Sea Shepherd’s Faroe Islands Director, Valentina Crast, joined an expert panel on November 25, 2024, as part of the American Bar Association’s inaugural “Blue Crimes Webinar Series.” This session, titled “Legality of Dolphin and Whale Hunts,” examined the legal, ethical, and environmental implications of cetacean hunts worldwide. The event launched a three-part series addressing crimes […]
Tradition and Controversy at Nepal’s Gadhimai Festival With Water Buffalo, Rats, and Pigeons Sacrificed
In the small town of Bariyarpur, Nepal, a unique and deeply controversial festival takes place every five years. Known as the Gadhimai festival, it involves the mass sacrifice of animals in honor of the Hindu goddess Gadhimai, a ritual believed to bring prosperity and protection to her devotees. However, this tradition has become a flashpoint […]
In 2024, Nepal’s elusive snow leopards pounce into spotlight
KATHMANDU — The elusive snow leopard (Panthera uncia), often described as the “ghost of the mountains,” has captivated the imagination of researchers, the general public and mountain communities for centuries. Fables related to this enigmatic big cat have been handed down from generation to generation, weaving a sense of mystery and reverence for the cat […]
Monarch butterflies to be added to threatened species list in the US
The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced a decision on Tuesday to extend federal protections to monarch butterflies after years of warnings from environmentalists that populations are shrinking and the beloved pollinator may not survive the climate crisis. Officials plans to add the butterfly to the threatened species list by the end of next year […]
Rare Invasive Insects Intercepted at Dulles Airport Pose Economic Threat
In a surprising discovery, Customs and Border Protection inspectors at Dulles International Airport recently encountered two exotic insects not typically seen in the Washington, D.C. area. On October 7, during a routine inspection of a flower shipment from South Africa, officials identified two potentially harmful species that could pose significant threats to local agriculture. […]
As Wolf Populations Rebound, an Angry Backlash Intensifies
Next month will mark the 30th anniversary of a landmark wildlife experiment: the reintroduction of wolves into Yellowstone National Park. The gray wolf had been nearly extirpated throughout the northern Rockies and had been federally listed as endangered since 1974. Diane Boyd, a wildlife biologist who had started collaring and tracking wolves that entered northern […]
Why birdsong matters more than you think
Imagine you’re walking across rolling hills that stretch for miles, with warm sunshine and the chirping of birds all around. This peaceful and serene scene is an increasingly rare one in the modern world. Our natural soundscapes are falling silent as bird populations decline. Humans are interacting less with nature, in what is sometimes referred […]
Debate Over Fish Farming in the Gulf of Mexico Heats Up as Trump’s Presidency Nears
Plans to develop large-scale floating fish farms in the Gulf of Mexico are gaining renewed attention as President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has identified five areas in the Gulf for potential offshore aquaculture, part of a decade-long federal push to expand fish farming in U.S. […]