Zoos

Harambe with boy
Harambe: A True Crime Documentary Like No Other

Was Harambe just trying to protect a young boy? And, what does it all say about those animal prisons called zoos? Hollywood, California., August 12, 2024 – In May 2016, the tragic death of Harambe, a critically endangered silverback gorilla, shocked the world.

PETA protesting Miami Seaquarium
VICTORY! Officials Order Miami Seaquarium to Close Down Forever

Miami Seaquarium Closing! After decades of protests and relentless campaigning by animal rights activists, Miami-Dade County officials have finally ordered the infamous Miami Seaquarium to shut down. This landmark decision comes after years of criticism over the treatment of marine animals, including the orca Lolita, who died in captivity last year.

Tokitae (Lolita) the Orca Dies in Her Small Jail in Florida

Tokitae the orca, also known as Lolita, died in the world’s smallest orca tank at the Miami Seaquarium after spending more than 50 years in captivity Los Angeles, August 20th, 2023— The orca Tokitae, named Lolita by her jailers, died on Friday, August 18th, 2023, in the world’s smallest orca tank at the Miami Seaquarium, in Florida, after having spent more than 50 years captive there.

Two animal rights books
Why 2 New Animal Rights Books Are Very Timely

Two fascinating, new, animal rights books address our current climate crisis and the need for legal personhood for animals Los Angeles, August 11th, 2023 — New Zealand author M C Ronen and American authors Sam and Cynthia Machado have produced two very different animal rights books.

Press conference of the new bill to ban elephant captivity in NYC
New NYC Bill to Ban Elephant Captivity Could Free “Happy” the Elephant

NYC Council Member Shahana Hanif has introduced a bill to ban elephant captivity in New York City which could force Bronx Zoo to release the elephants Happy and Patty to a sanctuary New York, May 14th, 2023 —  Council Member Shahana Hanif has introduced a bill to ban elephant captivity in New York City.

Tokitae Orca at Miami Seaquarium (c)PETA
Miami Seaquarium Agrees to Release Tokitae, the Oldest Orca in Captivity

After decades of campaigning, plans have been set up to release Tokitae, the captive orca also known as Lolita, from Miami Seaquarium Los Angeles, March 6, 2023 — The Miami Seaquarium has announced the signing of a formal and binding agreement with a group called the Friends of Toki to begin the process of returning Tokitae the Orca, named Lolita by the aquarium, to a marine enclosure in Puget Sound in Washington state — close to where she was violently abducted from the ocean more than 50 years ago.

Happy the elephant at Bronx Zoo
Unhappy Court Ruling for Happy the Elephant, But There Is Hope

The Court of Appeal in New York has ruled against animal rights advocates seeking to “free” Happy the elephant On June 14, 2022, the Court of Appeals ruled on the case of Happy, the lonely elephant at Bronx Zoo, and unfortunately, it does not look good for her — or any of the other captive animals whom animal rights advocates had hoped could be recognized as legal persons by US law.

Woolly Monekey Ecuador
Trailblazing Captive Animals Are Changing Human Laws

With recent success in Ecuador, the case for granting legal personhood to some captive animals is advancing all over the world. A huge case comes up May 18th in New York involving Happy, the elephant. Happy, Estrellita, Kaavan, Chucho, and Billy may become names that future law students will have to memorize.

Asian Elefants from Asian Elephants 101
New Documentary Series ‘Asian Elephants 101’ on UnchainedTV

The new documentary series, Asian Elephants 101, is now streaming on UnchainedTV  to showcase the plight of India’s most iconic species. Asian Elephants 101 is a powerful TV series produced by renowned wildlife filmmaker and author Sangita Iyer, and funded by the National Geographic Society.

Utah's Humane Society held a protest on the steps of the Utah Capitol Building.
Utah’s “Extreme” Animal Enterprise Bill 476 Is Dead

Utah’s controversial Animal Enterprise Bill 476, which would have destroyed many animal protections, is dead after protests.   Animal welfare advocates are proclaiming victory after the stunning defeat of a bill that was being fast-tracked through Utah’s state legislature. Critics said the bill would have severely jeopardized any advances in animal protection that have been achieved in the state.