Program Term Archive
Marine Wildlife
Florida Manatees Dying in Record Numbers
Marine WildlifeMore Florida manatees have died this year than in any previous year since records began. The cause is primarily starvation due to loss of seagrass beds, according to state officials....
Hope Dims as Mexico, WHC Fail to Help Vaquita
Marine WildlifeThe 44th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) was held virtually July 16-31. One issue before the committee was Mexico’s efforts—or lack thereof—to stave off extinction of the vaquita, a...
Indian Ocean Oil Spill Devastates Marine Life
Marine WildlifeIn May, the Singapore-flagged X-Press Pearl container ship caught fire off the coast of Sri Lanka while traveling through the Indian Ocean. The crew was evacuated, and the ship ultimately sank. Over...
Sediment Diversion Plan Puts Dolphins in Danger
Marine WildlifeHurricane Katrina in 2005 gave the US coast along the Gulf of Mexico a preview of things to come, as severe weather worsens with climate change. In addition, decades of...
Workshop Examines Cetaceans’ Outsized Role in Ecosystem Functioning
Marine WildlifeWith support from AWI and other organizations, a joint International Whaling Commission/Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species virtual workshop was held in April 2021 on the role of cetaceans...
Pole to Pole, Climate Change Taking a Toll on Planetary Life
Marine Wildlife, Terrestrial WildlifeIn its August 2021 report, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) states, “It is unequivocal that human influence has warmed the atmosphere, ocean...
House Committee Approves Increased Funding for Right Whale Conservation
Marine WildlifeSince 2017, the alarming number of North Atlantic right whale deaths from entanglements in fishing gear and vessel strikes has been deemed an “unusual mortality event” under the Marine Mammal...
Norwegian Whalers Slaughter 575 Whales During 2021 Season, Highest Since 2016 Despite Low Demand For Whale Meat
Press ReleaseSeptember 27, 2021Marine WildlifeNorwegian whalers killed the highest number of minke whales this season in five years, despite dwindling public appetite for whale meat. The Norwegian whaling season came to an official close...
AWI Opposes Judge’s Recommendation to Allow Makah Tribe to Hunt Gray Whales
Press ReleaseSeptember 27, 2021Marine WildlifeThe Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is disappointed by a judge’s recent decision to recommend that a federal agency issue a waiver allowing the Makah Tribe to hunt gray whales. On...
A Voice for Animals Contest Winners Inspire New Crop of Advocates
Press ReleaseSeptember 10, 2021Companion Animals, Farmed Animals, Marine Wildlife, Terrestrial WildlifeFrom shuttling India’s street dogs to veterinary offices to writing a children’s book about how plastic pollution harms marine life, the winners of the 2021 “A Voice for Animals” contest show they...