AWI Quarterly Term Archive
Quick Read
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...
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...
Biden Administration Suspends ANWR Leases
Terrestrial WildlifeThe Biden administration announced in June that it would suspend all leases and leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) until it completes a comprehensive environmental review of...
BLM’s Adoption Incentive Program Under Scrutiny
Equines, Terrestrial WildlifeOn May 15, the New York Times published an investigation into the Bureau of Land Management’s Adoption Incentive Program (AIP), which pays individuals to adopt wild horses ($1,000 per animal). Some of...
Mysterious Illness Killing Birds
Terrestrial WildlifeIn late May, a mysterious illness began killing songbirds in Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Cases were then found in nine additional states (Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio,...
Rats May Relish More Refined Tickling Techniques
Animals in LaboratoriesA technique that is increasingly used worldwide to improve the welfare of rats in research is rat “tickling”—whereby humans make light, brisk, and vigorous movements with their fingertips on a...
Progress Toward Fur-Free Fashion
Farmed Animals, Terrestrial WildlifeAround the world, tens of millions of animals are caged in filthy fur farms and subjected to cruel, body-crushing traps each year so their pelts can be turned into luxury...
Rodent Training Video Available Online
Animals in LaboratoriesCamilla Bengtsson and Marie Eriksson, researchers at the RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, have recently gained some international acclaim for their unique approach to handling and training laboratory mice and...
States Redouble Attacks on Gray Wolves
Terrestrial WildlifeSince the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) stripped Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections from gray wolves across most of the country last year, the embattled animals have come under...
USDA Takes Infamous Chinchilla Dealer to Court
Animals in LaboratoriesAn administrative hearing is underway with respect to allegations of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) violations leveled by the US Department of Agriculture against Moulton Chinchilla Ranch (MCR), a supplier of...