Our society created a legal system to resolve disputes and declare rights. While the system is designed to give humans an opportunity to be heard, it often neglects the lives of animals, especially wildlife. Friends of Animals seeks to utilize and develop laws in a way that offers animals representation too. Wildlife legal news covers stories from around the world about how the law is being used, or abused, to control the fate of human-wildlife interactions. It also contains updates on important global stories, and cases that Friends of Animals is pursuing or currently engaged in.
Recent News:
Europe to ban lead shot use among wetlands
Final Rule for Forest Service regulations, NEPA rollbacks take effect today; allowing old analyses to be applied to new projects.
Endangered Species Act protections proposed for frecklebelly madtom.
If passed, the Jane Goodall Act will ban additions of elephants and apes to Canadian zoos
Will compromise with China’s fishing industry be enough to protect the Galapagos?
Kopenhagen Fur to close its doors in response to widespread coronavirus mutation risks among mink
Fishing, consumptive activity to be banned around world’s largest marine protection zone; home to endangered rockhopper and yellow-nosed albatross
USFWS proposes protection for sickle darter fish under Endangered Species Act.
Senate republicans release funding bill that does little for endangered species; continuing to look past the global extinction crisis
Brazil cited for poor response to deforestation of Amazon and Pantanal
Environmental groups challenge delisting of gray wolf, read more here
Peru prosecutors investigate illegal Amazon deforestation connected to Mennonite settlement areas
Greek legislation raises prison sentencing up to ten years for animal abuse
Title deed granted to Nairobi National Park, extending protected lands for endangered species
Wind farms push wartime bombs to be recklessly left on UK seafloor; causing deaths of cetaceans
ESA listing and critical habitat proposed for Alabama mussel
Past wildlife and animal rights news:
California proposes rule to protect whales and marine life from entanglement in commercial crab gear
Euthanization of wild boars in Rome spurs conflict over management of the species.
There is little room for hunting imagery in duck stamps; nor should it be required
Appeal underway for Happy the elephant to be transferred from a life of captivity at Bronx zoo to a sanctuary, read more here
‘Tiger King’ trainer charged for violations of Endangered Species Act and animal cruelty, read more here
Eastern black rail declared threatened, while need for its habitat protection remains
How human-cheetah conflict and illegal wildlife trade have created yet another hellscape, read more here
Unnecessary and unsustainable: 500,000 sharks may be used for component in coronavirus vaccine
Release of ‘game’ birds threatens survival of a snake on the brink of extinction.
Environmental groups file suit to protect Louisiana black bear
The trispot darter, a fish once thought to be extinct, has gained critical habitat designation
Friends of Animals works to restore ostrich populations in Senegal
Koalas under review for ESA status of endangered, due to bushfires and population loss
Proposed bill to delay Endangered Species Act legislation fuels disagreement in hearing before Environment and Public Works Committee. Read more here
UK government faces lawsuit over release of game birds on habitat for threatened species
Judge orders animals to be removed from Wildlife In Need due to welfare violations
Western yellow-billed cuckoo remains protected
UK in losing battle to restore biodiversity, missing 85 percent of targets
Human activity has led to a 70% decline in animal populations within a 50 year period
Trump administration proposes further rollbacks to the Endangered Species Act: easing exclusion of future critical habitat designations
FoA file suit over import permit for 5 belugas to Mystic Aquarium
Restoration of Argentina’s ecosystems calls for reintroduction of jaguars
Critical habitat denied for endangered bumble bee
Everyone from animal advocates, to anglers continue to call for removal of William Perry Pendley from BLM
FoA sues Fish and Wildlife Service for failure to release information on queen conch! Read the story here
France joins EU ban of glue bird traps used for hunting
Framework of a new mining report calls for transparency of process, community involvement, and for future mining sites to be located far from any critical fish and wildlife habitat
Initiatives for fur farming bans are on the table for several European countries, now including Finland
Beaked whale stranding suspected to be caused by military sonar practices. Read more here
Environmental groups file lawsuit against drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Wildfires caused by poachers are degrading habitat, and impose risk to Sumatran rhino refuge
Trump administration’s finalized leasing plan for Arctic refuge oil drilling not only reverses 50 years of wilderness protections, but ignores existing habitat loss concerns, climate crisis impacts, and negative impacts to indigenous communities.
Informal ‘Blue Economy’ largely responsible for threat of extinction to many sharks and rays
Court rejects Trump administration’s proposed rollbacks of migratory bird protections
Captive belugas released to Icelandic sea sanctuary. Read the story here
Wide pesticide use continues to contribute to the decline of bird populations. Read more, and use less (or better yet, an organic alternative that is non-threatening to wildlife) here
Friends of Animals challenges Colorado Parks and Wildlife Individuals who voice opposition of consumptive use of wildlife should not have to purchase a hunting or angling license to access state wildlife areas
Protection deemed successful for giant panda- but not for other large species who share their habitat, including snow leopards
Kaavan, a captive elephant, is to be released to a Cambodian sanctuary due to poor zoo conditions
Poaching of South African Rhino’s reduced by half due to Covid-19 lockdowns
Poacher jailed for six years after killing Rafiki, a revered gorilla of Uganda. Read the story here
Nine members of South African wildlife trafficking gang have been sentenced to prison
Brazil is trafficking a high volume of wildlife species, yet the data is of low priority
GPS collars aid in human-elephant conflict prevention and zoning plans for Sri Lanka
Wildlife trade banned in Vietnam: directive issued for an extensive ban of imports of live animals, related byproducts, and wildlife markets! Read more here
Senate passes “Driftnet Modernization and Bycatch Reduction Act,” to transition away from drift net use responsible for entanglement of dolphins, and other marine life
Endangered Species Act protections rejected for Arctic grayling, despite noted climate impacts on declining population numbers
Report finds protections for essential fish habitats are sinking under the Trump administration. Read why more must be done, here
Australia signs 5 year contract for kangaroo cull, despite recent population losses related to wildfires
Covid-19 related federal contract of $4.6 million awarded to macaque monkey research facility responsible for numerous monkey deaths. Read more about the incidents, and why animals shouldn’t suffer for human benefit
Not quite out of the woods: Critical habitat for spotted owls reviewed, while the debate continues. Read more here
IUCN lists North Atlantic right whales as critically endangered, largely due to human activity
Lawsuit threatened over reintroduction of grizzly bear to Northern Cascades. Read more here
ESA protection sought for Southeast Alaskan Wolves. Read more here
Indonesian government’s allowance of lobster larvae exports imposes threat upon Javan rhino
Prince William clamors for an end to illegal wildlife trade. Read the story here!
Myanmar considers breeding threatened wildlife species in captivity, including eight species for meat. Read more here
Environmental and funding concerns in the face of a pandemic, have delayed construction of a dam threatening critical orangutan habitat
Habitat degradation inflicts far greater harm on caribou populations than wolves, say researchers
Colorado conservation groups call for U.S. senate to vote against William Perry Pendley’s nomination for director of the Bureau of Land Management
Detonation of a Bellingham dam will benefit orca, salmon, and humans. Read more here
Despite worldwide examination of zoonotic pathogens linked to wildlife markets, illegal trade of jaguar and lion parts is rising, in place of tiger parts
Lead Endangers Animals Daily Act’ sets to ban lead ammunition on wildlife refuges by 2022. Read more here
IUCN releases 10 Year Plan for critically endangered Western chimpanzee
9th circuit court rules Yellowstone grizzly bears cannot be hunted
Legal or illegal, use of snares to trap wildlife is inhumane and remains threatening to wildlife, particularly in Southeast Asia. Read more about why snares should be banned, here
Federal loans go to environmental and wildlife groups battling Trump rollbacks.
UK pushes for ban of trophy hunting imports
Proposed plan for shrimp farm among Sri Lanka’s mangroves may be largely problematic for thousands of migratory birds, and the environment
The largest seizure of illegal shark fins in history may have taken place in Hong Kong, but finning will remain a global problem threatening shark populations until a true crackdown on the trade occurs
Myanmar reluctant to release ‘out of work’ elephants into wild. Read the story here
International groups have formed a battalion to fight disease threatening extinction of North American Salamanders
Breeding of bamboo rats banned in China due to suspicions of the species being a vector for coronavirus
Hundreds of dead dolphins have washed up on the coast of France, as a result of sea trawler net use
Wildlife Services’ hushed use of cyanide bombs left in the open to kill wildlife, remains ‘lacking in control’ despite restrictions. Read more here
Loopholes in China’s ‘ban’ of wildlife trade may still be under revision, but successful reintroduction of pangolins in South African KwaZulu-Natal province brings hope
Poaching is rising in Africa and Asia, as a result from Covid-19 lockdowns. Read the story here
The release of genetically engineered mosquitoes in Florida has been approved by the EPA, despite decade-long objections from environmental groups
The unreported death of a lioness who was neglected to receive veterinary care, and numerous contagion risks found within a Charleston zoo have led to a court ruling halting further intake of animals to the facility. Read the story here
Scotland bans the shooting of seals
Study confirms exacerbated shedding of Coronaviruses’ results from exploitation of animals in the wildlife trade industry; and there should be no debate over shutting down wildlife markets
Scientists urge renewal of catfish fishing ban to prevent extinction of Amazon river dolphin. Read the story here
D.C. Circuit side with Trump administration’s claim that hunting African animals will reinforce the survival of such species. Read more here
If passed, a South African proposal will allow consumption of protected wild animals including rhinoceros, and may result in new wildlife wet markets. Read about the proposal here
Rapidly declining vulture populations continue to be linked to poisoning by consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs found in carcasses of big game animals. They are now one of the most threatened groups of birds on Earth facing extinction
B.C. coal mine proposed on critical caribou habitat overlooks impacts that may reverse recovery efforts for caribou. Learn more here
Canadian conservation officer wins legal battle after being fired for refusing to kill bear cubs. Read about it here
L.A. lawmakers push to ban wildlife wet markets– Prioritizing public health policy, animal welfare, and ecosystem protection, means the end of sale of live animals for human consumption! Read more here
The French government has opened an investigation to catch the hunter who illegally killed a protected Pyrenees brown bear. After reintroduction, only 50 bears reside in the Pyrenees, and the species cannot afford any loss. Read more here
Trump Jr.’s Secret Service protection for a Mongolian hunting trip to kill threatened argali sheep, cost taxpayers $76,000.00! Outside of Mongolia, argali sheep are endangered. Read the story here
China’s removal of pangolins from the official list of traditional Chinese medicine treatments is a breakthrough in wildlife protection! Read more on this milestone here
