The small freshwater Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins are noted for their uniquely shaped round heads and short dorsal fins. They are like no other dolphin on Earth, and could soon be extinct. In fact, only about 89 of these animals remain alive, living in an 118-mile stretch of the Mekong River between Cambodia and Laos.

Though their entire species is contained in a single pinpoint on a map of the world, these dolphins are still facing threats from human activity.

According to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Irrawaddy dolphins are most commonly threatened by gill nets, development of upstream dams, overfishing, and illegal fishing practices.

The IUCN also maintains that gill net entanglement is the main cause of adult mortality, but polluted waters have caused far more insidious problems for the dolphins.

1. WAN Talks With World-Renowned Scientist Dr. Reese Halter About The Controversial Wolf Hunt That Happened Last Week In Wisconsin & How To End It

Tragically, last week, hundreds of gray wolves in Wisconsin became prey to greedy and callous hunters in the state’s first wolf hunt in seven years. The abhorrent and senselessly cruel hunt ran through Sunday or until hunters hit their ‘kill limit’ of 200 innocent lives, which sadly happened early this year.

The controversial hunt was ordered to take place after a Jefferson County Circuit Court decided last week that the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources violated state law by refusing to schedule a winter 2021 gray wolf hunt when the gray wolf was delisted from the Endangered Species Act by the Trump administration on January 4, 2021.

WAN had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Reese Halter, a world-renowned scientist and eco-stress physiologist specializing

Who runs the world? I’ll give you a hint – contrary to Beyonce’s words, it’s not girls. And it’s not boys either. It’s actually cats.

Go to any home around the world where cats reside and you will see that cats are the ones running the whole show. I’ve been around cats all my life, and they definitely are far more crafty and quick-witted than we give them credit for – traits that they use to their full advantage.

Take Buster, for example. This adorable cat knows how to open doors, a skill that he uses to his full advantage. It would seem that his intelligence has made him the pack leader of the dogs in his home since they rely on his smarts to get them out of a sticky situation.

When the tiny Yorkies got themselves locked out, it is Buster who steps in and saves the day. … Read the rest

On Friday, Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose), along with cosponsors Social Compassion in Legislation and The Good Food Institute, introduced AB 1289, The Smart Climate Agriculture Program. Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) co-authored the bill which was created to support California farmers who want to transition from animal agriculture to plant-based agriculture.

Helping local farmers transition will solidify California’s position as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, creating jobs in a burgeoning industry, providing wholesome, sustainable food for its growing population, and helping to keep family farms in business.

“By providing our local farms with the tools and resources to transition to plant-based agriculture, farmers can play a greater role in combating climate change through sustainable practices, while helping the state become a leader in supplying and processing plant-based foods and products for our ever-growing population,” Assemblymember Kalra said in a statement sent to WAN. “I am

Earlier this year, the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park was pleased to welcome a rare white bison to its herd of 25.

The white bison was named Takoda, which means “friend to everyone” in Sioux. Takoda was actually born on a private ranch before making his journey to the Dogwood Canyon Nature Park and settling in with his new herd.

White bison were once extremely rare, though they’re slowly growing in numbers. According to Prevention, the director of wildlife at Dogwood Canyon, Jeremy Hinkle, said that a white bison’s birth “was once an exceptionally rare occurrence, with some estimates stating that only one in 10,000,000 bison were born white.”

He continued, saying, “Though still rare, the phenomenon is more common due to crossbreeding with cattle as a result of attempts by ranchers to save the species from extinction after original populations plummeted to only a few … Read the rest

Yesterday, Beyond Meat Inc. announced the establishment of a three-year global strategic agreement with McDonald’s Corporation. As part of the agreement, Beyond Meat will be McDonald’s preferred supplier for the patty in the McPlant burger, which is being tested in select McDonald’s markets globally.

In addition, Beyond Meat and McDonald’s will explore co-developing other plant-based menu items – like plant-based options for chicken, pork and egg – as part of McDonald’s broader McPlant platform.

In 2019, WAN announced McDonald’s entry into the plant-based arena, testing their first plant-based burger, the P.L.T. (Plant, Lettuce, Tomato), in partnership with Beyond Meat, in 28 restaurants in Southwestern Ontario, Canada.

“Our new McPlant platform is all about giving customers more choices when they visit McDonald’s,” said Francesca DeBiase, McDonald’s Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, in a statement. “We’re excited to work with Beyond Meat to drive innovation in this space, and

A 10-week-old golden retriever puppy named Shasta was just announced as the newest member to Mt. Bachelor’s avalanche rescue team.

Mt. Bachelor, located in central Oregon, is one of the largest ski resorts in the U.S. with an elevation of 9,065 feet, 360-degree views from its summit, and a vertical drop of 3,365 feet.

The adorable puppy is getting familiar with the mountain and ski resort, while greeting skiers and snowboarders. She is currently traveling with her Ski Patrol handler, Drew Clendenen, by snowmobile but will soon learn to ride the chairlift.

Shasta is the 16th dog to join the Avalanche Dog Rescue Program, which was founded in 1991. She will join three other rescue dogs – Riggins, Mango, and Banyon.

The dogs are trained to work with their handlers to find and rescue people trapped under the snow after an avalanche by using their incredible sense … Read the rest

This week, the Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to ban the cruel use of electric prods, shocking devices, flanking straps, spurs, and other barbaric instruments from rodeos.

The motion, put forth by Councilmember Bob Blumenfield and seconded by Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell in December of last year, now moves to the Los Angeles City Attorney to draft the ordinance.

WAN talked with Patty Shenker who, along with Heather Wilson, has been advocating for animal rights for decades. Both Shenker, who spoke at the council meeting, and Wilson, were among those working with Blumenfield to pass this critical measure.

“The writing of the ordinance is just the beginning,” Shenker told WAN, explaining the relevance of a similar law that passed in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1992. While the law prohibiting the use of tools of torture on animals in rodeos did not categorically ban rodeos, it did effectively stop them from occurring

A Tennessee woman didn’t think twice about jumping into a frozen pool to save her beloved pit bull.

A backyard surveillance video captured the terrifying incident and the heroic rescue.

Jennie Tatum let her two dogs, Olaf and Sid, out in the backyard to go to the bathroom and play in the freshly fallen snow. She kept a close eye on the dogs as they took off running and watched in horror as Sid slipped into the icy pool.

She rushed out of the home and jumped in the pool to save her sweet boy. She smashed through the thick ice with her hands trying to locate him. “It was pure adrenaline. I was not even thinking about being cold,” Tatum told WTVF.

When she couldn’t find him, she got out of the pool to get a better look. All of a sudden she spotted him … Read the rest