Governor Maura Healey signed legislation Friday that will end the use of wild animals like elephants, bears, and tigers, in traveling circus'. This monumental victory for animals comes after decades of advocacy in the state aiming to end this needless abuse of animals for the entertainment of humans. Supported by over 2/3 of surveyed Massachusetts voters, it was evident that the ban was heavily supported and will now become law.

With how far we've come in some cases with animal welfare and our knowledge surrounding animal cruelty, it amazes me that animals are still being forced to perform in traveling circus'. There is simply no argument that can justify subjecting these beautiful animals to a life of confinement and cruelty. With the plethora of entertainment options available to us on this planet, we can not continue to force animals to perform for our entertainment. The circus is outdated, and as we continue to learn more about animals and the cruelty they endure, there is simply no place for wild animals in circus' any longer.

Congratulations to Massachusetts for making the right decision for animals. We have a long way to go! Learn more about this decision by visiting the link at the top of this post. 

The inauguration of Britta Jaschinski's photographic exhibition, "Still Life, #NotInMyWorld at the Polish Parliament, has prompted parliament to call for bans on the import of hunting trophies from endangered species. The exhibition highlights the horrors of trophy hunting through photos of dismembered animals, paws, heads, bodies, etc., and reminds us that this "sport" is actually brutality towards innocent animals. The reality is, we know the horrors of trophy hunting and always have, we're simply coming around to the notion that it is actually very wrong as these species plunge towards extinction. 

As human beings on this planet, we have a responsibility to protect and preserve this planet for generations to come. Slaughtering endangered animals for fun is not part of preservation. Lying that the money spent helps conservation efforts is not preservation of our planet. We are actively working against our responsibility to our planet, and all of the other species that inhabit it with our carelessness and self servicing ways. Everything around us is not "ours" for the taking. 

Several countries around the world have already enacted bans on the import of trophies from endangered animals like rhinos, elephants, giraffes, and lions. Countries including the UK, France, and Spain, are considering similar bans to better protect endangered species from extinction. As stated, we are the only ones that can prevent their extinction because we are the leading contributor to their perils. We have a moral responsibility here, and it's time to ban hunting trophies from endangered species across the globe.

​Learn more through the link at the top of this post from World Animal News.