Sens. Cornyn, Booker and Reps. Quigley, Upton introduce federal bill to protect against the continued emergence of devastating zoonotic diseases traced to risky wildlife-human interactions

Sens. Cornyn, Booker and Reps. Quigley, Upton introduce federal bill to protect against the continued emergence of devastating zoonotic diseases traced to risky wildlife-human interactions

The Preventing Future Pandemics Act would end the import, export, and sales of certain live wildlife for the primary purpose of human consumption in the U.S. and implement dedicated strategies to address the problem worldwide.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

An Indiana roadside zoo whose owner’s federal license was revoked for numerous violations of the Animal Welfare Act, including beating a leopard to death with a baseball bat and swinging monkeys around by their tails, has closed its doors. The animals are being moved to facilities where they will hopefully receive better care.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Since 2017, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan has introduced a bill that would undermine America’s war on ivory trafficking by hindering the ability of states to create laws fighting this illegal trade. The full Senate did not consider the bill the last time, and more Americans than ever before now emphatically oppose ivory trafficking, but Sen. Sullivan apparently failed to get the message.

By Sara Amundson and Kitty Block

Days before the Kentucky Derby kicks off in his home state next week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has announced he will introduce a bill to reform horse racing. This is a promising development for the future of race horses in a sport that has increasingly come under a cloud because of the reckless doping of horses and a spate of horse deaths, drawing criticism not just from outside watchers but from trainers and other stakeholders within the industry.