​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-sweden-shuts-down-the-mink-industry-in-2021-to-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19/

Following Denmark's announcement that they were banning mink fur farming until the end of 2021, Sweden has announced similar plans in an effort to curb covid-19, after outbreaks affected 12 fur farms across the nation. The ban will affect breeding of mink, but farmers are permitted to keep the mink they currently have. 

While animal advocacy groups are applauding this decision as a sign that the mink fur-farming industry is over with, I believe it is too early to tell. There has been overwhelming evidence over the years of the cruelty fur-farmed animals endure during their brief lives and nothing stopped the industry. There has been undercover investigations that have turned up serious instances of cruelty and yet the industry not only survived, but continued to thrive despite continued public support for a ban on fur farming. While this particular situation and its magnitude would probably be the biggest hurdle the fur industry has faced thus far, their resilience in the past has proven to be quite frustrating.

What I truly hope comes from this is the recognizance that the fur-farming industry is incredibly feeble and can really be a breeding ground for disease and virus transmission. We learned that mink not only caught the virus, but mutated it and transmitted it back to humans rapidly. We learned that the only solution to protecting humans was to cull 15 million living creatures rapidly. Knowing all of this and recognizing that they would be starting from square one, I'm really hoping that this is an eye-opening experience. I'm hoping that every country across the globe that continues to participate in fur-farming sees this as a sign that we must end this barbaric industry once and for all.

So much money and so many innocent lives were lost this year because of the covid pandemic. What kind of a guarantee is there truly that this will never occur again? What will we have learned if we witness this kind of devastation within the industry again? My thoughts are that the industry needs to cut their losses and look for grants and subsidies to transfer over to other eco-friendly farming opportunities. As I said, more and more people are expressing their discontent over the fur industry and I can only see this increasing as time goes on. This is an opportunity to cut ties with an industry that has profited off of the suffering of animals that are bred for nothing more than fur trims.

What do you guys think? Is this truly the end of fur, or is there still a fight to be fought?

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/urgent-action-needed-to-support-newly-introduced-bill-that-would-ban-sport-hunting-of-black-bears-in-california/

Democratic Senator Scott Wiener introduced the "Bear Protection Act", a bill that would effectively ban the sport hunting of black bears throughout California. The bill is sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States and supported by 62% of Californians surveyed who would like to see black bears protected from sport hunting.

If the bill passes, it will effectively end the "sport" hunting of black bears throughout the state but would still allow slaughter of black bears if;

• there is a livestock conflict or human safety concern
• there is an endangered species at risk
• there is potential risk of property damage
• for scientific purposes

California has currently banned the use of hounds for hunting of bears and bobcats, the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats, and recreational trapping of wildlife. If they pass this bill to ban the sport hunting of black bears, they will be the first state in the nation to do so, once again setting the bar high for other states and their animal welfare laws. 

As I mentioned earlier in this post, there were millions and millions of every single species that is now facing extinction. Millions of elephants, lions, jaguars, snow leopards etc., and humans have contributed to all of their perils leading to endangerment. You see, while there may be a plentiful amount of black bears now, if we don't address the perils they are quite obviously facing, their numbers will undoubtedly drop. History has shown us what our actions have done to animal populations across the globe, can we truly be so naïve to think that black bears are any kind of exception? Do we honestly believe that our actions will not catch up to us at some point and black bears will suddenly disappear?

We have to stop permitting the hunting of wild animals for sport. Regardless of the species and how plentiful their populations are, if we're running around shooting and killing them at will while they continue to face habitat loss due to wildfires, how long do we expect that their population will remain healthy? We have to stop contributing to the perils wild animals face in the wild when they are already up against unprecedented challenges. As I said, every single animal on our planet was at one point plentiful until we pushed them to near extinction.

This bill must pass. Black bears contribute to a healthy ecosystem and if we continue to slaughter them for sport, we are manipulating an ecosystem that will have adverse effects on the remaining wildlife. We know this, we've seen what we've done to Africa's wild animals. Enough is enough here folks, stop the killing for sport and funnel some of that energy and aggression into protecting our planet's most vulnerable before they disappear forever.

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-court-rules-that-the-last-seven-critically-endangered-captive-red-wolves-must-be-released-into-the-wild/

A court ruled that the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services must develop a plan by March 1, 2021, to resume it's successful red wolf reintroduction plan. The longstanding and once successful practice of breeding red wolves in captivity and releasing them into the Red Wolf Reintroduction area in north Carolina was determined to be detrimental as red wolf populations in the wild are at a critically low 7 individuals. This comes after repeated lawsuits from Conservation & Animal Welfare organizations to force the U.S> Fish & Wildlife Services to act before it's too late.

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services often seems to be working against its own motives. The USFWS is designed to manage wildlife populations and yet we are looking at the decimation of red wolves while they await lawsuit after lawsuit, prompting them to act. I have absolutely no faith in this organization any longer, after 6 years of reporting on animal welfare, I don't see the USFWS truly having the survival of endangered species as a priority. They've been caught pandering to the livestock industry at the expense of endangered or vulnerable animals, failing to offer protections to species that are so very clearly on the path to extinction, and have such a slow moving, lackluster approach to wildlife management, even in the face of eventual extinction. 

My only hope is that it is not too late for red wolves. While there may be captive ones ready to be released, it's clear through the post that this was done before. While it may have been successful, it's also clear that the USFWS failed red wolves by allowing their populations to once again dip to a dangerously low level. This forced reintroduction must be followed up regularly to ensure that red wolves have a fighting chance at survival. Time is of the essence when we're discussing extinction, and the USFWS must act aggressively and swiftly if they intend to actually help red wolves before it's too late.

HAPPY VEG

​www.bloomberg.com/news/videos/2021-01-20/scientists-sound-alarm-on-global-drop-in-animal-population-video

A new report that surveyed approximately 4, 392 species, determined that our planet's population of animals has nose dived by 68% in the past 50 years. This alarming revelation also made it abundantly clear that if we do not make drastic changes, this trend will continue until we witness the mass extinction of our planet's most beloved species.

Among the most disastrous issues plaguing our planet;

• OVERFISHING - Unsustainable fishing is destroying the ocean's wildlife. Not only do the targeted fish get trapped in these nets, but endangered species like tortoises, cetaceans, and sharks end up tangled in these nets, ultimately dying. Our rapid decimation of the ocean's resources will have an irreversible effect on the remaining underwater wildlife.
• INVASIVE SPECIES - When people own exotic pets that inevitably end up discarded in the wild, it causes disastrous effects on the species that inhabit that ecosystem. All it takes is one species that doesn't belong to truly disrupt the balance of a healthy ecosystem. 
• CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT - Our continued growth and expansion is taking away much needed land from imperiled species. If we continue to grow this rapidly, we will help along the extinction of some of our planet's most in danger species. It is not only our continued growth in terms of population, but our continued growth of animal agriculture which not only takes massive amounts of land and resources from wild animals, but causes wildlife / livestock conflicts that result in wildlife slaughter.
• CLIMATE CHANGE - We cannot deny that our planet is warming and with that, brings disastrous results to wildlife. If our planet continues on down this path of continued rising in temperatures, arctic wildlife will be put further in danger of extinction. Without arctic sea ice, polar bears will continue to be fragmented and forced to look further in land for resources, causing continued human conflict. Climate change is furthering along the decimation of our forests and rainforests as well with a noted increase in devastating forest fires. 
• OVER HUNTING - There are so many examples of species that humans have hunted to extinction. Whether it's hunting for food, sport hunting, or trophy hunting, we are talking about the continued slaughter of our planet's wildlife. We are in the middle of an extinction crisis and yet hunting continues to be permitted and celebrated despite evidence that we are destroying our planet's wildlife. 

We must immediately start to designate more of our land as conservation / protected lands. We must address the overfishing and overhunting of our planet's wildlife. We have the stats, we know they're dying off, we must do something about it. 

When it comes to extinction, we're talking permanent. There's no going back from the extinction of our planet's most recognized and imperiled species. Time is of the essence and we have no time to waste in protecting our planet from inevitable disaster. 

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-wan-talks-to-conservation-nonprofit-after-judge-blocks-los-angeles-development-that-would-have-threatened-local-mountain-lions/

An LA Judge denied a proposed 1, 300 acre Northlake development, stating that there weren't less environmentally harmful proposals considered through reviews. The development would have seen 3.5 miles of Grasshopper Creek levelled, a pristine stream that flows into California's last free-flowing river. The proposal would have put local wildlife like Western Spadefoot Toads and Mountain Lions in further danger of extinction, among other perils contributed by this development. 

The original proposal was drafted in 1992 and according to Dan Silver, Executive Director of the Endangered Habitats League, was poorly planned at the time. Against today's environmental concerns and the fact that we are in the throws of an extinction crisis, the proposal was especially negligent to the perils of wildlife in California. 

Dan Silver, Executive Director of the Endangered Habitats League

Every single species is crucial to another species' survival in an ecosystem. Every animal, plant, and insect, contributes to the healthy balance of an ecosystem. When we start manipulating these ecosystems through development, we set in motion a downward spiral of events that lead to perils for local wildlife. Without mountain lions, prey animals become abundant which leads to excessive plant and fauna consumption, disrupting the natural balance. An ecosystem is designed to cater to all species and when that balance is disrupted, the inevitable outcome is that species suffer to the point of extinction.

I'm grateful that this proposal was denied. I'm grateful that the judge was able to recognize the serious environmental impacts of this development. Sadly, this is not always the case. We must continue to speak out against developments that put our planet's species at risk of extinction. We must call out the greed of these organizations who would destroy a habitat for human gain. We are in the midst of an extinction crisis and all roads lead back to us. Every decision we make regarding this planet is contributing to the decline of our planet's health. We need everyone on board with the importance of conservation and protecting lands where endangered animals are trying to survive. 

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/135-groups-call-on-president-elect-joe-biden-to-sign-an-executive-order-declaring-the-end-extinction-crisis-a-national-emergency/

President-elect Joe Biden is being presented with an Executive Order that would declare the extinction crisis a National Emergency. This order would give Biden the power to take aggressive action to protect imperiled wildlife and the environment without really needing congress' approval under the National Emergency Act. According to a recent study by the International Union For the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), it is estimated that 27% of the world's evaluated species face the possibility of extinction if extreme and stringent measures are not taken immediately.

While I am unsure of the full scale of the executive order and exactly what it would entail, one thing missing from this order that needs to be addressed, is the legal slaughter of wild animals that are in danger of extinction. Trophy Hunting, the single most disrespectful and manipulative activity plaguing our planet's endangered species. Why are we catering to hunters who need the thrill of stalking and slaughtering the most beautiful animals on our planet while crying out that those very animals are facing extinction? The stench of hypocrisy is overwhelming here and has been for as long as we've known that these animals have faced increasing perils in the wild.

Trophy hunting must be banned. They aren't shooting deer, they're shooting and killing giraffes, leopards, lions, elephants etc, animals that are in grave danger of extinction. Why are we allowing the import of trophies from endangered animals? Even more so, why are we continuing to allow trophy hunting at all? What justification can we honestly have for allowing such an atrocity to continue when we have enough information to know that these animals are in trouble. It sickens me that having enough money will buy you the right to put a bullet in the head of an animal that is in grave danger of extinction.

This Executive Order must be signed by President-Elect Joe Biden. As I stated, we need aggressive action to protect our planet's most imperiled species. These animals don't have time for us to vote on whether they deserve to be protected, they need protections now. If we do not move forward with ambitious and immediate action to protect endangered species, we will undoubtedly see the extinction of some of our planet's most beloved and recognized species.

HAPPY VEG

​www.msn.com/en-ca/news/science/b-c-mink-farmer-decides-to-destroy-1-000-animals-after-positive-covid-19-tests/ar-BB1cv13a?li=AAggXBV

A second mink fur farm in British Columbia Canada, has made the decision to euthanize the remaining 1, 000 mink on the farm after a continued outbreak of the coronavirus. Although the Fraser Valley breeder was not instructed to do so, the decision was made after several mink had tested positive for the virus. This is the second fur farm in British Columbia experiencing an outbreak in a string of fur farms across the globe euthanizing mink after outbreaks. 

The worst of these outbreaks occurred in Denmark, Europe's top producer of mink fur. After a mutated form of the virus was discovered in mink, the decision was swift to euthanize over 15 million mink, decimating the mink fur industry in the country. It also lead to a complete ban on mink fur-farming until the end of 2021, dashing any hopes of rebuilding the industry immediately. Complications from the mass euthanizing and burial of mink have caused serious environmental concerns among other issues. These decision to euthanize were hurried to protect humans but never once took into consideration the devastation the mink themselves endured.

We cannot overlook the facts in this situation, and that is that these fur farms are a cesspool for virus development and transmission. Outbreak after outbreak demonstrates a clear flaw in the industry, one that puts both mink and humans at risk of serious illness. How can we ignore that these fur farms are being ravaged by this virus? How can we ignore that there is a possibility that this could happen again? While this pandemic has been one of a kind in my lifetime, it doesn't mean it won't happen again and when it does, mink fur-farms will feel the effects.

We need to take this as a learning experience, one that hopefully opens our eyes to the dangers of the fur-farming industry and complete lack of necessity for fur. Millions of dollars and millions of mink were lost this year, this should be what motivates us moving forward to end mink fur-farming once and for all. The resources needed to rebuild an industry that has suffered so tremendously because of this pandemic will be astronomical. We need to look at how quickly this industry can be taken down and recognize that not only is it unnecessary, but it's a financial risk to continue. Funnel the resources intended to rebuild the industry to other farming initiatives and end fur-farming. 

We have enough evidence now to know better. We have enough proof that mink fur-farming is dangerous and frankly, a ticking time-bomb. We now know the potential for disaster and just how devastating that can be. We have to learn from this and recognize that we must ban fur-farming or we will undoubtedly see this happen again and the mink will be the ones who suffer the most. If we rebuild this industry after the devastation it endured, we deserve every horrible outcome that comes our way because of it.

HAPPY VEG

California's wildlife will be protected from the unnecessary toxic effects of rodenticides after a law heavily restricting them came into effect as of January 1st, 2021. The law heavily restricts the use of anticoagulant rodenticides and tasks state regulators with managing threats to non-target animals before any restrictions would be lifted on these rodenticides. This law will hopefully help to protect the many non-target animals that have endured the toxic effects of these rodenticides despite being unintended targets.

“Anticoagulants kill the very wildlife that help us control rats and mice. California is taking a giant step to reduce secondary poisoning and towards a sustainable public health solution,” said Lisa Owens Viani, Director of Raptors Are the Solution

Rodenticides are ineffective, indiscriminate, and extremely dangerous. When you consider that there are so many options available for managing rodent populations, there is simply no excuse for the continued allowance of rodenticides. As a quote earlier in this post pointed out, these rodenticides are killing the wildlife that is responsible for managing the rodent population which ultimately means they are working against their purpose. This in itself is proof that rodenticides are incredibly inefficient the ban is appropriate given the circumstances.

As I stated, rodenticides are dangerous, ineffective, and are killing wildlife that are necessary for a healthy, balanced ecosystem. California has made the right decision in heavily restricting these poisons. What we need now is a ban on these poisons across the board. It's time for a blanket ban on rodenticides.

HAPPY VEG

New year, 365 new opportunities to make improvements for animals across the globe. In 2020, we have seen wild animals in circus' banned in various countries across the globe, oil drilling in the arctic denied, and various undercover investigations turning up abuse at slaughterhouses. These have all been reasons for us to celebrate animal welfare in 2020, but there is still so much more work to do. 

Here are 5 things that in my opinion, need to be addressed and done away with in 2021 if we are truly going to commit to animal welfare across the globe.