The Trial of Billy the Elephant
June 24, 2012 by Michael Mountain
It could be enormously significant for elephants in captivity in Los Angeles, in all of California, and possibly even for elephants all across the country. Whichever way the judge rules, the trial of Billy the Elephant will have set a precedent. For more than a week, Judge John Segal has been listening to testimony in [...]
Reader’s Digest: Whales Are People Too
June 20, 2012 by Michael Mountain
For the cover story of the Canadian edition of Reader’s Digest for July, Jeff Warren explores what we’re learning about one of the most intelligent and self-aware animals on our planet. His conclusion: The science proves it, but the tough question is going to be whether humans are ready to see them as equals.
What Do You Call a Veterinarian Who …?
June 18, 2012 by Michael Mountain
What do you call a veterinarian who only treats a single species? That’s a joke among many veterinarians, who understand very well that humans are animals, just like other animals, and that the wall of separation the medical profession has put up between “doctors” and “veterinarians” doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Bonobo Genome Shows How Close We Are
June 14, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Ulindi provided DNA for the sequencing of the bonobo genome Scientists have completed the mapping of the bonobo genome. This means that all five great ape species – chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, orangutans and humans – have now had their genomes mapped. The research team, from the Max Planck Institute in Germany, found that bonobos share [...]
Olympic Opening Called Cruel to Animals
June 13, 2012 by Michael Mountain
British animal protection organization Viva says the opening ceremony at the Olympic Games will be “wrong on so many levels.” The theme of the show is the British countryside – all very peaceful, green, idyllic and pastoral … and with more than 100 farm animals, including horses, cows, geese, chickens, ducks and sheep, being paraded [...]
U.K. High Court Votes to Kill Family Dog
June 13, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Two years ago, animal control officials in Northern Ireland, seized a family pet from the home of Caroline Barnes, a former veterinary nurse whose 11-year-old daughter was registered as a disabled person. Lennox is part Labrador, part American bulldog and part Staffordshire terrier. The officers told Nurse Barnes that the dog looked like an American [...]
No Zombie Apocalypse, says CDC
June 12, 2012 by Michael Mountain
In real life, last week, the CDC issued an official statement saying it’s not expecting a zombie invasion. They may have slightly contributed to the problem themselves by issuing the tongue-in-cheek comic book-style novel Preparedness 101: Zombie Pandemic, which is really about how to be prepared for other kinds of emergencies.
Where Horse Racing Meets Drug Trafficking
June 12, 2012 by Michael Mountain
We already know that it’s time to bring an end to horse racing. It’s just another of those so-called traditions like rodeo that are cruel and deadly to the animals and have no place in a civilized society. But today’s New York Times uncovers a whole other dark side to this so-called sport: its connection [...]
When Turtles Divorce
June 11, 2012 by Michael Mountain
It may have been one of the longest relationships on record. But two Giant Turtles at the Austrian Zoo have fallen out of love and are making it clear they want to go their separate ways.
Peter Singer Honored by Queen Elizabeth
June 11, 2012 by Michael Mountain
Singer is a controversial figure. To many, he espouses dangerous, socialistic, revolutionary views. But there are some in the animal protection world who consider his philosophical “utilitarian” approach to be anything but revolutionary since he accepts, for example, that some use of vivisection is in the greater interest.