15 dead animals found on Hong Kong shores.

In the past two days, a total of 15 dead animals have been found in pet carriers, washed up onto the beaches of Hong Kong. The cases may be linked to animal-smuggling activities via Hong Kong to the Mainland.

Kim McCoy28 August 2020Dogs, Cats, Illegal animal smugglersComment

Mauritius oil spill threatens unique wildlife.

A Japanese cargo ship, the MV Wakashio, struck a reef off the coast of Mauritius more than two weeks ago and has now leaked more than 1,000 metric tonnes of oil into the waters and unique ecosystem of the island nation.

Kim McCoy26 August 2020Biodiversity, Coral Reef, Oil Spill, Marine mammalsComment

Supreme Court dismisses application to appeal against Ivory Act 2018.

On 17 August 2020, the UK Supreme Court dismissed the application to appeal against Court of Appeal decision in May on the Ivory Act 2018.

Courtesy of Thomson Ying

Kim McCoy24 August 2020Ivory Act, Ivory, Judicial Review, Law & ArtComment

Germany proposes regulations to safeguard dog welfare

The German Federal government has proposed new regulations, including requiring owners to walk their dogs twice a day for a total of at least 1 hour, in order to safeguard dog welfare. If passed, the new regulations could take effect as early as next year.

Courtesy of Christopher Jay.

Kim McCoy22 August 2020Dog, Dogs, Dog walking, Covid-19, Law enforcementComment

Facial recognition AI created for birds.

New research has demonstrated for the first time that artificial intelligence (AI) can recognise individual birds in the wild. It is the first successful attempt at performing individual recognition on small birds and uses technology which is similar to software that remembers faces on social media.

Courtesy of Amelia Wang.

Kim McCoy21 August 2020Birds, AI, Technology, Bird identification, Conservation

Captive beluga whales released into ocean sanctuary.

Two ten year old beluga whales have been rescued from a life of captivity and cruelty in Chang Feng Ocean Park, Shanghai, China, and released into the world’s first open water sanctuary in Klettsvik Bay in Iceland.

Courtesy of Kt Dallison

Kim McCoy19 August 2020Beluga, Beluga Sanctuary, Wildlife entertainment, EntertainmentComment

"It is not only a sin to kill a mockingbird, it is also a crime"

A federal judge in New York has invalidated rule changes by the Trump administration that allowed individuals and corporations to kill large numbers of migratory birds as long as they could prove they did not intentionally set out to do so.

Kim McCoy15 August 2020Birds, Mockingbird, Migratory birds, To Kill A Mockingbird, ConservationComment

France outlaws glue traps for birds.

France will be outlawing hunting birds with glue traps after the European commission has threatened legal action and fines.

Courtesy of Arial Ng.

Kim McCoy12 August 2020Birds, Glueboard Traps, Glue trapsComment

Successful judicial review for New Zealand Tahr Foundation

The New Zealand High Court has ordered the Department of Conservation (“DOC”) to reconsider its controversial tahr cull programme for the next season after a successful judicial review brought by the New Zealand Tahr Foundation.

Kim McCoy10 August 2020Tahr, Himalayan Mountain Goat, Lack of consultation

Prison sentence for smuggling rhino horns into Hong Kong.

A traveller who smuggled 16 kilograms of rhino horns from South Africa to Hong Kong was sentenced by the District Court to 24 months’ imprisonment.

Kim McCoy8 August 2020Rhino horn, Exotic animals, Courts, Sentencing

Second pet quarantine facility opens in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has recently opened a second pet quarantine facility in Sha Tin necessitated by a recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the city.

Kim McCoy6 August 2020Coronavirus, Pet Quarantine, Pet Covid

Three cases of cruelty to birds in Hong Kong.

Read about three of the more recent cases of cruelty to birds in Hong Kong.

Courtesy of Jamia Lam

Kim McCoy4 August 2020Birds, Coronavirus, Feeding birdsComment

Is there charm left in snake charming?

Is there any charm in snake charming? Learn more about the practice that has existed since ancient Egyptian and why it is that the snake charmers show no fear despite being within striking distance of one of the world’s most venomous animals. See how these reptiles, worshiped by many as Gods, are still captured, placated and worked until their death.

Courtesy of Amelia Wang.

Kim McCoy2 August 2020Snakes, Reptiles, Snake CharmingComment

July 2020 Newsletter

OUT NOW - July 2020 Newsletter

NewsletterKim McCoy31 July 2020

Sharks "functionally extinct" at 20% of world's coral reefs.

According to a global study conducted by Dalhousie University, sharks are now “functionally extinct” in nearly 20% of the world’s coral reefs.

Courtesy of Arial Ng

Kim McCoy29 July 2020Shark, Shark Fin, Say No To Shark Fin, Coral Reef, Shark conservationComment

Vietnam bans wildlife trade.

Vietnam has banned the import of wildlife and wildlife products to reduce the risk of new pandemics. The move also bans wildlife markets for such items, including online sales. However, some conservation groups still believe that the government directive is still insufficient as some uses of wildlife, including medicinal use and exotic pet trade, are not covered.

Kim McCoy25 July 2020Wildlife trade, Illegal wildlife, Wet Market, Zoonotic disease, CoronavirusComment

Broomsticks found near suspected animal cruelty case.

Earlier this month, there were reports of a suspected case of animal cruelty in Hong Kong which may have involved the use of a broomstick. The dog involved was found vomiting and suffering from urinary incontinence, surrounded by broken broomstick handles.

Courtesy of Jamia Lam

Kim McCoy25 July 2020Dog, HK Housing Authority, Dogs in Public HousingComment

Three dogs poisoned in Hong Kong within 72 hours.

Three pet dogs are believed to have been poisoned to death over a 72 hour period in Hong Kong island last week, which has sparked a police investigation. The dogs involved were a Japanese Spitz, a Labrador and a mongrel. No arrests have yet to be made.

Kim McCoy23 July 2020Poison, Poison bait, Dogs, Legislative reformComment