
A weekly round-up of the most important animal stories happening around the world.
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Animal suffering must now be declared on food products in Switzerland
Under the new law, food businesses must disclose whether the animal products they sell come from animals who were mutilated without the use of anesthetic or stunning.
Is foie gras the world’s cruelest food?
The production process involves confining 12-week-old ducks and geese in small, dark pens for weeks, during which they are force-fed.
Sixth fatal bird flu case confirmed in Cambodia amid growing outbreak
Cambodia has reported 11 human H5N1 infections so far this year as the virus continues to spread across species, raising fears of future human-to-human transmission.
Drone footage shows rescued elephant Pupy thriving in new sanctuary home
The 35-year-old African elephant spent decades in a Buenos Aires zoo before being relocated to Latin America’s first elephant sanctuary.
Cultivated meat to go on sale in Australia for the first time
Sydney-based startup Vow receives green light to launch cultured quail products in restaurants and supermarkets across Australia.
Kamea, the youngest orca at SeaWorld, dies at 11
Her death brings SeaWorld’s orca death toll to 45, renewing calls to release the remaining whales into seaside sanctuaries.
Landmark Columbia River salmon recovery deal scrapped by Trump Administration
The now-defunct Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement had pledged more than $1 billion for salmon restoration and tribal energy development.
Captive lion population triples in Thailand, fueled by tourist selfies and pet trade
Researchers warn that unchecked breeding, social media hype, and a booming exotic pet trade are creating a welfare crisis in Thailand’s captive lion industry.
First large-scale donkey slaughterhouse opens in Pakistan in response to surging ejiao trade
Capable of processing 300,000 donkey skins annually, the facility could be the first of many as Pakistan expands its role in the global demand for ejiao.
Step into cruelty-free summer style with these vegan sandals
Is it even summer if you haven't ditched your boots for a carefree pair of sandals?
World’s largest meat producer JBS begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange
The Brazilian meat giant’s NYSE listing has ignited global backlash over its documented links to illegal deforestation, systemic animal suffering, and labor exploitation.
A third of North American bird species are rapidly declining, study warns
Researchers tracked 495 species using citizen data and found nearly 75 percent are plummeting in the regions they once thrived.
246 pilot whales slaughtered in Faroe Islands during controversial hunt
Pregnant females and newborn calves were among the pilot whales violently killed after being herded into the North Atlantic cove during this year’s Grindadráp.
Calls for criminal probe into New Jersey slaughterhouse after repeated welfare violations
Animal activists are calling on the Salem County Prosecutor to investigate a meat facility where a bull was left conscious for over six minutes during a botched slaughter.
Ivory, giraffe, and hippo parts found for sale across Pennsylvania, investigation reveals
From giraffe heads to ivory jewelry, wildlife parts linked to endangered animals found for sale in dozens of stores and auctions across the county.
Wild horse protections slashed in 2026 budget proposal, opening door to mass slaughter
The proposal cuts Bureau of Land Management funding by 25% and removes bans on killing federally protected animals, putting 64,000 wild horses and burros at risk.
Fish experience excruciating pain during slaughter, a new study confirms
New research confirms fish experience prolonged and severe pain during slaughter, raising urgent questions about animal welfare in the seafood industry.
The bird flu vaccine just lost US funding, do we still need it?
We have not yet experienced a bird flu pandemic, and there is little understanding of how dangerous this disease is.
Switzerland to ban fur imports from cruel farming practices
The groundbreaking new law will require fur sellers to prove their products meet Swiss animal welfare standards.
Why our oceans matter and how you can help
The ocean is the heartbeat of our planet. It covers over 70% of Earth’s surface, generates more than half of the oxygen we breathe, regulates climate, and provides a home for nearly a million species.
