Lolita is a killer whale who was captured some 52 long years ago, and forced to exist in a small enclosure to entertain humans. Animal welfare activists have been working for decades to get her set free. Now, it appears, that day may be finally coming.
Category: Animal Rights
Happy the Elephant has Day in Court
New York’s highest court is set to determine whether Happy, a 47-year-old Asian elephant living at the Bronx Zoo, is being unlawfully imprisoned.
World’s Loneliest Elephant Kaavan Starts New Life
Pakistan’s lonely elephant Kaavan arrived in Cambodia by cargo plane today to start a new life with fellow pachyderms at a local sanctuary, the culmination of years of campaigning for his transfer by American singer Cher.
Rats Need an Advocate. Will it be You?
We know that like us, rats are intelligent, kind and empathic and sometimes experience regret, have an active memory life, laugh and play games, plan ahead, engage in bartering and trading, are super helpful, and are great at tasks, using tools and learning. So why, when we have scientific evidence of all of these attributes, do we treat rats so inhumanely–in the scientific lab, as well as the outer world?
Should Elephants Get Person Status?
We are in the midst of a movement among some scientists, animal advocates and philosophers arguing that elephant intelligence and social capabilities justifies classifying them as having “personhood”.
Chimps Ruled as Non-persons
A unanimous decision (sigh). So it is back to the drawing board for animal activist attorneys in their fight to … More
Ethics Professor Poses a Big Question for the Thanksgiving Dinner Table
Here is an alternative way of perceiving the world, and your place in it, for Thanksgiving…an op-ed piece printed in … More
Another U.S. City Set to Ban Use of Circus Animals
Another victory is in the wings for stopping the use of animals as entertainment. Go for it, Jersey City! Jersey … More
Captive Animals Starving
Animals held captive inside zoos in Venezuela are literally starving to death–a symptom of a troubled economy. Also a symptom … More
Industrialized Cage-Free Eggs: Not a Perfect Solution
A big change is underway. But raising a hen in a “cage free” environment doesn’t mean it will live in … More
Maharaj the elephant died trying to escape horrific conditions
Painful to read, even more so to experience… Wild Indian Elephant Dies Trying to Escape Captivity Maharaj died trying to … More