Tabla de contenidos para The Animals Edition en The Goodnewspaper

When I moved into my first grown-up apartment, where I finally had an entire wall above my desk to decorate, I displayed a colorful print by artist Adam J. Kurtz on my wall. It read: “It's not all sunshine and rainbows, but a good amount of it actually is.” At Good Good Good, we're big anti-toxic positivity buffs. We don't believe in burying our heads in the sand; we believe in determined optimism, actionable hope. Something I have definitely said when describing my job is: “It's not just puppies and kittens.” But… a good amount of it actually is. Good Good Good's founder, Branden, will tell everyone a million times over that when he started the Goodnewspaper, he didn't want it to be full of the feel-good fluff that plays…

Lolita, an orca whale – who was initially called Tokitae or Toki – was captured nearly 50 years ago at the age of four from her home in the Salish Sea and brought to the Miami Seaquarium. For decades, she performed for visitors and lived in an 80-foot by 35-foot tank. (Orcas can grow to be 32 feet long). Lolita was finally able to retire from exhibition last year, and after mounting efforts from animal rights activists fighting against the captivity of dolphins and whales, the Seaquarium has agreed to move her back home. Along with the efforts of groups like Friends Of Lolita, another key player was part of her freedom: an NFL owner-philanthropist, Jim Irsay, the owner of the Indianapolis Colts – and lifelong whale lover. A generous…

Any dog lover will tell you the worst thing about owning a canine companion: that they don't live forever. Pet loss is emotionally devastating, and while some may not take it seriously, neuroscientists agree that it causes the same complicated grief of human bereavement – and may even be more painful due to a lack of social support. “How many places are there where society lets you grieve for a dog, with all your heart, the way you would a person?” reporter Martha Teichner asked in a segment on “CBS This Morning.” Well, there's at least one: Dog Mountain. The 150-acre sanctuary in northern Vermont was established by Stephen Huneck, a dog lover and artist whose popular woodcut portraits of his pets became the illustrations of children's books. The dog-honoring…

Perhaps you've encountered the now-viral TikTok sound of New York City's sanitation commissioner Jessica Tisch speaking at a news conference last fall. “The rats are absolutely going to hate this announcement,” she said firmly. “But the rats don't run this city; we do.” Well, the competition is not just between rats and New Yorkers anymore. When it comes to spotting wildlife, the iNaturalist app has become the central home for an annual global citizen science project: The City Nature Challenge. What started as a competition between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 2016 quickly spread across the globe, encouraging international nature lovers to compete in spotting and documenting local wildlife in their apps, categorizing flora, fauna, and fungi of all kinds. This year, over 1.8 million observations were made, as…

GOOD Switch to buying products that are cruelty-free. Carefully read labels on cosmetics and household products – or visit crueltyfree.peta.org for a full database of cruelty-free companies to support. BETTER Support charities that work to end animal testing. Cruelty Free International (crueltyfreeinternational.org) or the John Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (caat.jhsph.edu) are good places to start. BEST Contact your representatives and urge them to vote in favor of a Humane Cosmetics Act. You can also urge federal agencies like the FDA and USDA to ban animal testing in cosmetic and drug laboratories.…

Palm civets are native to the forests of the Philippines – a unique animal frequently compared to cats or weasels. Civets are known for their affinity for eating the poultry and plants of the B'laan tribespeople. For years, they were killed as pests or hunted for food, but then, one discovery changed everything. Civets enjoy a good coffee plant, instinctively picking only the ripest, sweetest, and best beans as they feast. When they poop out the beans, which have been chemically altered with stomach acids to take on a new taste and aroma, villagers harvest the beans. Civet coffee has become a luxury brew that can cost up to $80 per cup. In other commercial civet coffee establishments, the animals are caged or mistreated, but in the forests of Mount…

“Overheard at National Geographic” delves into the stories behind the iconic magazine. From epic animal migrations to strange behaviors and mind-boggling adaptations, this podcast follows explorers, photographers, and scientists as they examine the hidden lives of animals. “The Wild with Chris Morgan” explores how nature survives and thrives alongside – and often despite – humans. Listeners are taken around the world to study wildlife, the complex web of ecosystems they inhabit, and the stories of people protecting them. “30 Animals That Made Us Smarter” uncovers the incredible wisdom of the animal kingdom. From how dragonflies influenced spy drones to how Kingfisher's eyelids inspired environmental solutions, discover how animals have played a role in human innovation.…

There are a lot of amazing working dogs in the world: med ical alert dogs, seeing-eye dogs, bomb-sniffing dogs, rescue dogs – you name it. They live to serve, and we live to love them. But there's a category of working dogs you may not have met before: conservation dogs. These dogs are a whole lot more impressive than my apartment-domesticated Shiba Inu, who often seems dismayed when I bring a bag on our walks to pick up litter in the neighborhood – or those beloved doodles, who might prefer to eat poop rather than simply sniff it out. No – these are pups who are trained to save the planet. Working Dogs For Conservation (WD4C) is the world's leading conservation dog organization, based in the rugged plains of Missoula,…

Many of us might picture a veteran handler when we think of a PTSD service dog, but there are millions of other folks living with PTSD who deserve access to the care and support of a well-trained service animal. According to the National Center for PTSD, at least 6% of Americans experience PTSD, with sexual violence as the most common cause for PTSD in America. These cases impact women at a much higher rate than men, according to PTSD Alliance, and survivors are often left struggling to find resources to help. And, until now, no PTSD service dog organizations or programs have been made specifically for them. Enter: the Freedom K9 Project. This organization is the first in the United States specializing in the training of service dogs for abuse…

IFAW (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) has spent over 50 years sticking to its animal rescue principles of “rescue, rehabilitate, release, and secure,” spanning over 40 countries to protect and save animals in need. To do this takes a massive amount of creative problem-solving. Take, for instance, the Mobile Dolphin Rescue Clinic (MDRC) in Cape Cod – a dolphin ambulance affectionately called “Moby”. The ambulance is different from your average weewoo wagon, custom-built with soft foam mats and a mini mobile clinic that transports and rehabilitates injured, sick, and stranded dolphins (and other marine mammals like porpoises, whales, and seals) on the Massachusetts peninsula. The goal of any IFAW mission is to quickly care for an animal and release it back into its natural ecosystem, so having an on-the-go…

GOOD Do your research to learn more about the threats marine animals face. While there are countless resources out there, you may want to start by reading “The Sea Around Us” by Rachel Carson. BETTER Donate to nonprofits dedicated to the protection of marine biodiversity and habitats. We'd recommend local conservation groups in your area or global organizations like IFAW (ifaw.org) or Oceana (oceana.org). BEST Take action! Whether you join a beach clean-up crew, contact your representatives about adopting the UN High Seas Treaty, or opt out of using those pesky plastic straws, you're helping out.…

If you're visiting The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City, a black cat crossing your path is the opposite of bad luck; it's a celebrity sighting. Oklahoma's skeleton museum, housing over 800 specimens, is a hub for all-ages STEM programming and educational opportunities in natural and life science. So, naturally, the 7,000-square-foot home of forensic anthropology needed a shadowy spirit to roam its halls. Back in 2019, museum employees began their pleas for a staff pet, going so far as to form a “Kitty Committee” to persuade their supervisor – and it worked. They scooped up Sir Indiana Bones – lovingly referred to as Indy – and now four years later, the black cat is pulling his weight. When a photo of Indy went viral on social media, he became…

It was 2003 when Elle Woods made her case against animal testing in “Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde,” after she learned her beloved chihuahua's mom had been confined to life in a cosmetics lab. While the film was a cultural reset, animal testing is still an ongoing issue. As of late 2022, 10 states ban the sale of cosmetics tested on animals, and advocates continue fighting for federal legislation. In fact, more than 375 companies have endorsed a nationwide Humane Cosmetics Act. “With the increasing availability of non-animal test methods and thousands of existing ingredients, there is no excuse to continue harming animals for the sake of products such as shampoo, aftershave, or mascara,” New York State director for the Humane Society Brian Shapiro said in a press…

MORE GOOD NEWS On the grounds of Boundbrook Farm in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, Erik Andrus practices “integrated duck and rice farming.” Since 2010, the farmers have grown old Hokkaido varieties of Japanese rice that are cold-tolerant. This is done using the principles of agroecology – a food-producing system that relies on natural ecosystems that support multiple species – and the ancient aigamo method – which uses ducks to control weed, fertilize water, and eliminate the need for pesticides and fertilizers in the rice paddies. The ducks are hard and strategic workers. Once the rice seedlings take root, the birds forage among the plants, eating weeds, churning soil, and doing their part to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Never fret: the Andruses diligently keep predators out to protect their flock. That said, many…

GOOD Stay up-to-date with international wildlife conservation news. Mongabay News is a great hub for animal and environmental news from every corner of the globe. Plus, they have a biweekly podcast! Visit mongabay.com. BETTER Invest some of your donation dollars in international organizations making a difference for wildlife conservation worldwide. Check out IFAW (ifaw.org) and the Jane Goodall Institute (janegoodall.org). BEST Since we can't exactly teleport to other countries, we recommend volunteering at your local wildlife preserve! Find a wildlife refuge near you by visiting fws.gov/visit-us/refuges.…

“My Octopus Teacher” is an Oscar-winning film about Craig Foster's year-long bond with a spirited female octopus off the coast of South Africa. Through their unexpected friendship, Foster witnesses her resilience, survival instincts, and the invaluable lessons she passed along. (Netflix) “Dominion” exposes the heartbreaking abuse of the modern animal agriculture industry. Narrated by Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara, Sia, Sadie Sink, and Kat Von D – and co-produced by Shaun Monson – this film's mission is to challenge viewers to take action and become voices for the voiceless. (Youtube) “Our Universe” is a six-part docu-series that follows different aspects of the natural world. Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman narrates and gives us a look into the origin of the universe, life on planet Earth, and our interconnected relationship with it. Need…

WILD FOR TECH 1 Germany's Holographic Circus Circus Roncalli, a German circus troupe founded in 1976, has been animal-free since the 1990s. Its most recent innovation, however, is the use of elephant and tiger holograms, introduced to the show in 2019. The figures are custom-built using 3D animations, photography, and virtual rendering, with a system of 11 digital lasers projecting the light show. It requires a much smaller team to operate than a whole family of animals, and it allows the spotlight to shine on performers like acrobats, clowns, and dancers. And it's still just as fun. “Finding a circus without the din of animals, but the simple noise of people was a surprise,” Washington Post photographer Davide Bertuccio said. “When you enter the Roncalli, you realize the absence of animals…

After two decades of negotiations, members of the United Nations have agreed on an international high seas treaty, which will protect biodiversity in international waters – roughly two-thirds of the planet's oceans. The treaty will confront biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change – a promising step toward 30x30, a major land and marine conservation commitment that hopes to protect 30% of the planet's land and oceans by 2030. Right now, most global waters remain heavily unregulated, meaning it's nearly impossible to agree between governing bodies to find ways to deal with plastic pollution, overfishing, and more. With the treaty, however, four main objectives aim to mitigate this barrier: the establish ment of large-scale protected areas (like national parks for the ocean!), commercial regulations, equitable access to resources and research across…

Dr. Cherice Roth, who is both a Black woman and a veterinarian, woke up at 3 a.m. one day, wrote “What is a real doctor?” on a sticky note, and fell back to sleep. The next morning, she wrote the first draft of her children's book in 30 minutes. The book, aptly titled “What's A Real Doctor?” follows her real-life sons as they explain to their friends that their mom is a “real doctor,” but her patients are just a different species. Her second book, “What Does A Real Doctor Look Like?” adds on to the initial myth-busting of her first page-turner. In this edition, the main character admits: “I want to be a doctor, but I don't think doctors look like me. Do they?” In a kid-friendly, accessible format,…

GOOD Thinking about becoming a pet parent? It's a lot harder than it looks. Check out the Humane Society of the United States for a library of resources on pet wellness and care. Visit humanesociety.org/resources/pet-owners. BETTER Donate locally! Give back to your local shelter or rescue by providing items for a pet pantry to support low-income pet parents, give funds, or donate items from their wishlist. BEST We're giving you the permission slip! Adopt or foster a pet from your local shelter. If you have the means to take care of a critter with all the love in your heart, this is the best thing you can do for a pet in need.…

Across Congo, Indonesia, and Guyana, over 200 frontline officers are training to better care for animals seized from the illegal wildlife trade. These countries are hotbeds for wildlife trafficking, as protected species like pangolins, parrots, and primates are sought after by traders. As a collaborative effort between IFAW, the Jakarta Animal Aid Network, the Jane Goodall Institute, and the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, trainings are offered to local police, customs and border control officers, and ecological guards. The goal is to provide new frontline knowledge to save the dehydrated, emaciated, or injured animals these officers often come face-to-face with. “For most trafficked animals, enforcement officers are their last hope to be rescued and possibly released back to the wild– which is our ultimate goal,” Loïs…

Harlequin frogs and toads are some of the most vibrantly colored creatures in nature. Just 2-3 centimeters in length and sporting neon coloring like hot pink, orange, yellow, and purple – they claim the title “jewels of the neotropics.” Since the 1980s, scientists have tracked the lethal fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which causes a disease called chytridiomycosis – which kills thousands of amphibians in the American tropics. While these beautiful creatures deserve to be protected, the health of humans is also at stake. The frogs help control mosquito populations, and in some regions in Central America, their decline has led to an increase of up to 90% more malaria cases. Devastatingly, of the 99 known species, half may already be extinct. Enter: The Atelopus Survival Initiative (ASI), a task force that…

As our planet faces increasing threats, the need to safeguard its diverse creatures has never been more vital. Whether it's majestic elephants roaming the African savannah or tiny marine creatures hidden beneath the ocean's depths, every species plays a crucial role in our interconnected ecosystem. Welcome to a world where animals take center stage and their stories are honored and celebrated! Immerse yourself in jaw-dropping visuals and moving narratives that shed light on the urgent conservation efforts taking place around the world. We've gathered some resources to help spark curiosity and inspire action to protect and advocate for our furry, feathery, and scaly neighbors.…

Joel Sartore is an acclaimed photographer and conservationist who has dedicated his life to documenting the world's biodiversity and raising awareness for endangered species through his images. (@JoelSartore) National Park Service Go for the nature; stay for the humor. NPS cleverly weaves important safety tips and animal facts into their funny and iconic captions, giving you more reasons to appreciate parks and public lands. (@nationalparkservice) Ed Winters is a best-selling author, educator, Harvard fellow, and prominent figure in the vegan movement, who passionately advocates for animal rights, environmental sustainability, and ethical living. (@earthlinged)…

Conservationists like Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey have long been the faces of primate conservation. But Ugandan wildlife vet Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka deserves some of the spotlight, too. Kalema-Zikusoka has embarked on an illustrious career caring for Uganda's mountain gorillas, who are shy and endangered but still bring in about 60 percent of tourism revenue in the area. Although tourism used to cause harm to the gorillas’ natural environment, they're in much better hands with award-winning Kalema-Zikusoka on their side. Her path was one she carved herself, directly reaching out to the head of Uganda's national parks to become the country's first-ever wildlife vet. Since 1996, she has taken care of the Silverbacks in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, where she's seen the population of gorillas grow from 300 to nearly 500…