More than 300 animals from the West Coast Game Park Safari in Oregon have been seized by authorities, as a result of a four-day investigation into animal welfare violations. For around a decade, agricultural inspections have documented the animals at the facility in poor condition. More recent USDA reports have noted consistent violations, including big cats with protruding bones, a tiger carcass stored alongside food, and a chimpanzee left in isolation following the death of his companion. Officials say the rescued animals will be relocated to accredited sanctuaries or rescue facilities, though a chicken, a camel, and a kinkajou had to be euthanized due to their poor condition. The walk-through park has been in operation since 1969, and confines more than 450 animals across 75 species, including Bengal tigers, African leopards, cougars, bobcats, emus, and more, according to its website. It also has a petting zoo area. The zoo also offers hands-on interactions with baby tigers, lions, and bears, as well as adult animals including bobcats, skunks, and foxes, promoting these experiences as “interactive learning presentations.” Read the full story at speciesunite.com/news-stories/this-hellhole-must-be-shut-down-310-animals-seized-from-oregon-zoo (fb)

Donkey skins will no longer be transported by a major international shipping line, marking the first public commitment of its kind. Swire Shipping has become the first international carrier to publicly commit to banning the transport of donkey skins, signing onto a ‘No Donkey Skins Carriage Policy’ launched by UK-based charity @donkeysanctuary. The ban officially went into place on 8 May to coincide with World Donkey Day, an annual event dedicated to celebrating donkeys and promoting their protection. The move follows last year’s decision by the airline Emirates to ban the transportation of donkey hides on its flights internationally. The Donkey Sanctuary is optimistic that with two industry leaders taking a stand against the donkey skin trade, others in the transport sector will be encouraged to follow suit. Read the full story at speciesunite.com/news-stories/major-shipping-company-bans-donkey-skin-transport-in-world-first #donkey #donkeyskins #ejiao #goodnews #equine (fb)