A New Law Protects Two Beloved Species From Being Held in Captivity

Bumble Bee Joins Endangered Species List

Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee may be classified as endangered under the Endangered Species Act after a recommendation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This social parasite is native to 15 states across the U.S. and obliges other bee species to raise its offspring. However, Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bees are key to pollination and indicate pollen health to scientists. Therefore, the recent decline in species population numbers has conservationists worried.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) claimed that Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee was at severe risk of extinction, qualifying it as critically endangered. The Department of Fish and Wildlife lists the bee’s vulnerability to climate change as moderate. Still, it’s possible that climate change could have a more significant impact on the species as they near extinction. Find out more about Suckley’s cuckoo bumble bee and conservation here.

Canada Bans the Captivity of Apes and Elephants

Canada’s Bill S-15 is making waves among animal activism groups celebrating a ban on the captivity of elephants and great apes. The bill prohibits the captivity and breeding of great apes and elephants in entertainment and performance. Licensed researchers, some welfare organizations, and conservation sanctuaries are exempt from this legislation. Additionally, animals already held or born in captivity will not be released but perhaps transported; the law solely bans their acquisition.

Why elephants and great apes exclusively? These animals demonstrate greater intelligence and socioemotional awareness compared to other mammals. For example, elephants have learned to paint, and apes have learned American Sign Language. Therefore, Canada hopes to promote humane animal treatment through the bill. Find out more about the contents of the bill here.

Authorities Rescue 167 Animals from Kanlaon Eruption Aftermath

The recent eruption of Kanlaon Mountain, which displaced nearly 9,000 residents of the Philippines, had a tremendous effect on plants and animals in the area. Authorities were mandated to enter the six-kilometer danger zone around Kanlaon to rescue trapped animals. Most animal rescues included goats, water buffalo, and carabaos. While Kanlaon continues terrorizing the danger zone with sediment flows and muddy run-off, officials survey the area for additional rescues.