WINTER 2020 / VOLUME 69 / NUMBER 4 Institute Jill Carey measures to prevent theslaughter ofhorses for human or cosponsored anarray ofanimalwelfare bills, including Congress. Duringhissixterms intheSenate, Bidensponsored a commitment to protecting animalsduringtheirtimein Vice President-elect KamalaHarrishave demonstrated I ampleased to report thatbothPresident-elect Bidenand environments inwhichthey live. laws, regulations, andpolicies thatbenefitanimalsandthe the past four years andto continue makingprogress via course correction oftheanti-animalagenda endured over eager to work withthenew administration to secure a hold thelinefor animals. We look forward to 2021andare As we approach theendof year, AWI iscontinuing to for Animals 2021 BringsBrighter Outlook A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Alan E.Kessock, CPA, Alan E.Kessock, CPA William S. Stokes, DVM Roger Payne, PhD Roger Fouts, PhD Mary Lee Jensvold,Mary PhD Christine Stevens Gerard Bertrand, PhD Caroline A. Griffin,Esq., Cynthia Wilson, Cathy Liss, Chris Miller, DVM Cathy Liss Caroline A.Griffin,Esq. Cynthia Wilson, Chair SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE OFFICERS DIRECTORS FOUNDER President Vice President Treasurer Secretary John Walsh, MD Senior Policy Advisor Senior Angela King, Ambassador Tabarak Husain, Aline S. deAluja,DVM, Allie Granger Alexandra Alberg Agnes Van Volkenburgh, DVM, Bangladesh Farm AnimalPolicy Associate Public Relations Manager Director, Government Affairs Executive Director/General Counsel Marine AnimalConsultant Sue Fisher Viktor Reinhardt, DVM, PhD Kate Dylewsky Nancy Blaney Nadia Adawi, Esq. Robert Schmidt,PhD Marjorie Fishman STAFF AND CONSULTANTS INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

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Mexico Poland Terrestrial Program Joanna Makowska, PhD Johanna Hamburger, Esq. Joanna Grossman, PhD defended numerous state laws to improve thewelfare offarm general inCalifornia, Harrisrepeatedly andsuccessfully and theexotic animalpettrade. asattorney While serving day dopingofthoroughbreds, andcombat wildlife trafficking fins, and conserve restore wildlife habitat, prohibit the race- soring ofTennessee walking horses, prohibit trade inshark of billsto benefit animals, includingones to crack down on During herterm intheSenate, Harriscosponsored anumber climate change. Refuge andhisrecognition oftheurgent needto acton his determination to protect theArctic NationalWildlife Biden’s voting record andrepeated publicstatements reflect , andstrengthen restrictions onanimalfighting. captive exotic animals, endthebrutal treatment ofdowned cats to research laboratories, prohibit thetrophy huntingof consumption abroad, endthesale ofrandom source dogs and with theprotections they deserve. the incoming administration andCongress provide animals new year, withyour butourtask, help, willbeto ensure that Our nationwillneedto confront aplethora ofissues inthe animals from challenges. industry Senior Advisor, AnimalCruelty Senior Advisor Allison Ludtke Program Director, MarineAnimalProgram Laboratory AnimalAdvisor Policy Advisor Researcher Director, Farm AnimalProgram Digital Advocacy Manager Director andSeniorStaff Attorney, Equine Program Manager and Marine MammalScientist Marine AnimalConsultant Membership Coordinator Susan Millward Sydney Hearst Naomi Rose, PhD Kate O’Connell Eric Kleiman Dena Jones Mary Lou Randour,Mary PhD Carly O’Beirne

Terrestrial Wildlife Zack Strong CFC# 10474 Tax ID#13-5655952 ISSN 1930-5109 (online) ISSN 1071-1384 (print) awionline.org [email protected] (202) 337-2332 Washington, DC20003 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Animal Welfare Institute information, contact: For subscription inquiries orother Staff Attorney, Farm Animal Senior Staff Attorney, Executive Assistant Program Writer/Editor Wildlife Biologist Dave Tilford Regina Terlau-Benford Erin Sutherland,Esq. D.J. Schubert — CathyLiss

22 TOMASZ STEPIEN TOMASZ

AWI QUARTERLY WINTER 2020

ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES 5 Protecting Marine Mammals in the Caribbean 24 AWI Refi nement Grant Winners Announced 5 Ill-Conceived Columbia River Sea Lion Cull 24 LAREF Has Moved! Commences 24 NIH Denies Sanctuary to Dozens of 6 Aquarium’s Beluga Acquisition Comes with Former Research Chimps Restrictions 25 Does Online Training Increase 7 IWC Conservation Committee’s Virtual Implementation of a Welfare-Enhancing Meeting Produces Positive Outcomes Technique? WILDLIFE COMPANION ANIMALS 12 Sound Science: Tracking Gray Wolves by Their 11 Greyhound Racing Rounds Its Final Turn Howls 11 AWI Unveils New Safe Havens Website 13 BarkLight Collars on Guard Dogs Could Help Protect Livestock 11 Long-Lost Dog Reunited with Family ABOUT THE COVER 14 AWI Returns to Court to Resuscitate Red Wolf The spotlight this issue is on two 22 USDA Allows Abysmal Conditions to Persist Recovery Program at Pennsylvania Guinea Pig Breeders wolf species—the red wolf (shown on 16 Gray Wolves Lose Endangered Species Protections the cover) and the gray wolf. AWI is FARM ANIMALS 16 AWI Continues Campaign to Reform Wildlife suing the US Fish and Wildlife Service 8 Meatpackers Fined for Failing to Protect Services Program (USFWS) for grossly mismanaging Workers 16 California Clamps Down on Rodenticides its Red Wolf Recovery Program (page 8 Fast Growth Leads to Poor Welfare for 17 Elephants Nearly Eliminated in Ivory Coast Chickens 14). Meanwhile, the USFWS has lifted 17 Forest Elephant Conservation Has High protections under the Endangered 8 AWI Updates Food Label Guide Economic Value Species Act for gray wolves, leaving 9 AWI Sues to Prevent Inhumane Handling of 18 Cohorts Collared Birds at Slaughter them at the mercy of state managers 10 Grim Fate for Factory-Farmed Turkeys (page 16). Two projects funded through GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS our Christine Stevens Wildlife Award 2 2021 Brings Brighter Outlook for Animals HUMANE EDUCATION program seek to ease human–wolf 20 New Year, New Congress 28 Scholarship Available to Animal Advocates confl icts through noninvasive study 20 Preventing Future Pandemics Act Entering College of wolf behavior and deployment of 21 House Passes Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act nonlethal methods to prevent wolf MARINE LIFE 21 Birds Poised to Finally Get Animal Welfare Act predation on livestock (pages 12 and 4 Scientists Warn of Cetacean Extinction Protections 13). Photograph by Mark Newman. 4 Off icial Decree Would Make France Dolphinarium-Free REVIEWS 4 Belugas Prosper in Pioneering Cetacean Sanctuary 26 My Octopus Teacher 5 Death at SeaWorld Book Slated for Small 26 Tales from the Ant World facebook.com/animalwelfareinstitute Screen Series 27 The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals @AWIonline @AWIonline marine life organizations thatcanaddress the and strengthen international cetaceans from humanactivities take precautionary actionto protect The scientists callonnationsto Deficient,” mayalso beimperiled. species, listed by the IUCNas“Data Threatened.” Twenty-four additional as “Vulnerable,” andseven as“Near Endangered” or“Endangered,” seven with 13species listed as“Critically to have atroubling conservation status, Nature (IUCN)considers more thanhalf International Unionfor of Conservation Of the90livingspecies ofcetaceans, the the road to extinction.” follow theChinese river dolphin“down as 10individuals, are to onatrajectory California, whichcould numberasfew and thevaquita ofMexico’s Gulfof a populationinthelow hundreds, Atlanticrightwhale,the North with Two critically endangered species— and majorriver systems.” exploited andhuman-dominated seas “in ourincreasingly busy, polluted, over- address these human-caused threats bemoans thelackofconcrete actionto extinct withinourlifetimes,” and “one after another, willlikely bedeclared The letter warns thatmany cetaceans, prey, climate change, andshipstrikes. and noise pollution,loss ofhabitat and entanglement infishing gear, chemical and populationsofcetaceans dueto the riskofextinction ofmanyspecies letter expressing grave concern about Dr. NaomiRose, have signedanopen cetacean scientists, includingAWI’s In anunprecedented statement, 361 CETACEAN EXTINCTION SCIENTISTS WARN OF devastating impactsonocean habitats including North Atlantic rightwhalesincluding North and drivingmanycetacean species— (shown here)—toward extinction. Humans activities are having the country). thefour Inshort, orcas dolphins (theonly two species held in and seven to 10years for bottlenose cetaceans altogether: two years for orcas a timelimitto endthecaptive displayof than theprevious one;itwould institute decree. Thisdecree would go further announced herintent to issue anew when thecurrent minister ofecology this past summer, butfailed to pass was introduced in the French Parliament dolphinariums. Abillto change thelaw soon after, underchallenge from French However, thisdecree was suspended circumstances, theforce carry oflaw. andcan,undercertain are similarto executive orders inthe and trade ban. Decrees inFrance display ofcetaceans through abreeding issued adecree phasingoutthecaptive In 2017, France’s minister ofecology being islinked to ourown. aquatic world’s health, andtheirwell- that cetaceans are sentinels ofthe threats they face. Thescientists note DOLPHINARIUM-FREE WOULD MAKE FRANCE OFFICIAL DECREE AWI QUARTERLY MARINE LIFE 4 WINTER 2020 species inthefuture. sanctuaries sheltering additional well, setting thestage for additional have beenactive, curious, anddoing off atitsmouth) for thefirsttime. They isnetted into thelarger bay area (which where they hadbeenacclimating and they were allowed outofthesea pen Quarterly in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland (see world’s first cetacean seaside sanctuary, decade, are now thefirst residents in the dolphinarium inShanghai,China,for a Russia’s OkhotskSea andheld ina belugas originally captured from Little White andLittle Grey, two young are anoptionbeingconsidered. hasindicated sanctuaries the ministry or where thecetaceans would go, but when thedecree willbeofficially issued those timeframes. Itis presently unclear be transferred outofthecountry within three different facilities would need to and 27dolphinscurrently displayed at SANCTUARY PIONEERING CETACEAN BELUGAS PROSPER IN , fall 2020). InSeptember, AWI AWI

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, NOAA MARINE LIFE

DEATH AT SEAWORLD mammal watching.” The latter session from the outset—like most predator- BOOK SLATED FOR SMALL included a presentation by the control programs, it is likely to fail in its SCREEN SERIES International Whaling Commission on objectives. However, a bill was rushed its impressive online Whale Watching through Congress in 2018 to amend Death at SeaWorld: Shamu and the Handbook. The handbook is available the Marine Mammal Protection Act Dark Side of Killer Whales in Captivity, in English, French, and Spanish and to allow this indiscriminate cull, and by journalist David Kirby, is a 2012 is for operators, whale watchers, and AWI has heard that the permit holders book that examines the killing of regulators. The presentation was started killing sea lions in late 2020. SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau timely, as whale watching is a growing We will monitor the program and by the orca Tilikum. The book has industry in the Wider Caribbean. hope that we can undo this misguided now been optioned by the United and inhumane decision in the next Kingdom’s Castlefield TV to produce a Congress. Despite this politically 10-episode “true-to-life” series, with ILL-CONCEIVED expedient removal of sea lions, salmon a target start date for production in COLUMBIA RIVER SEA will likely continue their downward late 2021. The series will reflect the LION CULL COMMENCES spiral, because their true threats narrative of the book, focusing on the remain: dams on spawning rivers, investigation that led to SeaWorld On August 14, the National Marine habitat degradation, and unsustainable being cited by the Occupational Safety Fisheries Service (NMFS) issued a human fisheries that have been and Health Administration and to permit to Oregon, Washington, and restricted but not eliminated. the end of trainers working in the Idaho, as well as several tribal entities, water with the whales. The book also to kill up to 540 California sea lions highlights the life and career of Dr. and 176 Steller sea lions over the next Naomi Rose, AWI’s marine mammal five years within the Columbia River scientist. At this early stage in its basin. This cull is meant to protect development, Castlefield is working to endangered salmon from predation, but any sea lion sighted up the Columbia To save salmon in the Columbia secure a broadcaster for the series. River basin, authorities have chosen River and its tributaries is now a target, to scapegoat sea lions while virtually even if they do not eat any salmon. ignoring the primary drivers of salmon decline: dams, overfishing, AWI has opposed this killing program and habitat degradation. PROTECTING MARINE MAMMALS IN THE CARIBBEAN AWI participated as an invited expert in the fourth series of meetings of the Caribbean Marine Mammals Preservation Network (CARI’MAM) in October and November. This year’s meetings were held virtually. CARI’MAM comprises marine mammal stakeholders and experts in the Wider Caribbean. At least 37 species of marine mammals call the Wider Caribbean home, and CARI’MAM provides countries with a way to share information, combine resources, and cooperate on marine mammal conservation issues.

The meetings included sessions on “knowledge acquisition and scientific

monitoring,” “threats, protection, ATEMA BOUKE and awareness raising,” and “marine

AWI QUARTERLY 5 WINTER 2020 Aquarium’s Beluga Acquisition Comes with Restrictions

October 2019, the National Marine Fisheries Service eventually be placed on permanent public display at Mystic or In (NMFS) indicated it had received a permit application other facilities such as Georgia Aquarium. from Mystic Aquarium to import fi ve captive-born beluga whales from MarineLand in Canada, for the purposes of This would be illegal. AWI and other organizations pointed scientifi c research. Two elements of this application are this out and made other arguments against the import in potentially precedent setting. First, these belugas are captive- comments submitted to the government, urging NMFS to bred off spring of whales caught from the wild in Russia, from deny the request. Pragmatically, however, we also emphasized the Sakhalin Bay-Amur River population that was designated that if a permit was issued, it must contain three conditions: as depleted under the Marine Mammal Protection Act in 2016 First, no breeding—the reproductive study proposed must (see AWI Quarterly, summer 2016). Second, while it is legal to be disallowed and contraception must be practiced. Second, import members of a population designated as depleted for no performance—“incidental” display is far from ideal, but research, it is illegal to import them for public display. Mystic certainly there should be no public interactions or shows. has no dedicated research facilities—all of its belugas are on Finally, all decisions regarding what happens to these whales display, even when used for research. during and after the fi ve-year period of the permit should be made by NMFS, not the permit holder. Other depleted marine mammals have been held for research with “incidental” public display in the United States, but they AWI and allies were prepared to go to court had the permit were already in the country (rescued from the wild or born in been issued without these conditions. There are other reasons US facilities). The international trade element of this situation why this permit is problematic, but these prohibitions would at is relevant: If the United States became a market for Russian least prevent the government from setting an entirely negative belugas or their off spring, the incentive to continue captures precedent. Therefore, when NMFS did issue the permit at the in the wild would increase. end of August, we were gratifi ed to see that it included all three conditions. We are following up with the agency regarding Mystic stated clearly that it would allow these whales to the other elements of concern, but feel that the strong permit breed, and if any pregnancies, births, or calves result from this conditions make the belugas’ import more a simple change of laissez-faire attitude, it would conduct reproductive research. residence than an international trade precedent with broadly However, Mystic was quite murky about what would become negative consequences. We will remain vigilant to future of the whales after the research. It hinted in its application eff orts to move Russian belugas and their off spring across that any calves, as well as the fi ve imported whales, might international borders as we seek to ensure that the United States never becomes a market for their commercial trade.

AWI QUARTERLY 6 WINTER 2020 ANIMALS WE MCARTHUR, JO-ANNE WONDERFUL NATURE WONDERFUL

marine debris, a new initiative for South American river dolphins, and ensuring the secretariat has adequate resources to implement the workplan.

The Conservation Committee is a smaller subsidiary body IWC Conservation than the Scientifi c Committee, the latter of which was established in the 1940s, meets for approximately two Commi ee’s Virtual weeks every year, and regularly attracts 200 participants. The Conservation Committee is, however, no less important. Meeting Produces Its role and importance are likely to increase, in fact, as the IWC considers making structural changes to increase Positive Outcomes its eff iciency. The Conservation Committee was created in 2004 to ensure that the research and recommendations of the Scientifi c Committee are translated into meaningful he COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the meeting conservation measures that will reduce or eliminate threats T schedules of many international conventions, with to cetaceans, including from bycatch in fi shing gear, most in-person meetings canceled or postponed (see marine debris, vessel strikes, and climate change. As those AWI Quarterly, fall 2020). The biennial meeting of the threats have magnifi ed in recent years, the Conservation International Whaling Commission (IWC) was among the Committee’s strategic plan and workload have grown casualties. Scheduled for September 2020 in Slovenia, it signifi cantly, to include several species-specifi c (and soon, has now been postponed a full year. region-specifi c) conservation management plans, two well- established mitigation initiatives (focused on bycatch and Despite this setback, the IWC’s secretariat adapted nimbly vessel strikes), and a new eff ort to assess the socio-economic to new ways of doing global business. In the spring, contributions of cetaceans to ecosystem functioning. it pivoted to host the annual meeting of its Scientifi c Committee as an all-online event, enabling the participation Although most of the Conservation Committee’s substantive of almost 350 scientists, many of whom would not otherwise work is conducted intersessionally between the biennial have been able to attend a traditional, in-person meeting. IWC meetings, a one-day meeting of the full committee neither does justice to the growing urgency of the issues The lessons learned from the virtual Scientifi c Committee it addresses nor keeps pace with its increasing workload. meeting recently benefi ted the IWC’s Conservation AWI believes that the need for an annual Conservation Committee, which had been scheduled to meet during Committee meeting has been clearly established. Although the biennial IWC meeting. Instead, a week of daily Zoom we do not want to relegate the committee to only sessions and online discussions in writing were held, virtual meetings in the future, we hope that the positive carefully timed to accommodate participants in every time experience—and low fi nancial and environmental cost—of zone. The virtual format enabled AWI and colleagues from the 2020 virtual Conservation Committee meeting will 20 other animal protection and conservation organizations lead to greater use of modern technology to facilitate IWC to work alongside representatives of 30 governments. We deliberations. In particular, we urge consideration of a were able to contribute substantively to every agenda item, hybrid model (some participants in person, some online) including the workplan of the IWC’s bycatch mitigation that ensures transparency and provides equitable access to initiative, principles for whale watching, future work on all member nations and observer organizations.

AWI QUARTERLY 7 WINTER 2020 FARM ANIMALS

MEATPACKERS FINED the health and welfare of 7,500 chickens and Organic Plus Trust (OPT) Certified FOR FAILING TO PROTECT of 16 different genetic strains, using Grass-Fed Organic. WORKERS indicators such as behavior, physiology, and anatomy, among others. According The One Health Certified label, which As of November, over 50,000 workers to the study’s summary, chickens with can be found on certain poultry at meat and poultry slaughter facilities fast growth rates and high breast yields products, has been placed in AWI’s had been infected with COVID-19. suffer from poor welfare outcomes, “beware” category. Despite presenting The Occupational Safety and Health including “lower activity levels, poorer an image that it signifies responsible Administration has determined that the indicators of mobility, poorer foot animal care, One Health Certified has spread of COVID-19 at some facilities and hock health, higher biochemical not developed its own comprehensive is largely a result of meatpacking markers of muscle damage, higher rates animal welfare standards. Rather, plants not acting quickly to implement of muscle myopathies, and potentially it merely requires that producers measures such as social distancing, inadequate organ development.” A meet the criteria of other programs, physical barriers, face shields, and working group of experts will use including those developed by and for face coverings. So far, OSHA has fined the results of the study to determine the conventional poultry industry that Smithfield Foods and JBS Foods which chicken breeds will be allowed allow for extreme confinement and do (operating as Swift Beef Company) under G.A.P.’s welfare-rating program, not require access to the outdoors or for failing to protect employees at with potential to impact the lives of environmental enrichments. four facilities in the Midwest. State up to 300 million chickens annually regulators have also taken action. raised for meat in accordance On the other hand, AWI considers OPT In November, OSHA administrators with the program’s standards. Certified Grass-Fed Organic a “next farm animals farm in California fined Smithfield and best choice” for dairy products. The its contractor over $100,000 for program’s standards require producers COVID-related violations at its to provide cattle with longer grazing Vernon, California, facility. However, AWI UPDATES FOOD periods and a diet that consists of it is doubtful that the fines, which LABEL GUIDE forage only, in addition to complying amount to less than $150,000 for all with regulations under the National five facilities combined, will motivate AWI has updated A Consumer’s Guide Organic Program that address livestock organizational change. These major to Food Labels and Animal Welfare health and living conditions. corporations may just chalk it up as the to help shoppers make food choices cost of doing business. with animal welfare in mind. The changes include our assessment of Visit our website at awionline.org/ two new labels, One Health Certified FoodLabelGuide to download the guide.

FAST GROWTH LEADS TO POOR WELFARE FOR CHICKENS Over the past several decades, the poultry industry has used selective breeding to double the average market weight of chickens raised for meat while cutting nearly in half the amount of time it takes for birds to reach market weight. Researchers at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, recently released a groundbreaking multidisciplinary study that examines how this practice of accelerated growth affects the health and welfare of chickens.

This new research—partially funded by the nonprofit organization Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.)—assessed PROGRESSMAN

AWI QUARTERLY 8 WINTER 2020 FARM ANIMALS HENRYK SADURA HENRYK

AWI Sues to Prevent Inhumane Handling of Birds at Slaughter

he suff ering of birds at federally inspected slaughter The USDA’s own poultry slaughter records demonstrate that T establishments is staggering. During the winter months, birds could be spared this fate if the department regulated trucks arrive at the plants with birds who are dead and frozen bird handling under the Poultry Products Inspection Act to their transport cages. Surviving birds sometimes sit for (PPIA). The PPIA requires the USDA to prevent “adulteration” hours—if not days—in freezing temperatures before they (damage or contamination) of poultry products, and the are unloaded. In summer months, birds are left on trucks in department has acknowledged that humane handling reduces the hot weather with no shade or access to food and water, poultry adulteration. AWI has lobbied the USDA for years to leading them to die from heat exhaustion or to endure hours use this authority, but the department has refused to do so. of hunger and thirst. In 2013, AWI and Farm Sanctuary petitioned the USDA to Once unloaded, the birds face more abuse. They are thrown create regulations to require humane handling of birds, off the trucks in their crates, carelessly dumped onto arguing that the PPIA mandates such action. AWI also wrote conveyor belts, and even run over by forklifts, suff ering the USDA in 2016 asking that it prohibit establishments broken bones, lacerations, and asphyxiation under the from allowing birds to be abandoned for extended periods of crush of other birds. In most US , birds time during extreme weather conditions, which causes mass are then strung up by their feet while conscious onto the suff ering and death of birds other than by humane slaughter. slaughter line, which can cause more injuries and distress. The USDA treated this letter as another petition, but ignored As they proceed down the line, they are submerged in an our requests in both cases. electric water bath to stun them. In some instances, birds are improperly stunned and/or miss having their throats After years of delay, the USDA formally denied the petitions cut by the auto-knife. Such birds may enter the scald tank in 2019, asserting that it did not have authority to promulgate alive and fully conscious—to die an excruciating death by the requested regulations and that the PPIA does not give drowning in scalding hot water. it jurisdiction to require humane handling of birds. AWI and Farm Sanctuary sued the USDA on August 13, 2020, for Birds face this misery due to the USDA’s failure to require denying the petitions. We hope that the lawsuit will force humane handling at slaughter. According to AWI’s research, the department to end its practice of ignoring inhumane the USDA’s regulatory blind spot has resulted in millions of handling at slaughter and failing to prevent the consequent birds suff ering and dying in a manner other than by humane adulteration of poultry products. slaughter.

AWI QUARTERLY 9 WINTER 2020 Grim Fate for Factory-Farmed Turkeys

Since the early 1800s, at least, turkey has been a traditional Fortunately, for those looking for an alternative to part of holiday dinners in America. Approximately 50 conventionally raised turkeys, there are now more options million turkeys are killed for Thanksgiving each year, with than ever. While the vast majority of turkeys are still another 22 million killed for Christmas dinner. But most raised in conventional systems, specialty products from Americans know little about the life of the animal who higher-welfare farms are steadily increasing. But buyers provides the centerpiece for their holiday table. should beware. A slew of misleading turkey labels make it diff icult for consumers to properly evaluate animal welfare Most turkeys found on supermarket shelves in the United and environmental claims. “USDA Certifi ed Organic,” for States were raised among thousands of others in industrial instance, does not guarantee higher welfare. Even “free facilities without access to fresh air or the outdoors—a life range” can mean far less than it implies—in some cases, that no living being would be thankful for. Turkeys who so-called free range turkeys are given only a few square feet may reach 20 pounds or more are packed tightly together of gravel or barren dirt. with only a few feet of space each. To prevent feather pecking, cannibalism, and other aggressive behaviors One way for consumers to ensure that turkey and other due to crowding and stress, producers perform painful meat products align with their preferences for animal mutilations, such as cutting off the ends of birds’ beaks and treatment is to look for verifi cation by independent auditing toes. Lighting in the buildings is also kept dim to minimize programs—a “seal of approval” from a trustworthy source. aggression and encourage weight gain. However, even among third-party food certifi cations, animal welfare standards can vary greatly. Some programs In addition to being exposed to poor environmental have high standards, whereas others refl ect only marginal conditions, many turkeys suff er from a host of health and improvement over conventional industry practices. welfare problems that result from selective breeding for rapid growth and high meat yield. Modern turkeys grow so While it is possible to fi nd turkey products that come from quickly their bodies cannot keep up, and they suff er from birds who experience a life worth living, some research is skeletal problems and leg abnormalities. Turkeys have required to navigate the maze of competing brands and even become too large to mate naturally, leaving artifi cial confusing, sometimes deceptive labels. AWI can help. We insemination as the only option for breeding. Their myriad off er a free comprehensive guide to label claims commonly health issues lead to high mortality rates on the farm, long found on meat, egg, and dairy products. (See page 8 for before the birds ever reach the . more information.) And, of course, one can also simply leave turkey off the plate. A growing number of Americans are celebrating the season with cruelty-free, plant-based protein options.

AWI QUARTERLY 10 WINTER 2020 ANIMALS WE MCARTHUR, JO-ANNE COMPANION ANIMALS

The end of 2020 marks the end of greyhound racing in Florida, the former capital of this abusive sport. In another two years, dog tracks in all but one state will be shuttered.

The need for safe havens for pets is clear—one survey found that 71 percent of victims of domestic violence who have pets reported that their abusers had threatened, injured, or killed their pets. Now, users can access regularly updated information by

JUAN GOMEZ JUAN searching for sheltering services near their zip code or in their state. This database is included on the National GREYHOUND RACING prohibits betting on live dog races as Domestic Violence Hotline’s website ROUNDS ITS FINAL TURN of the end of 2020—effectively shutting and was accessed tens of thousands Since its peak in 1985, greyhound down greyhound racing in the state. of times in 2019. Visit the new site at racing in the United States has been Tracks in Iowa and Arkansas will close safehavensforpets.org. on the decline. Once the last track in by the end of 2022, which would leave closed in June 2020, only four only West Virginia, which currently has states—Arkansas, Iowa, West Virginia, two active tracks, as the last holdout. and Florida—had active dog tracks. LONG-LOST DOG REUNITED WITH FAMILY Cruel practices are well documented Shortly before Thanksgiving, a stray in greyhound racing, and unprofitable AWI UNVEILS NEW SAFE dog was brought to a local shelter in racing dogs are often killed or discarded. HAVENS WEBSITE San Antonio. The dog was scanned A security guard at one track was paid Since 2011, AWI has managed the and found to have a microchip that $10 a dog to surreptitiously shoot and Safe Havens Mapping Project—a identified his family. After receiving bury some 3,000 greyhounds over a searchable database of sheltering a call, the dog’s owner rushed to the period of 10 years. In 2010, a trainer left services that can assist individuals shelter to get him. “The woman burst 37 dogs to starve to death after the end experiencing domestic violence in into tears as soon as she saw him, fell of the season. In 2017, a trainer’s license placing their companion animals out to her knees, and held him in her arms,” was revoked after five of his dogs tested of harm’s way. AWI works to spread while the dog wildly wagged his tail, positive for cocaine. A few months awareness about the link between according to the city’s Animal Care later, a dozen dogs from another trainer animal cruelty and family violence, Services (ACS) personnel. What made animals companion tested positive for the drug. while providing resources for survivors, this story remarkable was that the dog attorneys, and other advocates. In (named Honey) had been missing for Florida was, until recently, the October, during Domestic Violence seven years. Fortunately, San Antonio capital of greyhound racing in the Awareness Month, AWI launched a law requires that all dogs, cats, and United States, with 11 active tracks new standalone website for the Safe ferrets in the city have a registered in 2018 (more than all other states Havens Mapping Project that includes microchip including the owner’s name, combined). That year, however, nearly improved search features so users can address, and phone number, and ACS 70 percent of Florida voters approved safely access the information they provides lifetime registration. a constitutional amendment that need in a matter of seconds.

AWI QUARTERLY 11 WINTER 2020 CS WILDLIFE AWARD RESEARCH Sound Science: Tracking Gray Wolves by Their Howls

Wolf–human confl icts are an ongoing concern that can lead howls at each device to triangulate the position of the howling to both legal and illegal killing of wild wolves, poor support for wolf. Over two weeks of recordings, we detected 190 instances wild carnivore welfare among local human populations, and of wolves howling, of which 28 were heard on at least three legislative changes that negatively aff ect wolf conservation. recording devices, allowing us to pinpoint the location of the animals. We also identifi ed the locations of 69 instances of In central Wisconsin, the gray wolf population has grown in barking dogs and 42 instances of howling coyotes. recent years to approximately 144–153 wolves across 34 packs. While this recovery has been positive for the conservation Our results not only demonstrated that the methods used prospects of wolves and for the stabilization of the local with the wolves in YNP can be eff ective in habitats where ecosystem, it has led to a proportional rise in the number of wolf–human confl icts are more frequent, but also generated human–wolf confl icts. Therefore, tracking wild wolves is vital a data set that is currently being analyzed to understand for understanding the factors driving their interactions with the vocal interactions between these three species. By using livestock and activities around farm property in general. sound to track wolf movements and locations, we can develop suggested mitigation measures to reduce wolf–livestock Wolves are shy and largely nocturnal, so obtaining details of interactions. Since the acoustic devices also recorded barking their wild behavior can be challenging. Traditional radio-collar dogs and howling coyotes, we hope to expand our suggested methods are eff ective at tracking the movements of individuals; mitigation tools to more broadly reduce confl icts between however, they are expensive and time consuming and can cause wild predators and farmers. injury to the wolves. The goal of our study, partially funded with a Christine Stevens Wildlife Award, was to demonstrate that Given the success of this technology in YNP and Wisconsin, passive acoustic localization can accurately be used to track it likely will also be successful in identifying the locations the movements of these packs and understand their behaviors and tracking the movements of predators in other countries, without having to capture, collar, or harass them. providing a new tool to help mitigate predator–livestock confl icts globally. Indeed, our acoustic system will soon be The acoustic system we used was based on devices originally tested in South Africa to study the interactions between tested in Yellowstone National Park (YNP). We deployed 11 livestock guard dogs and wildlife. passive recording devices equipped with synchronous GPS units and used the diff erence in the time of arrival of wolf by Dr. Angela Dassow, Carthage College

AWI QUARTERLY 12 WINTER 2020 DONOHUE W DENNIS CS WILDLIFE AWARD RESEARCH

BarkLight Collars on Guard Dogs Could Help Protect Livestock

Gray wolf expansion into previously occupied habitat is among up to one minute. The barking also triggers additional lights the most ecologically successful but socially controversial installed on the property and serves to deter predators and wildlife restoration eff orts undertaken in the western United alert humans that predators are near. States. Confl icts between wolves and humans arising from livestock depredation have resulted in the killing of thousands During the summer of 2019, in partnership with livestock of wolves and continue to undermine species recovery. More producers, we fi eld tested the prototype collars on multiple than 100 studies indicate that nonlethal methods of deterring livestock guard dogs. Initial testing showed that these carnivores from livestock are as eff ective as or superior to devices work as designed while not distressing the dogs. lethal control. Nonlethal methods have the added advantage We identifi ed several improvements to the electronics of supporting human–wildlife coexistence, through enabling and the design of the device’s plastic shell to increase ranchers and wolves to share landscapes and ecosystem the eff ectiveness and durability of the collars. These benefi ts, including top predator regulation of ecosystem optimizations include refi nements in waterproofi ng and in processes. Adaptive and proactive nonlethal predator both power source and management. In addition, we learned deterrents are more sustainable and ecologically benefi cial that Great Pyrenees dogs, a breed commonly used as guard than lethal control programs, which cost millions of dollars dogs, have a distinctive bark pattern. Since the algorithm and kill untold numbers of wildlife every year. that distinguishes between dog barks (generally in the 400Hz range) and other sounds was based on recordings of Great We used a Christine Stevens Wildlife Award to fi eld test Pyrenees, the software will likely need additional tuning a nonlethal predator deterrent, the E-Shepherd collar, to work with other types of dogs. We are satisfi ed with the which had shown promise in South Africa when placed on proof of concept of the BarkLight Collar. Our main livestock livestock. When tests in the western United States yielded producer partner is also encouraged by the performance disappointing results, we transitioned to testing a prototype of the devices and is working with the High Desert Design for a new, experimental product called BarkLight Collars. The Center, which manufactured the original prototype, to move collars, which are triggered by sounds in the frequency range the product forward to eventual market testing. of a dog bark (400Hz), are placed on livestock guard dogs. When the dogs bark, which typically occurs when defending article by Zoë Hanley, Defenders of Wildlife; research livestock from a threat such as a wild predator, bright LED conducted by Defenders of Wildlife fi eld conservation staff lights fl ash on the collars. If the sound is determined to be a real bark (pattern of 3–4 barks in 100ms) the lights stay on for

MAJECZKA AWI QUARTERLY 13 WINTER 2020 AWI RETURNS TO COURT TO RESUSCITATE RED WOLF RECOVERY PROGRAM

November, AWI and allies sued the IN US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for violating the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by grossly mismanaging the wild red wolf population in North Carolina. The red wolf once roamed the eastern and southcentral United States. Now, however, it is the most endangered canid in the world, and one of the rarest mammals, due to predator control programs, habitat degradation, killing by hunters, and, most recently, the abandonment of the Red Wolf Recovery Program by the USFWS. Scientists have warned that if current management practices continue, red wolves could be extinct in the wild by 2024.

The red wolf was first declared extinct in the wild in 1980. In 1987, in an effort to revive the species, 12 red wolves from the captive population were reintroduced into eastern North Carolina. The reintroduction proved to be a success—so much so that the USFWS once called it a model

AWI QUARTERLY 14 WINTER 2020 ADK91 for predator reintroductions. Between 2002 and 2014, the of the red wolf. The ESA requires the USFWS to promote red population consistently numbered over 100 wolves. wolf recovery by carrying out programs for the conservation of the species, which the agency is not currently doing. The ESA In 2013, however, the recovery program was transferred also obligates federal agencies to insure that any actions they from the jurisdiction of the National Wildlife Refuge authorize, fund, or carry out are not likely to jeopardize the System to the Ecological Services Program, and decision- continued existence of any threatened or endangered species. making shifted from red wolf biologists to administrative The USFWS’s decision to stop releasing captive red wolves, staff in Atlanta. Program priorities shifted as well—toward by its own admission, will jeopardize the species’ continued appeasement of landowners hostile to the recovery program. existence unless it begins implementing conservation The agency began issuing permits allowing landowners measures again. to indiscriminately kill red wolves on private land. It also suspended further releases of captive wolves into the wild The new red wolf 10(j) rule interpretation also violates the and stopped sterilizing coyotes in the region to prevent Administrative Procedure Act because it departs from the hybridization. In 2018, the USFWS announced plans to shrink agency’s past practice without adequate explanation. Public the recovery area by 90 percent. records indicate the USFWS acknowledges that captive releases are vital to the genetic health and viability of the As the USFWS pulled back its protections and reintroduction wild population. The agency has no plausible explanation efforts, the population began to dwindle. By 2015, there for how it can continue to fulfill its mission of recovering were 75 or fewer red wolves in the recovery area. By 2016, the the red wolf without releasing captive wolves. Even key staff population was under 50. By 2019, it had dropped to fewer overseeing the wild population were at a loss for how to than 18, and that year, for the first time in the reintroduction explain the new stance. program’s history, no pups were born. In 2020, again, no wild red wolves produced litters. The population has now fallen to AWI has a long and successful history of fighting to protect only seven collared animals. red wolves. This is the fourth lawsuit AWI and allies have filed since 2012 to protect the species. The first and second The USFWS’s decision to bar releases from the captive actions, initiated in 2012 and 2013, were brought against the population was based on a novel interpretation of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, challenging red wolf 10(j) rule. In support of the ESA’s command to its decision to allow coyote in areas occupied by red conserve and recover species in the wild, section 10(j) of wolves, who are easily mistaken for coyotes. The 2012 case the ESA authorizes the USFWS to reintroduce populations was resolved in our favor, and the 2013 case resulted in an of threatened and endangered species within their historic agreement that banned coyote hunting at night throughout range. Pursuant to section 10(j), and from the beginning the recovery area and during the day on public lands in the of the red wolf reintroduction program in 1987, the USFWS area, and required the issuance of permits before coyotes managed the wild population with the understanding that could be killed on private lands. captive releases were essential for the recovery of the species. From 1987 through 2014, the USFWS released 134 red wolves The third lawsuit, initiated in 2015, was brought against the into the recovery area. USFWS for issuing permits that allowed landowners to kill any red wolf on their private land—regardless of whether the However, after temporarily halting releases from captivity in wolves were actually causing trouble—and for discontinuing 2015, the USFWS adopted the position around 2018 that the programs vital to maintaining the red wolf population. In red wolf 10(j) rule did not authorize the release of captive 2018, the court held that the USFWS violated the ESA and wolves into the wild beyond the first 12 released in 1987. This prevented the agency from issuing additional permits to interpretation represents a significant departure from the kill red wolves without first demonstrating the wolves are a USFWS’s former understanding and longstanding practice of threat to the safety of humans, livestock, or pets. The court releasing captive-born red wolves into the wild on an ongoing also ruled that the USFWS failed to administer the red wolf basis for over 25 years after the initial 1987 releases. program in furtherance of the purposes of the ESA and was likely jeopardizing the continued existence of the species. AWI’s lawsuit seeks to require the USFWS to reverse this new interpretation of the red wolf 10(j) rule. The complaint alleges By challenging the USFWS’s abandonment of proven the agency is violating the ESA by failing to use its authority conservation measures, AWI is continuing our fight to ensure to further red wolf recovery and failing to insure that its that these beautiful animals remain on the landscape in a actions are not likely to jeopardize the continued existence healthy and functioning population.

AWI QUARTERLY 15 WINTER 2020 wildlife of Minnesota’s wolf populationwas in theGreat Lakes region, 25percent brief timewhenwolves were delisted and trapped inthose states. Duringthe nearly 3,500 wolves have beenshot in Montana, Idaho, andWyoming, since 2011, whenwolves were delisted viable wolf populations. For example, livestock over themaintenance of hunting interests andprotection of which have prioritized recreational shifted to thestates, themajority of Gray wolf management willnow be continue to face. that gray wolves andtheirhabitat adequately assess thenumerous threats scientific evidence, and(4) fails to does notrely (3) onthebest available oftheir in asignificantportion range, provide for therecovery ofgray wolves wolves andtheirhabitat, (2)fails to are clearly insufficient to protect gray it (1)relies onstate regulations that the basic tenets oftheESAbecause This delistingisinconsistent with of federal protections. nine states, even after nearly 50years 6,100 gray wolves remain inpockets of majority ofUSstates, buttoday only numbered 2millionanimalslivingina The gray wolf populationonce species thathasnotyet fully recovered. will have disastrous consequences for a Arizona andNew Mexico. Thisdelisting population ofMexican wolves in lower 48 states except for asmall protection for allgray wolves inthe Endangered Species Act (ESA) Service finalized arule removing In October, theUSFishandWildlife PROTECTIONS ENDANGERED SPECIES GRAY WOLVES LOSE endangered spotted northern owl. on theuse ofsecond generation California placed amoratorium anticoagulant rodenticides— to predators, includingthe which pose agrave threat the program’s operations inCalifornia and testifying atpublichearings on submitting comments to theUSDA programs. Recently, through of itswildlife damage management consider theenvironmental impact Environmental Policy Act to fully fulfills its legal dutyundertheNational ofAgricultureDepartment program working to ensure thatthisUS co-leading acoalition oforganizations data released inOctober 2020. AWI is native wildlife species, according to million animals, including1.2million In 2019, Wildlife Services killed 2.2 these animalsto theirnative lands. decades ofinvestment inrestoring gray wolf populationandundermine suffering caused, would devastate the methods, which,inadditionto the seasons thatallow brutal killing adopt expansive huntingandtrapping Lakes states andothersare expected to was reduced by 18percent. TheGreat killed, andWisconsin’s population PROGRAM WILDLIFE SERVICES CAMPAIGN TO REFORM AWI CONTINUES AWI QUARTERLY WILDLIFE 16 WINTER 2020 restrictions are adopted to better rodenticides (SGARs)untilnew of second-generation anticoagulant law placing amoratorium on theuse In September, California enacted a wildlife conflict. alternatives to managing human– Wildlife Services to consider nonlethal and aerialgunning, andwe encouraged crushing traps, killingpups intheirden, strangling snares, leghold traps, body- of lethal management, including against theuse ofcruelmethods and Wyoming, we once again argued Pacific fisher, andSan Joaquin kit fox. spottedsuch asthenorthern owl, coyotes, aswell asendangered species mountain lions, bobcats, hawks, and SGARs intheirsystems, including animals tested inCalifornia have had recent years, over 70 percent ofwild direct andsecondary poisoning. In on nontarget wild animals through and conservancies. SGARswreak havoc SGARs instate parks, wildlife refuges, chemicals. Thelawalso bans theuse of protect wildlife from these highly toxic DOWN ON RODENTICIDES CALIFORNIA CLAMPS

FRANK D. LOSPALLUTO WILDLIFE

Living forest elephants have enormous economic value—among other things, they contribute to carbon sequestration and thereby combat climate change.

herbivory, trampling, and carbon sequestration. Forest elephants facilitate carbon capture by removing (through feeding and trampling) small trees, thereby favoring larger trees that store large quantities of carbon, preventing its release into the environment.

GUDKOV ANDREY GUDKOV Such impacts have economic value, according to an August 2020 working paper by Ralph Chami (an economist ELEPHANTS NEARLY agricultural lands. As forest habitat is at the International Monetary Fund) ELIMINATED IN IVORY lost, elephant food supplies dwindle, and colleagues, published by Duke COAST forcing them into human-occupied University’s Economic Research areas, including agricultural fields, One hundred years ago, Côte d’Ivoire—a Initiatives. Combining the carbon increasing incidents of human– nation that takes its name from the sequestration provided by the current elephant conflict and, in turn, poaching. once-flourishing ivory trade that 100,000 elephants and the contribution ran through its ports—was home from future generations these elephants Kouakou and colleagues note that to between 3,000 and 5,000 forest would produce, the authors calculate a “aggressive conservation actions elephants. Today, according to a study present value of over $176 billion ($1.76 including law enforcement for the by Kouakou et al., published in PLOS million per existing elephant). That protection of their remaining habitat ONE in October, extensive habitat loss value would be even higher if poaching and anti-poaching actions are needed and poaching have left a mere 225 forest were eliminated. Without poaching, to protect the remaining forest elephants in the country. The study the population would grow at a rate elephant populations.” authors state that “forest elephants of 3.6 percent rather than the current will be extinct in Côte d’Ivoire unless 1.9 percent, and the population’s immediate actions are implemented to value would soar to over $375 billion safeguard the remaining population.” ($3.75 million per existing elephant). In In the past two decades alone, forest FOREST ELEPHANT other words, according to the authors, elephant numbers in the country have CONSERVATION HAS HIGH poaching is reducing the economic plummeted by 90 percent. ECONOMIC VALUE value of forest elephants by nearly Forest elephant populations throughout $200 billion. And these values do not The authors surveyed 25 areas of the Central and West Africa have declined even factor in the other ecological and country, totaling nearly 3,700 square from 700,000 to 100,000 animals over economic (e.g., ecotourism) services the kilometers (over 1,400 square miles) the past several decades, primarily due elephants provide. that were at least nominally protected. to poaching and habitat loss. In Central Elephants have been extirpated from Africa alone, scientists have reported a Thus far, the continent-wide collapse 21 of these areas, largely due to forest 62 percent decline in forest elephants in forest elephant numbers and the loss—71 percent of the forests have between 2002 and 2011. associated ecological damage tied to been cleared or transformed into population declines have not prevented agricultural plantations, primarily for The ecological cost of this decline is poaching. Perhaps a recognition of the production of cocoa. The remaining alarming, given the role of elephants in the tremendous economic value of the elephants are struggling to survive forest ecosystems, including through elephants will spur governments to on islands of forests surrounded by seed dispersal, nutrient recycling, protect the elephants and their habitat.

AWI QUARTERLY 17 WINTER 2020 TIGER KING Cohorts Collared The major players perpetuating the big cat trade in the Maldonado-Passage, of course, sits in prison—convicted United States are a small network of eccentric individuals for traff icking tigers and other endangered species and who have been profi ting off animal suff ering for decades. killing fi ve tigers at his Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal The hit Netfl ix series Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Park (GW Zoo) in . As much of America knows by Madness shined a spotlight on a few of them, including now, he was also convicted for his bumbling murder-for- Joe Maldonado-Passage (a.k.a. Joe Exotic), Jeff Lowe, Tim hire plot against sanctuary owner after she Stark, and Bhagavan “Doc” Antle. persistently called out his animal abuse.

For far too long, such exhibitors evaded consequences In Tiger King, the plight of the animals was largely for their horrendous exploitation of animals. In recent glossed over as the fi lmmakers trained their lenses months, however, they have begun to fall like dominoes, instead on the jaw-dropping human drama. For as law enforcement has fi nally cracked down on their years, the US Department of Agriculture glossed unscrupulous activities. over the abuse as well. Despite years of Animal

AWI QUARTERLY 18 WINTER 2020 HELMUTH JULISSA Welfare Act (AWA) citations, the GW Zoo never got and Keith Wilson, owner of Wilson’s Wild Animal Park in more than a slap on the wrist from the USDA. Virginia. Antle is one of the most prolifi c cub breeders in the United States; his 37-year-old facility had long been a Jeff Lowe, the man who acquired the GW Zoo from hub for the big cat trade. Undercover video at Myrtle Beach Maldonado-Passage, previously ran an unlicensed business Safari showed rampant abuse, including dozens of adult in which he provided interactions and photo ops with tiger tigers shoved into cramped, reconfi gured horse stalls. Antle cubs and other exotic animals at his home and aboard his also admitted to regularly euthanizing cross-eyed tigers, a “Jungle Bus” that cruised the Las Vegas Strip. Eventually, common result of inbreeding to produce tigers with white the operation was shut down by local authorities and Lowe coloration. Meanwhile, authorities found appalling conditions was arrested. He avoided jail time by entering a plea deal in at Wilson’s zoo during an investigation. Some of the animals which he paid $10,000 in restitution, surrendered his animals, had severe skin conditions, and they were given maggot- and agreed to stay out of trouble for one year—including no infested meat and left without water. “animal related violations.” In October, the Virginia attorney general charged Antle and With Lowe at the helm, conditions at the GW Zoo did Wilson with wildlife traff icking, conspiracy to traff ic wildlife, not improve. In June, an inspection report documented animal cruelty, and conspiracy to violate the ESA. Wilson was shocking conditions and widespread animal misery, and additionally charged with violating the ESA and was already in August, the USDA suspended Lowe’s exhibitor license, facing 46 counts of animal cruelty stemming from a raid in which he later surrendered altogether (see AWI Quarterly, November 2019 that resulted in authorities confi scating 119 fall 2020). In November, the US Department of Justice fi led animals. Two of Antle's daughters were also charged with a civil complaint against Lowe for operating a new zoo animal cruelty and violating the ESA. without a license and for continuing to keep animals in inhumane conditions, alleging violations of the AWA and This spate of enforcement actions over the past year is the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The DOJ asked the court certainly welcome, but it is also a stark reminder of how long to require that Lowe surrender some of his animals, among these zoo owners were allowed to continue operating despite other penalties. Lowe is also due back in court in Nevada clear and abundant evidence detailing the suff ering inherent in January for potentially violating the “stay out of trouble” in their business models. While the USDA did revoke Stark’s order, and could face six months in jail. license and is seeking to revoke Lowe’s, the most signifi cant of the enforcement actions fell to the states. The Indiana and Tim Stark—whose tempestuous and ultimately failed Virginia attorneys general displayed a heroic commitment to partnership with Lowe was depicted in Tiger King—owned saving these animals from further torment, but the appalling Wildlife in Need, a roadside zoo in Indiana. There, wild conditions at these zoos should have been prevented by animals suff ered behind bars for decades, including the proper enforcement of the AWA in the fi rst place. None juvenile big cats handed over to the public at “Tiger Baby of these facilities should have been allowed to continue Playtime.” Across years of inspections and investigations, operations after it became clear that they fl agrantly and USDA off icials allege that Stark threatened government continuously fl outed federal law, and the USDA should not off icials, failed to provide veterinary care for gravely have looked the other way for years before taking action. ill animals, and committed other horrifi c acts such as “euthanizing” a leopard cub with a baseball bat. Federal deference to the industries regulated under the AWA is an insidious problem that allows egregious brutality Despite the severity of the fi ndings, and an initial attempt at to occur unchecked. While we celebrate the enforcement revoking Stark’s license in 2015, it took until February 2020 for actions taken against these individuals and their commercial the USDA to fi nally do so and fi ne him and his facility $340,000 operations, it will not be a true victory until a pattern of for more than 120 AWA citations over a four-year period. More strong enforcement is established and we can be sure that all than 200 animals from the property, including numerous big abusers will be held accountable in the future. cats, were moved to accredited zoos and sanctuaries. Stark even hid some animals from off icials, prompting an arrest We also need stronger federal laws. The Big Cat Public Safety warrant to be issued and Stark to go on the run in September. Act (HR 1380/S 2561), a bill to prohibit private ownership He was apprehended in New York in October. of big cats and direct contact between cubs and the public, overwhelmingly passed the House in December. At the time The fi nal two notorious zoo owners to fall this year are Doc of printing, it had not yet been taken up by the Senate. Antle, who owns Myrtle Beach Safari in South Carolina,

AWI QUARTERLY 19 WINTER 2020 government affairs JO-ANNE MCARTHUR, WE ANIMALS Abuse Detection andReporting Act, bills, includingtheChild andAnimal lead cosponsor onseveral important Representative Peter King(R-NY), the three retiring membersoftheHouse: We would also like to acknowledge its effect onmarine mammals. of theuse ofseismic testing because of key bills, hasbeenanoutspoken critic SC), who, inadditionto of hissupport Representative JoeCunningham(D- issues since herdays intheHouse, and an active supporter onanimalwelfare McSallyMartha (R-AZ), whohasbeen with two notable exceptions: Senator who ran for reelection won theirraces, cosponsors ofpriorityAWI legislation The vast majorityofthesponsors and in Georgia, butthismuchwe know: the results oftheSenate runoff races Congressional outlook maydependon current administration (see page 2). The unfortunately beenahallmarkofthe environmental policies thathave an endto thedamagingwildlife and the helminJanuary, we canexpect With anew administration taking CONGRESS NEW YEAR, NEW all originated inanimals. We must avian flu, swine flu,andZika—have including SARS, Ebola,HIV/AIDS, the worst pandemics andepidemics— type ofdisease. Inthepast 40 years, and most devastating example ofthis humans. COVID ismerely thelatest passed from nonhumananimalsto posed by zoonotic diseases—pathogens forced usto confront isthehuge risk One ofthestark realities COVID-19 has advancing animalwelfare. agency spendingbillswere vehicles for helped ensure onmanyoccasions that of steel-jaw leghold traps andhas time proponent ofendingtheuse Committee, whohasbeenalong- powerful House Appropriations (D-NY), thefirst female chair ofthe owed to Representative Nita Lowey Act. Andaspecial debtofgratitude is FL), thelead cosponsor onthePAST Act; andRepresentative Ted Yoho (R- the PREPARED Act, andtheProTECT the Horse Transportation Safety Act, PANDEMICS ACT PREVENTING FUTURE AWI QUARTERLY GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 20 WINTER 2020 and Fred Upton (R-MI) introduced the Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL) (R-TX) Booker andCory (D-NJ)and In September, Senators JohnCornyn world inorder to protect publichealth. and ourrelationship withthenatural reevaluate ourtreatment ofanimals pathogens. into contact withdeadly novel biodiversity andbrings humans and trading inwildlife threatens Encroaching onwildlife habitat Bats atamarket inLaos. both wildlife andpublichealth. States asaglobal leader inprotecting Pandemics Act to position theUnited advocating for thePreventing Future pathogens. AWI willcontinue novel anddangerousthat carry more frequent contact withwildlife declines inbiodiversity andcome into habitats, we contribute to precipitous By exploiting animalsandtheir have noimmunity. the spillover ofdiseases to whichwe humans, creating anideal scenario for and bats are crammed together near markets, wild animalssuchascivets repercussions for publichealth. Atsuch taught usthatthey canhave serious dollar trade, yet COVID-19 has just onesegment ofthismultibillion- focusprimary ofthisbill,constitute wildlife trade. Live wildlife markets, the an estimated 20percent oftheglobal The United States isresponsible for human consumption abroad. for efforts to helpcurbwildlife trade for States. Itwould also provide support for humanconsumption intheUnited export, andsaleimport, oflive wildlife 8433/S 4749). Thisbillwould outlawthe Preventing Future Pandemics Act (HR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

HOUSE PASSES world, where race-day medications are the process of writing new rules to at HORSERACING INTEGRITY already prohibited. least bring birds not bred for use in AND SAFETY ACT research under the protection of the At the time of printing, it was unclear AWA. During listening sessions and On September 29, the House whether the Horseracing Integrity an open comment period for gathering of Representatives passed the and Safety Act will be voted on in the public input, AWI urged the USDA to Horseracing Integrity and Safety Senate during the lame duck session. adopt solid standards of care for birds Act (HR 1754) by voice vote. Led by However, we remain hopeful, as Senate in the pet trade and entertainment Representatives Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R- (e.g., circuses and roadside zoos) and Andy Barr (R-KY), the bill would crack KY) is the bill’s lead sponsor. for wild-caught birds in research. down on widespread doping within the

horseracing industry. It would prohibit Industry organizations and individuals race-day medications and create an who want to continue abusing and independent anti-doping authority BIRDS POISED TO FINALLY exploiting birds without restriction to set uniform national standards, GET ANIMAL WELFARE argued against the move. They testing procedures, and penalties for ACT PROTECTIONS suggested, for instance, that industry thoroughbred racing—replacing the self-policing has ensured appropriate inconsistent and often lax regulatory For over 50 years, birds have been care for birds. But if that were the schemes that currently exist among 38 denied protection under the Animal case, we would not have the long jurisdictions. The nonprofit US Anti- Welfare Act (AWA). Twenty years ago, litany of investigations for cruel Doping Agency—widely recognized the animal welfare community won a treatment inflicted by bird breeders as the nation’s premier anti-doping lawsuit against the US Department of and others. Another specious organization—would handle Agriculture challenging this exclusion. argument made during the listening enforcement, laboratory testing, and Since then, however, the USDA has sessions suggested that birds covered violations. stalled on issuing regulations to include birds. Meanwhile, in 2002, a law by the Endangered Species Act or the Migratory Bird Treaty Act should Hundreds of horses break down during was enacted to declare that birds bred be exempt from the protections of races each year in the United States. An for research are not even “animals” as the AWA, despite little or no overlap overreliance on performance-enhancing the term is used in the AWA. between the laws. drugs contributes to this staggering death toll—one that far exceeds that of After losing yet another court case Birds should receive the same level of other racing jurisdictions around the over the delay, the USDA has begun oversight as other animals covered by the AWA. At a minimum, regulations regarding the humane care and welfare of birds should prohibit the sale of unweaned baby birds, require health certificates and record keeping, prohibit painful physical mutilations, and require enclosures that allow birds to express their natural behaviors, including flight.

After years of stalling, the USDA is finally going to bring birds other than those bred for use in research under the protection of the Animal

DAMON HALL DAMON Welfare Act.

AWI QUARTERLY 21 WINTER 2020 USDA ALLOWS ABYSMAL CONDITIONS TO PERSIST AT PENNSYLVANIA GUINEA PIG BREEDERS

LOGANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, a tiny one-square-mile and six dead guinea pigs whom Fisher had failed to remove Amish farming community, is home to 468 residents and 15 or even notice. They also found the same filthy conditions. USDA-licensed guinea pig breeders. While this may suggest Fisher’s wife said it had been at least five months since any the community has a fondness for these animals, the Animal cleaning had been done. A month later, on March 22, Fisher Welfare Act (AWA) record of some of these breeders tells a very refused to allow inspectors on the property. different story. The suffering of guinea pigs at these facilities exemplifies the USDA’s most recent failure to uphold the basic By March 28, Fisher had 738 guinea pigs and the number of tenets of the AWA. untreated guinea pigs needing veterinary care had increased to 16, including those suffering from “eye problems, neck After years of uproar, a new regulation, effective November area masses, head tilt, [and] emaciated body condition.” One 2020, ended the USDA’s practice of automatically renewing of the seven guinea pigs the USDA had previously found licenses (see AWI Quarterly, summer 2020). Now, all licenses needing veterinary care died the morning after that February last three years, at the end of which applicants must apply 21 inspection. Inspectors could not check the other six because for a new license. But in determining whether to issue the “individual animals are not identified at this facility.” The filth new license, the USDA allows the applicant up to three was even worse, and “the ammonia levels were so high that opportunities to pass an announced inspection and does not both inspectors’ eyes and throats were burning.” Once again, consider the results of unannounced compliance inspections. inspectors found deficient enclosures, with two guinea pigs running loose. Feces still contaminated the water, and it was Many of these Loganton breeders have passed such pre- “obvious that sanitization is ineffective to non-existent.” license inspections with flying colors while miserably failing the compliance inspections. Perhaps the most egregious In February 2019 and January 2020, the ammonia odor again example is Moses Fisher, who passed the announced pre- caused “inspectors’ eyes and noses to burn,” while both food license inspection in September 2016 on his first try, then and water were feces-contaminated. When Fisher wanted failed seven of 10 unannounced compliance inspections, to add a new site with 554 guinea pigs, the USDA approved five with documented critical or direct citations. His first it after an announced inspection. Despite Fisher's appalling compliance inspection (July 2017) found a host of problems history of failed unannounced inspections, his active license (and 423 guinea pigs), including feces in water, inadequate is at least his third—meaning he passed previous announced caging (at least three guinea pigs running loose), and overall pre-license inspections. filthy conditions (according to the inspection report, “every primary enclosure requires cleaning”). Fisher told the USDA There are similar issues with other Loganton breeders. he only cleans them once a year; the USDA ordered him to Aaron Esh passed his announced pre-license inspection in clean at least every two weeks, as the AWA requires. November 2017 (with 179 guinea pigs) on his first try. The next four unannounced inspections found significant issues, Conditions were even worse during his next three compliance including two inspections in 2020 with multiple direct inspections. On February 21, 2018, inspectors found seven citations. Inspectors have documented filthy conditions, animals suffering from untreated masses and eye issues overcrowding, and contaminated water. A January 2020

AWI QUARTERLY 22 WINTER 2020 LIPATOVA MARYNA LIPATOVA

report found two guinea pigs with untreated veterinary care 2020, inspectors found eight guinea pigs needing veterinary issues, cold housing temperatures, ammonia smell strong care, as well as one dead animal whom Fisher had observed enough to cause burning of inspectors’ eyes and noses, feces- as lethargic. He did not contact the attending veterinarian. contaminated enclosures, green water, and cobwebs. Esh told inspectors he was “only sanitizing once a month.” A month John Esh passed his announced pre-license inspection later, in February 2020, inspectors found the same filthy in December 2018 with 551 guinea pigs. On his first conditions, too-cold temperature, and contaminated water. unannounced compliance inspection in June 2019, the USDA found 11 guinea pigs who had not received any veterinary Amos and Katie Stoltzfus passed an announced pre-license care, including nine suffering from untreated masses. Esh had inspection in August 2017, with 106 guinea pigs. After two noticed the masses but had not contacted the veterinarian. non-eventful compliance inspections in 2018, the USDA The report also documented sanitation and inadequate attempted an inspection in August 2019. Inspectors returned caging issues. Inspectors tried to follow up two months later in January 2020 to find two guinea pigs with untreated masses but no one answered. The next time inspectors came, in that the Stoltzfuses had never discussed with the attending January 2020, Esh “voluntarily” gave up his license. But, like veterinarian, as well as a strong ammonia odor, dirty and soiled Moses Fisher and other breeders in Loganton, Esh can apply bedding, and food and water contaminated with feces. In for a new license, pass the USDA’s announced pre-license February, inspectors observed similar contaminated conditions. inspection, and then utterly fail to comply with the minimum standards of the AWA while yet more animals suffer. Amos Fisher passed his announced pre-license inspection in February 2019, with 466 guinea pigs. Every unannounced Loganton is one tiny town with just 15 of the thousands of compliance inspection since then has found significant licensees regulated under the AWA. But these guinea pig issues. In February 2020, inspectors documented seven breeders exemplify a much larger problem, and constitute a untreated guinea pigs needing veterinary care, including a stark warning. The USDA has not only enabled them—and weanling who appeared severely lethargic, with spasms and their animals’ suffering—but also the thousands of other decreased respiration. He died during the inspection. A strong licensees who will benefit from the department’s utterly ammonia odor caused the inspectors’ eyes and noses to burn; inadequate reliance solely on announced inspections to food was feces-contaminated, and many enclosures were determine who gets and keeps licenses. filthy. Fisher had 860 guinea pigs. The next month, in March

AWI QUARTERLY 23 WINTER 2020 ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES

AWI REFINEMENT GRANT versus touchscreen-based tasks animal technicians, students, attending WINNERS ANNOUNCED used as cognitive enrichment. veterinarians, and researchers who have or had first-hand experience in Each year, AWI awards several • Dr. Christopher Cheleuitte-Nieve the care of animals kept in research and Refinement Grants to investigators (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer education facilities. in the United States and Canada to Center) for a study assessing support innovative research projects the effects of natural, species- The forum has just moved to a new aimed at improving the welfare of appropriate, visual environments platform and is now found at https:// animals in research. We wish to on stress and behavior of indoor- groups.io/g/LAREF. If you would like congratulate this year’s winners: housed macaques and African green monkeys. to join this online forum, please send a • Sasha Prasad-Shreckengast message to [email protected] indicating (CUNY Hunter College) for a • Margaret Dye (Duke Lemur briefly your practical experience with project assessing voluntary Center) to build and assess an animals kept in research laboratories, interaction of carp with novel enrichment management tracking your current professional affiliation, environmental enrichment items system for documenting and and your interests as they pertain to that promote cognitive stimulation monitoring multiple enrichment the discussion group. Existing members and agency. activities that impact an animal’s are automatically migrated to the new environment and welfare. • Dr. Lucía Améndola (University of platform and need not apply again. British Columbia) for a systematic review of the literature to critically evaluate the effects of different LAREF HAS MOVED! environmental enrichment NIH DENIES SANCTUARY strategies on affective states in mice. AWI’s Laboratory Animal Refinement TO DOZENS OF FORMER & Enrichment Forum (LAREF) is an RESEARCH CHIMPS • Dr. Giridhar Athrey and electronic discussion forum facilitating Constance Woodman (Texas A&M On October 1, the National Institutes the factual exchange of experiences University) to test the suitability of Health provided its annual update about ways to refine the conditions of 3D printing materials for use as regarding government-owned and animals in laboratories animals in under which animals are housed environmental enrichment items government-supported chimpanzees and handled in research institutions. for laboratory animals, especially retired from research, including data on The forum is intended to serve the for avian species. those who are still held in laboratories. international animal care community in The NIH has announced that the • Brittney Armitage-Brown its effort to promote animal welfare and 37 chimpanzees at the Alamogordo (Queen’s University) to test rhesus improve scientific methodology. The Primate Facility in New Mexico will macaque preferences for physical forum is open to animal care personnel, remain at this research facility for the rest of their lives rather than be moved to the Chimp Haven sanctuary. In Texas, 54 chimps are still at the Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research in Bastrop, and 53 are at the Southwest National Primate Research Center in San Antonio. The NIH says the fate of these chimps is still under review. As noted in the winter 2019 AWI Quarterly, the NIH is giving a host of excuses for denying sanctuary for certain chimps.

Since 2002, LAREF has provided animal care personnel with a platform to discuss innovative ways to create better, more species- appropriate environments for

ANNA RATUSKI ANNA animals in research.

AWI QUARTERLY 24 WINTER 2020 ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES GASKILL LAB GASKILL

Does Online Training Increase Implementation of a Welfare-Enhancing Technique?

Megan R. LaFollette, Sylvie Cloutier, Colleen M. Brady, Marguerite E. O’Haire, and Brianna N. Gaskill

new study (LaFollette et al. 2020. Animals 10(8): 1435), questions related to their rat tickling implementation, self- A supported by a grant from AWI, shows that eff icacy, knowledge, familiarity, and beliefs. implementation of a particular animal welfare-enhancing technique can be improved through targeted training. Results showed that both online-only and online plus hands-on training improved key outcomes for rat tickling “Rat tickling” is a technique of interacting with rats in a way (i.e., increased implementation, self-eff icacy, knowledge, that mimics aspects of rat rough-and-tumble play. Engaging familiarity, and beliefs with rat tickling) compared to no in rat tickling can reduce fear and stress in rats handled by training. Online plus hands-on training, however, had a few humans. Despite the well-documented benefi ts of rat tickling, additional benefi ts (i.e., increased control beliefs and greater the technique is rarely implemented (55% of personnel never increases for self-eff icacy and familiarity with rat tickling). use it and most do not use it regularly). In a previous survey (LaFollette et al. 2019. PLOS ONE 14(8): e0220580), which was Overall, these fi ndings support the development of targeted also supported by AWI, laboratory animal personnel indicated interactive training programs to improve the implementation a lack of training as a barrier to its implementation. Therefore, of potential welfare-enhancing techniques. While hands-on the objective of this study was to determine the eff ectiveness training may off er additional benefi ts, the online platform of two rat tickling training programs (as compared to a alone was also eff ective. This fi nding is encouraging, since control treatment) on reported rat tickling implementation, the online platform can reach a widespread group of people self-eff icacy, knowledge, familiarity, and beliefs. and does not require resources for travel or attendance at an in-person workshop. The online course used in this study can Laboratory animal personnel currently working with rats in be found at bit.ly/RatTicklingCertifi cate and is now open to the United States were recruited to participate in the study. anyone interested in receiving a certifi cate in rat tickling. After completing an initial survey, 96 individuals received either online-only training, online plus hands-on training, or Megan R. LaFollette is a 3Rs fellow at the North American 3Rs no training (waitlist control condition). Both training groups Collaborative. Dr. Sylvie Cloutier is an independent scientist completed a 30-minute, online, interactive, visual training in Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Colleen M. Brady is a professor of course in rat tickling. The hands-on training group received an agricultural sciences at Purdue University. Dr. Marguerite additional 30-minute, in-person training session specifi cally E. O’Haire is an associate professor of human-animal reviewing the hands-on components of the technique. interaction at Purdue. At the time this study was published Participants received a survey directly after their assigned in the journal Animals, Dr. Brianna Gaskill was an associate training (or a waitlist control waiting period) and a follow-up professor of animal science at Purdue focused on welfare survey two months later. In each survey, participants answered assessment of laboratory animals.

AWI QUARTERLY 25 WINTER 2020 REVIEWS

MY OCTOPUS TEACHER 2020 / Netfl ix / Documentary / 90 minutes As his time with the octopus draws to a close, it’s Foster who is transformed. By seeing beyond the otherness of a species so Netfl ix’sMy Octopus Teacher is a visually breathtaking diff erent from our own, he accomplishes his goal, coming to fi lm that provides an intimate glimpse into the world of see himself as part of the natural world, and not just a visitor. another species. When famed documentary fi lmmaker Craig Foster found himself unable to feel joy from any of his usual activities, he returned to his childhood home—a seaside bungalow near Cape Town, South Africa—and went free TALES FROM THE ANT WORLD diving every day in an eff ort to “rejoin the natural world.” Edward O. Wilson / Liveright / 240 pages

One day he stumbled across what looked like a ball of seashells. Tales from the Ant World, by famed naturalist E. O. Wilson, As he tried to make sense of the sight, a small octopus erupted, is full of interesting, absorbable facts about ants (at the leaving her protective armor of seashells behind. This chance time of writing 15,438 species had been recognized, with encounter led to a truly remarkable relationship. Wilson estimating almost twice that number likely yet to be discovered), as well as humorous anecdotes about Foster returned every day and eventually the octopus became Wilson’s childhood, where he found his passion for ants. so acclimated to his presence that she just went about her A child more at home in the wilds and caves of Alabama business, giving us a rare insight into how highly intelligent than with classmates, he knew early on that he wanted to octopuses learn to hunt, evade predators, and even play. The become a nature expert. After toying with long-legged fl ies, octopus approaches Foster’s camera holding a seashell in Wilson settled on ants after encountering a migrating swarm front of her as a shield. She walks on the sea bottom using of army ants in his backyard accompanied by hanger-on two tentacles like legs. She survives a truly harrowing shark scavengers—silverfi sh and various small beetles. At the age attack and learns to outsmart the next shark who tries. of 13, Wilson discovered the fi rst known colony of fi re ants

AWI QUARTERLY 26 WINTER 2020 REVIEWS

(an invasive species) in the United States, near the docks in leads her to certain recommendations that she defines as the Mobile, Alabama. Humane Communities Revolution (HCR). This would include (1) ending the practice of shelter killing, (2) reducing the Wilson went on to study entomology and ants at the precariousness of human and animals’ lives by better housing University of Alabama before moving to Harvard for his that permitted pets, (3) ending discrimination against pit bulls, doctorate, where he stayed. He was appalled at mass (4) economic justice through wage increases and lowering of pesticide use in attempts to (unsuccessfully) eradicate housing costs, (5) solutions for community cats that might the fire ants, and he rues missing a meeting with Rachel include massive outdoor catteries or relocation of cats to less Carson, who was too sick to travel. She went on to publish bird-dense areas, (6) more transparency by shelters, including her revolutionary book, Silent Spring, which he lauds for having volunteers involved in policy-making decisions, and effectively tackling the pesticide crisis and forever changing (7) representation of animals on shelter boards. the US environmental movement. Re-imagining the ideal with creative and novel approaches Wilson has traveled around the world to explore and research can and should be employed. At the same time, the actual all kinds of ants, from species living in total darkness in caves means to achieve these idealistic ends must be considered. to the fiercest of ants, theCamponotus femoratus of the Guenther notes that one of HCR’s goals—elimination of Amazon rain forest, which spray copious amounts of formic shelter killing—has had remarkable success in the last acid when threatened. He helped discover pheromones and few years; 2018 marked the first year that under 1 million their source in ants. In the book, he explains how ants can animals were killed in shelters nationwide. Most of her other find their way even when seemingly lost, and how he used recommendations, however, would require considerable their technique to find his way after becoming lost (partly political clout—more public funding for shelters and due to an overfriendly parrot) in the Amazon rainforest. His community cats, pressure on insurance companies to drop passion for ants and their incredible abilities are clearly their exclusion of pit bulls, and economic justice. She is silent demonstrated throughout the book, and the list of his on any concrete plans to achieve these goals. accomplishments in all things ant related is incredible. Her insight into the dynamic between management, staff, and volunteers at an animal shelter and her proposal that volunteers be accorded more access to decision making are THE LIVES AND DEATHS OF worthy of serious discussion. However, her characterization SHELTER ANIMALS of animal shelters as sometimes “hostile arms of the state” Katja M. Guenther / Stanford University Press / 312 pages and her idea that “the mandate of spaying and neutering is also a powerful form of policing the bodies of companion As part of an ethnographic study, Katja Guenther—an animals and the animal practices of animal guardians” will be associate professor of gender and sexuality studies at UC off-putting to many and may interfere with her insights being Riverside—spent three years as a volunteer at a high-intake considered more broadly. animal shelter in metropolitan Los Angeles. In the opening of The Lives and Deaths of Shelter Animals, we are introduced briefly to Monster, a pit bull slated to die the next day. Guenther’s book examines Monster’s death—and the deaths of many other such animals—in the context of multiple social Bequests processes linked to societal attitudes concerning race, class, gender, ability, and species. If you would like to help assure AWI’s future through a provision in your will, this general form of bequest is Guenther approaches her subject matter through the lens suggested: I give, devise and bequeath to the Animal Welfare of “critical animal studies,” a theoretical framework “that Institute, located in Washington, DC, the sum of explains how ‘animal’ issues extend more broadly into $ and/or (specifically described property). the community and align with concerns that social justice advocates have in general” (Deckha, 2012). Guenther asserts Donations to AWI, a not-for-profit corporation exempt under that a rejection of authority would lead to a more equitable Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), are tax-deductible. state for all that lived within it and that such a state could be We welcome any inquiries you may have. In cases in which you achieved. Her philosophical rejection of authority—not merely have specific wishes about the disposition of your bequest, we authoritarianism, although that certainly would be included— suggest you discuss such provisions with your attorney.

AWI QUARTERLY 27 WINTER 2020 Non-Profi t Org. US Postage PAID Return Service Requested Washington, DC Permit No. 2300

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SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE TO ANIMAL ADVOCATES ENTERING COLLEGE

Last December, for the fi rst time ever, AWI off ered a scholarship vet clinic while maintaining full-time course loads. “I am currently to high school seniors who are engaged in bettering the lives of enrolled in 14 credits with 8 of them being geared towards animals and who plan to pursue a course of study that would animals, which have all strengthened my love for the fi eld as well enable them to continue working on animals’ behalf. as my desire to want to do more” noted one scholarship winner.

At the time, no one knew the recipients would be beginning This year's high school seniors again have an opportunity to their freshman year during a worldwide health crisis. Through apply for the Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship. AWI will their applications and letters of recommendation, we learned award up to 12 scholarships of $2,000 each to applicants who that the winners were exemplary students who showed have an impressive and clear plan to continue working to initiative and drive to help animals. Now, while dealing with protect animals. The deadline to apply is February the eff ects of COVID-19 on their communities and campuses, 14, 2021. To learn more about the scholarship these students have also shown that they are resilient and that and application process, please visit they remain as committed as ever to advocating for animals. awionline.org/scholarship.

Several of the scholarship recipients have been attending hybrid classes that combine classroom time with remote learning, while others are enrolled in online classes only. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, students are fi nding that their commitment to working for animal welfare has been reinforced by their college experience. Some have had the opportunity to work hands-on with animals by participating in wildlife rehab, training service dogs, and working part-time at an emergency DIEGO CERVO DIEGO