Spain contains several geographically diverse regions with different climates and terrain, so it has a great variety of wildlife. Birdwatching is a popular pastime amongst tourists and natives. 70% of Europe’s bird species either visit or breed in Spain. Rare birds of prey such as the black vulture and Eleonora’s falcon can be seen there. […]
Animal Welfare
For lovers of animals, animal welfare is an important issue. Cruelty and negligence toward animals is the norm rather than the exception. Animals are mistreated on farms, in the wild, in laboratories and in industries which profit from animal abuse.
Most countries recognize that animals have the right to “Five Freedoms” which were first proposed in the United Kingdom in the 1960s:
- Freedom from Hunger and Thirst
- Freedom from Discomfort
- Freedom from Pain, Injury or Disease
- Freedom to Express Normal Behavior
- Freedom from Fear and Distress
Promotion of animal welfare can be on many levels. First, there is the legislative level. Laws already exist which prevent certain types of animal cruelty but there is still much to be done. Public campaigns are also important, to convince the public to treat animals humanely and not support those who don’t. On the individual level, volunteering at an animal shelter or animal welfare organization can do a world of good. Getting involved in conservation is also a positive action.
Animal Welfare ArticlesMore
Activists
- When euthanasia goes wrong
- Famous Animal Rights Activists
- Nathan J. Winograd
- Help Animals – Support These Sites
Wildlife Welfare
- HSUS Report on Orca Shows
- The Exotic Pet Industry and Animal Welfare
- Why Do People Keep Wild Animals as Pets?
- Ohio Prohibits Wild Animals as Pets
General Animal Welfare Articles
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Finland
Finland claims to be the last wilderness in Europe. The country has large lakes and forests and a fairly small population relative to its size. There are at least sixty native mammal species, 248 breeding bird species, over seventy fish species and eleven reptile and frog species in Finland today. Finland’s cold climate is home […]
Israel
According to the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “some 47,000 living species have been identified in Israel, with another 4,000 assumed to exist. There are 116 species of mammals native to Israel, 511 kinds of birds, 97 types of reptiles and seven types of amphibians.” Conservation There are 190 nature reserves and 66 national parks […]
Tibet
Since 1949, Tibet has been part of China, but was an independent country until then. Some of the wildlife found in Tibet includes Tibetan eagles, marmots, Himalayan mouse hares, foxes, and Himalayan ravens. Marmots, which are rodents which live in burrows, are the most common animal seen in Tibet. Himalayan mouse hares have been seen […]
Thailand
Thailand spans widely varying geological and climactic zones, in which over 10 percent of the world’s animals live. It is home to more than 285 mammal species and 925 species of birds. Some of the animals native to Thailand are the White-Handed Gibbon, Dusky langur (also known as the leaf monkey) and the Mudskipper (a […]
Sweden
Sweden is home to wildlife such as the moose, roe deer, the wolf, the lynx, the bear, the wolverine and the red fox. Many birds make their home in the mountains or on the coastline of Sweden. The kingfisher and the dipper are two special Swedish birds. Many birds of prey are almost extinct in […]
Switzerland
It is a little-known fact that there are seven Swiss dog breeds. The Schweizerische Kynologische Gesellschaft (SKG) (the Swiss equivalent of the Kennel Club) works to promote these breeds in Switzerland and abroad. In the 19th century, a Saint Bernard named Barry who lived in a monastery in the Alps, saved at least 40 people […]
Portugal
Some animals that live in Portugal are the wild goat, wild pig, fox, Iberian hare, wolf, lynx and deer. Portugal lies on the winter migration route of western and central European bird species, so many birds can be seen in the peninsula. Conservation Since Portugal joined the EU, massive redevelopment with money from the EU […]
Netherlands
The Netherlands, or Holland, has a maritime climate which is cool in the summer and mild in the winter. This makes the country ideal for dairy farming and raising livestock. Some animals native to the Netherlands are the beech marten, the long-finned pilot whale, the Netherland dwarf rabbit, as well as wild boar, elk and […]
Hungary
Hungary is home to many bird species. There are 373 species whose largest European populations are in Hungary. Birdwatching is a popular past-time in the country, especially in national parks. Some of the common birds are the Great Bustard, Saker, Imperial Eagle, Red-footed Falcon, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Aquatic Warbler, Black and Grey Headed Woodpecker, Red […]