• Animals

Advocates Urge Shipping Speed Limits to Protect Endangered Gulf Whale

• #30x30
• Bryde's whale
• bycatch
• endangered
• Gulf of Mexico
• IUCN
• marine mammal
• species
• whales

By Amy Lupica, ODP Staff Writer

A coalition of environmental groups is urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to set an 11.5 mph limit on shipping speeds in an 11,500 square mile stretch of water off the Gulf Coast of Florida and Alabama. 

Why This Matters: Whales, despite operating at the top of their food chains, face mass casualties and mortal threats from human activity.

• Animals

UK Formally Recognizes Animals as Sentient Beings

• animal rights
• animal welfare

by Natasha Lasky, ODP Staff Writer The UK government is formally recognizing animals as sentient beings for the first time — a major win for animal welfare activists. This announcement comes along with a series of bills that ensure the health and safety of Britain’s animals, including microchipping cats, stopping the ownership of primate as […]

• Animals

Idaho Governor Sign a Law Allowing Hunters To Kill 90% of the State’s Wolves

• #30x30
• endangered species
• gray wolf
• habitat
• Idaho

Idaho Governor Brad Little has signed a law that could allow private hunters contracted by the state to kill 90% of the state’s wolves. Those in favor of the measure, including lawmakers, ranchers, and hunters would like to reduce the state’s 1,500 wolves to 150, to bring down the number of attacks on livestock and deer. 

Why this Matters: This law is a step back for wolf conservation— Zoe Hanley of the Defenders of Wildlife said in a statement that this decision “marks a low point for gray wolf recovery in the U.S.”