Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Enables Factory Farming

"The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, charged with protecting the state’s environment, is creating a website portal to help large-scale developers and the operators of factory farms." - See more at: http://www.isthmus.com/news/news/dnr-to-ease-factory-farms-permitting-process/#sthash.FZOCsSqJ.dpuf

Horrible accident at Chicago zoo results in dozens of stingray deaths

http://m.channel3000.com/news/dozens-of-stingrays-die-at-zoo-in-chicago/34127780#

180,000 Chickens to be euthanized at SW Wisconsin 'Farm'

An outbreak of avian flu has led the state agriculture department in Wisconsin to decide to euthanize 180,000 bird.

Link:  http://host.madison.com/news/local/chickens-at-egg-laying-facility-infected-with-bird-flu-in/article_54200306-0030-5f01-9217-687cec761a45.html

Wisconsin farm catastrophe results in 300,000 chicken fatalities

Massive egg farm disaster results in 300,000 chicken deaths near La Grange, Wisconsin.

http://wgntv.com/2014/02/02/chickens-killed-in-massive-fire-at-wisconsin-egg-farm/

Last furrier in Madison closing

Hopefully this is a sign of the times.

http://host.madison.com/wsj/business/last-fur-shop-to-close-in-madison/article_35618fc3-9734-571b-b0fb-1f1e25c46ebf.html

Rennet

A back to school heads-up...

Rennet - an animal derived coagulant used to make many types of cheese, comes from calves, and is a byproduct of veal production.  

Madison's school district has confirmed their provider, Land O'Lakes, uses rennet in its cheese.

Extended public comment period on delisting of the Gray Wolf

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has extended the public comment period on the delisting of the Gray Wolf from the endangered and threatened wildlife and plant protections, and modifications to the classification of other species.  The new deadline is October 28, 2013.  To submit a comment, visit this website and follow these instructions.  Note that the Proposed Rule is to delist the Gray Wolf and not the Mexican Wolf.  As you can see in my comment below I didn't understand that aspect of the rule change.

I am writing as a private citizen. I do not believe that the Gray Wolf and the Mexican Wolf should be removed (delisted) from protection as an endangered animal. In my view there is insufficient evidence to support removing protections for these species of animal. Predators like these wolves play an important part in nature - they help maintain healthier populations of other animals and limit overpopulation. Delisting these wolves will also allow the hunting, trapping, and hounding of these magnificent animals. While I cannot say that hunting is immoral in itself, I can certainly argue that certain types of hunting are immoral when they include cruel and inhumane treatment of animals. Please continue to protect the Gray and Mexican Wolf population for their own sake, for nature itself, and for future generations to enjoy and live with.