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Animals & Pets News

Habitat for Endangered Leatherback Turtles Designated (ContributorNetwork)

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:34:37 GMT

ContributorNetwork - According to the Associated Press, more than 41,000 square miles off the West Coast have been designated by the National Marine Fisheries as a habitat for endangered leatherback sea turtles. The designation will go into full effect Feb. 25 and will help protect the area, which is used by the migrating turtles for feeding on jellyfish after traveling thousands of miles across the ocean from its original nesting grounds.

Hormel ending tight confinement for pregnant pigs (AP)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 00:29:42 GMT

AP - Hormel Foods Corp.'s company-owned farms are phasing out the use of small metal crates for confining pregnant hogs by the end of 2017 — a move welcomed Thursday by the Humane Society of the United States, which had pushed for the change.

Sumatran elephants driven closer to extinction: WWF (Reuters)

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:39:47 GMT

Reuters - The Sumatran elephant could be extinct in the wild in under 30 years unless immediate steps are taken to protect its rapidly diminishing habitat, environmental group WWF said on Tuesday.

Lions apparently not enough to keep intruders out (AP)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:51:02 GMT

AP - With 120 lions, tigers and other big cats on the grounds, the owner of a Colorado refuge didn't think he needed a security system.

Minnesota laying groundwork for gray wolf hunt (Reuters)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:03:17 GMT

Reuters - Minnesota officials on Thursday outlined plans to permit a hunting season for the gray wolf this year following its removal from federal endangered species protections, prompting opponents of the plan to consider a court challenge.

Feds declare Atlantic sturgeon endangered species (AP)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:58:26 GMT

AP - The Atlantic sturgeon, a prehistoric fish whose once bountiful populations were depleted by anglers seeking its coveted caviar, has been declared an endangered species by federal officials, a decision that could lead to moves to protect its habitats along the East Coast.

Six new breeds to debut at Westminster Dog Show (Reuters)

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:02:28 GMT

Reuters - Six new breeds of dogs, including Mexico's hairless Xoloitzcuintli, the Finnish Lapphund and the Norwegian Lundehund, will be competing in the 2012 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show next month.

Fewer zoos may have elephants under new standard (Reuters)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:25:48 GMT

Reuters - Fewer zoos of the future may have elephants but those that do would have happier animals under a new policy requiring American zoos with two elephants to add space for a third in case one dies.

Michigan Gray Wolves Off Endangered Species List (ContributorNetwork)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:11:06 GMT

ContributorNetwork - Gray wolves in Michigan have taken off the federal endangered species list and may now be shot if they pose a threat to local wildlife. Last December, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) placed management of wolves into the hands of local DNR officials in Michigan. The Wolf Management Plan went into effect Friday, says Click on Detroit. Here are details about Michigan's wolf population and the new guidelines surrounding them.

AP Enterprise: Monkey owners flee La. crackdown (AP)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:44:49 GMT

AP - Even in their Texas hideout, Jim and Donita Clark are terrified that wildlife agents from their home state of Louisiana will descend on their motorhome and seize the four Capuchin monkeys they've reared for 10 years.

Jumping Spiders' Unique Vision Revealed (LiveScience.com)

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:34:57 GMT

LiveScience.com - Jumping spiders, which hunt by pouncing on their prey, gauge distances to their unsuspecting meals in a way that appears to be unique in the animal kingdom, a new study finds.

Two pig farms in Oklahoma accused of abuse (Reuters)

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:47:46 GMT

Reuters - The Humane Society on Tuesday accused two pig-breeding facilities, one of which supplies retail giant Wal-Mart Stores Inc, of mistreating the animals by confining sows in cages during pregnancy.

China streams live panda video to foster conservation (Reuters)

Wed, 01 Feb 2012 08:49:42 GMT

Reuters - China began Wednesday streaming live video footage of its pandas around the world via webcam in an attempt to boost awareness of conservation efforts for its beloved but endangered animal ambassadors.

Ohio man who released exotic animals had "plan": report (Reuters)

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:48:40 GMT

Reuters - The man who set off a panic in Ohio last October by releasing dozens of dangerous wild animals including lions and tigers, had told an employee before the incident that he suspected his wife of cheating and that he "had a plan."

Group opposes plan to make "Toto" breed Kansas state (Reuters)

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:59:29 GMT

Reuters - An animal rights group is objecting to proposed Kansas legislation that would make the Cairn terrier the state dog in honor of Toto, Dorothy's loyal pooch in the movie classic "The Wizard of Oz."

Edinburgh Zoo pandas back on display after illness (AP)

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:38:26 GMT

AP - Two giant pandas on loan to a Scottish zoo are back on public display after they were removed to be treated for colic.

Sweetness in Seattle: Zoo Animals Have a Snow Day (LiveScience.com)

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:34:59 GMT

LiveScience.com - Last week, life in much of Seattle came to a standstill.

Bats occupy Israeli army ghost bunkers (Reuters)

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:20:08 GMT

Reuters - Abandoned Israeli army bunkers along the Jordan River are providing a lifeline for bats on the endangered species list, researchers say.

Nature's Surprise: 365 New Species Spotted in Peru (LiveScience.com)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:40:04 GMT

LiveScience.com - Hundreds of species never before seen in a Peruvian national park have been found during an inventory of the Amazonian forests there, according to a conservation group.

3 shark attacks in Australia in less than 3 weeks (AP)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 11:18:46 GMT

AP - A snorkeling guide was attacked by a 10-foot (3-meter) tiger shark off a remote beach in Australia's third attack this month. That's as many attacks as the country generally sees in an entire year.