunted%2C%20fished%2C%20captured%2C%20collected%2C%20extracted%2C%20kept%2C%20retained%2C%20trafficked%2C%20traded%20or%20exchanged.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AIt%20added%20that%20these%20rights%20come%20from%20the%20animals%E2%80%99%20own%20value%2C%20not%20their%20value%20to%20humans%20making%20it%20clear%20that%20animals%20have%20the%20power%20to%20enforce%20these%20rights%20in%20a%20court.%0A%0AAlso%20included%20was%20a%20call%20for%20Ecuador%E2%80%99s%20Ministry%20of%20the%20Environment%20to%20create%20more%20rules%20and%20procedures%20to%20ensure%20that%20the%20constitutional%20rights%20of%20wild%20animals%20are%20respected.%0A%0AColombia%2C%20New%20Zealand%2C%20Panama%2C%20Chile%20and%20Mexico%20have%20also%20granted%20nature%20legal%20protection%2C%20either%20through%20their%20constitution%20or%20court%20system.

 Wild animals in Ecuador now have legal rights

The%20Mykolaiv%20Zoo's%204%2C000%20wild%20animals%20are%20trapped%20by%20the%20war%20in%20Ukraine.%20As%20air%20raid%20sirens%20wail%20across%20the%20southern%20city%2C%20a%20leopard%20brushes%20nervously%20against%20the%20bars%20of%20his%20cage.%0A%0AIt%20is%20difficult%20to%20tell%20whether%20the%20Amur%20leopard%20is%20rattled%20by%20the%20piercing%20sound%20or%20by%20the%20unusual%20sight%20of%20strangers%2C%20more%20than%20three%20weeks%20after%20the%20zoo%20was%20closed%20to%20visitors%2C%20says%20zoologist%20Viktor%20Dyakonov.%0A%0AThe%20first%20rocket%20that%20landed%20on%20the%20zoo%2C%20on%2027%20February%2C%20tore%20up%20the%20walkway%20between%20the%20tiger%20and%20polar%20bear%20enclosures%20and%20is%20now%20on%20display%20in%20the%20museum%20of%20the%20zoo%2C%20which%20was%20founded%20more%20than%20120%20years%20ago.%0A%0AThankfully%2C%20no%20staff%20or%20animals%20were%20wounded%20in%20the%20attack.%0A%0ABut%20the%20episode%20was%20very%20stressful%2C%20with%20a%20tank%20battle%20600%20metres%20from%20the%20zoo%2C%20says%20the%20museum's%20director%20Volodymyr%20Topchyi.%0A%0ASince%20then%2C%20three%20more%20rockets%20have%20landed%20in%20the%20zoo%2C%20including%20one%20in%20an%20aviary.%20The%20other%20two%20hit%20near%20the%20zoo's%20administrative%20offices.%20And%20there%20could%20be%20more%20coming.%20Fighting%20is%20ongoing%20as%20the%20city%20holds%20a%20key%20river%20crossing%2C%20which%20Russian%20troops%20need%20to%20capture%20in%20order%20to%20push%20towards%20Ukraine's%20top%20Black%20Sea%20port%20of%20Odessa.%0A%0AEvacuation%20is%20not%20possible%0AThere%20are%20400%20species%20present%20in%20the%20zoo%20and%20nearly%20half%20of%20them%20are%20on%20the%20international%20red%20list%20of%20threatened%20species%2C%20says%20the%20zoo's%20director.%0A%0ABut%20their%20evacuation%20is%20not%20feasible.%20%22There%20aren't%20enough%20vehicles%20to%20transport%20the%20animals%20and%20the%20only%20road%20towards%20Odessa%20is%20clogged%20with%20traffic%2C%22%20says%20Topchyi.%0A%0A%22And%20it's%20still%20very%20cold.%20If%20we%20take%20the%20giraffes%2C%20the%20elephants%20and%20the%20hippopotamuses%2C%20there's%20a%20risk%20they%20won't%20survive%2C%22%20he%20adds.%0A%0ATopchyi%20ruled%20out%20abandoning%20the%20animals%20and%20praised%20the%20heroic%20work%20of%20about%20100%20staff%20members%20who%20continue%20to%20take%20care%20of%20their%20charges%2C%20even%20sleeping%20at%20the%20zoo%20to%20reduce%20the%20number%20of%20dangerous%20trips%20across%20the%20city.%0A%0AEven%20though%20the%20zoo%20is%20closed%20to%20visitors%2C%20the%20public%20has%20continued%20to%20buy%20tickets%2C%20with%20people%20posting%20their%20support%20for%20the%20zoo%20on%20Facebook.

Ukraine’s biggest zoo is caught in the crossfire

The%20Italian%20Senate%20has%20voted%20to%20approve%20an%20amendment%20to%20the%20budget%20law%20that%20will%20close%20the%20remaining%20ten%20mink%20farms%20in%20Italy%20within%20six%20months%20and%20ban%20fur%20farming%20throughout%20the%20country.%0A%0AThe%20decision%20came%20about%20after%20talks%20with%20Humane%20Society%20International%2FEurope%2C%20which%20offered%20practical%20strategies%20in%20its%20report%20Mink%20breeding%20in%20Italy%3A%20Mapping%20and%20future%20perspectives%20for%20closing%20fur%20farms%20and%20converting%20them%20into%20businesses%20that%20are%20humane%20and%20sustainable.%20Following%20approval%20of%20the%20resolution%20by%20Parliament%2C%20Italy%20will%20become%20the%2016th%20European%20country%20to%20ban%20fur%20farming.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20very%20clear%20economic%2C%20environmental%2C%20public%20health%20and%20of%20course%20animal%20welfare%20reasons%20to%20close%20and%20ban%20fur%20farms%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20the%20director%20of%20Humane%20Society%20International%20in%20Italy%2C%20Martina%20Pluda%2C%20Humane%20Society%20International%20reported.%20%E2%80%9CToday%E2%80%99s%20vote%20recognizes%20that%20allowing%20the%20mass%20breeding%20of%20wild%20animals%20for%20frivolous%20fur%20fashion%20represents%20a%20risk%20to%20both%20animals%20and%20people%20that%20can%E2%80%99t%20be%20justified%20by%20the%20limited%20economic%20benefits%20it%20offers%20to%20a%20small%20minority%20of%20people%20involved%20in%20this%20cruel%20industry.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20amendment%20requires%20all%20active%20fur%20farms%20in%20Italy%20be%20closed%20by%20June%2030%2C%202022.%20It%20also%20includes%20an%20immediate%20ban%20on%20the%20breeding%20of%20mink%2C%20foxes%2C%20raccoon%20dogs%20and%20chinchillas%2C%20according%20to%20Humane%20Society%20International.%20To%20help%20ease%20the%20transition%2C%20fur%20farmers%20will%20be%20compensated%20%E2%82%AC3%20million%20by%20the%20Ministry%20of%20Agriculture%20in%202022%2C%20reported%20VegNews.%0A%0AFur%20has%20been%20falling%20out%20of%20favor%20in%20the%20fashion%20world%2C%20with%20major%20brands%20like%20GUCCI%2C%20Prada%2C%20Valentino%20and%20Versace%20banning%20the%20use%20of%20fur%20in%20their%20collections%2C%20and%20large%20retailers%20like%20Saks%20Fifth%20Avenue%20and%20Macy%E2%80%99s%20no%20longer%20selling%20it.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWith%20so%20many%20designers%2C%20retailers%2C%20and%20consumers%20going%20fur-free%2C%20conversion%20of%20fur%20farms%20offers%20people%20a%20sustainable%20future%20that%20the%20fur%20trade%20simply%20cannot%20provide%2C%E2%80%9D%20Pluda%20said%2C%20VegNews%20reported.%0A%0AFur%20farming%20also%20presents%20COVID-19%20risks%2C%20as%20many%20mink%20farms%20in%20Europe%20discovered%20the%20presence%20of%20the%20virus%20early%20in%20the%20pandemic.%20COVID-19%20outbreaks%20have%20been%20reported%20at%20465%20mink%20fur%20farms%20in%2012%20countries%2C%20including%20Italy%2C%20the%20U.S.%20and%20Canada.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIn%20thirty%20years%20of%20animal%20rights%20battle%20this%20is%20the%20best%20victory.%20Finally%2C%20a%20parliamentary%20vote%20sanctions%20the%20end%20of%20unspeakable%20suffering%20inflicted%20on%20animals%20only%20in%20the%20name%20of%20profit%20and%20vanity%2C%E2%80%9D%20remarked%20Hon.%20Michela%20Vittoria%20Brambilla%2C%20president%20of%20the%20Parliamentary%20Intergroup%20for%20Animal%20Rights%20in%20Italy%2C%20according%20to%20the%20Greek%20Reporter.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20a%20great%20achievement%2C%20which%20finally%20all%20those%20who%20love%20and%20respect%20animals%20rejoice!%E2%80%9D%20Brambilla%20added%2C%20as%20Humane%20Society%20International%20reported.

Italy to Ban Fur Farming and Shut Down Mink Farms

A%20scheme%20to%20boost%20the%20numbers%20of%20red%20squirrels%20has%20been%20awarded%20%C2%A31.1%20million%20in%20further%20funding%2C%20the%20Scottish%20Wildlife%20Trust%20(SWT)%20has%20announced.%0A%0AThe%20money%20to%20extend%20the%20Saving%20Scotland%E2%80%99s%20Red%20Squirrels%20(SSRS)%20project%20from%20April%202022%20to%20March%202024%20is%20in%20addition%20to%20%C2%A32.45%20million%20of%20lottery%20funding%20which%20was%20awarded%20in%202017.%0A%0AAn%20SWT%20spokesperson%20said%20this%20%E2%80%9Cbooster%E2%80%9D%20phase%20will%20enable%20the%20project%20to%20complete%20its%20aims%20and%20plan%20for%20the%20long-term%20future%2C%20leaving%20a%20legacy%20of%20sustainable%20and%20community-led%20red%20squirrel%20conservation%20across%20the%20south%20of%20Scotland.%0A%0ASSRS%20is%20a%20partnership%20project%20led%20by%20the%20Scottish%20Wildlife%20Trust%20and%20includes%20NatureScot%2C%20Scottish%20Forestry%2C%20Scottish%20Land%20%26%20Estates%2C%20RSPB%20Scotland%20and%20the%20Red%20Squirrel%20Survival%20Trust.%0A%0AProject%20manager%20Dr%20Mel%20Tonkin%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThanks%20to%20the%20hard%20work%20of%20our%20staff%2C%20volunteers%2C%20landowners%20and%20partners%20we%E2%80%99ve%20seen%20some%20fantastic%20success%20stories%20in%20the%20past%20five%20years.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBut%20the%20project%20has%20also%20faced%20challenges%2C%20particularly%20due%20to%20the%20impact%20of%20Covid-19.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDuring%20lockdown%20much%20of%20our%20grey%20squirrel%20control%20and%20survey%20work%20was%20suspended.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20additional%20two%20years%20will%20help%20us%20further%20secure%20the%20red%20squirrel%E2%80%99s%20place%20amongst%20Scotland%E2%80%99s%20special%20native%20wildlife.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAn%20SWT%20spokesperson%20added%20that%20grey%20squirrels%20continue%20to%20pose%20the%20greatest%20threat%20to%20red%20squirrels%20in%20Scotland.%0A%0AThey%20are%20an%20invasive%20species%20introduced%20to%20Britain%20from%20North%20America%20in%20Victorian%20times%20and%20out-compete%20reds%20for%20food%20and%20living%20space.%0A%0AGreys%20have%20rapidly%20replaced%20native%20red%20squirrel%20populations%20across%20most%20of%20England%2C%20Wales%20and%20Scotland%E2%80%99s%20Central%20Belt.%0A%0AGrey%20squirrels%20can%20also%20carry%20squirrelpox%2C%20a%20virus%20that%20does%20not%20harm%20them%20but%20is%20deadly%20to%20reds.%0A%0AIn%20the%20north-east%2C%20the%20project%20has%20worked%20towards%20the%20removal%20of%20an%20isolated%20population%20of%20grey%20squirrels%20that%20was%20introduced%20to%20Aberdeen%20in%20the%201970s%20and%20spread%20to%20the%20surrounding%20countryside.%0A%0AToday%2C%20grey%20squirrels%20are%20largely%20limited%20to%20the%20centre%20of%20the%20city%20and%20%E2%80%9Ceradication%20is%20considered%20achievable%E2%80%9D.%0A%0AIn%20the%20Central%20Lowlands%2C%20grey%20squirrels%20are%20successfully%20being%20prevented%20from%20spreading%20north%20of%20the%20Highland%20Boundary%20Line%2C%20protecting%20Scotland%E2%80%99s%20core%20red%20squirrel%20populations%20in%20the%20Highlands%20and%20Grampian.%0A%0AOngoing%20work%20in%20this%20region%20is%20essential%2C%20as%20evidenced%20by%20recent%20grey%20sightings%20in%20Aberfeldy.%0A%0AOne%20of%20the%20project%E2%80%99s%20key%20aims%20is%20to%20build%20a%20network%20of%20local%20volunteers%20in%20priority%20areas%20across%20the%20south%20of%20Scotland.%0A%0AThe%20aim%20is%20to%20upskill%20these%20volunteers%20to%20enable%20them%20to%20continue%20red%20squirrel%20conservation%20work%20after%20the%20project%20comes%20to%20an%20end.%0A%0ASince%20the%20project%20started%20there%20are%2018%20volunteer%20groups%20operating%20successfully%20across%20the%20region.%0A%0AWhilst%20some%20groups%20are%20ready%20to%20proceed%20with%20little%20further%20support%20from%20the%20project%2C%20others%20require%20further%20support%20to%20enable%20them%20to%20become%20fully%20community-led.%0A%0AScottish%20Wildlife%20Trust%20chief%20executive%20Jo%20Pike%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20delighted%20to%20have%20secured%20funding%20to%20enable%20the%20two-year%20transition%20phase%20to%20take%20place.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20strength%20of%20the%20collaboration%20between%20partners%2C%20the%20quality%20of%20the%20data%20and%20evidence%20gathering%2C%20and%20the%20extraordinary%20contribution%20from%20volunteers%20have%20all%20combined%20to%20make%20this%20a%20project%20that%20is%20rightly%20viewed%20as%20an%20exemplar%20of%20invasive%20non-native%20species%20control.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20project%20has%20also%20focused%20on%20public%20engagement%20at%20local%20and%20nationwide%20level%2C%20with%20more%20than%201%2C000%20people%20reporting%20squirrel%20sightings%20online%20as%20part%20of%20September%E2%80%99s%20third%20annual%20Great%20Scottish%20Squirrel%20Survey%20campaign.

£1.1m ‘booster’ for campaign to save red squirrels

The%20Dutch%20government%20has%20unveiled%20a%20%E2%82%AC25bn%20(%C2%A321bn)%20plan%20to%20radically%20reduce%20the%20number%20of%20livestock%20in%20the%20country%20as%20it%20struggles%20to%20contain%20an%20overload%20of%20animal%20manure.%0A%0AA%20deal%20to%20buy%20out%20farmers%20to%20try%20to%20reduce%20levels%20of%20nitrogen%20pollution%20in%20the%20country%20had%20been%20mooted%20for%20some%20time%2C%20and%20was%20finally%20confirmed%20after%20the%20agreement%20of%20a%20new%20coalition%20government%20in%20the%20Netherlands%20earlier%20this%20week.%0A%0ABut%20the%20plan%2C%20the%20first%20of%20its%20kind%20in%20the%20world%2C%20faces%20a%20huge%20backlash%20from%20farmers%20who%20have%20staged%20big%20street%20protests%20in%20recent%20years%20over%20the%20prospect%20of%20tough%20regulation%20and%20farmer%20buyouts.%20They%20fear%20permanent%20damage%20to%20food%20production%20in%20the%20country%20if%20too%20many%20farmers%20are%20forced%20to%20quit.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20don%E2%80%99t%20want%20the%20system%20to%20collapse%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Utrecht%20dairy%20farmer%20Marije%20Klever%2C%20from%20the%20Dutch%20young%20farmers%E2%80%99%20union.%20She%20said%20farmers%20would%20oppose%20any%20nonvoluntary%20measures.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CI%20am%20a%20land%20owner%2C%20so%20a%20critical%20question%20is%20whether%20the%20government%20are%20allowed%20to%20push%20farmers%20out%20of%20the%20land.%20It%20can%E2%80%99t%20be%20The%20Hague%20telling%20farmers%20they%20must%20go%2C%20you%20need%20an%20agreement.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWhile%20being%20lauded%20internationally%20as%20the%20%E2%80%9Ctiny%20country%20that%20feeds%20the%20world%E2%80%9D%20and%20the%20continent%E2%80%99s%20biggest%20meat%20exporter%2C%20the%20Netherlands%20has%20been%20struggling%20at%20home%20with%20a%20pollution%20crisis%20caused%20by%20an%20excess%20of%20farm%20animals.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%E2%80%99t%20be%20the%20tiny%20country%20that%20feeds%20the%20world%20if%20we%20shit%20ourselves%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20MP%20Tjeerd%20de%20Groot%2C%20from%20the%20Democrats%2066%20party%2C%20which%20is%20part%20of%20the%20coalition%20government%20in%20the%20Netherlands.%0A%0AThe%20country%20has%20the%20highest%20density%20of%20livestock%20in%20Europe%20%E2%80%93%20more%20than%20four%20times%20that%20of%20the%20UK%20or%20France%20%E2%80%93%20with%20more%20than%20100%20million%20cattle%2C%20chickens%20and%20pigs%20in%20total.%0A%0AThe%20animals%20produce%20manure%20which%2C%20when%20mixed%20with%20urine%2C%20releases%20ammonia%2C%20a%20nitrogen%20compound.%20If%20it%20gets%20into%20lakes%20and%20streams%20via%20farm%20runoff%2C%20excessive%20nitrogen%20can%20damage%20sensitive%20natural%20habitats.%0A%0AThe%20highest%20Dutch%20administrative%20court%20found%20in%202019%20that%20the%20government%20was%20breaking%20EU%20law%20by%20not%20doing%20enough%20to%20reduce%20excess%20nitrogen%20in%20vulnerable%20natural%20areas%2C%20due%20to%20farming%20and%20industrial%20activities.%0A%0AAdvertisement%0A%0AThe%2013-year%20multibillion-euro%20plan%2C%20published%20today%2C%20includes%20paying%20some%20Dutch%20livestock%20farmers%20to%20relocate%20or%20exit%20the%20industry%2C%20and%20helping%20others%20transition%20to%20more%20extensive%20(as%20opposed%20to%20intensive)%20methods%20of%20farming%2C%20with%20fewer%20animals%20and%20a%20bigger%20area%20of%20land.%0A%0AIt%20will%20start%20as%20a%20voluntary%20programme%2C%20with%20compensation%20offered%20to%20livestock%20farmers%20asked%20to%20leave.%20%E2%80%9CIn%20the%20end%2C%20it%20might%20be%20necessary%20to%20stop%20negotiating%20as%20a%20last%20resort%2C%20but%20the%20basis%20is%20voluntary%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20de%20Groot.%0A%0AThe%20end%20result%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20close%20to%20a%20one-third%20reduction%20in%20the%20numbers%20of%20pigs%2C%20cows%20and%20chickens%20in%20the%20country.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20don%E2%80%99t%20have%20to%20feed%20the%20world%2C%20but%20we%20could%20show%20how%20to%20do%20it%20in%20a%20more%20sustainable%20way%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20organic%20dairy%20farmer%20Jaring%20Brunia%2C%20from%20Friesland%20in%20the%20north%20of%20the%20country.%0A%0ABut%20farming%20groups%20said%20they%20would%20only%20accept%20voluntary%20measures%20and%20want%20time%20to%20reduce%20emissions%20through%20technological%20innovations.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCars%20were%20very%20polluting%20but%20they%20had%20a%20chance%20to%20make%20cars%20less%20polluting%20with%20innovation.%20That%20is%20what%20we%20want%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20MP%20Caroline%20van%20der%20Plas%2C%20founder%20of%20the%20Dutch%20farmers%20party%20BoerBurgerBeweging%20(BBB).%0A%0ASupport%20for%20her%20party%20in%20rural%20communities%20has%20soared%20since%20it%20was%20founded%20two%20years%20ago%2C%20as%20farmers%20told%20the%20Guardian%20they%20felt%20sidelined%20by%20politicians.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CFor%20my%20son%2C%20where%20can%20he%20find%20a%20living%20and%20know%20what%20will%20be%20allowed%20in%2010%20years%3F%20We%20are%20known%20as%20the%20best%20farmers%20in%20the%20world%20for%20our%20innovation%2C%20but%20if%20you%20push%20us%20all%20away%20we%20will%20have%20less%20innovative%20power.%20We%20need%20some%20positivity%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Erik%20Stegink%2C%20a%20pig%20farmer%20in%20Bathmen%2C%20in%20the%20east%20of%20the%20country.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20problem%20does%20not%20go%20away%20when%20I%20go%20away%2C%20it%20goes%20to%20another%20country%2C%E2%80%9D%20added%20dairy%20farmer%20Geertjan%20Kloosterboer%2C%20who%20said%20farmers%20were%20ready%20to%20protest%20on%20the%20streets%20again%20against%20the%20measures.%0A%0AAdvertisement%0A%0ASome%20farmers%20appeared%20more%20resigned%20to%20the%20changes%2C%20saying%20there%20was%20no%20future%20for%20intensive%20farming%20in%20the%20densely%20populated%20Netherlands.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20farm%20in%20the%20back%20yards%20of%20the%20city%20and%20everything%20is%20watched%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20dairy%20farmer%20Heleen%20Lansink-Marissen%2C%20from%20Haaksbergen%20in%20eastern%20Netherlands.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%E2%80%99t%20fight%20for%20the%20past.%20We%20need%20a%20plan%20for%20the%20future%20and%20how%20to%20make%20money%20through%20biodiversity%2C%20carbon%20offsetting%20and%20a%20little%20bit%20less%20milk%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20added.%0A%0ADe%20Groot%2C%20who%20has%20previously%20called%20for%20a%20halving%20of%20livestock%20numbers%20in%20the%20Netherlands%2C%20said%20the%20government%20had%20dithered%20for%20too%20long%20on%20dealing%20with%20the%20nitrogen%20crisis.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20message%20now%20is%20that%20this%20needs%20to%20be%20fixed%2C%20no%20matter%20what%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20to%20move%20away%20from%20the%20low-cost%20model%20of%20food%20production.%20This%20industry%20is%20causing%20damage%20to%20the%20farmers%E2%80%99%20business%20model%20and%20the%20environment.%20It%E2%80%99s%20time%20to%20restore%20nature%2C%20climate%20and%20air%2C%20and%20in%20some%20areas%20that%20may%20mean%20there%20is%20no%20more%20place%20for%20intensive%20farmers%20there.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ABrunia%20said%20many%20farmers%20wanted%20to%20change%2C%20but%20were%20locked%20into%20intensive%20systems%20with%20a%20lot%20of%20animals%20and%20debts%20to%20pay.%20He%20urged%20the%20government%20to%20spend%20money%20on%20helping%20all%20farmers%20transition%2C%20rather%20than%20for%20just%20a%20few%20to%20quit.%0A%0APigs%20rooting%20around%20in%20a%20muddy%20field%20next%20%20to%20Schiphol%E2%80%99s%20runways%0APig%20patrol%3A%20Amsterdam%20airport%E2%80%99s%20innovative%20approach%20to%20flight%20safety%0ARead%20more%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20used%20to%20pumping%20around%20a%20lot%20of%20money%2C%20milk%20and%20poo%2C%20but%20what%20is%20good%20for%20economics%20is%20not%20good%20for%20the%20Earth%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Brunia.%0A%0AThe%20Netherlands%20is%20not%20the%20only%20country%20in%20Europe%20facing%20a%20crisis%20over%20livestock%20emissions%2C%20with%20observers%20suggesting%20Denmark%2C%20Belgium%20and%20Germany%20may%20soon%20have%20to%20consider%20similar%20action.%0A%0AThe%20UK%20is%20reportedly%20on%20track%20to%20miss%20its%20own%202020%20ammonia%20emissions%20reductions%20target%20by%2020%25%20and%20is%20likely%20to%20face%20legal%20challenges%20from%20environmental%20health%20campaigners.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20been%20very%20good%20at%20feeding%20the%20world%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Derk%20Boswijk%2C%20a%20Christian%20Democrats%20party%20MP%20and%20spokesperson%20for%20agriculture.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20be%20proud.%20But%20it%20didn%E2%80%99t%20work%20out%20for%20us%2C%20so%20we%20have%20to%20change.%20I%20hope%20other%20countries%20will%20learn%20from%20what%20we%20have%20done%20wrong.%E2%80%9D

Netherlands radically reduce livestock numbers

A%20new%20animal%20welfare%20law%20in%20the%20UK%20may%20soon%20recognize%20decapods%2C%20like%20lobsters%20and%20crabs%2C%20and%20cephalopods%2C%20like%20octopi%2C%20as%20sentient%20beings.%20The%20classification%20means%20that%20the%20government%20would%20officially%20recognize%20that%20these%20animals%20feel%20pain.%0AThis%20distinction%20will%20then%20need%20to%20be%20considered%20in%20future%20policymaking%20decisions.%0A%0AThe%20proposal%20is%20an%20extension%20to%20the%20UK's%20existing%20Animal%20Welfare%20(Sentience)%20Bill%2C%20which%20originally%20categorizes%20all%20animals%20with%20backbones%20as%20sentient%20creatures.%20The%20new%20additions%20for%20decapods%20and%20cephalopods%20would%20add%20several%20invertebrates%20to%20the%20law%2C%20including%20lobsters%2C%20crab%2C%20shrimp%2C%20octopi%2C%20and%20squid%2C%20all%20of%20which%20are%20often%20caught%20and%20slaughtered%20brutally%20for%20consumption.%0A%0AThere%20will%20be%20no%20immediate%20effect%20on%20current%20industry%20practices%20or%20restaurant%20kitchens%20should%20the%20bill%20pass%2C%20but%20it%20does%20set%20the%20stage%20to%20create%20new%20laws%20and%20protections%20for%20these%20animals.%20For%20example%2C%20it%20could%20prohibit%20the%20act%20of%20boiling%20lobsters%20alive%20%E2%80%94%20common%20in%20cooking%20%E2%80%94%20because%20of%20their%20ability%20to%20feel%20pain%20and%20suffering.%20Switzerland%2C%20Norway%2C%20and%20New%20Zealand%20already%20ban%20this%20practice.%20It%20may%20also%20introduce%20more%20humane%20ways%20of%20capturing%20the%20animals.%0A%0AA%20recent%20report%20from%20the%20London%20School%20of%20Economics%20found%20evidence%20of%20sentience%20in%20decapods%20and%20cephalopods%20through%20analysis%20of%20more%20than%20300%20studies.%20The%20researchers%20used%20eight%20criteria%20for%20determining%20likelihood%20of%20sentience%2C%20such%20as%20possession%20of%20nociceptors%2C%20responses%20to%20anaesthetics%20or%20analgesics%2C%20and%20whether%20or%20not%20the%20animals%20exhibited%20self-protecting%20tactics%20when%20injured%20or%20threatened.%20The%20authors%20found%20it%20very%20likely%20for%20these%20creatures%20to%20feel%20pain.%0A%0A%22In%20the%20light%20of%20these%20evaluations%2C%20the%20authors%20make%20a%20strong%20recommendation%20that%20all%20cephalopod%20molluscs%20and%20decapod%20crustaceans%20should%20be%20regarded%20as%20sentient%20animals%20for%20the%20purposes%20of%20UK%20animal%20welfare%20law%2C%22%20Nicola%20S.%20Clayton%2C%20professor%20of%20comparative%20cognition%20at%20University%20of%20Cambridge%2C%20said%20in%20the%20report.%20%22They%20recommend%20against%20declawing%2C%20nicking%2C%20eyestalk%20ablation%20and%20the%20sale%20of%20live%20decapod%20crustaceans%20to%20untrained%2C%20non-expert%20handlers%2C%20and%20they%20include%20suggestions%20for%20best%20practices%20for%20transport%2C%20stunning%20and%20slaughter.%22%0A%0AThe%20government%20responded%20with%20a%20proposed%20expansion%20of%20the%20Animal%20Welfare%20Bill%20to%20include%20cephalopods%20and%20decapods.%20The%20proposal%20is%20currently%20making%20its%20way%20through%20the%20UK%20Parliament's%20House%20of%20Lords%2C%20then%20it%20will%20move%20to%20the%20House%20of%20Commons.%0A%0A%0A%22The%20UK%20has%20always%20led%20the%20way%20on%20animal%20welfare%20and%20our%20Action%20Plan%20for%20Animal%20Welfare%20goes%20even%20further%20by%20setting%20out%20our%20plans%20to%20bring%20in%20some%20of%20the%20strongest%20protections%20in%20the%20world%20for%20pets%2C%20livestock%20and%20wild%20animals%2C%22%20Animal%20Welfare%20Minister%20Lord%20Zac%20Goldsmith%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release.%20%22The%20Animal%20Welfare%20Sentience%20Bill%20provides%20a%20crucial%20assurance%20that%20animal%20wellbeing%20is%20rightly%20considered%20when%20developing%20new%20laws.%20The%20science%20is%20now%20clear%20that%20decapods%20and%20cephalopods%20can%20feel%20pain%20and%20therefore%20it%20is%20only%20right%20they%20are%20covered%20by%20this%20vital%20piece%20of%20legislation.