SPRING 2020 / VOLUME 69 / NUMBER 1 Animal Welfare Institute Jill Carey, CPA, Treasurer Jill Carey, CPA f respect to trophy permitsandprocuring huntingimport accountability from theUSFishandWildlife Service with welfare items before Congress—such asdemandinggreater phone)regarding animal to important have meetings (via continue inearnest.OurGovernmentAffairsteamcontinues changed, pleaseknowthatoureffortsonbehalfofanimals Though where we work andhow we conduct thatwork has all travel andimplementing telework from ourhomes. the safety ofourstaff and consultants, suchassuspending At AWI, we have madechanges inouroperations to ensure and most lives have beenturnedupside down. a society, we willget through it,butmanylives are beinglost any thevast majorityofushave endured inourlifetimes. As the globe, andthehumanspecies isfacing apandemic unlike As you know, coronavirus (COVID-19) isspreading around D A MESSA Agnes Van Volkenburgh, DVM, Poland Angela King, United Kingdom Ambassador Tabarak Husain, Aline S. deAluja,DVM, Mexico Bangladesh William S. Stokes, DVM Mary Lee Jensvold,Mary PhD Christine Stevens Caroline A.Griffin,Esq., Secretary Cynthia Wilson, Vice President Cathy Liss, President Chris Miller, DVM Cathy Liss Caroline A.Griffin,Esq. Cynthia Wilson, Chair OFFICERS INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE DIRECTORS FOUNDER rien ea r M ds ofAWI: GE FR embers andother OM THEPRESIDENTOFA John Walsh, MD Senior Policy Advisor Senior Graphic Designer Allie Granger Alexandra Alberg Farm Animal Policy Associate Public Relations Manager Director, Terrestrial Wildlife Program Director, Government Affairs Executive Director/General Counsel Marine AnimalConsultant Samuel Peacock, MD Sue Fisher Viktor Reinhardt, DVM, PhD Roger Payne, PhD Roger Fouts, PhD Kate Dylewsky Bethany Cotton, Esq. Nancy Blaney Nadia Adawi, Esq. Robert Schmidt,PhD Marjorie Fishman Gerard Bertrand, PhD SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE STAFF AND CONSULTANTS WI Joanna Makowska, PhD Johanna Hamburger, Esq. Joanna Grossman, PhD attempt to navigate these deeply unsettling waters. follow theguidance ofhealthcare professionals aswe all compassion. Please take care ofyourselves andcarefully you andyours good health, patience, understanding, and On behalfoftheboard ofdirectors andstaff at AWI, we wish on ourmissiondespite thedisruption. These are merely afew examples ofhow we remain focused lesson plansto beused inconcert withAWI publications. Nancy Brown to produce comprehensive teachers’ guides and Committee. AWI’s Regina Terlau isworking withconsultant of theInternational WhalingCommission’s Scientific Report for theSub-Committee onEnvironmental Concerns editors are preparing theState oftheCetacean Environment Methods ofSlaughter Act. AWI’s Dr. NaomiRose andherco- laws such astheEndangered Species Act andtheHumane additional funding for implementation ofvital animalwelfare Staff Attorney, Farm Animal Senior Advisor, Animal Cruelty Program Program Director, MarineAnimalProgram Laboratory AnimalAdvisor Researcher Director, Farm AnimalProgram Digital Advocacy Manager Equine Program Manager Marine MammalScientist Marine AnimalConsultant Membership Coordinator Susan Millward Sydney Hearst Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Attorney Erin Sutherland,Esq. D.J. Schubert Naomi Rose, PhD Kate O’Connell Eric Kleiman Dena Jones Mary Lou Randour,Mary PhD Carly O’Beirne CFC# 10474 Tax ID#13-5655952 ISSN 1930-5109 (online) ISSN 1071-1384 (print) www.awionline.org [email protected] (202) 337-2332 Washington, DC20003 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Animal Welfare Institute information, contact: For subscription inquiries orother Executive Assistant Writer/Editor Dave Tilford Regina Terlau-Benford Sincerely, 8 NOAA

AWI QUARTERLY SPRING 2020

ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES 8 Shark Fin Sellers Foiled in Florida, Texas 22 Human “Body-on-a-Chip” Could 9 AWI Offers Reward for Info on Replace Traditional Animal Testing Dolphin Killings 22 Lab Animal Caregivers Share Insights 9 Solar Storms Implicated in Some in New LAREF Volume Gray Whale Strandings 23 Enrichment Strategies for Rabbits 10 Marine Mammal Conference Sounds in Research Alarm, Highlights Positive Actions 24 As USDA Dithers, Research Chinchilla Supplier Goes Unchecked WILDLIFE 14 Nation’s Laws Protecting Animals and COMPANION ANIMALS Environment Are Essential 21 Fast Tracking Fatalities: Bust of Horse 17 Knitting Nests for Wildlife in Need Racing Doping Ring Highlights Need 17 AWI Contributes to Australian Wildlife for Reform Rescue and Recovery 18 Unexpected Response of Coyotes to New ABOUT THE COVER FARM ANIMALS Nonlethal Management Tool After grizzly bears were nearly 11 Hawaii Agrees to Regulate Live 19 Novel Methods to Assess the Population Animal Shipments Status of the Eastern Massasauga eradicated from the contiguous United 12 AWI Sues over Slaughter of Rattlesnake States, protections afforded the species Downed Pigs 28 Christine Stevens Wildlife Awards: under the Endangered Species Act Research Grants Available 12 Uninspiring Update to USDA Animal- (ESA) have helped boost bear numbers. Raising Claims Guideline The ESA and other vital environmental 13 Congress Directs USDA to Help Farmers GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS laws protect both wildlife and human Develop Disaster Plans 4 Animals Protections Included in communities. Alarmingly, the Trump 13 Nation’s Oldest Ag-Gag Law Ruled Appropriations Package administration has been waging war Unconstitutional 4 PAW & FIN Conservation Act Introduced 13 New York City Bans Foie Gras 5 DC Set to Ban Ivory and Rhino Horn Sales on these laws, nullifying them not by 5 Maryland County Poised to Curtail legislative repeal but by regulatory HUMANE EDUCATION Balloon Releases rollbacks—making sure they can’t be 20 “A Voice for Animals” Contest 5 Virginia Bill Would Prohibit Public enforced as intended. Turn to page 14 Now Open Contact with Wild Animals for more on this distressing assault and 20 Congrats to AWI Scholarship Recipients why we, the public, must fight back. REVIEWS Photograph by Marc Latremouille. MARINE LIFE 26 The Lives of Bees 6 Whaling in Decline: Dr. Holt’s 27 Cat Tale Dream Fulfilled 27 The Hidden World of the Fox 8 Right Whale Births This Year a Positive Sign for Species www.facebook.com/animalwelfareinstitute

@AWIonline @AWIonline GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

respect to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) and the Horse Protection Act (HPA). Three years ago, the USDA abruptly purged its online database of inspection reports for breeders, dealers, exhibitors, research facilities, and other entities subject to government oversight. (See AWI Quarterly, spring 2017.)

AWI worked with media to publicize this purge and the department’s drastic curtailment of enforcement activities. We joined others in asking Congress to require restoration of the data. Congress responded emphatically, directing the USDA to return the missing AWA and HPA inspection and enforcement documents and resume publishing

RENNETT STOWE RENNETT reports online. Those reports—involving an estimated tens of thousands of documents—started to reappear in mid- February, with the assurance that more ANIMALS PROTECTIONS Provisions were included that will would be posted within 60 days. INCLUDED IN effectively bar horse slaughter facilities APPROPRIATIONS from operating this year in the United PACKAGE States, and will prevent the Bureau of The fiscal year 2020 appropriations Land Management or the US Forest PAW & FIN bills finalized in December included Service from selling off wild horses for CONSERVATION ACT a number of victories for animals: slaughter abroad (an important measure INTRODUCED On the marine side, $3 million was given the USFS’s recent efforts to allocated for research and monitoring remove restrictions on slaughter of wild In August 2019, the US Fish and of the gravely imperiled North Atlantic horses—see AWI Quarterly, spring 2019). Wildlife Service and National Marine right whale, and funding will continue Fisheries Service finalized three for research on methods to reduce The Protecting Animals with Shelter regulatory changes to the Endangered sea turtle bycatch and for sea turtle (PAWS) grant program was allocated Species Act (ESA) that drastically stranding and rehabilitation programs. $2 million to make additional undermine this crucial conservation resources available to better assist law. In response, Representative Raúl The Rescuing Animals With Rewards domestic violence survivors and their M. Grijalva (D-AZ) and Senator Tom (RAWR) Act was included in the companion animals. Provisions were Udall (D-NM) introduced the Protect package—empowering the State included to bar the US Department America’s Wildlife and Fish in Need Department to offer financial rewards of Agriculture from licensing dealers of Conservation Act (PAW and FIN in exchange for information that leads who sell randomly acquired dogs and Conservation Act), which would repeal to the disruption of wildlife trafficking cats for use in experiments. Regarding these crippling regulations. AWI helped networks. Meanwhile, the US Fish farm animals, the USDA will work with organize a Capitol Hill briefing on and Wildlife Service will reassess producers to develop disaster plans the bill in November 2019. The PAW

government affairs government its current policy of evaluating to prevent injuries and deaths to such and FIN Conservation Act passed the applications to import sport-hunted animals during extreme weather events House Natural Resources Committee elephants and lions on a case-by-case (see page 13 for details). in January and now awaits action in basis and will consider ways to assist the full House. To urge your members exporting countries with conservation A particularly crucial provision in the of Congress to support the bill, please programs that don’t involve the appropriations legislation addressed visit this link: www.awionline.org/ slaughter of imperiled species. the USDA’s abysmal performance with compassion-index#/311.

AWI QUARTERLY 4 SPRING 2020 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

DC SET TO BAN IVORY coated Mylar balloons, can damage SB 1030 would prohibit public contact AND RHINO HORN SALES human infrastructure, resulting in with dangerous wild animals such as power outages and fires. In San Diego, bears, most big cats, and nonhuman A bill to restrict the sale of ivory and for example, a transformer overloaded primates. Allowing the public to have rhino horn in the nation’s capital is and exploded after its neighboring direct contact with exotic animals is poised to pass the DC Council and head power lines became entangled with a dangerous and exploitative. Many to Mayor Muriel Bowser’s desk. A 2017 cluster of released Mylar balloons. In young animals used for petting, study by TRAFFIC found that the DC Montana, a Mylar balloon ensnared in photo ops, or other direct public area had more ivory items for sale than a power line set off the Saddle Butte contact are taken from their mothers any other metropolitan area surveyed, fire, which destroyed 255 acres. as infants. These vulnerable babies surpassing cities such as New York, San with weak immune systems are forced Francisco, and Los Angeles that used to Further action on the bill was postponed to endure the stressful conditions dominate the ivory market. due to the coronavirus. Should it pass, associated with rough and excessive Montgomery County, Maryland, will public handling, as well as physical While federal law currently prevents join the growing number of jurisdictions abuse from handlers attempting to the import/export of and interstate across the nation taking action to keep them under control. When the commerce in elephant ivory, it does protect animals, the environment, and animals outgrow their usefulness not and cannot address the trade human infrastructure by ending the to the petting zoo, they are typically within an individual jurisdiction’s communal threat of balloon releases. funneled into the exotic pet trade, sent borders. Passage of Bill B22-0314 would to another shoddy roadside menagerie, establish Washington, DC, as a leader or killed. The Virginia legislature is to in the fight against wildlife trafficking, be commended for passing this bill, together with California, Hawaii, Illinois, VIRGINIA BILL WOULD and we are hopeful it will return to this Nevada, New Jersey, New York, New PROHIBIT PUBLIC issue and add elephants to the animals Mexico, Oregon, and Washington—all CONTACT WITH WILD that would be protected. states that have enacted laws to restrict ANIMALS or ban the sale of ivory and rhino horn within their borders. As we go to press, a bill to address the exploitation of tiger cubs and other A bill to ban cub petting operations captive wild animals awaits Virginia and some other forms of public contact with wild animals has passed Governor Ralph Northam’s signature. the Virginia legislature. MARYLAND COUNTY POISED TO CURTAIL BALLOON RELEASES Although an in-person hearing was canceled, AWI staff provided testimony to the Montgomery County Council in March in support of Bill 6-20. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Tom Hucker, prohibits the intentional release of balloons in the county. While it may seem like a harmless celebratory gesture, the release of latex and Mylar balloons threatens both animals and humans. For animals, contact with balloons or balloon fragments can have lethal consequences; in fact, they are considered to be one of the top five most dangerous forms of marine pollutants, ensnaring or choking animals such as turtles and birds. In addition, balloons, particularly metal-

AWI QUARTERLY 5 SPRING 2020 WHALING IN DECLINE: Dr. Holt’s Dream Fulfilled

JAPAN’S whaling underwent some dramatic changes in the long-distance hunts and the costs of conducting research, 2019, following that nation’s departure from the International although some studies will continue. Whaling Commission (IWC) after more than six decades of membership: Japan finally ended the pretense that it was Government officials insist that the massive public subsidies conducting “research whaling” in Antarctica and on the are temporary and that whaling will become a truly high seas of the North Pacific, terminating its longstanding competitive private business. But given the dwindling market industrial whaling operations in those regions. It will now for whale meat in Japan, financial independence is clearly pursue openly commercial whaling operations within 200 impossible in the short to medium term, and being weaned miles of its shoreline, and target fewer whales (under 200 in from the public trough is probably the last thing the special 2020 versus 640 in 2018). interests that benefit from the longstanding subsidies want. So, for at least the foreseeable future, Japanese whaling will In reality, very little has changed, however, as Japan’s be funded by a government that is heavily involved in every research whaling was always commercial in nature, with the level of the operation, from setting quotas to promoting “byproducts” of the research (meat and blubber) sold onto whale meat recipes. In the long term, though, it is hard to see the domestic market to pay for the following year’s hunt. But how Japan’s whaling can ever be economically viable. the operation was never close to profitable and for decades has relied on massive government grants and subsidies to Iceland’s fin whaling industry is also artificially supported keep the fleet operational. Whaling’s ongoing dependence on (mainly by a single wealthy individual) and has stockpiles government intervention was confirmed in early 2020 when of unwanted whale meat, thanks to the same inexorable the Ministry of Fisheries secured exactly the same whaling decline in consumer demand. To recoup some return on budget for 2020 as it spent in 2019 (about US$50 million), its investment, Iceland exports thousands of tons of meat even though its overhead will be far lower this year without and blubber to Japan, where it typically sells for less than

AWI QUARTERLY 6 SPRING 2020 HARMATOSLABU Japan’s own whale products and often ends up in low- value cans. Domestic consumption of minke whale meat in Iceland has also plummeted, and the owner of the lone remaining minke whaling vessel indicated in 2019 that he could not turn a profit on whaling. Last year, for the first time since 2002, no whales were hunted in Iceland even though the government had issued permits that would have allowed up to 500 to be killed.

Declining demand is also driving changes in Norway. Its domestic market for whale meat is so diminished, its whalers are only removing the most valuable cuts of meat from carcasses and dumping the rest at sea. Last year, they killed 429 whales—one third of the annual quota and the lowest number killed since 1996. As with Iceland’s minke FISHER SUE whalers, profit margins are problematic, and many vessel Sidney (right) with long-time colleague Dr. Paul Spong of OrcaLab owners have turned to fishing instead. Of the 21 whaling at the 2016 meeting of the International Whaling Commission in boats in 2009, only 12 participated in the hunt in 2019. Even Portorož, Slovenia. at this reduced level of operation, and despite government- funded promotional campaigns, Norway, like Iceland, also has a surfeit of whale meat and is looking to the bigger Ocean and whales worldwide would not survive without a consumer base in Japan for relief. One Norwegian whaling total ban on commercial whaling, the early conservation company has even established a branch in Japan and measures he helped to develop unquestionably saved exported 200 metric tons of whale meat and blubber last several species and populations of whales from extinction. year, equivalent to about 100 minke whales. By the early 1980s, and after the hugely successful “Save The obvious reality is that whaling is not a viable industry the Whales” campaign, spearheaded by AWI, the majority and whale watching would be a far more lucrative business of whaling nations finally accepted that commercial for each of the whaling nations, a fact already proven in whaling had to end. The groundbreaking proposal for Iceland, where whale watching revenues far exceed those a global ban was not only co-authored by Sidney, it from whaling. Even in Japan, the number of people taking was presented by the government of the Seychelles, whale-watching trips more than doubled between 2008 whose delegation he led. Sidney was also ahead of his and 2016, to nearly 234,000 people. time in recognizing the value of well-regulated whale watching, especially for former whaling nations, and he This economic reality was the enduring hope of a champion was instrumental in the effort to get its value recognized of the anti-whaling movement, Dr. Sidney Holt, who by the IWC. Almost four decades later, whale watching died in late December—still active in policy and scientific is a multibillion-dollar industry worldwide, and the discussions at 93 years old. IWC is working with a range of other intergovernmental organizations, member governments, scientists, the Sidney began his seven-decade career in the 1950s as whale-watching industry, and NGOs to understand and a fisheries biologist. He co-authored On the Dynamics manage its potential impacts on individual whales and of Exploited Fish Populations in 1957, a groundbreaking whale populations. textbook on fisheries management. He spent decades working for the UK government, the UN Food and Sidney’s deepest wish—to be outlived by the whales he Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Educational, loved—was fulfilled; the whaling moratorium remains in Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), but his life place after nearly 40 years, most whale populations are changed forever in 1961 when, after being directed by the recovering, and demand for whale meat is in steep decline. FAO to serve on a new three-person committee established As Sidney’s colleagues at AWI and around the world to advise the IWC’s Scientific Committee on how to ensure continue to work toward the goal he didn’t live to see—an sustainable whaling in the Antarctic, he discovered his end to all commercial whaling—we are grateful for his passion for whales. Although he quickly realized that the unrivaled years of service to the oceans and will miss his crisis of overhunting was not limited to the Southern long friendship.

AWI QUARTERLY 7 SPRING 2020 USFWS marine life Echo, a24-year-old rightwhale, was mothers thisyear are notnew moms. know thatanumberoftherightwhale on suchidentifications, researchers are asuniquefingerprints. Based on thehead, jaw, andeyebrows that of callosities—raised patches ofskin identified based onawhale’s pattern Individual rightwhales canbe through March, stillunderway. season, whichrunsfrom December sighted by researchers, withcalving February, 10new calves hadbeen a reversal ofthistrend. Asofmid- that thecurrent season maysignal 30 deaths. There ishope, however, (less than onethird theaverage) and waters, there have beenonly 12births calving seasons inUSandCanadian over thecourse ofthree rightwhale are thoughtto remain. Since 2017, Only 400 individualsofthespecies endangered Atlanticrightwhale. North devastating for thecritically The past three years have been SIGN FOR SPECIES THIS YEAR A POSITIVE RIGHT WHALE BIRTHS another symbol ofhopefor herspecies. sighted thisyear withherfourth calf, fishing gear in2000. Calvinhas been when shewas disentangled from herownsurvived brushwithdeath as spunkyandpugnacious, andshe her personality hasbeendescribed in theCalvinandHobbes comic strip, a shipstrike. Namedfor thecharacter months whenhermotherwas killed by 1992, Calvinwas orphanedateight well known to researchers. Bornin One 2020whale motherisespecially hashadherfifthcalf.Palmetto (31) forgiven birth thesecond time, while off the coast ofFlorida. Arrow (18)has spotted withanew baby—her third— originated inSouthAmericaandwas to $1million,was believed to have shipment, estimated to up beworth at PortMiami inlate January. The seized 18boxes ofdriedsharkfins US FishandWildlife Service officials FOILED IN FLORIDA, TEXAS SHARK FIN SELLERS AWI QUARTERLY MARINE LIFE 8 SPRING 2020 on restaurants ignoringsuchbans. enforcement officials withinformation and we willcontinue to provide law including instates where there isaban, audit ofrestaurants sharkfin, serving AWI iscurrently conducting itsannual Texas establishments. ongoing prosecution ofseveral other restaurant owner andthestill- in theconviction ofatleast one Texas officials to investigate, resulting fin. Recently, atipfrom AWI prompted the state thatcontinue to shark serve with information onrestaurants in has routinely provided Texas officials Since theban cameinto force, AWI fin trade ban, inplace since 2016. Texas, meanwhile, does have ashark advocating for itspassage. signature by Governor DeSantis. AWI is Florida legislature andisnow awaiting has passed the ban sharkfinimports were sampled andtested. Abillto to make theseizure after thefins enforcement authorities were able fins from protected species, so law however, theshipmentcontained Florida currently does not.Inthiscase possession and/or sale ofsharkfins, While manyUSstates ban the and marineecosystems. devastating global sharkpopulations million sharkdeaths peryear, whichis is also responsible for anestimated 73 slowly andpainfully die. Thefintrade alive—and thentossed overboard to captured, finned—usually while still Shark finningiscruel.Animalsare into shark fin soup andotherproducts. en route to theFar East,to beturned ship docked atPortMiami. Wildlife Service officials from a Shark fins seized by USFishand MARINE LIFE

This dead dolphin, found off Naples, appears to have been shot with a gun or speargun. Within the past year, three dolphins have been found stabbed or shot to death along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

SOLAR STORMS IMPLICATED IN SOME GRAY WHALE STRANDINGS Solar storms eject high-energy particles from the sun, which stream toward Earth and disrupt communications systems and the planet’s magnetic field. Researchers at Duke University and Chicago’s Adler Planetarium, reporting in Current Biology, believe these storms may cause some migrating gray whales to strand. FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION CONSERVATION WILDLIFE AND FISH FLORIDA

Scientists don’t entirely understand how gray whales accomplish their massive AWI OFFERS REWARD AWI offered to add another $5,000 and navigational feat between Alaska and FOR INFO ON DOLPHIN is hopeful that others will follow suit. Mexico each year, but think the whales KILLINGS may be guided by Earth’s usually reliable At least three dolphins were brutally These incidents are perhaps all the magnetic field. The Duke and Adler killed within a year, and AWI is more disturbing because NMFS researchers studied 31 years of stranding supporting the efforts of local believes at least two of them may have data and found that strandings were authorities to bring those responsible occurred after the dolphins approached over four times more likely when radio to justice. humans thinking they might have food. frequency noise from a solar outburst It is illegal to feed wild dolphins, but bombarded the Earth. The study authors In late January 2020, a dead dolphin some people persist, thinking they are suspect that the problem isn’t that the washed up in Naples with a large hole helping the dolphins, or because they increased radio frequencies throw off near the animal’s mouth that appeared want to get closer to the animals. When the whales’ internal compass readings, to have been caused by a bullet or people feed dolphins, it makes them but that the sudden burst of frequencies sharp object. A necropsy on another less wary of humans. NMFS postulates overwhelms and effectively shuts dolphin found in late January, this that in two of the recent cases, where down the whales’ navigational system time in Pensacola, revealed a bullet in there were injuries to the face, the altogether. the animal’s left side. In May 2019 a culprits took advantage of the dolphins’ dolphin found off North Captiva Island friendliness and used it to lure them The researchers state that their had been pierced in the head by a close enough to attack and kill them. findings aren’t conclusive evidence for spear-like object. The dolphins were likely facing their magnetoreceptive sensors in whales, but attacker, mouth open, expecting food. their study does point to the likelihood AWI marine consultant Courtney that gray whales depend on some type Vail is in communication with local AWI urges readers to keep your of magnetic sense for their incredible authorities, and when she heard about distance when encountering dolphins navigational abilities. the latest incident asked them how AWI and to report any individual you see could help. The answer was to offer a approaching them too closely. If you Solar storms are not the only reason that reward for information leading to the have information about the recent gray whales strand, however. Disease, conviction of the culprit or culprits. Florida cases, please let us know or malnutrition due to lower abundance of The National Marine Fisheries Service contact NMFS Southeast Regional prey, and human activities such as the use (NMFS) had already put up $20,000; Office at (727) 824-5301. of active sonar can also cause strandings.

AWI QUARTERLY 9 SPRING 2020 MARINE LIFE

Dr. Gill Braulik gives a plenary presentation at the World Marine Mammal Conference in Barcelona on river dolphins facing climate change.

change on its breeding habitat. Her plenary talk was inspiring and won an audience appreciation award for showing that sound science can inform successful conservation actions even when the challenges facing the animals are considerable.

In addition to the nearly 2,000 poster sessions and talks, the conference offered a number of workshops, where experts led in-depth discussions on a wide range of subjects. The workshops helped introduce a new generation NAOMI ROSE NAOMI of students to the field. They also allowed differing points of view—for example, on the welfare of marine Marine Mammal A sobering message from plenary mammals in captivity—to be expressed speaker Dr. Kit Kovacs of the Norwegian constructively. Conference Sounds Polar Institute opened the conference. Alarm, Highlights She noted that a third of marine Novel technological approaches to mammal species across the globe studying animals who live much of their Positive Actions are listed as vulnerable, endangered, lives at sea also featured prominently. or critically endangered by the Dozens of talks and posters described International Union for Conservation of the use of drones as a helpful tool for n early December 2019, more than Nature (IUCN), and that many species counting animals, photo-identifying I 2,700 marine mammal scientists, are facing multiple stressors, such as individuals, and even collecting policymakers, students, and activists, habitat loss due to climate change, breath samples—which can provide as well as journalists and others hunting, pollution, and entanglement information on, among other things, interested in the latest marine mammal in fishing gear. genetics, stress, and pregnancy status. science developments, gathered from High resolution satellite imagery is also 95 countries in Barcelona, Spain, to Bycatch in fishing gear was the focus being used to detect large whales from attend a joint meeting of the Society of numerous conference sessions. More space, identify species, count pinnepeds for Marine Mammalogy and the than 650,000 marine mammals die who are out of the water, and track European Cetacean Society. annually because of entanglement, migration patterns. making it the leading cause of At the conference, AWI’s Dr. Naomi human-induced mortality. Of the 13 Attendees were given the opportunity to Rose participated in a workshop on populations of small cetaceans listed sign the Barcelona Declaration, in which captive marine mammal welfare, as critically endangered by the IUCN, they promised to “inspire and motivate presented a poster on chronic stress in 11 are facing extinction due to gillnet the public to protect marine mammals captive orcas, and served as a judge of fishing gear, including the vaquita and the environments they inhabit” and scientific posters and talks. AWI’s Kate (whose population has dipped below to engage with policymakers to provide O’Connell participated in a workshop on 20) and the Māui dolphin (with an the best available science to help ensure improving collection of data on fishing estimated population of 63). successful conservation efforts. Despite gear entanglement, co-presented a the mounting pressures facing marine poster on bycatch and the foreign Dr. Mervi Kunnasranta of the University mammals, the passion and dedication import provisions of the US Marine of Eastern Finland spoke about of the conference’s participants provide Mammal Protection Act, and gave a talk innovative efforts to save the Saimaa hope that solutions to these threats will on vaquita conservation efforts. ringed seal from the impacts of climate be found.

AWI QUARTERLY 10 SPRING 2020 GEORGE CLERK GEORGE

Hawaii Agrees to Regulate Live Animal Shipments

perils of overseas animal transport were recently However, the federal standards do not apply to interstate The underscored when 21 cows perished on a barge or intrastate shipments. It is critical, therefore, that states traveling from Honolulu to Kauai. While the animals were step up to make sure that the animals are protected during inspected at the port—per Hawaii regulations for preventing these trips. Even short trips can present serious welfare the transmission and introduction of diseases—no risks for animals, and sometimes animals on interstate inspections were made to ascertain whether the barge or the voyages—in particular, voyages from the mainland to containers the animals were in were suitable for transporting Hawaii—will travel distances that far exceed those of some animals. Unfortunately, the containers holding the animals international routes. For example, a trip from California to were placed too closely together, limiting ventilation and Hawaii can exceed 2,500 miles, whereas an international causing the cattle to slowly die of suffocation during their journey from Florida to the Caribbean could amount to less journey. Simple precautions could have prevented the than 1,000 miles. There are currently zero laws to ensure prolonged suffering endured by these animals. that animals on these interstate voyages are fit to make such a journey, or that would protect them while at sea. Following this tragedy, lobbying efforts by AWI and Animal Rights Hawai‘i helped convince the Hawaii Department of The HDOA committed to base its new regulations upon Agriculture (HDOA) to commit to amending its regulations federal export standards, which include provisions to ensure to include standards for the care of livestock shipped by sea that animals do not suffer or die from preventable causes. vessel. The new animal transport regulations should help Among the basic requirements are access to food and water, keep such grim incidents from happening again. proper ventilation, and proper care for sick animals. Animals will also be inspected to determine whether they are fit to Shipments of live animals from the United States to foreign travel these journeys in the first place. countries are subject to federal regulations requiring an assessment of the animals’ fitness to travel and adherence The promulgation of these regulations will make Hawaii to basic standards concerning the suitability of vessels. the nation’s leader in ensuring animals transported on These changes were the direct result of a rulemaking sea vessels are properly cared for and that the transport of petition submitted by AWI and the World Society for the animals is less stressful and more humane. AWI applauds Protection of Animals (now World Animal Protection) in the state’s efforts to protect these animals, and hopes that 2011. The petition was largely premised on ensuring US other states transporting animals on ocean journeys will compliance with international standards for animal export draft similar measures. set by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

AWI QUARTERLY 11 SPRING 2020 FARM ANIMALS

AWI SUES OVER violates the Federal Meat Inspection after taking public comments on SLAUGHTER OF Act (FMIA), under which the USDA is proposed changes. Disappointingly, the DOWNED PIGS required to prevent the sale of meat department failed to address a number that, due to disease, is unfit for human of issues AWI raised in our comments In February, AWI and a coalition of consumption. and in a petition we submitted animal groups sued the USDA for its requesting that the USDA regulate decision to deny a petition asking the Because NAD animals are at a higher “free range” and similar claims. department to ban the cruel practice of risk of being abused and transmitting slaughtering nonambulatory disabled disease, AWI and co-plaintiffs believe Under the new guideline, producers can (NAD) pigs. NAD animals are those who that the USDA acted arbitrarily in continue to use animal-raising claims are unable to walk or move on their denying the rulemaking petition. so long as a definition is also provided own due to illness, injury, or fatigue. The outcome of this case has the on the package. This allows producers These animals are more vulnerable to potential to affect over half a million to create their own definitions for abuse at slaughterhouses—workers pigs who arrive at slaughterhouses complex animal welfare concepts often try to force them to move by each year unable to rise. AWI will that cannot possibly be adequately kicking, dragging, shoving, or even update its members on the progress of conveyed in the limited space the electroshocking them. this important lawsuit as it proceeds packaging provides. It also leads to through the legal system. confusion for consumers who are The USDA’s failure to regulate confronted with multiple definitions for and prohibit the slaughter of NAD a particular claim, and harms producers pigs gives unscrupulous producers who actually adhere to higher welfare farm animals farm incentive to force animals to rise UNINSPIRING UPDATE TO standards. The USDA asserts that using such violent methods and to USDA ANIMAL-RAISING its process prevents deceptive and continue sending sick and injured CLAIMS GUIDELINE misleading claims on meat and poultry pigs to slaughter. NAD pigs are also products, when in reality the lack of at a higher risk of carrying human- The USDA has recently released its proper oversight allows producers to transmissible pathogens, because updated food labeling guideline for exploit humane claims without actually they are held longer than ambulatory animal-raising claims made on meat improving the lives of their animals. pigs, often in feces-ridden pens. This and poultry products, three years In addition to releasing the updated guideline, the USDA also requested further comment on the “free range” claim. In our comments, AWI argued producers should not be allowed to make this claim using their own definitions for it. Instead, the USDA should establish a clear and consistent definition that requires “free range” animals be provided adequate access to the outdoors, soil and vegetation, and protection from adverse weather and predators.

The USDA continues to allow facilities to slaughter animals that are too sick and injured to move around on their own. JO-ANNE MCARTHUR/WE ANIMALS MCARTHUR/WE JO-ANNE

AWI QUARTERLY 12 SPRING 2020 FARM ANIMALS

A hurricane that passed through North Carolina left these dead chickens in its wake. Agricultural facilities often lack any sort of plan to rescue farm animals during natural disasters.

Similar ag-gag laws have been struck down across the country, including laws in Idaho, Iowa, and Utah. Challenges to Arkansas’s and North Carolina’s ag-gag laws are ongoing, but the success in Kansas and other states is encouraging.

NEW YORK CITY JO-ANNE MCARTHUR/WE ANIMALS MCARTHUR/WE JO-ANNE BANS FOIE GRAS New York City recently joined California in passing legislation to prohibit CONGRESS DIRECTS language strengthened in the future the sale of foie gras, a controversial USDA TO HELP by requiring producers to both develop “delicacy” in French cuisine that FARMERS DEVELOP and execute disaster plans before has long been criticized by animal DISASTER PLANS becoming eligible for LIP payments. advocates for the cruel way in which Each year, under a federal disaster it is made. Foie gras is produced via assistance program called the gavage, whereby ducks or geese are Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), force-fed through feeding tubes in the US Department of Agriculture NATION’S OLDEST order to enlarge their livers 7–10 shells out tens of millions of dollars to AG-GAG LAW RULED times the normal size. This can lead compensate livestock producers for the UNCONSTITUTIONAL to a number of health and welfare injuries and/or deaths of farm animals On January 22, 2020, a federal problems, including injuries to the from extreme weather. According to district court in Kansas struck down esophagus from the tube insertion, government data analyzed by AWI, in a majority of the state’s ag-gag law illnesses caused by reduced blood flow, 2019 alone, the total amount awarded for violating the First Amendment. and increased mortality. under LIP was over $58.5 million, up The law, enacted in 1990, banned from about $38 million in 2018. Despite individuals from going undercover to After the California prohibition passed the staggering number of weather- film at agricultural operations within in 2004, a number of legal challenges related livestock deaths that occur the state. Laws such as this protect resulted in the law first being struck each year, and the hefty price tag industrial agriculture operations down in 2015, then subsequently associated with the losses, producers by criminalizing investigations into upheld in 2017. In January 2019, the US have not been required to demonstrate how animals are raised. Undercover Supreme Court rejected the industry’s that they provide their animals with investigations, which often involve latest challenge to the California even the most basic protections activists photographing and filming statute, allowing the prohibition to from extreme weather. AWI worked the miserable conditions at factory remain in effect. (See AWI Quarterly, to secure language in the fiscal year farms, are critical for the public to spring 2019.) These laws have the 2020 spending package that directs gain an understanding of farm and potential to make a significant impact the USDA to work with producers slaughter practices in the United on animal welfare, as California and to develop plans to protect animals States, and are often the only way for New York City are two of the largest during disasters. We hope to see this cruel practices to be revealed. markets for foie gras.

AWI QUARTERLY 13 SPRING 2020 CHRISTOPHER MICHEL CHRISTOPHER

Nation’s Laws Protecting Animals and Environment Are Essential

Our nation’s foundational about any pollutant they wanted into our air and environmental laws are a little like air—something you waterways. Fewer and fewer people remember a time don’t really notice until it’s gone, or is so diluted that it’s when the Cuyahoga River—a veritable soup of industrial hard to breathe. Like air, we take these laws for granted, chemicals—caught fire. We forget (or never knew) that easily forgetting that not so long ago lead was allowed in bald eagles, grizzly bears, and wolves were nearly driven water pipes and paint, and industries could spew just to extinction in the contiguous Unites States. This

AWI QUARTERLY 14 SPRING 2020 In 2016, AWI and allies sued under the Endangered Species Act to win greater protections for endangered ocelots in Arizona and Texas.

phenomenon is referred to as shifting baseline syndrome: a gradual change in accepted norms for the condition of the natural environment due to lack of past information or lack of experience of past conditions.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act (ESA), and other keystone environmental laws and their implementing regulations have provided a safety net for the commons for over 40 years. Through these laws, we are able to engage in public processes for decisions that affect wildlands, air, water, wildlife, and climate. The fact that American rivers no

longer burn and people can and do see eagles, wolves, bears, ELI77 and other imperiled and once-imperiled species in the wild is due to the passage of these laws a generation ago and the advocacy by citizens and nonprofit organizations that to thinning the air so much that we can no longer breathe. ensures they are enforced and remain effective. Today, we take The substance is still technically air, but it doesn’t provide the for granted that most—though still not all—of the air in this oxygen necessary for life. country is safe to breathe and water safe to drink. One of these vital laws—the Endangered Species Act— Our tendency toward complacency is dangerous. At a time of protects not only individual imperiled animals, but also crisis—with only a handful of years left to truly address the the habitat critical to the species survival and recovery. threats of climate change—environmental laws are under The protections of the ESA are often referred to as an attack like never before. Because of the bipartisan popularity emergency room for threatened and endangered animals: The of such laws, the attacks have shifted from efforts to rescind medical treatment includes providing adequate habitat and the laws to undermining how they are implemented. safeguarding it from the very activities imperiling the animals, such as logging and fossil fuel development. The New York Times recently reported that the Trump administration has already rolled back over 90 environmental The administration, however, is seeking to limit what rules and regulations, with more slated for the coming lands may be designated as “critical habitat”—eliminating months. The somewhat wonky regulations that enable designations of land not currently occupied and prohibiting enforcement of the laws are being weakened. Public consideration of effects on the climate. These regulatory participation is being undermined. Access to the courts is changes would undermine the capacity of the law to apply the being limited. These changes may seem insignificant, but precautionary principle and protect lands that species need have no doubt: They have real on-the-ground damaging impacts. This wholesale corrosion of conservation laws is akin

The Trump administration has sought to weaken US environmental laws that help hold mining and other extractive industries accountable for pollution and habitat destruction.

MILEHIGHTRAVELER AWI QUARTERLY 15 SPRING 2020 Woodland caribou are now protected under the Endangered Species Act. Their range once extended into several northern US states, but much of their habitat in Canada and the United States has been lost.

of their decisions and consider available options, while allowing the public to voice concerns and ask questions during the decision-making process.

NEPA has enabled hundreds of millions of Americans to participate in this process. In many cases, without NEPA, the public would not have an opportunity to contribute to the conversation about potentially dirty and dangerous projects—from our own backyards to the nation’s last remaining truly wild places. NEPA is intended to inform and empower communities, while demanding government accountability and transparency.

The administration’s proposed changes to NEPA put corporate profits before communities’ concerns, limit

JILLIAN COOPER JILLIAN the scope and timeframe of environmental impacts that agencies must consider, and allow companies to conduct their own reviews—diminishing the very transparency that to survive in the short term, as well as recover to the point NEPA is meant to uphold. Further, these proposed changes where the protections of the law are no longer necessary in would eliminate consideration of effects on the climate. the long term. The changes also remove the flexibility built into the law to address unexpected challenges that result As the impacts of climate change hit home here in the from a combination of threats. These planned changes United States, we are likely to face increasing occurrence are on top of earlier regulatory alterations undermining and severity of unnatural disasters. If the United States the law that have already been pushed through by the were to experience fires or other climate-change-induced administration. (The PAW and FIN Conservation Act, disasters at the scale of those that have recently ravaged currently before Congress, seeks to reverse these damaging Australia, it would be these key environmental laws that alterations. See page 4 of this issue.) would help us recover. We cannot afford to see them diluted. To ensure that we protect the habitat of rare and Many species are in serious trouble. From the recently imperiled wildlife, we must address the root drivers of documented precipitous drop in songbird populations climate change and defend the laws designed to protect (see AWI Quarterly, fall 2019), to the decline of red wolves wildlife. All of us must take a stand against the systematic and the possible winking out of fireflies, wildlife are facing dismantling of laws that safeguard our environment. We myriad and increasing threats. The systems in place to can’t afford to have them vanish into thin air. defend against those threats are themselves threatened by a federal administration bent on prioritizing resource extraction at any cost.

Another law under attack by the administration—the National Environmental Policy Act—provides the public an opportunity to weigh in on federal agency decisions that may affect the environment. Put simply, NEPA requires government agencies to assess the environmental impacts

AWI QUARTERLY 16 SPRING 2020 PS50ACE WILDLIFE

The organization Wildlife Rescue Nests engages a cadre of volunteers to knit nests for rescued and rehabilitating wildlife—including this napping baby raccoon.

of habitat and food sources will make it difficult for these rare species to recover. Long-term habitat restoration will be necessary to prevent their extinction.

With an estimated loss of at least 1 billion wild animals, Australia is feeling the devastation of climate chaos firsthand. Here in the United States, we KIM BARKER KIM had a taste of these impacts with recent California wildfires. Wildfire is a natural process, and key to vital ecosystem Registered volunteers have access KNITTING NESTS FOR functions. Many trees and other plants to approved knitting and crocheting WILDLIFE IN NEED require wildfire for germination or patterns, as well as a current list of The international outpouring of reproduction. However, these recent registered rescues and the specific support toward injured and orphaned wildfires differ from the natural fire nests each has requested. In exchange animal victims of the Australian cycle: They are fed by years of drought, for the volunteers’ hard work, rescues wildfires has been tremendous. In poor management practices allowing for share a photo of the nests being used. addition to the generous monetary and fuel buildup, and climate change. Fires medical supply donations, individuals that burn extremely hot permanently Have a hankering (and hank of yarn) to from around the world picked up their damage the soil, and plant and animal help? Visit https://wildliferescuenests. knitting needles and crochet hooks, species that normally would survive a weebly.com to register as a volunteer. dusted off their sewing machines, and fast-moving wildfire do not. collaborated to make items for animals in rehabilitation centers: koala mittens, AWI has contributed funds and is bat wraps, joey pouches, and bird passing on donations earmarked for nests. The response from crafters has AWI CONTRIBUTES TO Australian wildlife rescue and recovery been so great that Australians have AUSTRALIAN WILDLIFE to the Balu Blue Foundation, which asked for a “time out” as they assess RESCUE AND RECOVERY itself passes funds to smaller wildlife whether more items are still needed. While the images of singed rescued rehabilitation organizations and koalas have dominated media individuals who care for wildlife. We wildlife Even if Australians determine they attention, many other species are have also donated to Adelaide and Hills no longer need additional craft items, impacted by the Australian fires. Koala Rescue, Goongerah Wombat your local wildlife rehabilitator likely Grey-headed flying foxes; platypuses; Orphanage, Warriors for Wildlife, and does. Wildlife Rescue Nests is a kangaroos; wallabies; quokkas; Wildlife Victoria in an effort to spread volunteer-run, nonprofit organization northern and southern hairy-nosed support across various impacted that connects crafters with wildlife wombats; brushtail possums; sugar, geographies. Recovery from the rehabilitators needing nests for birds greater and feathertail gliders; and impacts of the fires and the floods that and small mammals in their care. Since southern boobook owls and many followed will require ongoing support. 2013, the organization’s volunteers other unique imperiled bird species One hundred percent of donations you have provided over 31,000 knitted are now at even greater risk. The make to AWI and designate as “for or crocheted nests to more than 500 immediate threat of the fires has Australia” will go to Australian rescue wildlife rescues across the globe. passed for this season, but the loss organizations.

AWI QUARTERLY 17 SPRING 2020 Unexpected Response of Coyotes to New Nonlethal Management Tool

Over the past century, coyotes have expanded their range, now inhabiting everywhere from Alaska to Mexico, and San Francisco to New York City. One consequence of their success has been an increase in conflict with both humans and other wildlife.

A variety of management tools are used to prevent and mitigate coyote conflicts. Such tools include fladry, which consists of a single strand of rope or electric fencing wire with methods that allowed us to understand how fladry influenced red flags attached at even intervals. First developed for use coyote use of protected areas and how they responded with wolves, fladry is strung along the outside of protected behaviorally to fladry. For the study, we cordoned off high- areas (e.g., pastures), where the flags flapping in the wind density prairie dog colonies. Such colonies are preferred disrupt wolf behavior and the electrified wire adds a shock to habitats of coyotes in prairie ecosystems, where prairie dogs further discourage undesired predation. form a key part of their diet.

Although coyotes have similar responses to fladry, their We did indeed find that coyote response to fladry was highly smaller size allows them to sneak between flags. As a result, variable. In some plots, fladry excluded coyotes for the entire the National Wildlife Research Center developed a new 60-day duration of our trials, and in others fladry kept coyotes “coyote fladry” with narrower flag spacing. We tested this in a out for as little as 9 days. On average, fladry excluded coyotes field setting for the first time using, in part, funds provided by from protected areas for about 32 days. We also found that, a Christine Stevens Wildlife Award from AWI. in comparison to unprotected reference areas, the area inside fladry-protected exclosures was used 37 percent less during Our goal was to test coyote fladry and understand how long the first 30 days of our trial and, surprisingly, 60 percent less it could exclude coyotes from areas we wished to protect. during the second 30 days of our trial. In addition, although Because coyotes have individual personalities that range fladry decreased coyote use, coyotes explored the periphery from bold to shy, we suspected their response to fladry would of fladry exclosures immediately after fladry installation (as be highly variable. To investigate this variability, we used shown by the tracks in the snow in the photo above).

Overall, fladry reduced coyote use within protected areas for at least 60 days; however, because coyotes appear to be attracted to fladry, it may do so in a way that is counterintuitive. Individual variation in coyote behavior is difficult to study but is a critical component of nonlethal coyote management and should be considered in the development and testing of future tools that aim to effectively, and humanely, manage wildlife.

by Rebecca Windell, who conducted this research as a graduate student at Colorado State University, where she worked with Dr. Stewart Breck, a faculty member at CSU and carnivore ecologist at the National Wildlife Research Center.

AWI QUARTERLY 18 SPRING 2020 KOJIHIRANO Novel Methods to Assess the Population Status of the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake

The eastern massasauga is a small rattlesnake that was suspected massasauga was spotted, the drone was lowered once widespread and common but is now threatened in to approximately 3 meters (about 10 feet), and a 30x optical approximately 75 percent of its range. It is protected in zoom camera was used to provide confirmation. The snakes every state or province where it occurs and is listed as did not react to the presence of the drone at either altitude. threatened under both the US Endangered Species Act and The Christine Stevens Wildlife Award facilitated the purchase Canada’s federal Species at Risk Act. Efforts to study the of a second controller and tablet, improving efficiency by population dynamics and survival of eastern massasaugas allowing the pilot to focus on drone operation while a second have historically been difficult due to cryptic coloring, operator focused on scanning the thermal imagery. reclusive behavior, and low recapture rates. Using thermal imagery, we were able to successfully detect Use of drones to survey wildlife is increasing as both eastern massasaugas with as little as a 1 degree Fahrenheit drones and high-resolution cameras become more increase over ambient ground temperatures. Coiled snakes affordable. Some studies have demonstrated improved were easier to detect during surveys due to the unique count accuracies via drone surveillance over traditional shape and higher heat retention, while uncoiled snakes ground-based techniques. Whereas drones are primarily were harder to discern, as the prairie contained several used to quantify conspicuous species, the increased use of similarly shaped objects that retained heat at a higher aerial thermal imaging has improved detection of cryptic temperature compared to the ground. Additionally, weather species. The aim of this project was to determine if aerial impacted survey results. Cool or overcast days were most thermal imaging could increase the detection of eastern conducive to locating massasauga rattlesnakes using massasaugas during their active season (April–September), thermal imaging. The reduced solar radiation on those when they maintain elevated body temperatures for days required snakes to seek higher ground for basking, gestation and digestion. increasing the temperature contrast between the snake and substrate. On hot, full sun days, the snakes’ “solar loading” A total of 23 surveys were completed between April and brings them up to the surrounding substrate temperature, August of 2019. Surveys took place during daylight hours to effectively making them invisible to the thermal camera. provide coverage across different sun angles and ambient surface temperatures. Transects were flown at an altitude Thanks to the support of the Christine Stevens Wildlife of 10 meters (about 33 feet) to minimize disturbance. Once a Award, this project demonstrated that aerial thermal imaging can be employed as an effective and noninvasive survey technique to detect eastern massasaugas.

by Christine Proctor, PhD, Harrisburg University

SHOEMCFLY AWI QUARTERLY 19 SPRING 2020 HUMANE EDUCATION

The “A Voice for Animals” contest—now in its 30th year— allows high schoolers around the globe to showcase how they are helping prevent animal suffering and preserve wild species.

“A VOICE FOR ANIMALS” CONTEST NOW OPEN When the Humane Education Network (HENNET) was founded in the 1970s, young animal activists didn’t have online petitions and social media to connect and quickly spread awareness. They collected signatures in front of grocery stores, and used “telephone trees” to pass important information to members—one phone call at a time. STANESCU ANDREI Even by 1990, when the “A Voice for Animals” student essay contest was that they can make a difference in the who plan to continue working to better launched, entries were submitted via lives of animals. the treatment of animals through mail. Jenness Hobart, who currently college and beyond. manages the contest for HENNET, So spread the word: The 2020 “ A recalls that they would receive around Voice for Animals” contest is now open AWI raised funds for the scholarship 60 of these paper submissions, which for entries through May 31. Students program during our Giving Tuesday then had to be mailed to and scored by ages 14–18 are eligible to enter. Visit campaign last November, and began each of the contest judges in turn. www.hennet.org to see instructions receiving applications in December. on how to enter and view entries from Of the submissions received, the AWI Thirty years later, the contest—which past winners. scholarship committee selected the has been online since 1995 and is now above-mentioned high school seniors cosponsored by AWI—receives hundreds for awards of $2,000 each for use of entries covering welfare issues related toward college expenses. to marine life, terrestrial wildlife, farm animals, and companion animals. CONGRATS TO AWI These individuals have spent their Regardless of the subject matter, SCHOLARSHIP high school years volunteering at local students are encouraged not only to RECIPIENTS humane societies, veterinary clinics, write about and raise awareness of AWI extends our congratulations to and wildlife rehabilitation centers, and important welfare issues, but also to be Hailey Chui (California), Katja Erringer were enthusiastically recommended active participants in protecting animals (Oregon), Sage Farrow (Colorado), Lien by their teachers and mentors. In and alleviating animal suffering. Ferry (Pennsylvania), Makenna Owens helping such students defray some of (Florida), Will Smith (Minnesota), the costs of post-secondary education, In recognition of the 30th anniversary of Isabell Sydow (Minnesota), and Chloe AWI hopes to encourage and inspire the contest, a separate prize category Quin (Illinois). These are the recipients the next generation of animal has been added for those wishing to of the inaugural Animal Welfare advocates. The 2020 Animal Welfare examine how treatment of animals Institute Scholarship. Institute Scholarship recipients are humane education humane has improved—or where progress has already improving the lives of animals, stalled—over the three decades since AWI launched the scholarship late and we look forward to seeing the contest opened. One thing that has last year in order to assist high school more from these dedicated young not changed in 30 years is the hope and students who have demonstrated a humanitarians in the future. optimism of the younger generation commitment to animal welfare and

AWI QUARTERLY 20 SPRING 2020 NNE NEUBAUER SUZA NNE

Fast Tracking Fatalities: Bust of Horse Racing Doping Ring Highlights Need for Reform

Each year in the United States, hundreds of racehorses die on was held in January, during which the myriad and pervasive tracks across the country—a death toll that far exceeds the problems surrounding horse racing in this country were number of fatalities in other racing jurisdictions around the spelled out. The Horseracing Integrity Act would create an world. Why the difference? Well, for one thing, other countries independent anti-doping authority that would set uniform ban the use of race-day medications that mask injuries, national standards, testing procedures, and penalties, replacing pain, inflammation, and other warning signs that precede the patchwork and wildly inconsistent regulatory schemes catastrophic breakdowns. Here, performance-enhancing that currently exist among 38 US jurisdictions. Perhaps most drugs are standard fare and oversight is exceedingly lax importantly, the bill would prohibit race-day medications. within an industry that has been largely left to police itself. While the final fallout from this latest scandal remains to be Some rather dramatic outside policing did take place seen, one thing has been made abundantly clear—a culture of in March, though, when more than two dozen trainers, doping is deeply entrenched in the industry. According to the pharmacists, veterinarians, and drug distributors were New York Times: “Maximum Security won eight of 10 races and charged as participants in a pervasive doping ring. Jason nearly $12 million in purses while passing drug test after drug Servis, one of the world’s most successful trainers, was test,” even as—prosecutors assert—“veterinarians falsified among the busted backstretch denizens. (He is the trainer of records and backstretch pushers promised and delivered Maximum Security, the horse who finished first in the 2019 cutting-edge chemistry.” Kentucky Derby, only to be disqualified for interference.) According to federal prosecutors, Servis doped “virtually all The United States is long overdue for comprehensive and horses under his control.” uniform regulations regarding the use of medications for racehorses. Polling shows that most Americans support efforts To date, the US racing industry has been largely unwilling to aimed at curbing this unhealthy reliance on performance- implement meaningful reforms that would promote equine enhancing drugs. Without such reforms, horses will continue to welfare. However, the recent and shocking spate of deaths at suffer and many will die. As the US Attorney for the Southern the storied Santa Anita racetrack outside Los Angeles—where District of New York explained, the trainers, veterinarians, drug 46 horses have died since December 2018 during racing or distributors, and others who were indicted in these schemes training—has undoubtedly put a spotlight on the desperate “engaged in [such] conduct not for the love of the sport, and need to clamp down on widespread doping. certainly not out of concern for the horses, but for money. And it was the racehorses that paid the price for the defendants’ greed.” In the midst of this, a bipartisan bill in Congress, the Horseracing Integrity Act (HR 1754/S 1820), has amassed Visit www.awionline.org/horse-racing to urge your members of significant support. A House committee hearing on the bill Congress to support the Horseracing Integrity Act.

AWI QUARTERLY 21 SPRING 2020 ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES

HUMAN “BODY-ON-A- turnaround times and lower costs than forum from February 2016 through CHIP” COULD REPLACE traditional animal studies. “And we December 2019. As with the previous TRADITIONAL ANIMAL hope,” said Ingber, “our demonstration four LAREF compendiums, It’s Okay to TESTING that this level of biomimicry is possible Cry was edited by Dr. Viktor Reinhardt, using organ chip technology will the forum moderator and a member of Organ-on-a-chip is a relatively new garner even greater interest from AWI’s Scientific Committee. technology that reconstitutes the the pharmaceutical industry so that functions of human organs on devices animal testing can be progressively The title of the book is a nod to as small as a computer memory stick. reduced over time.” discussion threads that appear Each organ-on-a-chip is composed of a in the book’s final chapter. These clear flexible polymer lined with human conversations examine the often- cells to mimic various physiological wrenching experience for caregivers responses to drugs, toxins, or other LAB ANIMAL CAREGIVERS when they form strong bonds with chemicals. “They are essentially living, SHARE INSIGHTS IN NEW animals they know will die at the three-dimensional cross-sections LAREF VOLUME conclusion of the experiment. The of major functional units of whole threads examine how caregivers living organs,” said Dr. Donald Ingber, AWI is pleased to announce publication can express genuine emotions, founding director of Harvard’s Wyss of It’s Okay to Cry: Discussions by avoid compassion fatigue, and steel Institute for Biologically Inspired the Laboratory Animal Refinement & themselves against unsympathetic Engineering, which launched this Enrichment Forum, Volume V. colleagues and institutions that frown technology in 2009. on outward exhibitions of grief over the Since 2002, AWI’s Laboratory Animal loss of these animals. As an example, the lung-on-a-chip Refinement and Enrichment Forum mimics a breathing human lung, (LAREF) has facilitated the sharing AWI offers It’s Okay to Cry at no cost with human lung cells in contact of ideas and experiences of animal to those who work with animals in with human capillary blood vessel care personnel who strive to improve research. The book is also available for cells. “And then [by adding simulated the conditions under which all free download as a PDF file at www. breathing motions] the whole thing animals in research are housed and awionline.org/okay-to-cry. stretches and relaxes just like our lung handled. Throughout the discussions, does when we breathe,” said Ingber. participants offer numerous Researchers have created various other insights into how best to meet the organs-on-chips, including kidney, psychological and behavioral needs of various species in a laboratory setting. A new collection of discussion threads liver, and heart chips. from AWI’s Laboratory Animal Refinement and Enrichment Forum This latest LAREF volume comprises offers practical advice on how caregivers In January, the Wyss Institute can implement welfare improvements announced the creation of a human conversations that took place on the for animals in research. body-on-a-chip: multiple organs- on-chips successfully linked to mimic whole-body physiology, allowing real-time observations of the complex biochemical and physiological responses across 10 different organs. The body-on-a-chip technology was able to predict organ-specific toxicities and changes in drug levels over time seen in human patients.

Because the devices are made using

animals in laboratories animals in human cells, they are potentially more predictive of the human situation than current animal models. This technology also allows higher

AWI QUARTERLY 22 SPRING 2020 REHRIG ANGELIKA ANIMALS IN LABORATORIES KATHLEEN CODA KATHLEEN

Enrichment Strategies for Rabbits in Research

ne of the goals of environmental enrichment is to to perform active, species-typical behaviors while reducing O encourage species-typical behaviors while discouraging potentially stereotypic self-directed grooming behavior. abnormal behaviors. Assessing the effectiveness of various enrichment strategies can be a challenging endeavor, In facilities where rabbits aren’t currently housed in large particularly for prey species who may exhibit freezing runs, the standard cage may nonetheless be much improved responses in the presence of people. The goal of our study, by adding relevant items into the cage. Therefore, we decided which was funded by an AWI Refinement Grant, was to to explore if the provision of enrichment devices while being determine if we could use various environmental enrichment housed in the standard size cage could promote the increased strategies to promote species-specific behaviors, decrease expression of active behaviors similar to what was seen with potentially abnormal behaviors, and improve the overall rabbits in the large runs. We selected three devices: a hanging welfare of rabbits in laboratories. toy, a destructible device, and a dig bin. The provision of all three enrichment devices led to more time spent performing We began by looking at cage size as a form of enrichment. active, exploratory behaviors (64.9, 77.1, and 70.0 percent of We video recorded rabbits in three cages that varied in size: a time, respectively) than what was seen in control rabbits with standard housing cage (25 x 29.5 x 16 inches), a medium-sized no enrichment device (37.6 percent of time). The enrichment cage (28 x 45 x 27 inches), and a large run (65 x 70 x 96 inches). devices also reduced the time spent performing grooming After reviewing the videos, we constructed an ethogram of behavior (hanging toy 3.3 percent, destructible 2.6 percent, laboratory rabbit behaviors. We then used that ethogram to and dig bin 6.7 percent of time) compared to control rabbits quantify behaviors seen in the rabbits in the various cage sizes. with no enrichment device (24.4 percent of time). These changes were again statistically significant (p<0.05). We found that rabbits housed in large runs spent an average of 71.8 percent of the time performing active, exploratory Overall, the provision of large runs or the addition of behaviors, 24.2 percent resting, and only 4 percent of enrichment devices into standard cages encouraged a broad time performing self-directed grooming behaviors. By spectrum of active, species-typical rabbit behaviors, while comparison, rabbits housed in the standard cages spent simultaneously reducing potentially stereotypic self-directed 30.7 percent of the time engaged in active behaviors, 34.8 grooming behavior. We have since added these enrichment percent resting, and 34.5 percent grooming. The differences devices to our care and use program and find them to be an in time spent performing active behaviors and time easy, cost-effective way to improve welfare. spent performing self-directed grooming behaviors were statistically significant (p<0.05). This led us to surmise that by Kathleen Coda, DVM, postdoctoral clinical veterinarian housing rabbits in larger cages has a positive impact on at the University of Illinois at Chicago Biologic Resources their welfare, allowing them more space and opportunity Laboratory

AWI QUARTERLY 23 SPRING 2020 As USDA Dithers, Research Chinchilla Supplier Goes Unchecked GORUPPA

ative to the Andes Mountains in South America, provide needed veterinary care, were repeated over and over, N chinchillas are gentle, social, inquisitive, and energetic sometimes with the same animals whose condition had rodents. Though not typically thought of as experimental become even worse. Over 120 suffering chinchillas had to animals, chinchillas (because of their large ears and hearing be identified during inspections as needing veterinary care. similar to humans) are often used for invasive and terminal Inspectors observed eyes that were crusted, sealed, swollen research on diseases of the inner and middle ear. shut, bleeding, and oozing fluid. They reported insufficient staff, green drinking water, collars becoming embedded in The primary supplier of chinchillas for research, listed in the the animals’ necks, an ammonia-like foul odor so pervasive online AALAS Laboratory Animal Science Buyers Guide, is it burned inspectors’ eyes and throats and forced them Moulton Chinchilla Ranch (MCR) in Minnesota. MCR is a to leave, waste so widespread the animals could not find USDA-licensed dealer that has been breeding and selling a clean spot to stand or sit, fly infestations, long-dead chinchillas since 1966; the company states that its inventory animals left in cages, and lighting so poor that adequate is 500 to 900 animals. welfare checks were not possible.

Inspectors observed eyes that were crusted, sealed, swollen shut, bleeding, and oozing fluid.

From all appearances, MCR’s track record on animal welfare is ACCESS REPEATEDLY DENIED truly horrific: Between December 2013 and February 2020, the The USDA actually attempted to visit the facility 40 times company was cited more than 100 times for Animal Welfare over the past 6+ years. Seventeen times—in what is by far Act violations on USDA inspection reports. Yet, during this the worst case we know of—the USDA inspector arrived and time, the USDA appears to have done next to nothing to was told that an authorized individual was not available to prevent continued suffering of MCR’s chinchillas. accompany the inspector. This prevented the USDA from inspecting the animals. As recently as February 4, 2020, an WHAT USDA INSPECTORS FOUND inspector arrived to inspect, but the owner of the business The USDA cited apparent violations in 21 of 23 inspections claimed he couldn’t stay and therefore, once again, no conducted during this period. Many, such as failure to inspection occurred. On three of these 17 occasions—in

AWI QUARTERLY 24 SPRING 2020 March, November, and December 2017—the USDA failed to of failure to remove an excessive accumulation of waste— even mark this unavailability for inspection as a citation. including excrement, soiled bedding, and even dead animals.

How did the USDA respond in 2017 after years of appalling The USDA inexplicably failed, however, to include 60 inspections and thwarted attempts at inspection? By giving additional instances of chinchillas in need of veterinary the vendor a hiatus: The USDA didn’t bother inspecting again care, or seven additional times when inspections of animals until October 2018—nearly 10 months after the previous were thwarted. As of March 12, 2020, the USDA had neither inspection attempt and 14 months after the last actual amended the November 2018 complaint nor filed a second inspection. Then, when the USDA finally did visit, it elected one to include these instances, as well as any citations that

One female had “an open wound around the neck with a pale liquid discharge mixed with a pale granular-type discharge in it and a putrid odor.”

—USDA complaint describing the result of a collar embedded in the chinchilla’s neck, observed during an April 3, 2017, inspection to do an announced inspection. (The standard compliance have been issued since. A hearing before an administrative inspection is unannounced—the better to ensure that the law judge is scheduled for April 6 in Minneapolis. inspector is able to see conditions as they truly are, without providing an opportunity for the licensee to quickly clean Meanwhile, MCR can continue business as usual. Among the up or hide noncompliances.) This announced inspection many research facilities that have used animals from MCR are was conducted as part of a troubling USDA pilot program, Arizona State University, Medstar Health Research Institute, through which it was considering changing its procedures so the University of Colorado School of Medicine, the University as to provide advance warning for some inspections (see AWI of Florida, the University of Minnesota, the University of Quarterly fall 2018). Oklahoma, and Southern Illinois University.

Even at this scheduled inspection, in which MCR had at In addition to condoning this unabated suffering, the USDA’s least 16 animals in the “sick bay” area, the inspector found lack of oversight has grave implications for research. In the an additional 22 animals in need of veterinary care and words of AWI board member Dr. William Stokes, a former rear noted, “Health issues that are not identified in a timely admiral and assistant US surgeon general, “Animals used manner can cause unnecessary pain and discomfort.” MCR in research must be raised under the highest standards of was also instructed to increase daily observation of the care and welfare in order to ensure high quality reproducible animals to include “looking at both eyes on each animal, research, and to avoid health-related variables that can result and observations of their neck collars to check for tightness.” in invalid research or the need to use more animals.” Clearly, Inspectors had noted in 2014 that eye problems at MCR were that has not been the case with MCR. “ongoing.” Despite the number of animals involved, MCR was given just one repeat citation for lack of veterinary care. WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE 1. If you are an investigator, an institutional official, or an A COMPLAINT IS FINALLY FILED, BUT THE IACUC member overseeing or involved in research with PROBLEMS CONTINUE chinchillas (or any other animal), use a supplier that is The USDA finally filed an 18-page complaint in November 2018. able to reliably meet the modest, minimum requirements The complaint listed 81 separate instances of failure to provide under the Animal Welfare Act. adequate veterinary care, including multiple animals whose 2. The USDA can and must prevent senseless animal suffering. condition deteriorated over time. The complaint referenced Please send a letter or email to Kevin Shea, USDA- countless eye issues and animals who were lame (in some APHIS Administrator, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, cases, even missing part of a leg), who had tumor-like masses, Washington, DC 20250 or [email protected] and whose head listed to one side. One female had “an open and respectfully ask the USDA to revoke MCR’s license and wound around the neck with a pale liquid discharge mixed with take strong action against others who have been cited so a pale granular-type discharge in it and a putrid odor.” MCR often by inspectors for failure to comply with the law. was also cited for unsafe housing and more than 10 instances

AWI QUARTERLY 25 SPRING 2020 REVIEWS

THE LIVES OF BEES Thomas D. Seeley / Princeton University Press / 376 pages the early 1600s. Commercial beekeepers refined systems for increasing the size and accessibility of beehives, boosting a I don’t think there is another animal on the planet considered colony’s honey production, and an industry was born. to be as beneficial to humanity as the honey bee (Apis mellifera). For our earliest hominid ancestors, to have come However, bees don’t always stay put, and that is the focus of across a wild bee hive would have been like winning the this book. Seeley studies honey bee colonies in the wild, and lottery. Collecting minute amounts of nectar and pollen from argues that honey bees going through the wringer of natural flowering plants spread across the landscape and bringing selection are, well, a different animal. Wild honey bees behave them to a central hive location, honey bees produced a differently than their captive cousins. Seeley argues that glorious, sticky manna. When Egyptians began beekeeping captive honey bees are best considered “a semidomesticated nearly 4,500 years ago, honeycombs and beeswax became species,” avoiding the fundamental genetic changes occurring available with a new regularity, and it transformed our in domesticated animals. This means reverting to a wild relationship with this social insect. Today, honey bees both existence takes no more effort than swarming away from produce honey and pollinate many agricultural crops. In a beekeeper’s hive, and they “still follow a way of life set 2019, the USDA estimated that honey bee operations with millions of years ago.” five or more colonies in the United States totaled 2.67 million colonies, with thousands of bees in each colony. This is primarily a book about the natural history of the wild honey bee. Seeley discusses bee behavior in the context Surprising to some, honey bees are not native to North of a colony’s ultimate goal: to amass enough food during America. In the book, The Lives of Bees: The Untold Story of the summer to last the winter. He concludes his book with the Honey Bee in the Wild, biologist Thomas Seeley writes that a chapter titled “Darwinian Beekeeping.” Seeley reviews the dark European honey bee was brought to the northeast in 21 differences between wild and managed colonies, and

AWI QUARTERLY 26 SPRING 2020 REVIEWS

develops 14 suggestions for beekeepers to improve the health THE HIDDEN WORLD OF THE FOX of their colonies… to find a “kinder and gentler approach.” Adele Brand / William Morrow / 224 pages

Seeley believes today’s beekeepers need to encourage these The Hidden World of the Fox is a concise, yet broad overview wild behaviors in order to protect bees from disease and of the fox. The author, British mammal ecologist Adele stress. Why? To allow bees to be healthy and happy (my Brand, has been studying foxes for 20 years, and though her words), and “to put the needs of the bees before those of the primary focus is foxes resident to England, she is interested st beekeeper” (his words). Even in the 21 century, nature has in foxes around the globe. Her research has included travel things to teach us. Luckily, honey bees are patient teachers. to Yucatán’s rainforest, the Thar Desert in India, Subarctic Canada, and Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. Foxes are —Robert Schmidt, PhD, AWI Scientific Committee widespread because of their incredible ability to adapt to a variety of environments and take advantage of opportunities available because of location or circumstance.

CAT TALE In a poll of British opinions on having foxes in the Craig Pittman / Hanover Square Press / 336 pages neighborhood, three-quarters of respondents either liked having them around, had no strong opinion, or didn’t believe Few endangered species sagas are as complex as the fight to foxes were in their area (although they were probably save the Florida panther. Journalist Craig Pittman does an wrong). Those who most appreciate foxes believe that they excellent job of untangling 50 years of biopolitics, egos, and have intrinsic value; as one fox supporter stated, “It’s nice evolving science in his new book Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird to feel that nature is still around us and that we haven’t Battle to Save the Florida Panther. destroyed everything.”

The story is set in South Florida’s complex and diverse Most enjoyable were Brand’s stories about foxes she has landscape dominated by the Big Cypress Swamp, the come to know and their interesting and sometimes quirky Everglades, tribal lands, cattle ranches, and citrus behaviors. At the end of the book and in keeping with her farms. These are further divided by political boundaries, hope to encourage positive relationships between people and administered by counties, state parks, and agencies such as foxes, Brand notes a variety of ways to study them without the Florida Freshwater Fish and Wildlife Commission, the US disturbing them—including projects that might be of interest Fish and Wildlife Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, and to children or teenagers—using photography, trail cameras, the National Park Service. tracking, making casts of their tracks, and maintaining a wildlife diary. While some of her proposed science projects Pittman provides excellent profiles of the biologists, capture are specific to the UK, they provide a good launching point for specialists, and agency personnel who work together to solve further inquiry. It is fun and fascinating to watch foxes, and the myriad problems of Florida panther conservation. We perhaps this book will inspire you to watch them more keenly. learn how they navigated swampy landscapes, monitored and captured the big cats, and analyzed their inbred genetics. Sadly, it also tells a story of how science too frequently gives way to egos and politics. Bequests Surprisingly, progress has been made with Florida panther recovery. The big cats have expanded their range to the north, If you would like to help assure AWI’s future through introduction of pumas from Texas has improved genetics, and a provision in your will, this general form of bequest is cooperation between agencies has improved—slightly. suggested: I give, devise and bequeath to the Animal Welfare Institute, located in Washington, DC, the sum of I worked as a park ranger in Everglades National Park and $ and/or (specifically described property). volunteered on the Florida Panther Project years ago. I left the project hopeless for the big cat’s recovery. Pittman tells a Donations to AWI, a not-for-profit corporation exempt under story that is much more hopeful. Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), are tax-deductible. We welcome any inquiries you may have. In cases in which you —Kevin Hansen, author of Cougar, the American Lion and have specific wishes about the disposition of your bequest, we Bobcat: Master of Survival suggest you discuss such provisions with your attorney.

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

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CHRISTINE STEVENS WILDLIFE AWARDS: RESEARCH GRANTS AVAILABLE

Wildlife researchers: Do you have ideas that would of wildlife study. Each year, the program provides grants of up contribute to more humane wildlife management and study? to $15,000 to award recipients. With this grant program we aim AWI is now accepting applications for its 2020 Christine to honor Mrs. Stevens’ legacy and inspire a new generation of Stevens Wildlife Award grant program. compassionate wildlife scientists, managers, and advocates.

Habitat destruction and degradation, urban and suburban This issue of the AWI Quarterly features two reports from sprawl, and ongoing challenges posed by invasive species past Christine Stevens Wildlife Award recipients. On page 18, make conflicts between wildlife and humans inevitable. Rebecca Windell describes how she used her award to study Homeowners, property managers, and biologists need the efficacy of specially designed fladry to deter coyotes from effective strategies to deal with conflicts—whether they entering protected areas. On page 19, Christine Proctor describes involve coyotes, deer, geese, bears, exotic species, or other her study to determine whether drones equipped with thermal animals. Scientists also need new tools to humanely and imaging cameras could help monitor the population of eastern unobtrusively study wildlife. massasauga rattlesnakes without disturbing the snakes.

To address such issues, AWI created the Christine Stevens Wildlife researchers across North America are encouraged to Wildlife Awards. Through this grant program—named in honor apply. The deadline for applications is May 29, 2020. Details on of the organization’s late founder and president for over 50 how to apply, application materials, and brief descriptions of years—AWI fosters efforts to devise new, nonlethal techniques studies that received awards in previous years can be found at and strategies and to test existing products for the purpose of www.awionline.org/csaward. humanely remedying wildlife conflicts and improving methods PARAG PATIL PARAG