Adam Roberts in Print
Montana Company Faces Fines in Fatal Bear Mauling
The death of a Montana animal trainer mauled by a pair of 500-pound captive brown bears could have been prevented if standard safety practices had been followed, federal authorities said Tuesday (April 30), as state officials revealed that the private menagerie where the death occurred has seen numerous animal escapes.
Link: Yahoo! News
Illinois Bill Aims to Outlaw Lion Meat
In 1916, poet Carl Sandburg memorialized Chicago as “hog butcher to the world.” Now, one Illinois lawmaker wants to stop the city from earning a new reputation as lion butcher to the country. State Rep. Luis Arroyo (D) is behind the proposed legislation — the first in the nation to outlaw lion meat. Under Arroyo’s plan, anyone caught selling or slaughtering African lion (Panthera leo leo) would serve a year in jail and/or pay a $25,000 fine.
Link: TheEpochTimes.com
More Critical Scrutiny Needed for U.S. Fur Farming Industry
In reaction to recent reports that the demand for fur in China is causing a revival of fur farms in the United States, Born Free USA wants the public to be aware of the animal welfare and environment consequences.
Link: SeattlePI.com
Foreign Animals on Feds' Radar
While many Floridians are well-versed in animal protection and guarding against invasive species — such as the Burmese python — not everyone in Southwest Florida is pleased with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's foreign push and what it might mean for local animals.
Link: News-Press.com
Why Illinois Is Roaring Mad About Lion Meat
When we heard a few weeks ago that Illinois was considering banning lion meat, our first thought was, who's eating lion meat? And why Illinois? Turns out, lion meat has been gaining traction among adventurous foodies who argue that the meat can be an ethical alternative to factory-farmed animals — if the meat comes from American-raised circus and zoo animals that were sent to the slaughterhouse in their old age.
Link: NPR.org
Sen. Hatch Leads Effort to Strip Gray Wolves of Endangered Status
Led by Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, 72 senators and representatives formally asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monday (March 25) to delist the gray wolf from the Endangered Species Act.
Link: DeseretNews.com
Dianna Hanson Lion Mauling: Born Free USA Urges Stricter Safety Standards
The tragic death of Dianna Hanson at the Cat Haven wildlife sanctuary in California should focus attention on the dangers of working in captive animal facilities, according to one of the world's foremost animal advocacy organizations.
Link: IBTimes.co.uk
Illinois Lawmaker Battles to Ban Lion Meat
Dying to try lion? If you live in Illinois, you'd better get your fix quickly before proposed legislation would make the "mane" course a Class A misdemeanor. Illinois State Representative Luis Arroyo proposed HB 2991 to the state's General Assembly last month. If the Lion Meat Act passes, Illinois will become the first U.S. state to forbid lion slaughter, or for any person to possess, breed, import, export, buy or sell lions for the purpose of slaughter.
Link: Eatocracy.CNN.com
