| Veterinarians urged to back animal welfare |
| Veterinarians from around the world are being urged by WSPA to back a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare that would achieve global recognition for animals as sentient beings, capable of experiencing pain and suffering. |
 |
| Bears rescued! |
| After 15 years in a concrete zoo cage, two bears were airlifted to a grassy sanctuary in Hungary. |
|
| Vicious bear fights halted |
| Pakistan--Wildlife officials successfully prevented a large-scale bear baiting event in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Acting on a tip from WSPA representatives, wildlife authorities headed off Kalander bear owners intent on fighting their animals at the annual village festival in Shah Jewana. |
|
| Miracle in the rainforest |
| Read the amazing story of "Papudinho", a three-legged dog living deep in the Amazonian rainforest. Suffering from severe malnutrition, one letter to WSPA saved his life. |
|
| March 2005 Vietnam plans bear farming phase out |
| WSPA reaches landmark agreement with the Vietnamese Government to phase out bear farming. Click above for the full article. |
|
| July 23rd, 2004, IWC recognizes need to consider whale welfare |
| The International Whaling Commission (IWC) passed a resolution on Wednesday recognizing the need to consider the serious animal welfare concerns posed by current methods of whaling. |
|
| April 2004, Barcelona declares itself an anti-bullfight city |
| In an unprecedented move, the Barcelona City Council declared that their community is now an “anti-bullfight” city. While the Council does not have legislative power, their declaration puts increased pressure on the Catalan Parliament, which could introduce and enforce a ban on bullfighting. The City Council is clearly following the will of the people, after a recent poll showed that 63% of Barcelona’s residents are against bullfighting in their city. |
|
| March 2004, First baby cub of 2004 arrives at IBBR! |
|
|
| February 2004, Success with new surgery for bonobos |
| The Loya ya Bonobo sanctuary for bonobos in the Democratic Republic of Congo recently got a helping hand from WSPA veterinarian and field officer Dr. Nick de Souza. Bonobos are a threatened species of apes that closely resemble chimpanzees. Maya is an adult bonobo that had been orphaned as an infant and raised by the sanctuary. She experienced repeated throat infections that eventually required the surgical removal of her laryngeal sac. This surgery had never before been attempted on a bonobo. |
|
| Bear rehabilitation proves effective |
| A three-year study by WSPA and Idaho Black Bear Rehabilitation (IBBR) shows that orphaned bear cubs can be successfully rehabilitated and returned to the wild. Specially fitted radio transmitter collars allowed researchers to confirm that the rehabilitated cubs adjust well and do not become "nuisance bears." |
|
| January 2004, U.S. lures bear smugglers into trap! |
| WSPA shared its extensive knowledge of the bear bile business with investigators to help them in their efforts to crack down on this illegal trade in Virginia, and stands ready to assist in future operations. |
|
| August 2003, Israel bans forced feeding |
| Israel's Supreme Court has declared that the forced feeding of geese and ducks in order to produce foie gras (liver pate) causes unacceptable suffering and violates the law. The practice will be banned beginning in 2005. |
|
| August 2003, Mexico Officials Say “No” to More Dolphin Imports |
| Concern Still High for 200 Captive Animals - Mexican officials ruled this weekend not to allow the import of any additional dolphins from the Solomon Islands, where the animals were caught and kept under questionable circumstances. Twenty-eight dolphins have already been sent to a marine park in Cancun, where one of the animals subsequently died. While the Mexican ban on further dolphin imports is welcome news, the captive dolphins remain in jeopardy. |
|
| July 2003, Iraq Disaster Relief |
| London - Over the past two weeks, a WSPA team has restocked Iraq's impoverished veterinary system with several tonnes of desperately needed supplies |
|
| April 2002, Rebuilding Afghan Livelihoods |
| Afghanistan - A major new project to help equines in Afghanistan is helping their owners to rebuild their lives. Free veterinary treatment, saddle fitting and shoeing advice are just the beginning. |
|
| March 2003, Dancing Bear Sanctuary Opens in India! |
| Agra, India - 28 bears have been given a new lease on life at WSPA's newly built sanctuary in India. Before the sanctuary was built, they were forced to "dance" on the hot, dusty streets to entertain tourists. The gypsies who used to own the bears have been provided with job training and the tools they need to make a living without their bears. Read more about this win-win story! |
|
| March 2003, Stolen Donkeys Saved In Zimbabwe - Donate Now |
| Zimbabwe - The Donkey Protection Trust (DPT), a WSPA member society in Zimbabwe recently reported that they have saved more than 30 stolen donkeys that were to be used as lion bait for professional hunters. Zimbabwe police confiscated a truck loaded with donkeys before the thieves could transport the stolen animals to their final destination in Zambia. DPT was called to assist police as many of the donkeys needed immediate care. "I have to admit that I was crying as the donkeys stoically walked down the ramp from the truck," said DPT founder Julie Redmond. DPT temporarily placed the donkeys at a local farm and made arrangements for the rightful owners to come and identify their animals. As of this writing, 20 donkeys have been reunited with their original owners and identification efforts continue. |