​worldanimalnews.com/urgent-action-needed-as-botswana-plans-to-allow-the-hunting-of-287-elephants-at-the-beginning-of-april-after-species-is-listed-as-critically-endangered/

African forest elephant populations have dipped 86% over the last 31 years and they are listed as critically endangered. African savanna elephant populations have dropped 61% in the last 50 years and they are listed as endangered on the endangered species list. Knowing this, Botswana has announced its plans to issue 100 elephant hunting licenses on top of the 187 issued last year. This means that 287 elephants will be shot and killed for sport despite being listed as endangered. 

Unfortunately, these auctions likely bring in revenue that these government's deem essential. The problem I think they are neglecting to address, is the fact that elephants are headed towards extinction. What exactly do these country's plan to do when they've helped along the extinction of elephants? What will they do when there's no longer auctions to slaughter elephants that generate revenue? What will they do when trophy hunters stop flying in from all over the world to put a bullet in an elephant? What will they do when safari tourism no longer exists because they've decimated elephants? I don't believe they've considered the long term effects of continuing to allow the slaughter of elephants.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that they don't even fully comprehend the seriousness of the situation in Africa. Lions, giraffes, pangolins, leopards, cheetahs, elephants, rhinos etc., much of their most recognized and beloved animals are facing the possibility of extinction. These animals are headed towards extinction and it can be directly linked back to humans. Whether we're talking about legal hunting opportunities or the illegal poaching that continues to run rampant, these animals are in serious danger of disappearing from the wild. It's definitely a contradictory message to what conservationists and animal welfare groups across the world are fighting for. Unfortunately, it's money that fuels these decisions but as I said, what will they do when there are no more elephants to profit off of?

Unless we have global cooperation in protecting and conserving our planet's most vulnerable species, they will go extinct. This is especially the case when the country's these animals inhabit are actively working against their survival. Elephants are on track to be extinct within the next 60 years at most unless we stop the killing and effectively tackle illegal poaching. As I said earlier in the post, numbers don't lie and the numbers are telling us that elephants are disappearing. These nations can argue in defense of their wildlife management tactics but the fact is, elephants along with many other beloved species are on track towards extinction. Those are facts. We are failing unless we are collectively fighting for the same thing and these animals are the continued victims of our mixed messaging.

HAPPY VEG

​www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/the-perils-of-wandering-wolves-m2001-a-lone-male-from-banff-shot-dead-by-montana-hunter/ar-BB1eViJs?li=AAggFp4

A Canadian wolf made it's way to Montana, leaving its pack in search of new opportunities, and was met with bullets by a hunter who legally ended the wolf's life. The story I linked tells the story of this wolf and also details what dangers lie in store for wolves that leave their packs & the protection of National Parks. There is however, a much bigger picture here and it starts and ends with our continued slaughter of the planet's predatory animals.

Some of us hunt to feed our families. Some of us may hunt to protect our families from danger. A lot of us however, hunt for sport. The animals we hunt are often the planet's predators, the ones responsible for maintaining the healthy balance of every ecosystem on this planet. Wolves, lions, tigers, coyotes, foxes, bears, leopards, etc., these animals are a necessary part of the circle of life. Without predatory animals, herbivorous animals will undoubtedly become abundant. With that abundance, comes the destruction of the ecosystems they inhabit. More plant-eating animals means more plants required to be consumed. If we are not actively contributing food through planting initiatives, these animals will decimate their own habitat. Knowing this however, we as humans know exactly when it is our responsibility to cull these animals to protect our environment. Once again, playing "God".

I'd love to be optimistic and say that we are learning, that we are slowly coming around to the damage that we are doing, but I don't believe that enough of us on this planet are truly coming around. I look to the recent slaughter of grey wolves in Wisconsin. Grey wolves had only been delisted from the Endangered Species Act for less than 2 months before the state of Wisconsin happily moved forward with a wolf hunt, ending the lives of 216 individuals. It's almost as though we are waiting on bait and hook for our opportunity to kill, without any regard for the well-being or survival of a species. History has sadly demonstrated that we are nowhere near ready to be accountable for our planet and the decisions we make that affect it.

I worry for the future of our animals. Have we manipulated the planet to such an extent that there is no going back?

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-six-lions-are-tragically-found-dead-of-suspected-poisoning-in-queen-elizabeth-national-park-in-uganda/

6 lions were found dead in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park, leading authorities to arrest 4 people for the poisonings. After being apprehended, the suspects brought the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) to the location of where they hid three of the lion heads and a fourth buried nearby. There were also 15 legs discovered severed under the same tree. Along with the severed body parts, the UWA discovered lion fat oil, hunting tools, and a chemical substance known as Furadan. The suspects are currently awaiting trial and will hopefully see lengthy prison sentences.

This story shows us that we need global cooperation when it comes to conservation if we are truly going to prevent the extinction of so many of Africa's most recognizable and beloved species. Despite all of the tireless work of anti-poaching units, conservation organizations, and animal advocacy groups, lions continue to plunge towards extinction. What motivation could someone have for poisoning and dismembering lions? My only thought would be that they were selling the body parts on the black market but that's simply speculation. You see, there must be some kind of monetary motivation to slaughter endangered animals which is why poachers often risk their lives to slaughter these animals. The reward outweighs the risks associated with poaching which is why lions continue to be in grave danger of extinction.

As I've said many times before, extinction is finite. We are on track to potentially cause the extinction of lions in the wild within the next 40 years. We are on track to witness the extinction of giraffes within the next 30 years, elephants within the next 60. We need to do more and funnel more resources into protecting these beautiful animals because what we're currently doing is not enough. 20, 000 lions remaining in the wild tells us the situation is grave and we must act aggressively because if not, lions will undoubtedly go extinct in my lifetime.

HAPPY VEG

All of these comments have been hurled at me through social media platforms when I've been advocating for animals. When I first started getting attacked, I didn't know how to react and would get very angry and defensive because naturally, nobody likes to be insulted or threatened. However, I've come to learn that retaliation is the last thing we should ever be considering when these sorts of comments are used against us. You see, someone hiding behind their screen is untouchable in their own eyes, they feel empowered by tearing others down and there is no opportunity for a healthy discussion on your topic. To debate with someone like this will only result in further aggression, which leads to continued name calling and threatening. I've learned that it is best to walk away from these conversations, however difficult that may be.

There are a million factors at play when considering why someone is so eager to tear someone down who advocates for change. Are they simply having a bad day or did something I say trigger that kind of a response in them? Well, if you're being hit with any of the comments you saw at the top of this post, this person is incredibly defensive, stubborn, and unwilling to see any other side of a story besides their own. Through our advocating, they feel immediately attacked and this motivates them to become aggressive. Did I say anything personally derogatory? No, but because this person let's say, consumes the meat I'm advocating that we should be cutting from our diets...this is a perceived personal attack which I suppose gives them the justification for reacting so negatively. 

People who have feelings of guilt will become aggressive. If someone feels even an ounce of guilt over something that you're advocating for, they take it quite personally and will retaliate. People who feel bombarded with "propaganda" surrounding animal welfare or animal rights will immediately feel personally attacked, resulting in retaliation. You see, these sorts of people aren't interested in discussing anything, they're triggered and waiting for the right person to pounce on. That's why I've learned it's best to simply walk away. Save your words and resources for someone out there who is willing to have an actual debate, someone who is perhaps open-minded enough to receive your message in a positive way. As time goes on, you'll recognize the difference between those who want to discuss, and those who want to demean you.

What I want the main takeaway to be from this is that you will be attacked. You will be insulted, demeaned, harassed, and threatened by people sitting behind their computer screens. The only approach to animal welfare or conservation is through kindness and being informative. Fighting for compassion towards animals involves being compassionate even to those who are ready to attack you; and although it is incredibly difficult sometimes to brush off these comments, it is the only way to stick to your message of compassion.

Don't ever let negative comments bring you down. There are always going to be challenges when you're advocating for change, so be proud of what you're fighting for and stand tall, even as negativity is hurled at you from every direction. If you can reach even one person with your message, it's a job well done.

With love,

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-virginia-becomes-the-fourth-state-in-the-u-s-to-end-the-sale-of-cosmetics-tested-on-animals/

Virginia has officially become the 4th US State to ban the sale of cosmetics tested on animals. The Humane Cosmetics Act will come into effect beginning in 2022 and will impose civil penalties of $5, 000 with an additional $1, 000 for each day the violation continues. This moves comes after Virginia signed a bill into law in 2018 that prohibited state testing facilities from testing on animals in favour of an already approved non-animal testing method.

When it comes to cosmetics testing on animals, we aren't searching for the cure for cancer. We're literally forcing animals to endure countless tests in order to determine if a new lipstick or lotion will cause us harm. Animals endure endless skin irritation, untreated lesions, and painful rashes while being forced to repeatedly have products applied to them. Their entire short lived, miserable lives are spent being poked, prodded, and covered in random products. The most disturbing part of this is the repeated proof that animals and humans will react differently to products because our chemical makeup is not the same. Humans and rabbits are not the same in any way, shape, or form. We are simply exploiting animals in the name of science when deep down, we know that it is ineffective and often times doesn't translate to human experiences.

Animal testing is outdated and ineffective. All we are doing is subjecting innocent animals to torturous tests while knowing that there is not an 100% guarantee that these results will correlate with human results. We are simply testing on them for the sake of doing so, wasting millions of dollars on tests that we can't even guarantee will translate in to human results. It's long past the time that we end animal testing altogether.

Virginia will join California, Nevada, and Illinois in ending the sale of newly tested cosmetics.

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/call-to-action-hsi-canada-demands-the-that-the-canadian-government-cancel-the-2021-commercial-seal-hunt/

Humane Society International/Canada is urging the Canadian government to suspend the 2021 seal hunt  in the wake of the lowest sea ice formation in recorded history off of Canada's east coast. Scientists estimate mass mortality of seal pups this year as a result of their habitat melting and shrinking, putting them at a major disadvantage in the situation. All of this on top of the fact that allowing cramped vessels full of sealers to operate during a global pandemic would be irresponsible and a public health disaster.

Canadian scientists have made it abundantly clear that the sea ice off Canada's east coast will continue to deteriorate, putting baby seals in serious danger. As they are unable to fend for themselves, the lack of available habitat will heavily contribute to their mass mortality this year and will have negative effects on the overall harp seal population. It would be wholly irresponsible of the Canadian government to allow the hunt to commence knowing full well that harp seals already face unsurmountable perils to their survival. 

"A precautionary approach to wildlife management clearly precludes commercial hunting of an ice dependent species whose ice habitat is quickly vanishing."
Quote taken directly from original story.

The seal hunt is gruesome in every imaginable way. It's embarrassing to come from a country who's reputation as a generally happy and kind people simultaneously participates in such an astonishingly gruesome killing spree. It is long past time to end the seal hunt but for now, it must be suspended or we will cause irreversible damage to harp seal populations.

HAPPY VEG

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-new-york-court-upholds-crucial-state-ban-on-elephant-ivory-rhino-horn-sales-after-art-dealer-groups-failed-attempt-to-challenge-the-law/

A federal court in New York struck down a challenge to the ban on the sale / display of ivory from elephants & rhinos after being challenged by Antique & Art associations in 2018. The Art & Antique Dealers League of America & the National Antique & Art Dealers Association of America, filed their case in 2018 claiming that the ban on the sale of ivory was unconstitutional. The case was also intervened by several animal welfare and conservation organizations who aided the New York court in defending the State Ivory Law. 

Knowing what we know about the possibility of extinction for these beautiful animals, it's absolutely abhorrent that any group would be trying to challenge a law that protects these animals from being poached for their horns. To argue in defense of letting these animals be shot and killed for their ivory is both compassionless and completely out of touch with the reality of what these animals are enduring. To be so selfishly concerned with selling & displaying ivory products despite the endless perils these animals face, really demonstrates the continued divide between citizens of our planet and our understanding of conservation. This divide between people who fight for these animals that face extinction and those who don't seem to care about their survival is a continued issue that is plaguing hundreds of thousands of species on our planet. 

I've said this countless times before, but unless we have global cooperation in protecting endangered animals, we will continue to fight a losing battle. We have people fighting to protect these animals every single day while simultaneously witnessing people shooting them for sport or for their ivory. We must take aggressive action if we intend to prevent the inevitable extinction of these animals. We must devalue ivory, there is no other option. As this story demonstrates, there are still those out there who are fighting to overturn bans on ivory sales despite the fact that rhinos and elephants face uncertainty. There are still those arguing in defense of trophy hunting despite evidence that those supposed "conservation" funds are doing absolutely nothing to conserve either species. We are fighting against ourselves when it comes to conservation and this is why we have continued conflicts of interest when it comes to conservation of a species.

​worldanimalnews.com/breaking-largest-dog-meat-auction-house-in-south-korea-closes-following-lady-freethinker-investigation/

What is thought to be the largest dog meat auction house in South Korea, has officially closed after an investigation by nonprofit Lady Freethinker turned up serious instances of animal cruelty & abuse. The closure of the Nakwon Auction House is a big step in ending South Korea's dog meat trade, which continues to draw international disgust and anger. All dogs were safely removed and the owner of the business has filed the business as closed.

The investigation by Lady Freethinker in the summer of 2020, turned up some gruesome facts about the dog meat industry and the treatment of dogs awaiting auction. Dogs were found to be kept in cages too small to accommodate 2 to 3 of them at a time, climbing over one another uncomfortably. Although the article fails to elaborate on the exact cruelty and welfare issues witnessed by Lady Freethinker, one can assume that there was enough to present to the mayor of Namyangju, who followed up by personally investigating and eventually shutting down the Nakwon Auction House. Without the investigation by Lady Freethinker, dogs would still be cooped up in cages awaiting their turn for slaughter.

The dog meat trade is especially sad for those of us in North America, because dogs are cherished members of our families. Dog meat consumption is not something you encounter here which is why it is often so heart-wrenching when we see images of dogs awaiting slaughter. While it may be hypocritical of us to be concerned with the slaughter of dogs while simultaneously contributing to the animal agriculture industry that exploits and abuses farm animals for profit, it doesn't negate the fact that the dog meat industry is especially saddening. 

The dog meat industry is dying out every year and hopefully with the introduction of House Bill 7035, will be a distant memory very soon. 1 Million dogs every year depend on us to continue to put pressure on the industry to shut down once and for all. If the closure of Nakwon Auction House is any indication of what's to come, the dog meat industry is done for.

HAPPY VEG