In an appalling display of its mercenary mindset, SeaWorld is fighting a federal charge that it exposed its employees to risks “causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm,” which was brought after trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed by the orca Tilikum last year. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) cited SeaWorld … Read more »
A new attraction at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is being touted as a Broadway-style show, complete with costumed actors, animation projected on a huge screen, music recorded by a 61-piece orchestra, and, oh yeah, dolphins imprisoned for life in a chlorinated tank. Fun for the whole family—unless the family has a conscience. The aquarium … Read more »
Washington State’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is poised to join 14 other U.S. zoos that have closed or are phasing out their elephant exhibits. The zoo is in the middle of discussions about the future of 48-year-old Hanako and 47-year-old Suki, the two female Asian elephants kept in the zoo. tanya_little/cc by 2.0 … Read more »
Patrons of a California pet-store chain were appalled when they saw black-tipped reef sharks displayed in small tanks. As is the case with most captive sharks, these animals were swimming into the tanks’ glass walls, resulting in chronic injuries. After PETA was alerted to the sharks’ plight last summer, we convinced the chain to … Read more »
eschipul / CC by 2.0 It takes a big man to admit he’s made a mistake, and they don’t come any bigger, at least in the travel world, than Arthur Frommer. In a blog post earlier this month, Frommer expressed regret for the times that he recommended SeaWorld in his popular travel guides: … Read more »
SeaWorld may have animal pimp “entertainer” Jack Hanna in its corner, but Tilly has Jean-Michel Cousteau on his side. The world-renowned French explorer, environmentalist, film producer and, of course, son of Jacques-Yves Cousteau has issued a brief video statement addressing the cruelty and danger of keeping killer whales and dolphins imprisoned in marine amusement parks. … Read more »
Back in the 1950s, Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to move to the back of the bus in the segregated South. After learning of Parks’ arrest, an African-American resident in Montgomery declared, “They’ve messed with the wrong one now.” Let’s fast-forward to Virginia Beach, Virginia, 2009: Longtime PETA member and ardent animal defender Sheila … Read more »
What do you call it when a KFC is “closed for cruelty”? A goreclosure! For more than a year, dedicated animal advocates have been holding monthly demonstrations outside a KFC in North Carolina to spread the word about KFC’s tormented chickens—and watching the restaurant’s business dwindle. Now, so many people have washed their … Read more »
David Angerer, owner of the New York City restaurant Klee Brasserie (which is just a stone’s throw from the excellent all-vegan restaurant Blossom), is making headlines with his newest offering: “Mommy’s Milk” cheese, made possible by his lactating wife. erikogan / CC by SA 2.0 (Let the punning commence.) This certainly isn’t the … Read more »
makelessnoise / CC by 2.0 Who’s putting the party into “Republican Party”? Vegans! Rich Karlgaard—publisher of Forbes magazine—recently explained his mostly vegan diet on The Huffington Post, attributing his healthy and lively existence to his compassionate food choices. Karlgaard is proof that kindness knows no party lines. Whether you’re conservative or liberal, granola-crunching or pizza-munching, … Read more »
jurvetson / CC by 2.0 Ingrid E. Newkirk’s need for speed has just become street legal. That’s right, for all of us environmentally conscious, animal-friendly speedsters, Fisker Automotive’s top-of-the-line 2010 Karma sports car is what we’ve been waiting for. The Karma is the world’s first luxury plug-in hybrid, and the available Eco-Chic option—which includes … Read more »
Phil Wiffen / CC by 2.0 This year’s Iditarod doesn’t start until tomorrow, and one dog has already died. The death occurred during the Junior Iditarod, a 150-mile race that’s open to teens aged 14–17. A necropsy found that the dog, a 5-year-old male named Lava, died of gastric ulcers, an all-too-common cause of death … Read more »
Many folks can’t help shaking their hips to Kissin’ Cousins, but when it comes to breeding imprisoned polar bears who share the same grandfather, you can be sure that our friends at PETA Germany will only be shaking their protest signs. Here’s the situation: Do you remember Knut? If not, you’re not alone. A few … Read more »
Compassion transcends age. Laura Moll—a 12-year-old vegetarian from New Delhi, India—is a role model to children and adults alike. The aspiring veterinarian volunteers at the Friendicoes Society for the Eradication of Cruelty to Animals, a local animal shelter, and records her efforts to help animals on her moving Web site. Warning: The beautiful and … Read more »
ivillage / CC After the death of yet another orca trainer by frustrated, tormented Tillikum, retired Price Is Right host and outspoken animal defender Bob Barker issued a plea to SeaWorld to move Tillikum and its other imprisoned sea animals to sanctuaries. Well, the list of celebrities speaking out against the use and abuse of … Read more »
