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Humane World for Animals
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- 1Trump administration allows bear baiting in Alaska preserves▼Trump administration reinstitutes bear baiting on Alaska national preserves
The Trump administration has reinstated bear baiting on national preserves in Alaska, reversing protections that had banned the practice on federal lands. Animal welfare groups, including Humane World for Animals, are criticizing the move, arguing it is cruel and unethical to hunt bears over bait such as food or carcasses. Supporters say it aligns federal rules with Alaska's hunting laws and expands hunting opportunities.
- 2France reports world's first human case of Shamonda virus▼France has recorded the world first case of the Shamonda virus which was previously only thought to affect animals the p
France has recorded what is described as the world's first human case of the Shamonda virus, an infection previously believed to affect only animals. The patient reportedly died in a hospital in Lyon. The claim is circulating widely, prompting discussion about how the virus jumped to humans and what the risk of further spread might be. Health authorities have not been widely cited confirming the case, so details remain limited.
- 3
French health authorities have confirmed the first human death caused by the Shamonda virus, prompting experts to launch an investigation into the outbreak. The World Organisation for Animal Health has revealed that no vaccines currently exist against the virus, raising concern about its potential spread. The case is drawing attention across Europe and Latin America as health officials assess the risk to humans.
- 4Conservation groups sue to restore protections for threatened wildlife▼Lawsuit aims to restore protections for threatened wildlife
Conservation organisations, including Humane World for Animals and WildEarth Guardians, have filed a lawsuit seeking to restore protections for threatened wildlife. The legal action challenges rollbacks of safeguards for at-risk species and asks the courts to reinstate protections previously in place. The groups argue the weakened rules leave vulnerable animals exposed to greater harm.
- 5Flesh-Eating Screwworm Outbreak Takes Grim New Turn▼The Flesh-Eating Screwworm Outbreak Just Took a Grim New Turn
The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that has been spreading through livestock in Central America and Mexico, has reportedly taken a new and troubling turn, according to Gizmodo. The outbreak, which prompted the US to partially suspend cattle imports from Mexico in 2025, continues to spread northward and officials remain concerned about its impact on the cattle industry and animal health.
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Humane World for Animals has published the second part of a series arguing that beef farming is not only a welfare issue for cattle but also a significant problem for wildlife. The piece links livestock production to habitat loss and pressures on wild species, adding to ongoing debate about meat consumption's environmental footprint.
- 7Mantis shrimp's 16-channel vision fascinates science fans●The mantis shrimp sees the world in 16 color channels — humans manage just 3. Its eyes swivel independently, detect pola
The mantis shrimp is drawing attention online for its extraordinary biology: it perceives up to 16 color channels compared with the three in human vision, moves each eye independently, and detects polarized light. Its club-like appendages strike with acceleration comparable to a rifle bullet, and despite the name, it is not actually a shrimp.