Two New Vegan and Vegetarian Cookbooks Featured on NPR

I'm loving NPR's stories on two new veg*n cookbooks that are out in stores.  One is a graphic novel called Dirt Candy, about a couple who started their own restaurant, and the other is The Inspired Vegan, a follow up to Bryant Terry's 2009 book, Vegan Soul Kitchen.

New Iberia Research Chimps Heading to New Sanctuary

Some good news for our closest relatives. 

Link: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2012/12/post-22.html

Trapped Wolves Being Humiliated and Shot at Close Range in Northern Wisconsin

Very difficult to watch, but important to know about and take action on.

Link: http://wiwildlifeethic.org/2012/11/18/more-wisconsin-wolf-torture-labeled-as-comedy-by-the-killers-action-needed/

First Case of CWD Found in Deer in SE Wisconsin

Chronic Wasting Disease, a neurological disease similar to Mad Cow Disease, has been showing up more and more in Wisconsin. Now the disease has been found for the first time in South East Wisconsin - in Racine County.

Link: http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/251629/group/homepage/

Animal Research Ethics at UW-Madison

An ongoing Forum on Animal Research Ethics (FARE) recently held an open discussion at University of Wisconsin-Madison.  In light of the University's unfortunate movement towards restarting research focusing on maternal deprivation with monkeys, I wanted to attend the event.  I wasn't able to, however, so I will list some of my questions and concerns here in hope that some of the stakeholders might read them.

• I wonder if there might be a possibility of opening some of these labs to community inspections/visits? 
• I would also like to see if there has ever been a cost benefit analysis done on animal research at UW?
• I would also like to know what can be done with computer modeling - is it possible that animal research will be made redundant by it in the future?
• Some of the tens of thousands of animals which are housed at the UW are quite dangerous due to what they are being tested on/with. Does the university have an emergency plan for how to deal with animals under its control should a natural disaster or terrorist attack occur?

More information FARE: http://www.science.wisc.edu/events-forum-on-animal-research-ethics.htm

Learn more about Maternal Deprivation experiments: http://www.allanimals.org/maternal-deprivation.html

Hundreds of Negative Comments Prompt Wisconsin DNR to Expand No Hunting Areas

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker's plan to expand hunting into state parks has met massive push back from the public and the Department of Natural Resources is now being forced to change their plans.  Of about 2,000 public comments which were collected through past Friday, only about 84 were in support of DNR plans.

Link: http://host.madison.com/news/local/plan-expands-no-hunting-areas/article_4cb42a3c-4191-11e2-9dd3-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true