Animal News

The Critter Chronicle - Headlines 2024-11-14

Lolita the orca dies at the Miami Seaquarium

The 57-year-old orca named Lolita, also known as Tokitae or Toki, has passed away at Miami Seaquarium in Florida, after over 50 years in captivity. She was captured from the wild in 1970 and was made to perform tricks for visitors until 2022. The orca exhibited signs of discomfort before her death, which is believed to be due to a renal condition.^[1]

AI Communication with Animals: A New Frontier for AI Ethics and Animal Welfare

Habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict endanger Ethiopia’s lion population

Ethiopia's lion population, culturally significant and distinct for their black manes, is under threat due to habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. The country's lion population, estimated at around 1,100, is dwindling due to factors like habitat destruction, human encroachment, and conflicts with farmers over livestock predation.

Human-wildlife conflict

Humpback whale rescued from fishing line entanglement in Cape Cod Bay

The Center for Coastal Studies Marine Animal Entanglement Response Team successfully rescued a humpback whale named Pinball from a dangerous fishing line entanglement in Cape Cod Bay. Boaters discovered the distressed whale and its calf, leading to an assessment and a lengthy disentanglement operation led by Scott Landry, the Marine Animal Entanglement Program Director. The rescue involved deploying large floats and a boat's drag to remove the gear from the whale's mouth.^[2]

Cetacean entanglements

Treatment of elephants at Hanoi Zoo sparks outrage in Vietnam

The treatment of two elderly elephants, Thai and Banang, at Hanoi Zoo has caused outrage in Vietnam. The elephants are kept with leg shackles, preventing them from roaming freely. Animal rights groups and over 70,000 people have signed an online petition demanding their release to a national park. The elephants were brought to the zoo in 2010 and 2014, and zoo staff claim the chains are necessary for safety.^[3]

List of captive elephants

New ecosystem discovered beneath undersea volcanic vents off East Pacific Rise

A new ecosystem has been discovered beneath undersea volcanic vents off the East Pacific Rise near Central America. Using underwater robots, scientists found cave systems with worms, snails, and bacteria living underground, revealing that these habitats exist both above and below the seafloor. This discovery, made by the Schmidt Ocean Institute, is significant as it provides evidence of life in unexpected places.^[4]

Vulnerable blue marlin caught and killed during 2023 White Marlin Open deep-sea fishing tournament

A 640.5-pound blue marlin, classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, was caught and killed during the 2023 White Marlin Open deep-sea fishing tournament held in Maryland, USA. The tournament is sponsored by major corporations like Mercedes-Benz, Under Armour, and Miller Lite.^[5]

A young chimpanzee named Raju was found dead in its enclosure at Karachi Zoological Gardens

A young chimpanzee named Raju was found dead in its enclosure at Karachi Zoological Gardens. The chimp, around 15 to 16 years old, was living with two mates for several months. The zoo initially denied Raju's illness and age, claiming the death was due to a sudden heart attack.^[6]

Captive animal deaths 2023

Animal Aid reveals data on racehorse slaughter in England and Ireland

PETA reveals EGYPTAIR shipped 500 endangered long-tailed macaques from Mauritius to JFK Airport

PETA has revealed that EGYPTAIR, despite its prior commitment to cease transporting monkeys for experimental purposes, has shipped around 500 endangered long-tailed macaques from Mauritius to John F. Kennedy International Airport. This contradicts EGYPTAIR's earlier claims of discontinuing such transports. The macaque wildlife trade is marked by violence, disease, and cruelty. Monkeys are captured from the wild or bred in harsh conditions, confined in small crates, and transported in cargo holds for days before reaching laboratories where they face trauma.^[7]

Notorious rhino poacher killed in encounter near Indo-Bhutan border

A notorious rhino poacher named Noveshwar Basumatary was killed in an encounter near the Indo-Bhutan border in Chirang. He was allegedly responsible for killing a rhino at the Manas National Park. After police and forest officials launched an operation, they apprehended him. He attempted to escape, resulting in the police shooting him, leading to his death. The forest department found rhino nails, skin, guns, and ammunition in his possession.^[8]

15-month-old tiger cub Helina dies at Indianapolis Zoo due to liver defect

A 15-month-old tiger cub named Helina has died at the Indianapolis Zoo due to a liver defect, which also claimed the lives of her two siblings Roman and Nicholas within a year. Helina was born on May 27, 2022, and her condition worsened rapidly over the weekend, leading the zoo to make the decision for humane euthanasia.^[9]

Captive animal deaths 2023

Animal sanctuary owner saves Alba and Gingersnap from euthanasia after they were burned for testing purposes

Alba the pig was rescued from a laboratory where she endured repeated burns for testing purposes. Caitlin Cimini, an animal sanctuary owner, saved Alba and another pig named Gingersnap from euthanasia. The pigs now live happily at the Rancho Relaxo sanctuary in New Jersey. Despite their scars from the testing lab, they are positive and content.^[10]

Australia

Wildlife Rescuers in Australia Collaborate with Property Owners to Address Barbed Wire Fence Issue

Rescuers in Australia are collaborating with property owners to address the issue of wildlife getting caught on barbed wire fences, resulting in injuries and deaths among native animals and birds. The problem arises because these fences are difficult to see, especially at night.^[11]

Former Victorian Police Commissioner to Lead Inquiry into South Australia’s Greyhound Racing Industry

Former Victorian police commissioner Graham Ashton will head an inquiry into South Australia's greyhound racing industry following an ABC report on alleged abuse in the sector. The inquiry will gather submissions, even anonymous ones, to shape its focus. It was prompted by a recent ABC exposé showing mistreatment of dogs in the Murray Bridge region.^[12]

United Kingdom

Scottish Salmon Farming Industry Faces Challenges and Controversies

The salmon farming industry in Scotland, valued at over £1.2 billion annually, is facing numerous challenges and controversies. Disease is causing the death of around 15 million farmed salmon each year, while also impacting other marine life. The decline of wild salmon numbers is a concerning consequence of the industry's expansion, with only three million wild Atlantic salmon remaining in Scottish waters compared to 8-10 million in the 1970s.^[13]

United States

Vulnerable Blue Marlin Caught and Killed During White Marlin Open Deep-Sea Fishing Tournament